First of all, make sure you downloaded the legit version of Electrum from electrum.org. To be extra safe, you should verify it by following these instructions: https://bitcoinelectrum.com/how-to-verify-your-electrum-download/

By selecting encrypted, it means you can't even view your wallet without your hardware wallet connected. If you select unencrypted, you can view your wallet as a watch-only wallet without connecting your hardware wallet. In both scenarios, you can't spend or transact coins without your hardware wallet.

In terms of your wallet being empty, the most likely problem is that you have selected the wrong option from Legacy/Nested Segwit/Native Segwit. What number did you old addresses start with. 1, 3, or bc1?