Hello,
I assume that you are using Chocolate(Free) hosting plan. This plan is not allowed to perform outgoing connections to remote servers and that is why you have noticed such troubles.
Only our paid hosting plans do not have this restriction so you can benefit from the specified WordPress script functions. You can upgrade your web hosting plan from the "Change plan" section on your control panel, you will find the link on the left "Upgrades" menu.
Upgrading to a paid hosting plan would also allow you to send e-mails via your account with us - the SMTP will be activated for you and you will be allowed to upload files bigger than 500KB. The Watercircle plan is only $2.95/month and has no such restriction. In addition disk space, monthly traffic and other features will be increased significantly. You will be able to check a comparison of our payed hosting plans features here:
http://freehostia.com/compare-hosting-plans.htmlOtherwise if you are sing a payed package, please open a trouble ticket from your account with us and provide us with the domain name which you have noticed this issue, so we will be able to check this issue for you. You will be able to do this via the Open New Ticket menu of your account control panel Help section.
If you have any further questions or problems, please do not hesitate to contact us!