Arduino "Ports" Suddenly grayed out

Leaving all networking configured on the Ubuntu 16.04 PC, the 1.6.13 IDE does not work (as stated before).

If you disconnect the internet connection (unplug the router from the external internet), still leaving all networking configured on the PC so you have your local network still, THE IDE WORKS.

Are the IDEs attempting to connect to a server somewhere, and only working if they fail to connect? Anyone have any insight?