What platform are you using (Mac or PC ), what version of e-Sword and which translations? This information will help us to trouble shoot the problem.
Sorry, I thought I attached a screenshot with that info. I'll try again.
At any rate, I'm using e-sword x on a mac. On my parallel settings, I have the BHSE (Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia), GRV (Greek NT with Variants), ESV, and GW (God's Word) selected. This is the standard parallel set-up I want. I also have the Greek OT+ and Brenton (both Septuagint texts) installed which I might want to use with the parallel feature at some point.