Trying to connect message when Saving in Excel 365

I was having the same issue also.

Current Channel, Build 2206, Version 15330.20246, 15330.20230 and 15330.20266 all have the issue.

My fix below
Enable gpo to change channel to the latest release of the Monthly Enterprise Channel
gpupdate and rebooted end user pc.

Open any office app and click update now. Update installed, latest monthly build 2205, version 15225.20356 and now no longer getting 'trying to connect' message.

Tested on two different client that were both having same issue and so far so good

Steps + admx files for gpo https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/change-update-channels

Or you can manaully fix it by changing the save location in the office apps.

Then, also map the user redirected folder and hide then quick access shortcuts and show them how to access their redirected folders from the mapped drive

The issue is with the WebClient service (Webdav).

A wireshark trace shows that the client is attempting to reach the file server on port 80 instead of port 445.

Disabling the WebClient service resolves the issue, and is a simple matter to push out via GPO, but of course is only a workaround.

I confirmed this is only happening in the latest build of office. In previous versions of office, the client does not attempt port 80, and opening or saving files to the file server happens quickly and without any issue.

This needs to be patched.

Switching to the semi-annual channel (version 2202) solved the issue temporarily for me.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/change-update-channels

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/overview-update-channels

1. Configure group policy setting
2. Run gpupdate on a client computer
3. Manually run the "Office Automatic Updates 2.0" task
4. Manually check for updates within any Office application

With the above steps, Office automatically downgraded to 2202 which fixed the problem temporarily.

I'm having the same issue within Word and Excel version 2206 build 15330.20230 throughout our office. Trying to open or save files to a UNC path causes a delay of 30 seconds or more while "contacting" or "trying to connect" to the path. Meanwhile Outlook and File Explorer can access UNC paths instantly. Never had this problem previously, and our entire office uses UNC paths. Many users throughout our office are complaining. Updated to 2206 build 15330.20266 and the problem persists. Will probably need to revert entire company to use monthly or semi-annual channel if this is not fixed promptly.

I had to roll back to version 2022 June 14 Version 2205 (Build 15225.20288) to get this issue sorted. I hope this issue can be sorted out in the next update.

Versions:

Current Channel, Build 2206, Version 15330.20246 and 15330.20230 are still having issues.