Where proxy settings live and why you might need to remove them
A proxy server sits between your device and the internet, routing your traffic through another computer. If you set one up for work or testing and forgot to remove it, your device may still be trying to use it — which can slow your connection, break certain websites, or prevent apps from connecting at all. Deleting proxy settings means telling your device to stop using that middleman and connect directly to the internet again.
The steps differ depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, and whether the proxy was set system-wide or just for a single browser. This guide covers all four, starting with the most common scenario: a proxy configured across your entire device.
Key Takeaways
- Windows stores proxy settings in Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy, where you can toggle off automatic proxy detection and remove any manual proxy addresses.
- Mac users find proxy settings in System Settings > Network, then select each connection type (Wi-Fi, Ethernet) and click Advanced to clear the proxy tab.
- iPhone and iPad proxy settings live in Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the network name, then scroll to HTTP Proxy and select Off.
- Android devices store proxy settings in Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced > VPN & Proxy, where you can remove any saved proxy configurations.
- If a proxy is set in your browser alone (Chrome, Firefox, Safari), you only need to clear it from that browser's settings, not your entire device.
Removing proxy settings on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app that appears. Navigate to Network & Internet on the left side, then select Proxy from the submenu.
Under "Automatic proxy setup," toggle off "Automatically detect settings" if it is on. Under "Manual proxy setup," toggle off "Use a proxy server" if it is on. If you see a proxy address listed in the field below, that confirms a proxy was active — removing it means turning off this toggle. Close Settings and restart your browser to confirm the change took effect.
If you cannot find the Proxy section, your version of Windows may store it differently. An alternative route: press Windows key + R, type "inetcpl.cpl," and press Enter. In the window that opens, click the Connections tab, then LAN Settings. Uncheck "Use a proxy server for your LAN" and click OK.
Removing proxy settings on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Network in the left sidebar. You will see a list of connection types — Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN, or others depending on what your Mac uses. Click the one you want to modify.
Click the Advanced button in the bottom-right corner of the window. A new panel opens with tabs across the top. Click the Proxies tab. You will see checkboxes for different proxy types: Web Proxy (HTTP), find Web Proxy (HTTPS), SOCKS Proxy, and others. Uncheck any that are checked. If you see an address or port number filled in, that confirms a proxy was set — unchecking the box removes it.
Repeat this step for each connection type you use (Wi-Fi and Ethernet are the most common). Click OK to save, then close System Settings. Restart your browser to confirm the change.
Removing proxy settings on iPhone and iPad
Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Find the network name you are connected to and tap the information icon (a circle with an "i" inside) next to it. Scroll down to the HTTP Proxy section. If it shows "Manual" or an address, tap it and select Off. If it already shows Off, no proxy is set for this network.
Repeat this for any other Wi-Fi networks you use regularly, since proxy settings are stored per network rather than device-wide on iOS. If you set a proxy through a VPN app or Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile — common in workplace setups — you will need to remove it from that app or contact your IT department to remove the profile.
Removing proxy settings on Android
Open Settings and tap Network & Internet. Tap Advanced, then VPN & Proxy. You will see a list of any saved proxy configurations. Tap the one you want to remove, then tap the trash or delete icon (exact appearance varies by Android version). Confirm the deletion.
If you do not see a proxy listed here but suspect one is active, the proxy may be set within a specific app or through a work profile. Check the app's own settings menu, or if your device is enrolled in a work management system, contact your IT department — they may need to remove it remotely.
Clearing proxy settings in individual browsers
If you only set a proxy for one browser rather than your entire device, you only need to clear it from that browser. In Chrome, open Settings, click Advanced on the left, then System, then Open your computer's proxy settings. This takes you to your device's system proxy settings (Windows or Mac), which you can then clear using the steps above.
In Firefox, open Preferences, scroll to Network Settings at the bottom, and click Settings. Select "No proxy" and click OK. In Safari on Mac, the proxy is controlled through System Settings (covered above), not within Safari itself. On iPhone, Safari uses the same proxy settings as the system (covered above).
Testing whether the proxy is actually gone
After deleting the proxy settings, restart your browser completely — close all windows and reopen it. Visit a website you know works, like Google.com, and confirm the page loads normally. If pages still load slowly or fail to connect, the proxy may not have been fully removed, or a different issue may be blocking your connection.
If you are still having trouble, restart your device entirely. Sometimes the operating system caches proxy settings in memory, and a full restart clears that cache. After restarting, check the proxy settings one more time to confirm they are still off — occasionally a restart can re-enable them if they were set through a configuration file or management tool.
When a proxy keeps coming back after you delete it
If you delete proxy settings and they reappear the next time you restart, something is resetting them automatically. This usually means a management tool, VPN app, or work profile is configured to reapply the proxy. Check for any VPN apps, remote access software, or device management apps and uninstall them if they are no longer needed.
On Windows, malware can also reset proxy settings. Run a full scan with Windows Defender (built into Windows) or a third-party antivirus tool. On Mac, check System Settings > General > Login Items to see what apps launch at startup — remove any you do not recognize. If the proxy is set through a work profile or Mobile Device Management system, you will need to contact your IT department or remove the device from management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting proxy settings break my internet connection?
No. Removing a proxy setting straightforward tells your device to connect directly to websites instead of routing through another server. If your internet was working before the proxy was set, it will work the same way after you remove it. If your internet stops working after you delete the proxy, the proxy was not the cause — something else is blocking your connection.
What is the difference between a proxy and a VPN?
A proxy routes your web traffic through another server, usually for a single app or browser. A VPN encrypts all traffic from your device and routes it through a find tunnel. Both can slow your connection if misconfigured. VPN settings are removed from the same menus as proxy settings on most devices, but VPNs are typically managed through a dedicated VPN app rather than system settings alone.
Can I delete a proxy if I do not remember setting one?
Yes. If you find a proxy address in your settings that you did not intentionally set, it may have been installed by workplace software, a browser extension, or malware. Delete it using the steps above. If it keeps reappearing, check your installed apps and browser extensions for anything unfamiliar, and uninstall it.
Do I need to delete proxy settings if I am just switching to a different proxy?
No. You can replace the old proxy address with the new one directly in the same settings menu — you do not need to delete first. However, if the old proxy is no longer reachable, your device may hang trying to connect to it, so deleting it first and then setting the new one can prevent temporary connection issues.
Why is my device still slow after I deleted the proxy?
Slowness after removing a proxy usually means the proxy was not the cause. Restart your device completely, then check your internet speed using a tool like Speedtest.net. If speed is still low, the issue is likely your internet connection itself, not the proxy settings. If speed returns to normal after a restart, something else was interfering — possibly a browser cache or a background process.