qBitorrent does nothing

[inwtx]

I am trying qBitorrent for the first time and am not familiar with torrents. I installed it and got the search working. I tried to download Linux Mint for a test as well as another file, but all it does is say 'Downloading metadata' and then nothing ever downloads. This is 4.5.5 on Windows 7, but I have also tried 5.0.2 on my W10 machine, but it does the same thing. I waited several minutes. Any suggestions?
Thanks

[PinBalldr]

There are many sites to download torrents, all list number of seeders (though that number is rarely how many you will connect to) I make a point to only select torrents that list 5 or more seeders, and happy to get 2 of the 5.
Reason being that ALL the sites have inflated numbers / torrents that are dead / trackers that don't work, etc. Make sure that the torrent you request has several seeders. As the torrent connects through the system, the number of seeders WILL change for many reasons (seeder goes on/ off line, removes the file, etc) Plus the seeder might be on a slow connection/ in another country / have VPN issues, etc. ALSO make sure your VPN has the proper ports open.
I have questioned WHY the numbers can change so much up/down, but no answer. (seen a 3 seeder jump to 10) after the torrent starts. I BELIEVE that as the torrent connects, it checks with other users for more information on connections. I have asked this before but never got an answer.