VPN 24.3.8975 You're offline.. after re-install and repair

Norton VPN 24.3.8975 says 'You're offline' on the machine that I am writing this note on; so it is clearly online.  

Windows 11 Pro  10.0.22631 '  Dell laptop Inspiron 16 5630.  USA product and software currently in the UK.

I have tried re-installing Norton VPN

I have tried repairing Norton VPN

I have tried all the four (three plus automatic) VPN protocol settings since repair with a re-boot between each protocol change.

The VPN is set to NOT start automatically start at account startup

HELP!  many thanks.