The theme directory “default” does not exist

Greetings,

Get this error on a new install of wordpress 5.3.1 and 5.3.2 when I hover on Appearance, then click anything else (customize, background, etc.):
The theme directory “aad5eb279ca052604ddf7150e16098b93a4ed72d~default” does not exist.

I’ve tried uninstalling and reinstalling wp (making sure no wp remained in cPanel)and:
1. copying the twenty twenty theme into a folder named aad5eb279ca052604ddf7150e16098b93a4ed72d~default
This does get rid of the error, but, if I install, activate and publish a different theme the “active” theme reverts back to the funny named themed when I go back into customize my different theme. Clear as mud?

Also, the alphanumberics in front of ~default are exactly the same each time I uninstall and reinstall wp.

Any advice is appreciated!