Photoshop CS6 - problem I can't figure out

So, here's my deal.

1) Open a raw image in cs6
2) Make new layer
3) go to make corrections and adjustments on new layer and nothing happens.

I then try to check to see if any area is selected and nothing. I can't make any adjustments on my layers and I'm not sure why

Here's the weird thing, all my actions that I have created in the past work perfectly. If I make a background copy I can make adjustments on that. But, i can't make any adjustments on a new layer I created.

It's very frustrating. I must have changed a setting somewhere but I can't figure out where.

Any ideas?

Thanks

not sure I'm following this, but if you make a new layer there is nothing on it, so you can't adjust anything. You need to make an adjustment layer, to affect what's underneath. Is that what you're doing?

I usually open in PS, copy the background (original image) to a new layer, then work from there, turning the background off. Kind of using it as an unaltered reference and 'well' for a new layer if I screw something up or want to try something else.

Drag your background onto the new layer icon, then add an adjustment layer.

If that's what you're doing, then I don't know what's going on.

Ok, thanks I actually figured it out