i assume that you use version 1.4? what platform if so?
i had to change rules in my firewall and open port 36274 to let it sync.
maybe you have to give it some time to connect as well.
Yes, definitely give it some time.
I had the same problem yesterday, put the new wallet on my laptop, laptop hadn't had blockchain updated for weeks.
No connection, looked for conf file, didn't have one, so copied over the one from my other PC, restarted wallet, still no connection.
SItting scratching my head and kept my eye on it for about 5-10 minutes, went away for a few minutes, came back and it was updating.
So yeh, giving it 10 minutes or so probably helps.