Hi, It looks like the QT UI does not match what happens internally in Octave if the line is absent from the file.
If the line "allow_web_connection=true" is present, then the web connection proceeds, and the network tab in settings reflects the setting. If the line "allow_web_connection=false" is present, then the web connection does not occur, and the network tab in settings reflects the setting. However, if the line is entirely absent, then the connection is established, however *the UI does not show this*. The item in the menu for the network connection is unchecked. Here is the testing I performed: $ pwd /home/pcuser/.config/octave $ ls -l qt-settings -rw-r--r-- 1 pcuser pcuser 5507 Sep 21 13:52 qt-settings $ mv qt-settings qt-settings.bak $ ps augxw | grep -i [o]ctave <unplug virtualbox network adaptor, pull cable from wall> $ octave --force-gui <untick allow octave to connect to the ....> <wait for 30s, nothing happens> <close octave window> $ grep allow_web_connection ~/.config/octave/qt-settings allow_web_connection=false $ octave --force-gui <navigate to network tab in settings, note that this is unchecked> $ sed -i 's/allow_web_connection=false/allow_web_connection=true/' qt-settings $octave --force-gui <wait for ~30s, error message about news source unavailable pops up, in settings, the check box is now checked> $ sed -i 's/allow_web_connection=true//' qt-settings <wait for ~30s, error message about news source unavailable pops up again> <NOTE: The menu item in the settings is *unchecked*>