Problem/Bug New at this... how to get prefixes working?

Even though im brand new at this, i feel like this is one of those questions that gets asked more than any other and everyone lets out a collective sigh when its asked.
anyway,
just yesterday i started setting up my server and downloaded the newest versions of the plugins i want. i have no idea if any conflict with each other or don't work with the newest version. anyway, i can't seem to get prefixes and suffixes to work even though i have groupmanager and essentials chat installed. im probably doing something very obviously wrong here, but heres a list of my plugins. for reference, i have not changed the config of groupmanager or essentials chat (except for permissions and prefixes)

Clearlag
EssentialsX
EssentialsXAntibuild
EssentialsXchat
EssentialsXgeoip
EssentialsXgroupmanager
EssentialsXprotect
EssentialsXspawn
EssentialsXXMPP
Plugman
SilkSpawners
Vault
Worldedit
Worldguard

As i said i have no idea what im doing wrong as im brand new and any help would be very much appreciated. thanks in advance.

 

@The1337Squid

1. Have you created and given the groups/ranks to people?
2. Have you set the prefixes in the groupmanager plugin?
3. If none of the above is the case, try using Essentials-2.x.
4. Is there any errors in the console from groupmanager? (in case you've broken something)

 

Ill try number 3. if that doesnt work im gonna be mad.
Also, what version of essentials-2.x do i download?

EDIT: it didnt work.

 

https://pastebin.com/cbpQDxQ4 is the config file