Windows

Fix “Windows Cannot Automatically Detect Proxy Settings” Error

A small yellow box with an exclamation mark sometimes appears over your network connection, When you try to troubleshoot the problem you can see a message that reads ” windows cannot automatically detect proxy settings error.”

This problem can be caused by changes in system files, due to some malware or adware or other file corruptions that will lead to a change in network settings. Sometimes the windows cannot solve the problem just by troubleshooting because of some or the other errors. “Windows Cannot Automatically Detect Proxy Settings” is one of the error.

This is a very simple problem and can be solved easily by the person facing this problem. Here are some of the things you must do to fix this error.

Table of Contents

Fix “Windows Cannot Automatically Detect Proxy Settings” Error

Read the following methods to solve the Windows not detecting proxy error:

Check If Your Network Adapter Driver Is Correct And Up-To-Date

Sometimes the error can happen because of the wrong network adapter driver installed in your Windows. If this is the case, you require updating your network adapter driver.

This is a very simple and easy process, just follow these steps to update your network adapter driver.

Press Windows + R. Run box will be opened.
Type devmgmt.msc inside the box and press enter, Device manager will be opened.

From the pop-up window find the Network adapters dialog and click on it.
Find your network adapter, right click on it and choose Uninstall device option.
Restart your machine; Windows shall automatically reinstall the latest driver for your network connection in most of the cases.

However, if Windows did not automatically re-install the driver for you; you can download the right network adapter for your Computer using Driver easy. Driver Easy is a driver tool, which automatically analyzes and recognizes your system and downloads the correct network adapter for you. Driver Easy makes the whole process easy and simple.

All you have to do is download and install the Driver Easy tool, scan and detect adapter problem if any and download the latest driver for your system using Driver Easy. There is a free and pro version of Driver Easy that will help you in installing the right network adapter for you.

Disable Your Proxy Server

The reason causing the “Windows Cannot Automatically Detect Proxy Settings” error might be your proxy server. You can disable the proxy server and solve the issue.

Follow these steps for disabling your proxy server.

Press Windows + R and open the Run dialog box.

Type inetcpl.cpl in the box and press enter.
Internet properties window will pop up. Click on connections panel and then select LAN settings.
Untick “Use a proxy server for your LAN.”
Tick on “Automatically detect settings” option and then click OK.

Restart your computer after doing this, and your problem will be solved.

Reset Windows sockets and IP

Resetting your Windows sockets and IP can solve the error of “Windows Cannot Automatically Detect Proxy Settings” Follow these steps for Resetting Windows sockets and IP.

Type cmd in the start menu. Right on command prompt from the result, click run as administrator. UAC will prompt- Now, click Yes.
Type these commands and hit enter after typing each command.netsh winsock reset
netsh int ipv4 reset

Restart your computer after doing this, and hopefully, you won’t find any problem.

Reset Internet Explorer Settings

Resetting your Internet explorer settings might fix the error of “Windows Cannot Automatically Detect Proxy Settings”.

Follow these steps for Resetting Internet explorer settings.

Press Windows key + R.
Type inetcpl.cpl and press enter.
Click on advanced tab.
Click on reset.
Tick the “delete personal settings” option.
Click Reset.

Run a SFC Scan

SFC scans are used by some people to resolve issues, so you can also try this approach. Simply launch Windows PowerShell as an administrator, then enter the command SFC/scannow.

Restart your computer. If not, you can run a DISM scan in Windows PowerShell (Admin) by typing DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, then restart your computer once the operation is complete.

Remove The Antivirus Program

On Windows 10, your antivirus program may occasionally cause proxy-related issues such as “Windows could not automatically recognize this network’s proxy settings.” Therefore, it is wise to remove your current antivirus program.

Don’t be anxious that a virus will infect your PC. Without downloading any additional software from a third party, Windows Defender, a built-in feature of Windows 10, may also secure your computer.

Automatically Retrieve IP Address

Your network adapter, by convention, automatically assigns the connected device a specific IP address when you connect it to a network. The IP address can, however, also be manually configured.

Your device won’t be able to access the internet if there is a typographical error in the address while manually entering it. Windows is unable to reach the network’s proxy server as a result.

Follow the instructions listed below to utilize the IP address automatically.

To open Run, press the Windows key plus R.
To access Network Connections, type ncpa.cpl
Double-click on the Ethernet or Wi-Fi, depending on which one your machine is now utilizing.
Select Properties.
Click TCP/IP Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) twice.
Be careful to select Automatically obtain an IP address here.
Click OK.

FAQs

A proxy server: what is it?

People and the internet are connected through a device called a proxy server. It is a computer with an IP address linked to the internet. It is a server that translates messages between networks or protocols and serves as a middleman between end-user clients and the internet sites they browse.

Is a proxy setup required?

Why does a proxy error happen?

How do I get around Windows 10's proxy settings?

In the Local Area Network (LAN) Settings dialogue box, check the Bypass proxy server for local (intranet) addresses checkbox to bypass the proxy.

Why can't I access my proxy?

Practically speaking, this issue might also be brought on by incorrect IP addresses or DNS settings, which are unrelated to your proxy settings. Go to Settings, then look for Network & Internet and select Status to check these. To view your network connections, follow the link on the Change adapter options button in the list, then double-click on the connection you're now using.

Conclusion

These are some of the methods that you can use for successfully fixing the error of “Windows Cannot Automatically Detect Proxy Settings” error. Even after trying all the above-mentioned methods if the problem persists, it is best if you contact your ISP. The problem might be from their side and not in your system for all you know. But if the problem is in your system, after all, the above-mentioned methods can successfully fix the error.