[Conda] Error: HTTP 000 CONNECTION FAILED — failed to connect to repository

Summary

The Conda error CondaHTTPError: HTTP 000 CONNECTION FAILED means that Conda couldn’t establish a connection to the package repository. This can be due to unstable internet, misconfigured proxy settings, SSL verification issues, or temporary server downtime. The fix involves checking your network, verifying SSL and proxy configurations, and retrying the command after cleanup or mirror changes.

Context

When Conda installs or updates packages, it connects to repositories such as https://repo.anaconda.com via HTTPS. If it can’t reach them, it returns HTTP 000 CONNECTION FAILED, a catch-all error for connection resets, timeouts, or SSL failures. This commonly occurs on restricted networks, behind firewalls or proxies, or when system environment variables interfere with Conda’s own network layer. SSL certificate issues or outdated CA bundles can also prevent proper handshakes. The error appears across Windows, macOS, Linux, and WSL, both in Anaconda and Miniconda environments.

Probable Cause

Network connectivity or DNS issues preventing access to Conda repositories.
Firewall or proxy blocking HTTPS connections from Conda.
Invalid or missing SSL certificates.
Repository server temporarily down or mirror latency.
Conflicting environment proxy variables in your system configuration.

Quick Fix

Follow these steps to restore Conda’s connection:

Re-run your install command in verbose mode for more detail:

conda install -v numpy

Check if the repository URL is reachable from your browser: https://repo.anaconda.com
If you’re behind a proxy or VPN, configure Conda properly:

conda config --set proxy_servers.http  http://user:pass@proxy:port
conda config --set proxy_servers.https https://user:pass@proxy:port

If not using a proxy, clear environment proxy variables:

# Linux/macOS
unset http_proxy https_proxy

# Windows
setx http_proxy ""
setx https_proxy ""

If SSL verification fails, disable it temporarily (for testing only):

conda config --set ssl_verify no

After testing, re-enable it for security:

conda config --set ssl_verify yes

Try using a different mirror or community channel:

conda config --add channels conda-forge

Clean Conda cache and retry the operation:

conda clean --all
conda update conda
conda install

Full Example

A user runs:

conda install pandas

and receives:

CondaHTTPError: HTTP 000 CONNECTION FAILED for URL 
Elapsed: -

They check connectivity and find that the corporate proxy blocks direct HTTPS access. The fix involves configuring Conda to use the proxy and temporarily relaxing SSL verification:

conda config --set proxy_servers.http  http://proxy.company.com:8080
conda config --set proxy_servers.https https://proxy.company.com:8080
conda config --set ssl_verify no
conda install pandas

Once verified, SSL is re-enabled for safe operation:

conda config --set ssl_verify yes

Pitfalls & Debug

Symptom: Error appears only on Wi-Fi → Fix: Switch to a stable wired connection.
Symptom: Works in browser but not in Conda → Fix: Clear proxy variables or reconfigure Conda’s proxy settings.
Symptom: SSL handshake failure → Fix: Update Conda or reinstall CA certificates.
Symptom: Works with conda-forge but not main repo → Fix: Mirror or fallback channel preference resolved issue.
Symptom: “Connection reset by peer” → Fix: Retry after cleaning cache and checking firewall permissions.

Validation & Next Steps

Verify configuration and connectivity:

conda info
ping repo.anaconda.com

Ensure correct proxy and SSL parameters appear under “proxy_servers” and “ssl_verify”. If issues persist, update Conda itself and consider using Miniforge or Mamba for faster, more resilient downloads.

Sources

Anaconda Documentation — Managing SSL and Proxy Configuration
Stack Overflow — “CondaHTTPError: HTTP 000 CONNECTION FAILED” discussions
conda-forge Community Docs — Network configuration and mirror usage
GitHub Issues — Conda connectivity and proxy-related troubleshooting threads

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