Hi. Many folks are having the same problem. It appears they hosed something up in the latest version. I had the same problems. I even went so far as to completely disable my firewall and change all my port setting in LW. No help. This version is just plain broken. The good news is Shareaza still works, using the exact same ports. The problem is not the firewall or port setting, it's Limewire itself. Download Shareaza and use it until the problem is fixed.

If my earlier suggestion is unable to resolve
the no-connection problem, please try out
the following steps:

(1)Open Limewire program.
(2)Click "Tools" (on the Limewire program)
(3)Click "Options"
(4)Click "Advanced"
(5)Click "Firewall configuration"
(6)Click "Manual Port Forward" (i.e. dot it).
(7)Click "Use UPnP (Recommended)" (i.e. dot it)
(8)Click "Apply"
(9)This message will be displayed:"One or more
options will take effect the next time Limewire is
restored."
(10)Click "OK"
(11)Click "File Association"
(12)Uncheck "torrents" files (i.e. remove the "tick")
(13)Uncheck "magnet:" links
(14)Recheck "torrents" files (i.e. put back the "tick")
(15)Recheck "magnet:" links
(16)Click "Ask me what to do when an association is missing (i.e.
put a dot within the circle)
(17)Click "Always take the selected associations." (i.e. put a
dot within the circle)
(18)Click "Apply"
(19)This message will be displayed: "One or more
options will take effect the next time Limewire is
restored."
(17)Click "OK"
(18)Click "Performance"
(19)Check "Disable Ultrapeer capabilities" (insert a "tick" there)
(20)Uncheck "Disable Ultapeer capabilties" (remove the "tick")
(21)Click "Apply"
(22)This message will be displayed:" One or more
options will take effect the nex time Limewire is
restored."
(23)Click "OK"
(24)If the brick doesn't disappear by now, turn off &
restart your computer.
(25)Open Limewire program & wait a minute or two for the brick
to disappear.
(Sometimes Limewire will display some instructions for you to
adjust the Limewire program. Just click "Next" till "Finish")
(26)If the brick doesn't disappear, CLICK "Options" >""Advanced" >
"Firewall configuration" & copy down the "Listen on Port" number
(this number often changes).
(27)Next, CLICK "Start" (Windows) > "Control Panel" >"Windows
Firewall"(Classic view) > "Exceptions" > "Add Port"
(28)Type Name as "C:\ProgramFiles\LimeWire\LimeWire.exe"
(29)Type in Port Number & select "TCP" (put a dot within the
circle). Click "OK".
(30)Click "Add Port"
(31)Type Name as:"C:\ProgramFiles\ LimeWire\LimeWire.exe"
(32)Type in Port Number & select "UDP". Click "OK"
(33) Click "OK" to close "Windows Firewall"
(34)If the brick doesn't disappear, then go through Steps
(1) to (24) again.

Very often my Limewire Program isn't able to connect
to the Gnutella network. I'm using the above method
as well as the other method in my first post to sort
out the problem & most of the time the brick wall will
disappear & the bars will turn green.
If you're unable to connect to the network after you
tried the 2 methods that I've suggested, perhaps one or
more files in the Limewire program you had downloaded
are corrupted. Search & remove all Limewire files &
download the program again. If the problem still
persists, perhaps the faulty Limewire program that you
had downloaded earlier is still hidden somewhere within
your computer or has replaced your newer Limewire download.
I don't know the steps to search for the faulty Limewire
program (i.e. in case it's still hidden within a hidden file)
& remove it and perhaps a reader who knows
how to do it will share his or her expertise.

If any reader knows of another method to resolve
the problem, please post your solution. Thanks!

I have tried steps 1-33. I have uninstalled and reinstalled several times. It still states that I have no connection. There is still the brick and the one red bar. What now?

Yeah i deleted the preference folder and i think i deleted the folder in the old location. I just deleted the folder with Limewire on it. And wen i reopened it, it went through the install wizard again. This is wrecking my head!!

In LW file > disconnect. Wait 10 minutes, then file > connect.

If it's still stuck, try replacing the gnutella.net file (see the threads in post #4, the bottom thread has very basic instructions point 7 onwards). That's worked for quite a few people.
If that doesn't help, give us your details.
System details - help us to help you -> Provide these details when you post!!!(click on link)

Hi philip251912,thank-you so much for the fix.Going on 3rd day of successful lw connection ( i use xp home edition) sincerely,Kristine.

To Tavapoo: I suspect that your very first Limewire download, which is probably corrupted, is still hidden in one of your file folders & has automatically taken over each of your newer Limewire downloads. In other words, your latest download has been cancelled out (replaced) by your very first download. Try to search for all hidden Limewire files in all locations & remove them before downloading a new one.
Also, restart your computer a few times if you continue to see the brick wall. And
close all webpages (i.e. don't surf the Net while the Limewire program is opened) & check whether your hard disk (C:\) has sufficient free space. Lack of free space can affect the performance of the Limewire program. On one occasion the brick wall disappeared when I transferred some of my files from C:\ to D:\ . Also scan & delete any virus from your computer. Anyone who can help out Tavapoo, please post your suggestion or solution. Thanks!

Thanks Birdy, I replaced the gnutella file. Im now connected.
Go Raibh Mile Maith Agat!!

i tried everything you guys posted and it didnt work for me.

this is crazy.
i cant figure a thing out!
i have windows vista.
and downloaded limewire 14. something haha.
and i have a firewall.
but i dont know how to make limewire work.
i put limewire on the list of exeptions.
but nothing work.
any advice would be greatly accepted.

Yo, Dude all you gotta do is click "Why?" when LimeWire asks you to upgrade to Pro and then close the new window telling you why to go to Pro.
I had the same problem as soon as I done this outta curiosity it loaded up to a very strong connection.