Do you see the error “Windows Could Not Automatically Detect Network Proxy Settings” on your PC? These are the steps to fix it.
After Windows fixes the network error for you, you may encounter this message: Windows Could Not Automatically Detect Network Proxy Settings
What does this mean and how to solve it? Let’s take a look at the Windows proxy settings and the steps to fix it.
1. Reboot Your Computer and Router
Before starting advanced troubleshooting, it is best to restart your computer. This may solve your problem within a few minutes.
Since this error is usually related to a misconfiguration on the computer, restarting the router may not be effective. However, whenever you encounter any type of network problem, it is still worth a try.
If the problem is not resolved after restarting the computer and router, please continue with more detailed steps.
2. Review Proxy Settings in Windows
Because this issue is related to your Windows proxy settings, it is wise to check it first. To access the proxy settings in Windows 10, open the settings, select the network and Internet category, and switch to the proxy tab on the left sidebar.
Here you will see a list of options related to the proxy server. If you do not use a proxy (this is the case for most home users), make sure to disable the use of a proxy server near the bottom. If the automatic detection setting is enabled, keep it enabled.
For users who use a proxy connection, such as in a corporate or school environment, you may need to check with your system administrator to ensure that you have the correct proxy details here.
After this, try to reconnect to the network. If the error still occurs, please turn off the automatic detection setting in the proxy options and try again.
What’s a Proxy Server?
When you try to resolve this proxy configuration issue, we don’t want to bore you with detailed information. However, it is helpful to understand the basics of what an agent is and why Windows might encounter problems.
In essence, a proxy server acts as an intermediary between your computer and the Internet. Instead of connecting directly to the Internet, you connect to a server that will retrieve information from the Internet for you.
These are most often used in businesses and schools, and are used by system administrators to improve security and efficiency. You are unlikely to use a proxy server on your home network unless you specifically configure one. That is why you should clear any proxy settings that may exist when you encounter this problem.
3. Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter
When you right-click the network connection icon in the system tray and choose to fix the problem, the Internet connection troubleshooter will run. This is the cause of the error “Windows cannot detect the proxy settings“. But you can run another network troubleshooter, which can provide more help.
Open Settings again and visit Update & Security> Troubleshooting. Click Other troubleshooters, then select your network adapter from the list and complete the troubleshooter step by step. As experienced Windows users know, these troubleshooters may not always solve your problems, but they are still worth a try.
4. Auto-Obtain IP Address and DNS Info
It turns out that proxy servers don’t have many specific troubleshooting steps. We will share more tips below, but keep in mind that troubleshooting is similar to fixing the Windows “No Internet Access” error from now on.
Although technically not related to your proxy settings, incorrectly configured IP addresses or DNS settings can also cause this error. To check them, go to “Settings”> “Network and Internet”> “Status“. Click the Change Adapter Options button in the list to view all network connections, and then double-click the network connection you are using.
Here, click the Properties button and double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 in the list. Make sure to select Obtain IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically. Misconfigured settings here will prevent it from connecting.
5. Update or Roll Back Your Network Driver
Outdated network drivers may cause connection problems. Similarly, you may have recently installed a failed update for your network driver. In either case, replacing the driver may solve the proxy message problem.
Right-click the “Start” button and select “Device Manager” to open this utility. Expand the network adapter section and double-click the connection you are using.
Then on the Driver tab, you can choose to restore the driver to uninstall the latest update and return to the previous update. If you start to experience this issue after the update, please use it; it may not be available in all cases.
Choose to update the driver, you can check for new updates through the Internet. But this may not find anything, so you have to manually update the driver by downloading it from the manufacturer.
6. Reset Network Configuration via the Command Prompt
Windows provides many network troubleshooting tools through the command prompt. Usually a few quick commands can solve your problem right away. If you’re still having trouble at this point, right-click the “Start” button again and open a command prompt (or PowerShell) with administrator privileges.
Then, run one command at a time. They will reset various network functions of your computer, such as clearing old connection data and obtaining a new IP address from the router:
netsh winsock resetnetsh int ip resetipconfig /releaseipconfig /renewipconfig /flushdns7. Review Firewall, VPN, and Antivirus Software
Next, you need to make sure that no firewalls, VPNs, or security suites interfere with your network connection. Maybe the software you selected has an update that changes options you don’t know about, or you just installed a new app and changed the proxy settings for some reason.
Try disabling your firewall, VPN, and antivirus software once and then see if the error goes away. If so, the problem lies with one of the apps. You should configure them to avoid interfering with normal network activities.
8. Scan for Malware
Some malicious programs may constantly change your proxy settings to prevent you from connecting. If you encounter the message “Windows cannot detect proxy settings for this network” every time you restart, you may be a victim of this situation.
Therefore, you should use a trusted anti-malware application (such as Malwarebytes) to run the scan. This will detect any malware running on the system and remove it. If the scan finds any infections, perform the recommended actions and see if your connection is working normally again.
9. Utilize a Restore Point
The system restore feature in Windows allows you to go back to the previous point when the computer was operating normally. If your problem started recently, you should give this a try and see if you can go back in time.
To access it, go to Settings> System> About. In the sidebar on the right, click System Protection (if you don’t see the settings window, expand it horizontally).
In the “System Properties” dialog under the “System Protection” tab, click “System Restore” to open a new window. Windows will guide you to select a restore point and confirm the operation. Of course, if your computer has not created any restore points, you cannot use this feature.
Note that using a restore point will remove all programs and drivers installed since the restore point was created. You can click “Scan for affected programs” in the restore point to see what effect it will have. System restore will not affect any of your personal files.
10. Reset Your Network Settings
After trying all the above methods, you should hard reset the network settings in Windows. You have been working on this for a long time, and restarting should clear all the lingering problems that prevented you from connecting due to the “Unable to detect proxy settings” error.
Fortunately, Windows 10 can easily reset all settings. Open Settings> Network and Internet. On the Status tab, find the network reset at the bottom and click on it.
Please note that this will delete all network information from your computer, so you will need to reconnect to the saved network again. If you don’t have any comments on this, click Reset Now. Your computer will reboot and then restart.
Windows Could Not Automatically Detect Network Proxy Settings, Resolved
Now you know what to do when Windows cannot detect your proxy settings. All network errors are frustrating, but you should be able to solve the problem easily. More importantly, make sure you disable the proxy (if you don’t use a proxy) or configure it correctly (if you use a proxy).
Otherwise, some standard network troubleshooting should have patched everything and be ready to come back online.
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