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Fix Power Query Web.Contents TLS Connection Timeout in Excel Windows 11
Question details
A Power Query API request using Web.Contents fails with a TLS connection timeout in Windows 11.
- Product
- Excel for Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Windows 11
- Scenario
- Attempting to retrieve data from an API via Power Query Web.Contents in Excel.
- Observed behavior
- The connection times out during the TLS setup phase on Windows 11, despite functioning correctly in Postman, Python, and on Windows 10 devices.
Verify your current Windows 11 network proxy settings and ensure your system has the latest security updates, as TLS handshake timeouts are often tied to OS-level networking configurations rather than the Excel application itself.
Seek Specialized Assistance in Microsoft Community Forums
Since TLS connection timeouts on a specific operating system version often involve complex networking and security configurations, consulting the official community is the most effective approach.
Power Query relies on the underlying Windows network stack to handle TLS handshakes. When an API works in Postman (which uses its own certificate store) but fails in Excel on Windows 11, the issue typically lies within advanced OS security or proxy configurations.
Microsoft engineers and Power BI experts monitor the official forums and can analyze your specific network traces to identify the bottleneck.
Document your exact Excel version, Windows 11 build number, active proxy settings, and the full Power Query M code you are executing.
Navigate to the Power BI and Microsoft Fabric Community forums at community.fabric.microsoft.com.
Create a new topic detailing the error message. Be sure to mention that the API request succeeds in Postman, Python, and on Windows 10, but specifically times out during the TLS connection setup in Excel on Windows 11.
Verify Windows 11 Internet Options for TLS
Ensure that Windows 11 is properly configured to handle the modern TLS protocols required by the target API.
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- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button for Windows.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the suite on your Windows 11 PC.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my API call work in Postman but time out in Power Query on Windows 11?
Postman handles its own SSL/TLS connections independently of the operating system, whereas Excel's Power Query relies on Windows 11 native networking libraries and proxy configurations. If Windows 11 is restricting the handshake or routing it improperly through a proxy, Excel will fail while Postman succeeds.
How do I know which TLS version Power Query is using?
Power Query generally uses the default TLS version configured in your Windows system. You can check and modify this by opening 'Internet Options' from the Start menu and viewing the Security settings under the Advanced tab.
Can modifying the Power Query M code fix a TLS timeout?
In most cases, modifying the M code (such as adjusting the Timeout parameter in Web.Contents) will not fix a TLS handshake failure. Because the timeout occurs during connection setup before data transmission begins, the issue must be resolved at the network, proxy, or operating system level.
Could antivirus or firewall software cause this specific Web.Contents timeout?
Yes. Certain third-party antivirus, firewall, or endpoint security solutions on Windows 11 perform deep packet inspection. They may intercept the TLS traffic from Excel, causing the handshake to stall and ultimately time out.
