Proxy Not Working on Windows 11: Easy Fixes

Is your proxy not working on Windows 11?

Don’t worry. Follow these step-by-step instructions, starting with the basics and moving to more advanced fixes.

Step 1: Test Your Internet Connection

1. Disconnect from Wi-Fi or unplug your Ethernet cable.
2. Reconnect after a few seconds.
3. Open your browser and try loading a site without the proxy enabled.

If the page loads fine, the issue is with the proxy. If not, fix your internet first.

Step 2: Verify Proxy Settings in Windows

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Network & Internet > Proxy.
3. Under Manual proxy setup, ensure the Address and Port are correct.

If you’re unsure what to check, see this guide on how to check proxy settings.

Step 3: Reset or Change Proxy Configuration

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
2. Toggle Use a proxy server Off.
3. Restart your PC.
4. Toggle it On again and re-enter your details.

Need a fresh setup? Learn how to change proxy settings or configure from scratch with how to set up a proxy server.

Step 4: Run Windows Troubleshooter

1. Press Windows + I.
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
3. Click Run next to Internet Connections and follow the prompts.

If the tool says your proxy is locked or managed, it may be a proxy not controllable issue.

Step 5: Update or Repair Network Settings

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click your main adapter → Update driver → Search automatically.
4. Restart your PC.

If problems persist, follow this fix for a common IP conflict: repairing IP address proxy error.

Step 6: Clear Network Cache (DNS & Winsock)

1. Type cmd in search, right-click Command Prompt, choose Run as administrator.
2. Run each command and press Enter: ipconfig /flushdns netsh winsock reset
3. Restart your PC.

Step 7: Check Firewall or VPN Conflicts

1. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security.
2. Choose Firewall & network protection and temporarily turn it off (for testing).
3. Try your proxy again. Re-enable security after testing.

Confirm rules and ports by reviewing your proxy and firewall settings. Using a VPN too? See what to do when VPN is not working on Windows 11.

Step 8: Confirm the Proxy Server Is Online

1. Try a second proxy server or provider.
2. If you see a proxy not found message, the server may be offline or misconfigured.
3. Contact the provider or switch servers.

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