Cutepdf 'check your internet connection'

I bought and use cutepdf but I need to add the converter to make the program run. You can do this from within the program but I'm being told to check my internet conn so I assume something is blocking the connection. How do I find out what's blocking it?
I have no VPN on. I use malwarebytes (for VPN) too but it's never blocked it in the past.
W11 home latest/greatest

Only place I would know to check is see if it's being blocked by your firewall or if Defender has found and blocked it in protection history.. That app has long been deemed suspicious due to its highjacking the browser with ASK as well as OpenCandy adware. The app has not been updated in 4 years.