Package_esp32_index.json hangs up loading

With apologies if I have missed the solution.
Arduino 2.3.3
Board ESP32C3 Dev Module
Preferences "additional boards manager URLs :https://espressif.github.io/arduino-esp32/package_esp32_index.json
results in "downloading index...." going to about 3/4 and stopping, apparently forever. No error, just doesn't load.
What am I doing wrong?
If I delete it, it hangs downloading index:package_index.tar.bz2, whatever that is.
Thanks in advance

Plus 1.

I noticed the other day that the ESP package downloaded on several startup instances.

In addition, i cannot compile. It seems to wait for the download--which never happens.
At the moment, I am dead in the water.

Hi! I just had this issue. I ended up deleting the esp32 link for Additional Board Managers URL in preferences, but that only made it freeze on " Downloading index: library_index.tar.bz2" process." I followed the instructions from Exceptionally long duration of "Downloading index: library_index.tar.bz2" process · Issue #2347 · arduino/arduino-cli · GitHub and opened the IDE with my wifi off and that solved my issue (temporarily, at least). Hope this helps!

Thanks. I have reverted to 2.3.2 and it seems to be working--although Auto complete isn't working.
Will check out your link.