now every time I start Ekos I get multiple error messages saying guided dithering can't be used with non guided dithering, and when I select options to change the dithering setting nothing happens.
can I fix this without flashing a sd card all over with stellarmate os
Go to your guide tab, hit options, and uncheck "Non guide dither pulse".
Your settings should look similar to mine. Having that option checked is causing the error you see. You can't have non guided and guided dithering at the same time.