This is a really weird problem that I can’t seem to track down further. Perhaps a creative person could suggest some test ideas. Here are the facts:

  • Firefox “Unable to connect” to my LAN server (a router) at 192.168.0.2 port 80.
  • Network error is specifically “NS_CONNECTION_REFUSED”.
  • Wireshark on a Raspberry Pi placed between the laptop and server shows no packets exchanged trying to connect. Any packet containing 192.168.0.2, any port.
  • Chrome and Safari work just fine on the same machine. I can see the packets in Wireshark. This validates my test setup works.
  • Curl works, loads the web page. I can see the packets.
  • I have reinstalled, refreshed, removed all extensions, cleared all history and cookies in Firefox and still cannot load the page.
  • Firefox in Safe Mode cannot load the page.
  • Disabled DNS over HTTPS, made sure No Proxy is selected in network settings. Still cannot load the page.
  • Disabled IPv6 in Firefox with about:config setting. Still fails.
  • I have no security software installed of any kind on this Mac. No antivirus or firewall except the default OS one.
  • Turned off Mac built-in Firewall. Still unable to connect.

Why is Firefox apparently refusing to connect to my server? Other LAN IP addresses work fine, even local ones. It specifically hates this one.

  • pack@sh.itjust.works
    2·
    11 days ago

    Firefox has an HTTPS-Only mode. Did you double check that? Make sure you can get anywhere on http tcp/80 in the browser.

    • henfredemars@infosec.pubOPEnglish
      1·
      11 days ago

      Yes that is turned off. Also checked I can visit an unencrypted website, port 80. It also works over LAN using a python script.