I have it set to 20 downloads and it only allows 5.What is the problem?

What kind of download files are they? Gnutella network files or torrent files? I believe the issue affects torrent files not gnutella network files.

With LW 5.3, the download & upload speeds are now universal settings which include both torrent & gnutella network files. I'm not sure if this also applies to download file totals but my guess is it does.

Other than that, finding hosts might be the issue.

Similar issue with Limewire vn.5.1.4.

The number of transfers is set at 10, which I think is the default (can't remember if I changed it at some point) but I can have only three working at one time. If I open more they wait until one of the three has completed and then start, telling me that the waiting time is the time until the next download has completed.

Lack of hosts is not an issue - it behaves the same whether the active downloads are working or searching.

Grateful for suggestions.

M

Have you tried LW 5.4.6 ? They increased the maximum from the earlier LW 5 versions.