Cannot locate the Internet server or proxy server?

Question

Mac OS X 10.7.5, Office 2011 for Mac

A user has a document with many hyperlinks.  Some work, some complain about "Cannot locate the Internet server or proxy server".  I looked at her default browser and made sure it had no proxies set.  I changed her default browser and made sure it had no proxies set.  I checked the system Network Preferences and made sure it had no proxies set.

So... what's the problem?  How do we get Word to stop complaining and start working?

Answer 1

Hey John,

• Any chance the broken hyperlinks at secure web pages? (HTTPS://)

If so, there are a few known issues with secure web pages and secure sites that have an unverified SSL certificate. I would highly recommend sending feedback to the Word product team by clicking Help > Send Feedback… in any Office application or by clicking on the link below:

**Office for Mac | Product Feedback**

Answer 2

Still happens in 2017 with Office:mac 2011 and up-to-date.  No reason for this.  The target website is HTTPS and fully trusted by Safari.  

I found that when opening a link to a MS Excel file on the same site, MS Word complained about the certificate being invalid.  I tried to view details but it seemed to be blank.  I used Safari (I was logged into the site) and could view the certificate; all seemed well.  When I finally pressed Continue, I got a message that the address was invalid; it's not.

Five years later I don't expect a fix, but one can hope.