[Fixed] Error of displaying “Windows Could Not Automatically Detect This Network’s Proxy Settings”

Showing the “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings” error on your PC and you don’t know further how to fix it. Then, look into the content. You may face the message “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings” after troubleshooting the Windows network error.

While trying to fix the proxy setting issue, it’s important to know the basics of what a proxy server is, and why Windows face these problems.

A proxy server plays a role of a middleman in between the computer and the internet. Instead of allowing you to connect directly to the internet, it connects to the server.

And the server grabs information from the internet for you. These are commonly used in school and business for security and efficiency to the system administrators.

You didn’t need a proxy server unless you specifically set up any system administrator on your home network. That’s why you should know clearly about any proxy settings to face this type of issue during use.

To fix the “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings” error, take a look at this content and follow the steps to repair Network Proxy Settings error.

Step by step guide to fix “Windows could not automatically detect network proxy settings”

Here is a step by step guide to fix this issues “windows could not automatically detect network proxy settings” in the easiest way.

Reboot the Computer and Router

Reboot the Computer and Router

Before moving forward to any advanced troubleshooting, it’s always better to restart the device first. There might be a chance of clearing all the issues and the problem will fix.

So that, it can clear up the issue a few times. This type of error is usually happened because of misconfigured settings on a computer.

So, restarting your computer can make a change.

Although restarting a router won’t affect it, but it can even worth it in case of running into network problems.

If, the problem of showing “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings” hasn’t been solved even after rebooting the computer and router, then carry on to the next and find the more detailed steps.

Review Proxy Settings in Windows

Review Proxy Setting in windows

As the issue is related to Windows proxy settings, it’s a sensible place to check.

Go to ‘settings’ and select Network & Internet category to access proxy settings in Windows 10. There you will see the ‘Proxy’ option, click on it and the Proxy tab will open on the left sidebar.

Here you’ll get many options that are related to proxy servers. Most home users didn’t even use a proxy. So, make sure that ‘Use a proxy server’ at the bottom should be turned off in the device. Leave ‘Automatically detect’ settings on as it was.

For users who use proxy servers and connect with a proxy in a school or business environment, then you need to check the proxy details with your system administrator to be sure that you have entered the right proxy details. After this, try to connect to the network again.

Still, you are facing the same error, then turn off “Automatically detect settings” in the proxy options and try once again.

Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter

Run the Network Adapter troubleshooter

If you will right-click on the ‘Network Connection’ in the System Tray and choose to ‘Troubleshoot.’ It will run the ‘Internet Connections Troubleshooter’ and show the “Windows could not detect proxy settings” error as a result.

Instead of it, you can run another network troubleshooter which may provide you more help.

  • Open ‘settings‘ and click on ‘Update & security‘.
  • then go for the ‘troubleshoot’ option.
  • Then click on ‘Additional troubleshooters’, and choose ‘Network Adapter’ from the given list. Follow the path of the troubleshooter.

As regular Windows users know that these troubleshooters can’t fix the problems every time, but trying once is still worthy – you never know it may fix the issue.

Auto-Obtain IP Address and DNS Information

Obtain IP Address and DNS Information

As there aren’t many specific troubleshooting steps for proxy servers, I’ll try to share more troubleshooting tips that look similar to fixing the “No Internet Access” in Windows. Instead of relating technically to the proxy settings, there may be a misconfigured IP address or DNS settings which can be the cause of this error.

  • To check these, go to ‘Settings’.
  • Then click on ‘Network & Internet’ and check the ‘Status.’
  • There you have to click the ‘Change Adapter’ options to check all network connections available. After that double-click on the used one.

You can see the ‘properties’ option here, click on it. Then, an option tray will open in which do double-click on ‘Internet Protocol Version 4.’ Check whether both ‘Obtain an IP address automatically’ and ‘Obtain a DNS server address‘ automatically are selected or not. Any misconfigured settings will cause an error.

Update or Roll Back the Network Driver

Update or Roll Back the Network Driver

An outdated network driver may also lead to connection problems. Similarly, the recently installed botched updated network driver may not be run correctly. In such a case, the proxy message issues can be solved only by replacing the network driver.

To do so follow the given steps.

  • Go to ‘Settings’ and search for ‘Device Manager’.
  • Look carefully, as it comes click on the ‘Device Manager’ option to open this utility.
  • Then, expand the ‘Network adapters’ section, many connection options will be in front of you, among them double-click on the used connection.
  • Also, you can choose Roll Back Driver to uninstall the latest update on the ‘Driver’ tab, and bring it back to the previous version.

Do it if you are facing such an issue after updating. But, be careful as it might not be available for all cases.

If you can’t get any driver updates over your internet by choosing ‘Update Driver’, then you need to manually update your drivers. To do so you need to download the updated drivers from the manufacturer.

Using Command Prompt Reset Network Configuration

Command Prompt Reset Network Configuration

Using Command Prompt, you can access many network troubleshooting tools in Windows.

There are a few quick commands which can fix up the issue in moments. After that, you’re still facing the same trouble, then right-click the ‘Start’ button and search for ‘Command Prompt’ in the search bar.

Open ‘Command Prompt’ with administrator rights. After that run the following commands but one command at a time. These will reset various network functions like clearing out old connection data and applying a new IP Address in your computer from the router. The commands are as follows.

ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /release
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset

Review VPN, Firewall, and Antivirus Software

Review VPN, Firewall, and Antivirus Software

After doing all the previous steps, check whether you don’t have a VPN, firewall, or any security suite interfering or not with your network connection.

There would be a chance of options change with updated software which you might not be aware of. Otherwise, you may have installed new software for which the proxy settings might be changed somehow.

So that, disable VPN, firewall, and any antivirus software in your computer one by one to check in which step the error goes away.

If the issue fixes up, and one of those apps will seem to be the cause of this issue, then you need to configure them. So that they can’t interfere in regular network activity.

Malware scanning

Proper Malware scanning

Some malware can continuously mess up with proxy settings to resist getting online.

If you reboot every time while showing the “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings” error, you may be a victim of such malware error.

You should run malware scanning with a trusted anti-malware app. Malwarebytes is one of the trusted anti-malware apps.

It will detect all the running malware in your system and offers you to get rid of it. If any infections were found through the scanning, follow the recommended action. And make sure your connection works as normal.

Utilize a Restore Point

Proper Malware scanning

A window has the feature of System Restore for turning back to a previous system when the computer was working normally.

So that, if some issues might be found by you, then you can try the feature of System Restore to go back in time.

  • To access it, go to ‘Settings’.
  • Then click on ‘System’, and open the ‘About’.
  • Expand the Settings window horizontally to see the ‘System protection’ option on the right sidebar and click on it.
  • As a result, the ‘System Protection tab‘ will open from where choose ‘System Properties’ dialog box and click ‘System Restore’ to open a new window.

Windows will ask you to go through a choosing process in a restore point and operating the process.

In case the computer cannot create any restore points, then you are unable to use the feature. Note that any programs and/or drivers might be uninstalled during creating a restore point.

But, it won’t affect the personal files.

You can check the affected programs on a restore point by scanning to see the effects it has done. 

Reset Your Network Settings

Reset All Network Settings

After trying all the above-given points, you should do a full reset of your Windows network configuration. You’ve already tried everything on this, but it can’t fix the issue. So that a full reset should clear the persistent problem that blocks the connection with the “cannot detect proxy settings” error.

Thankfully, it easy to reset the whole configuration in Windows 10. At first go to Settings, then click on Network & Internet. There you can see ‘Network reset’ at the last, on the ‘Status’ tab.

Click on it. Be sure before doing it, as it will remove all network information from the device. You have to reconnect the saved networks again.

Click to ‘Reset’ when you’re OK with it. As soon as you click on ‘Reset’, the task will be performed and the device will restart automatically.

Finally! Windows Could Not Detect Proxy Settings, Resolved

So, that’s all for now. And I make sure that you are aware enough about what to do when the system displays “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings” after reading this article.

Although all the network errors are frustrating, you can clear such errors without much work. It is most important to check whether a proxy turned off if you are not using it or configured properly if you are using it.

At last, if the content is helpful for you then please share this among the persons who are finding the solution for the “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings” error. Feel free to give any suggestions or ask any questions regarding the “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings” error and make a comment in the comment section.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Easiest way to solve “Windows Could Not Automatically Detect This Network’s Proxy Settings”.

So, restarting your computer can make a change. Although restarting a router won’t affect it, but it can even worth it in case of running into network problems.

What do you mean Proxy Server

A proxy server plays a role of a middleman in between the computer and the internet. Instead of allowing you to connect directly to the internet, it connects to the server.