Why is applying a gradient fill excedingly difficult?

[Doormats & More]

I am having a hard time applying a gradient fill to an object. I have 4 converted to outlines text objects that I have tried every method available in the help tutorials to apply the gradient to. I can see in the layers & appearance panel that it shows that the gradient has been applied, yet the objects remain black. Interstingly I can apply a stroke to the object & that will show but any type of fill will not apply to these objects they always remain black - which is weird & making me want to pull my hair out. Anyone know why fills would not apply to an object? Thank You.

[Doormats & More]

[Monika Gause]

Your appearance panel says that you have targeted the layer.

You might possible want to read about selecting and targeting: https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/layers.html

[Doormats & More · Accepted solution]

Thank you. Actually it turns out to be a glitch with a file that I am working with apparently. When I try to create this gradient fill outline text in this particular file I have this difficulty, However trying this same technique in a new file, or other files is perfectly simple as expected. Huh, just one of those things. Thanks for your reply.