macOS Intel – “error sending request for url ()” when syncing, but curl/AnkiWeb work

Anki Syncing & AnkiWeb
1

Title: macOS Intel – “error sending request for url ()” when syncing, but curl/AnkiWeb work

Hi,

I’m unable to sync or log into AnkiWeb from Anki Desktop. Every attempt results in:

A network error occurred.
Error details: error sending request for url ()

System:

  • Intel MacBook Air

  • macOS 14

  • Anki 26.09.2

  • Also tested Anki 26.08.1 with the exact same result

Anki itself and my local collection work normally. I can also log into my AnkiWeb account successfully through my web browser.

I’ve already tried the following:

  • Different networks: normal Wi-Fi and iPhone Personal Hotspot — same error

  • Disabled iCloud Private Relay

  • Confirmed all macOS proxy settings are disabled

  • Disabled the Special Fields add-on and restarted Anki

  • Disabled media synchronization

  • Tools → Check Database; database rebuilt and optimized successfully

  • Tested another Anki profile

  • Downgraded from 26.09.2 to 26.08.1 — same error

  • Checked for proxy/SSL/Anki-related environment variables — none present

  • systemextensionsctl list reports 0 extensions

  • DNS resolution works normally for Anki’s sync servers

I also tested Anki’s servers directly from Terminal.

curl -Iv https://sync.ankiweb.net successfully establishes an HTTPS connection.

curl -Iv https://sync3.ankiweb.net also succeeds:

  • DNS resolution successful

  • Connection to port 443 successful

  • TLS handshake successful

  • Certificate verification successful

  • HTTP 200 response received

nslookup sync.ankiweb.net also resolves successfully.

So the Mac can reach AnkiWeb and the sync infrastructure over HTTPS, but Anki Desktop itself consistently produces error sending request for url ().

I have a full local .colpkg backup including media, so my collection is protected.

Is there an Anki-specific log or additional diagnostic I can provide to determine why Anki’s internal network request is failing even though HTTPS connectivity to the sync servers works normally?

Additional information: I attempted to log into AnkiHub through Anki → Preferences → Third-Party Services so that I could install the AnKing v12 deck.

AnkiHub login fails with the exact same error:

“A network error occurred. Error details: error sending request for url ()”

So this issue is affecting both AnkiWeb sync and AnkiHub authentication from within Anki, while HTTPS connections from Terminal and browser access to these services work normally.

2

Could you please provide some background information?

  • What macOS Sonoma 14 version number do you currently have installed?
  • What model/year MacBook Air do you have?

I note that macOS 14.8.9 is the latest version of Sonoma that is available. If your computer isn’t already updated to 14.8.9, you might want to try updating your OS. In the past, some Mac users experiencing network issues have fixed their issues by updating to the latest OS. I don’t know whether doing so will help in your case, but at the very least it would make sure you have the latest security fixes available.