Disconnecting a proxy server depends on where you set it up

A proxy server sits between your device and the internet, routing your traffic through another computer. To stop using one, you reverse the steps you took to turn it on — but where you look depends on whether you set it up on your whole device, in a single browser, or in a specific app. Most people can disconnect in under two minutes by going to the same settings panel where they turned the proxy on.

The reason to disconnect is usually practical: a proxy can slow your connection, block certain websites, or cause apps to stop working. If you set up a proxy to test something or to use a specific service, you may not need it running all the time. Leaving it on when you do not need it is like leaving a detour sign up after the road work ends.

Key Takeaways

  • Proxy settings live in different places depending on your device type and operating system — Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android each have their own network settings panel.
  • Browser-level proxies (set up in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge) only affect that one browser and are the easiest to turn off without touching your whole device.
  • System-wide proxies affect all traffic from your device and require you to go into your network settings, not your browser settings.
  • After you disconnect, test a website or app to confirm the proxy is actually off — some proxies stay partially active if you do not fully remove them.
  • If you cannot find where the proxy is set, check your router settings or ask whoever set it up, because a proxy can also be configured at the network level.

Disconnecting a proxy in Windows

On Windows, open Settings, then go to Network & Internet and select Proxy from the left menu. You will see two sections: Manual proxy setup and Automatic proxy setup. If Use a proxy server is toggled on under Manual proxy setup, click the toggle to turn it off. If Use automatic proxy setup is on, turn that off as well.

After you toggle both off, close the Settings window and restart your browser to make sure the change takes effect. If you are not sure which one you turned on, turn off both — having them off will not hurt anything. You can verify the proxy is gone by opening a command prompt and typing ipconfig /all — if no proxy server appears in the output, you are disconnected.

Disconnecting a proxy on Mac

On Mac, open System Settings, click Network in the sidebar, then select the network connection you use (usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Click the Details button, then go to 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, then click OK.

If you set up a proxy through a configuration file or automatic proxy discovery, you may also see an Auto Proxy Discovery or Automatic Proxy Configuration checkbox — uncheck that too. After you save, close the window and restart your browser. To double-check, open System Settings again and go back to the Proxies tab — all boxes should be empty.

Disconnecting a proxy in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge

Browser-level proxies are usually the easiest to remove because they only affect one browser. In Chrome, open Settings, go to System, and click Open your computer's proxy settings — this will open your device's proxy panel (Windows or Mac, depending on what you use). Follow the Windows or Mac steps above to turn off the proxy there.

In Firefox, open Settings, scroll to Network Settings, and click Settings. Select No proxy, then click OK. In Edge, open Settings, go to System, and click Open your computer's proxy settings — same as Chrome. If you set up a proxy extension (an add-on), go to Extensions, find the proxy extension, and click the trash icon to remove it.

Disconnecting a proxy on iPhone or iPad

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, then tap the information icon next to the network you are connected to. Scroll down to HTTP Proxy and tap Configure Proxy. Select Off, then tap Save. If you see Auto selected instead, tap it and change it to Off.

If you set up a proxy through a configuration profile (a file that was installed on your device), go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, find the profile, and tap Remove. This is less common but happens if your workplace or school set up the proxy for you. After you remove it, reconnect to the Wi-Fi network to explore the change.

Disconnecting a proxy on Android

On Android, the steps vary slightly by manufacturer, but the general path is Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi. Long-press the network you are connected to, tap Modify, then tap Advanced Options. Look for Proxy and change it from whatever it is set to (usually a server address or hostname) to None. Tap Save.

If you cannot find the Proxy option in Advanced Options, your device may not have a system-wide proxy set — the proxy might be in a single app instead. Check the app's settings directly. After you change the proxy setting, disconnect from the Wi-Fi network and reconnect to explore the change.

Testing whether the proxy is actually off

After you disconnect, open a web browser and visit a website you know works — something like Google or your bank's website. If the page loads normally and quickly, the proxy is likely off. If the page is slow, does not load, or shows an error, the proxy may still be active or partially active.

A more direct test is to check your IP address before and after disconnecting. Visit whatismyipaddress.com or ipinfo.io before you disconnect and note your IP. Then disconnect the proxy and visit the same site again. If your IP address changed, the proxy is off. If it stayed the same, the proxy is still running.

What to do if you cannot find the proxy setting

If you have looked in all the places above and cannot find a proxy, it may be set at the router level rather than on your device. This means every device on your network is using the proxy, not just one. To check, open your router's admin panel by typing your router's IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a browser, then log in with your router's username and password.

Once you are in the router settings, look for a section called Proxy, Network, or Advanced. The exact location depends on your router model. If you are not sure how to access your router or do not remember the password, ask whoever set up your network, or check the router's manual (usually available on the manufacturer's website by searching for your model number).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disconnecting a proxy break anything on my device?

No. Disconnecting a proxy straightforward stops routing your traffic through that server. If something was working only because of the proxy, it may stop working, but that is the intended effect. Your device and internet connection will work normally without a proxy.

What if I disconnect the proxy but websites still load slowly?

The slowness may not be from the proxy. Test your internet speed at speedtest.net to see if your connection itself is slow. If the speed is normal but websites are still slow, the problem is likely something else — a browser extension, a VPN, or your internet provider. Try restarting your device and browser first.

Can I disconnect a proxy without restarting my browser?

You can try, but restarting is more reliable. After you disconnect the proxy in your settings, close your browser completely (not just the window — close the whole process) and open it again. This ensures the browser reads the new settings.

What if the proxy setting is grayed out and I cannot change it?

A grayed-out setting usually means the proxy was set by your workplace, school, or network administrator and you do not have permission to change it. Contact whoever manages your network and ask them to remove the proxy, or ask if you can use a different network.

Is it safe to leave a proxy on all the time?

It depends on the proxy. A proxy you set up yourself or trust is generally safe, but it will slow your connection slightly. A proxy set up by someone else or a service you do not recognize could be monitoring your traffic. If you are not using the proxy, disconnecting it removes any potential slowdown or privacy concern.