Problems unloading cores for PS Vita + no icons on screen

I recently installed RetroArch on my PS Vita (Slim version). However, whenever I quit RA, it saves that last core I used so whenever I reload the app, the last core loads up by default. I can’t go the the main menu with “no cores” loading up. I have followed some suggestions on either deleting or renaming the config file, but a new config file is created with the same issue occurring. Is there any way to manually edit the config file so I can run RA and have no cores running on boot?

Also, I don’t have any icons showing on my screen. Where icons should be appearing, there are only empty spaces.

I’m a noob to RA on the Vita (been using it for years on my PC), and I am stumped.