On starting an attempt is made to make network connections with flashing amber and green. At around 15% the attempt ceases and the readiness is steady amber. Issue occured in last week, but just previously searching was working while the network status was amber. Previous to that worked as normal to 100%. Using v1.68, VPN on and off, several re-installs.

What OS are you using?
have you had this problem with other versions?
did it start when you upgraded?
what is the status on the network tab?
can you join channels?
can you find search results?
can you download and/or upload any files?

Thank you for response, much appreciated

OS=Windows 11
No issue with other versions
Started after 1.68
Status - seeking connections
Can't join channels
Can't find search results
can't upl/dl

but further investigation

with network mode IPv4 preferred can turn network connecting activity on and off by having for IPv4 local address/interface Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz (on) or Avast SecureLine WireGuard Adapter (off), for both conditions local IPv6 is default setting. With previous versions these were set to Avast for IPv4 and software loop for IPv6. This combination does not work but Intel with software loop for IPv6 does. Hope this helps.

If it started having a problem when you changed wifi, maybe its the new wifi's fault.

Not sure 'what changed wi-fi' means in this context. My wi-fi router and provision is unchanged. The two IPv4 addresses are the two options within FOPNU settings. In any case it's back to square one. Whatever happened to allow the behaviour I described in the first reply is not working now. Have checked windows defender and rules in place for access. Occasionally when I set the settings to default it will fire up to 15%, even confirms that FOPNU is up to date then times out for 'socket error waiting for reply: Timed out (50434)'.

where are you seeing "socket error waiting for reply: Timed out (50434)'. "?

Event log

 NAT-PMP mapping UDP port 20131 on gateway 192.168.1.254 > socket error waiting for reply: Timed out (50434)

Have just seen a thread about 50434 on Tixati forum, advice to reset router - done but no change, router is enabled for UPNP no option for NAT-PMP which thread also  suggested to be enabled as well as UPNP in the thread

thank you for engaging