Created two new locator maps. Travelled away from point of map creation to new area outside of my current mapped zone. Selected map from hotbar. Selected use item. Map does not 'fill', 'update' or change in anyway. New map still appears blank. Both new maps behave in this fashion.
1.13.2 MacOS
"Locator maps?" If you mean explorer maps, then that means the structure is just very, very far away from you.