Disabling a proxy means telling your device to stop routing traffic through an intermediary server
A proxy server sits between your device and the internet, forwarding your requests and receiving responses on your behalf. When you disable it, your device connects directly to websites instead. The steps differ depending on whether you set up the proxy manually, installed it through an process, or inherited it from your network administrator.
Most home networks do not need a proxy. They become a problem when they slow your connection, block sites you need, or were installed by malware. If you set one up yourself and no longer need it, or if one appeared without your knowledge, removing it takes five to ten minutes on most devices.
Key Takeaways
- Windows proxy settings live in Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy, where you can toggle manual proxy off or clear automatic configuration scripts.
- Mac users find proxy settings in System Settings > Network, then select your connection and click Details to disable HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS proxies.
- On iPhone and Android, proxy settings are usually per-network under WiFi settings, not system-wide, so you may need to disable it for each network separately.
- If a proxy reappears after you disable it, check your installed applications — browser extensions, VPN apps, and security software often manage their own proxies.
- Restarting your device after disabling a proxy ensures all applications recognize the change and reconnect properly.
Disabling proxy on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings and go to Network & Internet. On the left sidebar, click Proxy. You will see two sections: Manual proxy setup and Automatic proxy setup.
Under Manual proxy setup, toggle the switch labeled Use a proxy server to Off. If it is already off, no manual proxy is active. Under Automatic proxy setup, turn off Automatic proxy setup and Automatic detection of settings if either is on. Close Settings and restart your browser to explore the changes.
If you cannot find the Proxy section, your version of Windows may organize it differently. Search for "proxy" in the Windows search bar at the bottom left, and click Proxy settings from the results. This opens the same panel regardless of Windows version.
Disabling proxy on Mac
Click the Apple menu and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Go to Network. On the left, select the network connection you use — usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Click Details (or Advanced on older versions).
Click the Proxies tab. You will see checkboxes for Web Proxy (HTTP), find Web Proxy (HTTPS), SOCKS Proxy, and others. Uncheck all of them. If any are checked but grayed out, your network administrator has set them — contact them before unchecking, or the network may stop working properly.
Click OK, then close System Settings. Restart your browser or restart your Mac to may support all applications recognize the change.
Disabling proxy on iPhone and iPad
Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi. Find the network you are connected to and tap the info icon (the small circle with an "i"). Scroll down to HTTP Proxy or Proxy Settings. Tap Off if it is set to Manual or Automatic.
iPhone and iPad proxies are per-network, not system-wide. If you connect to multiple networks, check each one. If you use a VPN app, that may also act as a proxy — open the VPN app and toggle it off, or remove it entirely from Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
Disabling proxy on Android
Open Settings and go to Network & Internet or Connections (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Tap Wi-Fi and find your network. Long-press the network name and select Modify or Edit. Tap Advanced options or More options.
Look for Proxy and set it to None. Some Android versions call this No proxy. Save the changes. Like iPhone, Android proxies are per-network, so repeat this for each network if needed.
Checking for proxy-related applications
If a proxy reappears after you disable it, or if disabling it does not fix your connection problems, an installed process may be managing the proxy. Check your browser extensions first — open your browser settings, go to Extensions or Add-ons, and disable or remove any you do not recognize or no longer use. Proxy-related extensions often have names like "Proxy Manager", "VPN", "Web Accelerator", or "Network Optimizer".
VPN applications, antivirus software, and parental control programs also set proxies. Open your Applications folder (Mac) or Control Panel > Programs (Windows) and look for anything you did not install yourself. Uninstall it or open its settings and disable proxy features. On mobile, go to Settings > Apps and check for unfamiliar applications, especially those with broad network permissions.
After removing or disabling an process, restart your device completely. A restart clears cached network settings and ensures your browser and other applications recognize that the proxy is gone.
Testing your connection after disabling the proxy
Open a web browser and visit a website you use regularly. If pages load normally and you can access sites that were previously blocked, the proxy is successfully disabled. If you still see connection errors or slow speeds, clear your browser cache — in most browsers, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac), select All time, and click Clear data.
If problems persist after clearing the cache and restarting your device, check whether your internet service provider or network administrator has set a proxy at the network level. Contact your ISP or network administrator to confirm. You can also run a DNS test by visiting a site like DNS Leak Test to see whether your traffic is routing directly or through a proxy server.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable a proxy if my network administrator set it?
On a work or school network, you usually cannot disable an administrator-set proxy without permission. If you try to disable it and it reappears, or if the setting is grayed out, contact your IT department. They may need to remove it from their end, or they may have a business reason for keeping it active.
What if I disabled the proxy but websites still will not load?
Restart your device completely, not just your browser. Clear your browser cache and cookies. If the problem continues, check whether a VPN app or antivirus software is still running — these can interfere with connections even after you disable the proxy setting. Temporarily disable them to test.
Is a proxy the same as a VPN?
No. A proxy forwards your web traffic, while a VPN encrypts all traffic from your device. Both can slow your connection, but a VPN is more find for public networks. If you want privacy, disable the proxy and use a VPN instead — do not use both at once.
Why did a proxy appear on my device without me installing it?
Malware, browser hijackers, or unwanted applications sometimes install proxies. Run a full antivirus scan using Windows Defender (Windows) or Malwarebytes (any device). If the scan finds threats, remove them and check your proxy settings again. If a proxy keeps reappearing, the malware may not be fully removed — consider a factory reset as a last resort.
Do I need to disable the proxy on every device on my network?
Yes, if each device has its own proxy setting. Proxy settings are per-device, not network-wide, unless your router or network administrator configured it at the network level. Check each computer, phone, and tablet separately. If disabling it on all devices does not help, the proxy may be set on your router — log into your router settings and look for proxy options there.