ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED
Network ErrorWhat Does ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED Mean?
ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED occurs when your browser is configured to use a proxy server but cannot establish a connection to that proxy. This error means your browser knows it should route traffic through a proxy, but the proxy server itself is unreachable, refusing connections, or not responding. Since the proxy is the first hop for all your web traffic, failing to connect to it means no websites can be loaded at all.
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your browser and the internet. When configured, all your web requests go to the proxy first, which then forwards them to the destination website. If the proxy server is unavailable, your browser cannot reach any website because it is configured to only communicate through the proxy rather than connecting directly.
This error affects all websites equally because the failure occurs at the proxy level before any specific website is contacted. It is distinct from ERR_TUNNEL_CONNECTION_FAILED, which specifically relates to HTTPS tunnel creation through an already-connected proxy. ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED indicates the proxy itself cannot be reached at all.
Common Causes
Incorrect proxy configuration is the leading cause. A wrong proxy address, incorrect port number, or outdated authentication credentials will prevent the connection from being established. This often happens when proxy settings are manually entered with typos, when proxy information is copied incorrectly, or when the proxy provider changes their server addresses without the user updating their settings.
The proxy server being offline or overloaded is another common cause. Free proxy servers are especially unreliable and frequently go offline without notice. Even paid proxy services can experience downtime. Corporate proxy servers may be taken down for maintenance, especially during off-hours or weekends when users might not be notified.
Software changes on your system can introduce unwanted proxy settings. Some VPN applications configure system-wide proxy settings that persist after the VPN is uninstalled. Malware can also modify proxy settings to route your traffic through malicious servers. Browser extensions designed for proxy management may misconfigure settings, and system policies on managed devices may enforce proxy configurations that no longer work.
Step-by-Step Fix
First, determine whether you actually need a proxy. If you are a home user and did not intentionally configure a proxy, you should disable all proxy settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy and turn off both automatic and manual proxy options. On macOS, go to System Preferences > Network, select your connection, click Advanced > Proxies, and uncheck everything.
If you do need a proxy, verify the settings are correct. Check the proxy address and port number with your network administrator or proxy provider. Test the proxy connection by pinging the proxy server address. Ensure your authentication credentials (username and password) are current. Try using a different proxy server from your provider if available.
Check for unwanted proxy modifications. Run a malware scan to ensure no malicious software has altered your proxy settings. Check for browser extensions that might be forcing proxy usage. On Windows, you can also check the registry at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings for proxy entries. If you recently uninstalled VPN or security software, verify they did not leave behind proxy configurations. Restart your browser and computer after making any changes.
Related Network Errors
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED mean?
ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED means your browser is configured to use a proxy server but cannot connect to it. Since all web traffic is supposed to go through the proxy, no websites can load when the proxy is unreachable. The proxy may be offline, the settings may be wrong, or the proxy address may be blocked.
How do I disable proxy settings on Windows?
Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. Turn off 'Automatically detect settings' if it is causing issues, and turn off 'Use a proxy server' under Manual proxy setup. You can also open Internet Options from Control Panel > Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings and uncheck all proxy options.
Why did my proxy stop working suddenly?
Your proxy may have stopped working because the proxy server went offline, your subscription expired, the proxy provider changed their server addresses, your network administrator updated the proxy configuration, or a software update on your computer changed the proxy settings. Contact your proxy provider or network admin.
Can malware change my proxy settings?
Yes, malware can modify your proxy settings to route your traffic through malicious servers for data theft or ad injection. If you did not configure a proxy but see proxy settings enabled, run a full malware scan immediately. Check proxy settings in both your system settings and browser settings.
How do I check if my proxy is working?
Use our Ping Test to check if the proxy server address is reachable. Try accessing the proxy address directly in your browser. If you have the proxy credentials, test the connection with a command-line tool like curl with the proxy flag. Contact your proxy provider's support to verify the server status.