When krita loads, the layer docker is blank. The lower icons are present and responsive, but you cannot see the layers. You can make new layers, but you still cant see new layers created. New layers function properly, except you cannot switch to the other layers. Found a workaround: pressing the copy function repeatedly, copies of the layers become visible in panel. Existing, original layers remain invisible when copies appear.
resolved, the advanced color selector was not locked into the sidebar, and covered the top of the layers docket. silly me.