Ideally, you should be able to merge your contractors by following the steps shared by my colleague above. Since you're unable to do so, I'd suggest logging into your QBO account via an incognito window. This feature doesn't use the existing cache files, which makes it a good place to determine if there's an issue with the browser.
Here are the keyboard shortcuts:
Safari: Command + Shift + N
Google Chrome: CTRL + Shift + N
Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge: CTRL + Shift + P
Once signed in, go back to the Expenses menu and merge the contractors from there. If it works, let's clear the cache of your main browser. This helps remove its stored cache so it'll function efficiently.
However, if private browsing doesn't work, I recommend using different browsers. For more details, see this article's Supported browsers section: System Requirements For QBO.