cannot set path width

INKSCAPE.

Hello and thank you for this great software.

I cannot set a stroke width and have it stay set. YES, I can edit the width after placing it, but it always resets to much thicker. I have done the obvious like going to preferences and setting new elements to be as "LAST USED STYLE" but this does not work. I have tried this method for pen, pencil, ellipse etc. but nothing works. I HAVE ALSO tried setting the tools "OWN STYLE" as "TAKEN FROM SELECTION" but again no joy.

I believe I have the latest version as it was downloaded a month or two ago.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Best Wishes,
Roman.