Setup Proxy Server On Windows 10
How to Set Up a Proxy Server on Your PC, Mac, or Web Browser
As for what a proxy server is, think of your proxy as a gateway between you and the internet. When you visit a website, the proxy server communicates with it on behalf of your browser. Then, when the website answers, the proxy forwards the data to you.
Proxy servers can do many jobs. These include scanning for viruses, acting as a firewall, speeding up your connection by caching, and hiding your public IP address.
You have lots of choices when it comes to internet privacy. There’s a lot to learn, such as understanding what a reverse proxy is or distinguishing between VPNs, proxies, and Tor. If you want dependable protection and encryption for your internet traffic, consider a VPN. Avast SecureLine VPN hides your data from snoopers and protects your online identity, and it’s also much easier to set up than a proxy server.
There’s no similar guarantee of protection with a proxy, especially if you’re using one of the many web-based proxies available online. These public proxy services may slow down your service, and even worse, they may be insecure. Instead, we suggest you learn how to set up a proxy server on Windows, MacOS, and the most popular web browsers.
If you’re configuring your browser to use a proxy operated by a company, school, or other similar organization, some of these instructions may require you to contact your IT staff. This is the case particularly when you are asked to manually enter a script name, formally called a proxy auto-configuration (PAC) file. You may also need to type in the proxy’s IP and port numbers. In both cases, turn to your IT helpdesk if you haven’t been given this information. If you’re using a proxy that you’ve purchased or created on your own, you’ll already have these details.
How to set up a proxy server in Windows
Here’s how to set up your Windows PC to use a proxy server on Windows 8 or Windows 10:
Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to access the Windows Settings menu.
On Windows 10, click Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. On Windows 8, click Settings > Network Proxy.
Under the Manual Setup section, set the “Use a Proxy Server” toggle to On. Make sure the “Automatically detect settings” toggle is also on.
By default, Windows automatically checks to see if your business, school, or local network already has an automatic proxy server setup ready to run for you. If it does, Windows tells you its name, and encourages you to follow its instructions.
Assuming that Windows finds a PAC file, in the Automatic Proxy Setup, set the Use Setup Script switch to On.
Enter the script address and click Save.
Congratulations! You’re done and ready to proxy.
How to manually set up a proxy in Windows 8 or Windows 10
Not every organization sets up the process automatically. If you need to set up a proxy manually in Windows 8 or Windows 10, here’s how to do it.
To access the Windows Settings menu, press the Windows + I keys simultaneously.
On Windows 10, click Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. On Windows 8 systems, click Settings > Network Proxy.
Scroll down to “Manual proxy setup” and set the “Use a Proxy Server” switch to On.
In the address field, type the proxy server name or IP address. In the Port field, enter the proxy port number. You can get these from your IT support tech.
If the proxy server is protected by a password, select the “Proxy server requires password” checkbox. Enter your account name and password in the Username and Password fields.
Click Save.
That’s all there is to it. You’re now set up to use your proxy server on Windows. The next time you use the internet, you’ll be using the proxy server.
How to set up a proxy server on a Mac running macOS
Here’s how to set up a proxy server on a Mac running macOS 10. 15 Catalina. Other macOS versions use essentially the same commands.
Open System Preferences. One way to get there is to click on the Apple menu > System Preferences.
Choose the Network icon to adjust connectivity settings.
Select the type of network you use, which is usually Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
Click Advanced > Proxies.
To automatically configure your proxy server settings, select Auto Proxy Discovery. Click on Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS). Type in the proxy server address and its port number in the fields on the right.
To use a proxy auto-configuration (PAC) file, select Automatic Proxy Configuration and enter the proxy address into the URL field.
Click OK to save the proxy setup.
You’re now ready to surf the internet via your proxy.
How to set up a proxy in Google Chrome
By default, Chrome uses your macOS or Windows proxy. To change your proxy settings from within Chrome, take the following steps:
Open the Chrome toolbar and select Settings.
Scroll down to the bottom of the display. Click on Show advanced settings…
Scroll down to “System” and choose Open your computer’s proxy settings.
Next, go back to the instructions for your operating system listed above to set up your proxy server settings and follow them.
In short, to set up a proxy server in Google Chrome, you’re just doing the first few steps in the browser, and then completing the process in your machine’s operating system.
How to set up a proxy server in Safari
Like Chrome, Safari’s default setting is to follow the proxy configurations within your OS. Here’s how to change your proxy settings from within Safari:
Click on Safari in the browser toolbar. Choose Preferences.
Click on the Advanced tab. Under “Proxies, ” click Change settings…
Next, you must go back to the instructions for macOS listed above to set up your proxy server settings and follow them.
How to set up a proxy server in Edge
Edge is Windows 10’s built-in web browser, and unless you tell it otherwise, it’ll use your proxy configurations in Windows. The latest versions of Edge are based on Chrome, so the configuration is similar. The following steps show you how to set up a proxy from within Edge:
In Microsoft Edge, at the top-right corner, click the Menu button. Select Settings.
Scroll down to the Advanced settings section and click the View advanced settings icon.
Click the Open proxy settings button.
Next, go back to the instructions for Windows 10 listed above, then follow them to configure your proxy server settings.
How to set up a proxy server in Firefox
Unlike other web browsers, Firefox doesn’t default to using your system’s proxy settings. You’ll need to change your proxy from within Firefox:
Open the Firefox menu and select Options.
Click on the Advanced icon.
Select the Network tab.
In the Connection Settings, select, Auto-detect proxy configuration for this network. When prompted, enter the proxy address.
Alternatively, in the Connection Settings, you can select, Use system proxy settings. If you choose that option, Firefox uses the proxy settings in your operating system.
Click OK to save your settings.
How to set up a proxy server in Internet Explorer
Please keep in mind that Internet Explorer is an outdated web browser. Instead, switch to a browser that’s still receiving regular updates and support, such as Avast Secure Browser, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari. Though since quite a few people and companies still use Internet Explorer (IE), you should know how to set things up when necessary.
As with other browsers, IE defaults to using your Windows proxy configurations. Here’s how to set your proxy up from within IE.
Open the IE toolbar and select Internet Options.
Open the Connections tab.
Select LAN Settings.
Check the “Use a proxy server for your LAN” box.
When prompted, enter the proxy server name and port number.
How to set up a proxy server in Android
With Android, you must configure proxy settings for each network you use. In addition, the proxy will only be used by your web browser. Other internet applications may choose to use or ignore the proxy based on their own internal settings. This is another reason why VPNs tend to be better choices — when you use one, it covers all the internet traffic from your device.
Open Android’s Settings and tap Wi-Fi to view a list of Wi-Fi networks.
Long-press the Wi-Fi network name for which you want to change the proxy settings. Tap Modify Network.
Tap Advanced Options.
Tap Manual to change your proxy’s settings. Enter your hostname and proxy port.
OR
If you have a Proxy Auto-Config (PAC) file, select Proxy Auto-Config and Android will prompt you to enter the PAC address.
Tap SAVE.
How to set up a proxy server in iOS
Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
Select the active Wi-Fi connection.
Under HTTP proxy, click Configure Proxy.
Tap Manual to change your proxy’s settings. Enter your host name, proxy port, and, if needed, your authentication username and password.
If your provider supports Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Protocol (WPAD), tap Automatic. If required, enter the Proxy Auto-Config (PAC) file location.
Tap back to the Wi-Fi selection window.
Protect your online anonymity the easy way
Proxy servers have their uses, particularly within large organizations. However, setting one up requires a bit of work, and this is a job typically entrusted to network administrators and other IT professionals.
Avast SecureLine VPN is an internet privacy solution that’s both simpler to use and far more protective of your identity and online activities. A single click or tap of a button gets you encryption that keeps you anonymous online and prevents anyone from snooping on your sensitive personal info, such as your online banking, health info, or private photos. Enjoy true online privacy on your desktop, laptop or mobile device with a VPN that’s as convenient as it is secure.
How to Set Up a Proxy Server on Windows 10 (Native Method)
While VPNs are undeniably advanced and better at routing internet traffic securely, proxy servers are still a quick go-to way for many users. It lets you access geographically restricted content and allows you to control your bandwidth usage with a simple intermediary called proxy server. The best part is that you don’t have to install any VPN application and the setup is almost a breeze. So in this article, I have shared an easy way to set up a proxy server on Windows 10. You just have to enter the proxy server’s IP address and you are done. Now having said that, let’s get started.
Set Up a Proxy Server on Windows 10
While you can use free proxy servers from the internet, we would advise you to pick a reliable and secure service provider if you are doing serious business on the internet. Anyway, here are the steps to configure proxy servers on Windows 10.
1. Press the Windows key once and type “Proxy” in the search box. After that, open “Proxy Settings” from the search result. Alternatively, you can also open the desired menu by following this path: Windows Settings -> Network and Internet -> Proxy.
2. Here, disable “Automatic proxy detection” and enter the forwarding URL under the script box and hit the “Save” button. This is the easiest way to set up a proxy server on Windows 10 using a PAC script offered by your service provider.
3. In case, you are old school, you can enter the IP address and port number manually in separate boxes just down below. In addition, you can mention websites that you don’t want to tunnel through the proxy server.
Best Proxy Servers
There are a lot of free proxy servers available on the internet, but not all services offer good performance and enhanced security. However, few of the paid and reliable services are Oxylabs, MyprivateProxy and Luminati. In case, you are looking for free proxy servers, you can get a list from here.
Configure Proxy Server on Windows 10 in a Jiffy!
So that was a short guide on how to set up a proxy server on Windows 10. As we can see, the steps are quite easy and straightforward. That’s why Windows 10 is a great operating system as it allows you to make many network-related changes which can be very useful to IT administrators. Anyway, that is all from us. If you want to learn more about Windows 10, stay tuned with us.
FIX: Unable to Connect to proxy server in Windows 10
Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting. When he’s not tackling… Read more
Updated: Apr 2, 2020
Posted: October 2018
We all rely on the Internet to fulfil our daily tasks. That’s why is frustrating to get error messages related to the proxy server used to protect privacy any case, let’s see how to actually fix the Unable to connect to proxy server error with the solutions listed below. Resetting Internet options should be your first article is part of our detailed section that discusses Internet connection errors. Troubleshot them now and make sure you aren’t missing anything of great visit our dedicated Windows 10 errors hub for more useful articles.
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If you get the error message Unable to connect to a proxy server in your Windows 10 operating system then you will learn exactly what is the cause of this issue and also how to fix it in the shortest time possible.
The Unable to connect to the proxy server error can be caused by several reasons like installing a third-party proxy program that might malfunction or perhaps your antivirus blocks your access to the proxy server.
Unable to connect to proxy server error can prevent you from accessing the Internet, and speaking of proxy issues, users reported the following problems as well:
Cannot connect to proxy server Windows 10 – This is a relatively common problem on Windows 10, and if you experience this issue, you should be able to fix it using one of our solutions.
Can’t connect to the proxy server Microsoft Edge – This error can also appear while using Microsoft Edge. If you’re having this problem, be sure to reset your Internet settings to default and check if that helps.
Can’t connect to proxy server Windows 10 WiFi – Sometimes this error can occur if you’re trying to use a WiFi connection. If you’re having this problem, try switching to the Ethernet connection and check if that solves the issue.
Unable to connect to proxy server Chrome, RocketTab – This error can appear in Chrome and it’s often caused by RocketTab add-on. If you’re having this problem, reset Chrome to default and remove any suspicious applications and extensions.
Error proxy server connection failed – This is another common proxy error that can appear on your PC. If you encounter this issue, be sure to try some of our solutions.
Here we will see exactly how to deal with this and prevent it from happening again.
We’ve written extensively about proxy server issues before. Bookmark this page in case you need it later.
How can I fix Unable to connect to proxy server?
1. Reset Internet options
According to users, sometimes this error message can appear due to your Internet settings. This can happen if you manually change your settings, but sometimes other applications can make the changes without your knowledge.
To fix the problem, you need to reset your settings to default by doing the following:
Press Windows Key + S and enter internet options. Select Internet options from the menu.
When the Internet Properties window opens, navigate to the Advanced tab. Now click the Reset button.
Check Delete personal settings and click the Reset button.
After doing that, your Internet settings will reset to default and the problem with the proxy server should be resolved.
2. Disable proxy
If you’re getting Unable to connect to proxy server error message, you might want to try disabling your proxy. This is rather simple and you can do it by following these steps:
Open Internet Options window.
Go to the Connections tab and click the LAN Settings button.
Uncheck Use a proxy server for your LAN option and click on OK to save changes.
You can also disable proxy by doing the following:
Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
When Settings app opens, go to Network & Internet section.
Select Proxy from the menu on the left. In the right pane, be sure to turn off all options.
Several users reported that this solution only works in Safe Mode, so be sure to enter Safe Mode and try this solution from there.
Once you disable proxy, the issue should be completely resolved and you’ll be able to access the Internet without any issues.
Proxy won’t turn off? Nothing to worry about! Solve the issue quickly with our guide!
3. Use a VPN
VPN is a common solution nowadays for all users that are used to a proxy connection. These services offer you a connection via thousands of different servers all around the world thus keeping your identity safe.
Changing the IP address and blocking incoming attacks, a VPN tool might become your best friend. The big plus of such a tool is that it is a third-party app and will always work.
In case you cannot connect to a proxy server, we strongly recommend CyberGhost VPN, the best VPN on the market that comes with a great price and lots of useful features like unblocking streaming, anonymous surfing, anonymous torrenting and wi-fi protection.
If you want to be sure that your digital print remains untraceable on the internet and you cannot access a proxy server – you should definitely get CyberGhost VPN.
4. Scan your PC for malware
If you’re getting Unable to connect to proxy server message, the problem might be a malware infection. Certain malware can interfere with your Internet connection or change your proxy settings without your knowledge.
To fix that, you need to scan your PC for malware. If your current antivirus can’t find anything, you might want to try using a different antivirus application.
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After scanning and removing the malware from your PC, the issue should be completely resolved.
5. Use ipconfig command
If you’re getting Unable to connect to proxy server error message, the problem might be related to your IP address. However, you can fix that problem simply by running a few commands in Command Prompt.
To do that, just follow these steps:
Start Command Prompt as administrator. To do that, just press Windows Key + X to open Win + X menu and choose Command Prompt (Admin). If Command Prompt isn’t available, you can also use PowerShell (Admin).
When Command Prompt starts, run the following commands:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
After both commands are executed, close Command Prompt and check if the problem still appears.
As you can see, this is a simple solution and many users reported that this solution worked for them, so feel free to try it out.
Working in Command Prompt will be as easy as breathing after you check out this handy guide!
6. Reset Chrome settings to default
Many users reported Unable to connect to proxy server error message while using Google Chrome. However, you can easily fix that simply resetting Chrome’s settings to default.
Keep in mind that this process will disable all extensions and clear your cookies, so you’ll have to enable them manually. To reset Chrome, do the following:
Start Chrome and click the Menu button in the top right corner. Choose Settings from the menu.
When the Settings tab opens, scroll all the way down and click on Advanced.
Scroll all the way down to the Reset section and click on Reset.
A confirmation dialog will now appear. Click the Reset button to confirm.
Wait for a few moments while Chrome resets to default.
Once the reset process is finished, Chrome will use default settings and the problem should be resolved.
If the issue is resolved, it’s rather likely that you have a malicious extension installed, so you should remove it from Chrome in order to prevent this error from appearing again.
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7. Remove any suspicious applications
Sometimes Unable to connect to proxy server error message can appear if you have a malicious application installed on your PC.
Applications such as RocketTab can cause this error to appear, and if you have any unfamiliar applications installed on your PC, be sure to remove them and check if that solves the problem.
In order to fix this problem, it’s required that you completely uninstall the malicious application from your computer. This includes removing all associated files along with its registry entries.
You can remove these files manually, but it’s a lot faster and straightforward to use an uninstaller software to do that.
Tools such as IObit Uninstaller (free), Ashampoo Uninstaller and Revo Uninstaller can easily remove any application along with its associated files and registry entries.
If you have a malicious application that you need to remove, be sure to try one of these tools. All of them have a simple and friendly user interface, so you should be able to remove problematic applications without any problems.
Be sure to check out this amazing list with more uninstaller software tools you can use right now.
8. Modify your registry
Another way to fix Unable to connect to proxy server error is to modify your registry. To do that, you need to follow these steps:
Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Enter regedit and press Enter or click OK.
When Registry Editor opens, in the left pane navigate to ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet Settings key.
In the right pane, locate ProxyEnable and ProxyServer values and delete them. To do that, simply select the value, right-click it and choose Delete. When the confirmation dialog appears, click on Yes.
After removing both these values from your registry, the issue should be resolved. If you don’t have both these values in your registry, this solution probably won’t work for you.
Keep in mind that modifying your registry can be potentially dangerous, so be extra cautious. If you experience any issues after making these changes, be sure to revert them and recreate deleted values.
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Is your internet connection working after you tried the methods above?
If it is you can go on with your everyday activities and also if you have further issues please write us below in the comments section of the page and we will see what we can do to help you further with the issue.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to fix Unable to connect to proxy server?
How do I reset my proxy settings?
To reset your proxy settings, press the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to launch Run. In the Command Prompt window, type netsh win reset proxy and press Enter.
Why do I keep getting a proxy server error?
There are times when the address is incorrect on Windows 10 or the antivirus interferes with web browsers. In this case, check out the best uninstaller software to use.
Frequently Asked Questions about setup proxy server on windows 10
How do I setup a proxy server?
Here’s how to set up your Windows PC to use a proxy server on Windows 8 or Windows 10: Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to access the Windows Settings menu. On Windows 10, click Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. On Windows 8, click Settings > Network Proxy.Mar 11, 2020
How do I setup a free Proxy on Windows 10?
Press the Windows key once and type “Proxy” in the search box. After that, open “Proxy Settings” from the search result. Alternatively, you can also open the desired menu by following this path: Windows Settings -> Network and Internet -> Proxy.Nov 25, 2019
How do I fix the proxy server on Windows 10?
How can I fix Unable to connect to proxy server?Reset Internet options. According to users, sometimes this error message can appear due to your Internet settings. … Disable proxy. … Use a VPN. … Scan your PC for malware. … Use ipconfig command. … Reset Chrome settings to default. … Remove any suspicious applications. … Modify your registry.Apr 2, 2020
