How to Check Proxy Settings on Any Device

Proxy settings control whether your internet traffic goes straight to the web or routes through another server first.

Companies use them to filter and secure connections, some people set them up for privacy or to reach restricted content, and sometimes they are the reason your connection feels slow or apps stop working. If these settings are wrong, you can run into pages that refuse to load, sign ins that time out, or downloads that crawl. Knowing where to check, how to adjust, and how to test your setup saves time and avoids guesswork.

This guide shows how to view and manage proxy settings on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone, and major browsers. You will also learn how to disable a proxy, how to test if it is working as expected, and what risks to keep in mind when a proxy stays active in the background.

Why Proxy Settings Matter

A proxy is more than a middle step. It can add privacy, control, and access, but it can also create problems when it is set up poorly or left behind after a change. Misconfigured proxies block apps, slow down browsing, and open gaps that attackers can use. Auto discovery features like WPAD can even feed a device unwanted rules if they are left on in the wrong place. Free proxy services are a bigger risk since they might log or leak your data.

If you want a broader view of how these tools shape your connection, it helps to understand how to check proxy and firewall settings together, because both control who gets in and who stays out.

Before You Start

Check your proxy while connected to the network you want to diagnose. On work or school devices, some options may be locked by admins. Proxies usually appear in two forms. Manual means you enter a server address and port. Automatic means a PAC file or an auto detect option controls the rules. Remember that not every app follows system settings. For example, Firefox and some VPN apps can run their own proxy setup and ignore the system one.

Windows 10 and 11

Windows stores proxy details in the modern Settings app and in the older Control Panel. It is worth checking both when you want the full picture. If something looks off, that can explain apps that fail to sign in or browsers that stall on certain sites. For step-by-step fixes on common issues, see how to fix proxy not working in Windows 11.

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy.
2. Under Automatic proxy setup, see if detect or a setup script is on.
3. Under Manual proxy setup, look for a server address and port.
4. Legacy path: Control Panel → Internet Options → Connections → LAN settings.

When you need to reset or fine tune the configuration, follow this step by step guide on how to change proxy settings in Windows so you can remove old entries or apply new ones cleanly.

Mac

On macOS, proxy settings live inside the Network panel. Once you know where to look, you can quickly see if web traffic goes through HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS, or an automatic configuration file. If the automatic option is active, a PAC file decides which sites use the proxy and which ones bypass it, which explains why some pages work and others do not.

1. Open the Apple menu and go to System Settings → Network.
2. Select your active connection like WiFi or Ethernet.
3. Click Details or Advanced.
4. Open the Proxies tab and review what is enabled.

Linux

Linux gives you a graphical view for desktops and a command line path for servers and power users. Both are useful. Desktop settings show mode and values. Terminal checks reveal environment variables and app level behavior. Developers often rely on HTTP_PROXY, HTTPS_PROXY, and NO_PROXY to control bypass rules for tools and package managers.

1. On desktop, open Settings → Network → Proxy to see None, Manual, or Auto with a URL.
2. In terminal, run echo $http_proxy, echo $https_proxy, or env | grep -i proxy.
3. Check system files like /etc/environment and /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/ for saved entries.
4. On GNOME, use gsettings get org.gnome.system.proxy mode and related keys.

Android

On Android, proxy settings belong to each WiFi profile. If you join a new network, the old proxy does not follow you. That is helpful when you only need a proxy in one place, but it also means you have to check per network when troubleshooting.

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi.
2. Tap your connected network to open its options.
3. Select Modify network → Advanced options.
4. Check the Proxy field for None, Manual, or Auto with a URL.

If you plan to go beyond checking and build a stable setup, here is a full walkthrough on how to set up a proxy server on different devices so you can keep behavior consistent.

iPhone and iPad

Apple ties proxy settings to each WiFi network as well. When a site will not load or an app refuses to sign in while on a certain network, this is the place to look first. Some apps respect this setting, others do not, so testing after a change is important.

1. Go to Settings → WiFi.
2. Tap the i next to your active network.
3. Scroll to HTTP Proxy.
4. Choose Off, Manual with server and port, or Auto with a configuration URL.

If you rely on messaging during travel or in restricted regions, you can stay reachable by using a clear guide on a proxy for Telegram when normal access is blocked.

Browsers

Most browsers follow the operating system, but Firefox can run its own proxy. Chrome and Edge link you back to the system panel. If you use Microsoft Edge and want direct control with clear steps and screenshots, there are two helpful guides to keep in mind.

Chrome and Edge

• Open browser settings, go to System, then click Open your computer’s proxy settings. That takes you to the OS page.

When you want fine control inside Microsoft’s browser, use this tutorial on how to change proxy settings in Microsoft Edge. If your goal is better performance or region access inside the same browser, here is a focused guide on using a proxy for Edge in common scenarios.

Firefox

• Go to Settings → General → Network Settings → Settings.
• Choose No Proxy, Auto Detect, Manual, or Auto config URL as needed.

How to Disable Proxy Settings

Turning off a proxy is often the fastest way to prove whether it is the cause of a problem. Once you switch it off, test a site that was failing. If it loads right away, you found the issue. If nothing changes, the problem is likely elsewhere.

• Windows: In Settings, disable detect, setup script, and manual proxy. In Control Panel, uncheck proxy boxes in LAN settings.
• Mac: In Network → Advanced → Proxies, uncheck all items and apply.
• Linux: Set mode to None in desktop settings or remove variables from /etc/environment and app configs.
• Android: Modify network and set Proxy to None.
• iOS: Under HTTP Proxy, set it to Off.
• Firefox: In Network Settings, select No Proxy.

Some environments force a proxy for policy reasons. A common case is education. If you need to understand what is allowed and how settings apply on student hardware, this guide explains how a proxy on a school Chromebook works and what to expect.

WPAD and Auto Discovery

Web Proxy Auto Discovery, or WPAD, lets a device pick up proxy rules from the network without any manual setup. It is convenient on managed networks, but it can be risky on public or unknown ones. A rogue source can hand out a bad PAC file that forces your traffic through an untrusted server. Even with HTTPS, your device can still leak details through the lookup rules. If you do not need auto discovery for work or school, the safer move is to turn it off and use explicit settings only.

Testing Your Proxy

After you change a setting, run quick checks so you know the result. Visit a site that shows your public IP and see if it matches the proxy. Try a page that is blocked without a proxy and confirm it now loads. In a browser, open developer tools and look for headers like Via or X Forwarded For. On Linux or Mac, run a simple curl -v to watch the connection flow. Tests like these confirm the path your traffic takes and help you catch mistakes early.

Security and Performance Warnings

Every proxy adds an extra stop between you and the site you want. That extra distance adds delay and it can reduce reliability when the proxy is busy or far away. Free services are a larger risk since they might log traffic, inject content, or go offline without notice. For a broader view of online protection, it helps to compare VPN vs antivirus to see how each tool handles different risks.

Wrong passwords can block apps across the board, and weak enterprise setups can weaken encryption if inspection rules are not tuned. In some regions, people still use a proxy to reach basic services. If you need to reach sites in a restricted country, this guide shows how a proxy for Iran can help you bypass regional blocks while you weigh the risks.

If specific images still refuse to load while other content works, try these fixes for “proxy not working for this image” errors.

FAQs

Wrap Up

Checking proxy settings is one of the fastest ways to troubleshoot strange network behavior. Each platform has a clear menu where you can see if a proxy is active and what rules it is using. If something looks out of place, turn it off, test your connection, and then decide if you want to set a clean configuration. Always confirm by checking your public IP or using a test page so you know your traffic is flowing the way you want.