Does the shape you are trying to use the gradient tool on have a gradient? Select a gradient swatch, or create a gradient in the gradient panel. Are you trying to modify the nonexistent gradient in the stroke of a path that has a gradient in its fill? Hit 'x' to swap between selecting/editing fill colors and stroke colors.

Select the object then in the appearance panel use the fly out menu to Clear Appearance, now try the grad tool. An easy way to set the object to a simple grad would be to select the object and tap the decimal point key in the lower right of the ten key numerical key pad.

Solved: Very very trivial, I just needed to click on the gradient window and toggle to fill mode, it had switched to stroke.

Also, googled why that happens and apparently if you have transparent gradient on your stroke, the gradient tool won't let you modify the gradient.

One of those things that Adobe takes on and stops developing I think.

Thank you if you guys tried to solve it :D

I think it may get rasterized, you may go to Window-->Appearance--> Fill type is shown gradient or not?

Could you please show how it works if you ungroup the expended LIve group and how it works if you select the circle inside the expanded Live group by Direct (or Group) Selection tool?I figured it out, the circle shape was (for some reason) having issues (even after "expanding" or making it a compound shape), so, I made a new circle, and now the gradient tool works fine in the new circles. Go figure! Thanks everyone!

In the view menu : Hide gradient annotator should be listed so the annotator is visible.

Sorry, but not sure what you are asking, your post is difficult to follow. · If you select another object and the gradient annotator disappears, then that item is filled with a solid color and not a gradient. What does the appearance palette show on the elected object you are having trouble with. · You may just need to change to a gradient filled by choosing the middle icon at the bottom of your tools. Or use the eyedropper to fill a selected item. · For your screenshots try shift command 4 on a mac

Kind of late but hope my answer can be of help.

So the control that you are looking for is called the "Gradient annotator" can might be switched off accidentally by pressing the shortcut "cmd + opt + G" for mac. Not so sure about Windows.

To reactivate it simply press the shortcut again or go to View > Show Gradient Annotator and you should have the gradient controls back on.

Live Paint and Gradients are currently (actually a couple of years) not a good combination. · Expand the Live Paint to adjust the gradients.

Sounds like an accidental reversion on Adobe's part. It's doing that in 2020 for me as well.

The live gradient update was only just added in 2019 in the first place; did you just start using AI this year?

Personally I prefer the old way, things start getting really slow when I try to adjust a gradient that's one fill/stroke in a complicated appearance stack.

Anyway. Go to the uservoice site and file a new bug, maybe it'll get fixed, maybe not.