After Effects not sending to Media Encoder

Since the weekend (have not opened a project file) After Effects will not send to Media Encoder.

Steps taken so far:

There was an error message at first

-- cannot find a plugin at this link

-- read other help/chat about the topic

-- updated After Effects

-- opened different AE file (that I know worked 3 days ago). Still won't send to Media Encoder

-- tried to initiate the connection from Media Encoder - gets stuck on "establishing a dynamic link" when looking for comp

Any suggestions?