Easy Guide of How to Turn off Proxy

Alex B

Author

A proxy is an intermediary between your device and the Internet. When you connect to the site directly, the request comes from your real IP address. But if a proxy is configured, then all traffic first passes through another server, and only then goes to the site. As a result, the sites “see” not your real IP, but the IP address of the proxy server. Let’s find out together how to turn off proxy.

When a proxy is useful:

• Privacy and anonymity. The sites see the proxy’s IP, not yours.
• Bypass locks. A proxy allows you to access resources that are limited in your region.
• Corporate networks. In some companies, a proxy is needed to monitor employee traffic and filter access to websites.

But there are situations when it is important to know how to turn off a proxy:

• sites stop opening or require a captcha;
• download speed drops;
• there is a risk of data leakage when using a public proxy;
• Applications are not working properly due to connection settings.

Disabling the proxy in such cases helps to restore the direct connection and solve problems with access, security and stability.

How to Know If You’re Using a Proxy

Before looking for instructions on how to turn off a proxy, you need to understand if you are using it at all. In some cases, the proxy is configured manually, in others it is configured automatically (for example, in corporate networks or applications).

Signs that the proxy is enabled:

• Your IP on sites like whatismyip.com or ipinfo.io it differs from the IP displayed by your Internet service provider.
• Website loading slows down, delays and timeouts appear.
• Some sites or services suddenly block access or require constant captcha entry.
• Warnings about non-standard connection settings may appear in the browser or applications.

How to check the active proxy:

• On the computer:
  • Windows → Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy.
  • macOS → System Settings → Network → Advanced → Proxies.
• In the browser: Chrome, Firefox, or Edge usually use the system settings, but may have their own proxy settings in the Network section.
• Through the services: Open up whoerip.com to compare the IP address with your ISP’s real data.

If the IP is different or the website shows that you are connected via a proxy, it means that it is active. Then the next step is to decide whether to leave it on or disable it. If you want to know how to use a proxy server feel free to check our article.

Risks of Leaving Proxy Enabled When You Don’t Need It

If a proxy is configured accidentally, incorrectly, or you just don’t know that it’s active, this can create problems ranging from reduced speed to security threats.

Main risks:

• Security risks and data leaks. Many free proxies redirect traffic through third-party servers. If the server is unreliable, your personal data (logins, passwords, payment information) may be intercepted.
• Restriction of access to websites and applications. Some services block known proxy addresses or require constant captcha entry. Because of this, streaming platforms, online games, or banking applications may stop working.
• The danger of public and unknown proxies. Public proxies that are accessible to everyone are almost always insecure. They are often used by scammers to collect information or insert ads. As a result, your traffic may be analyzed, and connection security may decrease.

If you are not sure why the proxy is configured, it is better to figure out how to check its activity and how to turn off the proxy. This will allow you to regain a direct Internet connection, speed up the work of websites and reduce privacy risks. If you want to know how to find out your proxy address feel free to check this article.

How to Turn Off Proxy on Windows (Windows 10 & 11)

A quick path through Settings

1. Open Start → Settings.
2. Log in to Network & Internet → Proxy.
3. In the Automatic proxy setup block:
   • Automatically detect settings — turn it off.
   • Use setup script — if the switch is On, turn it off and clear the address field of the PAC file.
4. In the Manual proxy setup block:
   • Use a proxy server — turn it off.
   • If the Address/Port field is filled in, clear it and save it.

Additionally (for a “deep” check)

• Press Win + R, enter inetcpl.cpl → Connections → LAN settings tab:
• Uncheck Use a proxy server for your LAN.
• Uncheck the Use automatic configuration script.
• Leave Automatically detect settings as desired (preferably Off if the proxy was imposed by a PAC script).

Command check (optional, but useful). Open Command Prompt (cmd) from the administrator. Check the condition:

netsh winhttp show proxy

Reset the WinHTTP system proxy:<br>netsh winhttp reset proxy

How to check after disconnection

• Open a website like whatismyip.com or ipinfo.io and make sure that the IP matches your ISP.
• If you still see the “foreign” IP, restart your PC and check if there is a corporate policy/agent that enables the proxy again.

Important: On work devices, a proxy can be imposed by a Group Policy or a security agent. In this case, the changes will be rolled back — contact the administrator.

How to Turn Off Proxy on macOS

Step by step through System Settings (macOS Ventura and later)

1. Apple Menu → System Settings → Network.
2. Select the active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and click Details.
3. Go to the Proxies section.
4. Turn off all unnecessary.
   • Auto Proxy Discovery — Off
   • Automatic Proxy Configuration — Off (clear the PAC URL if there was one)
   • Web Proxy (HTTP) — Off
   • Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) — Off
   • SOCKS Proxy — Off
   • (Also uncheck FTP/RTSP if selected.)
   • Click OK → Apply.

For older versions (System Preferences)

1. Apple Menu → System Preferences → Network.
2. Select Interface → Advanced → Proxies.
3. Uncheck Auto Proxy Discovery, Automatic Proxy Configuration, Web Proxy (HTTP), Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS), SOCKS Proxy, etc. → OK → Apply.

Terminal for verification (optional) open Terminal and run:

scutil --proxy

Make sure that HTTPEnable = 0, HTTPSEnable = 0, SOCKSEnable = 0, ProxyAutoConfigEnable = 0.

How to make sure that the proxy is disabled

• Check the IP address for whoerip.com .
• If the IP is “someone else’s” and the proxy is turned off, check the profiles (System Settings → Privacy & Security → Profiles) and delete the suspicious ones (if it is not a corporate device).
• Restart your Mac and re—check Proxies – some applications/profiles enable them again.

Note: in a corporate environment, settings can be returned via MDM (Jamf, etc.). In this case, changes are made through the administrator. For a deeper understanding of all types of proxies feel free to check this article.

How to Turn Off Proxy on iPhone and iPad (iOS & iPadOS)

Disabling the proxy for the current Wi-Fi network

1. Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on the “i” in front of your network.
3. Scroll down to Configure Proxy.
4. Select Off and exit back.

If it is set to Auto (PAC) or Manual

• Auto: Switch to Off and delete the PAC URL if you remember it.
• Manual: Switch to Off, delete Address/Port.

If the proxy “returns” again

1. Check the profiles: Settings → General → VPN & Device Management (or Profiles & Device Management).
2. If there are unknown Configuration Profiles, open and Remove the Profile.
3. Restart the device.

Checking after disconnection

• Open the browser and check the IP address on whatismyip.com/ipinfo.io .
• If the IP is not yours, see if VPN (Settings → VPN) or private DNS mode is enabled for a third—party application.

Important: the proxy on iOS is set for each Wi-Fi network separately. If you are connected to another network, check the Configure Proxy there as well.

How to Turn Off Proxy on Android Devices

The path to the menu may vary depending on the manufacturer (Samsung/Pixel/Xiaomi) and the Android version, but the logic is the same.

Disabling the proxy for Wi-Fi

1. Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi (or Connections → Wi-Fi).
2. Click on your active network (⚙ / edit icon / Modify network).
3. Expand Advanced options.
4. In the Proxy field, select None (instead of Manual or Auto).
5. Save the changes (check box).

If the proxy is registered via PAC or manually

• Proxy: Auto — change to None, delete the URL of the PAC.
• Proxy: Manual — change to None, clear Hostname/Port.

Deleting a profile/policy (if the proxy returns)

• Check Settings → Security → Device admin apps/Profiles or Settings → General management → VPN & device management — delete unknown profiles/agents (if the device is not corporate).
• As a last resort: Settings → System → Reset options → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth (reset network settings).

Features of the mobile Internet (LTE/5G)

• For cellular networks, the proxy can be set in APN: Settings → Mobile network → Access Point Names.
• Open the active APN and make sure that the Proxy/Port fields are empty.
• Do not change the APN if it is a corporate/carrier setting — first check with the provider/admin.

Checking after disconnection

• Open whatismyip.com/ipinfo.io and make sure that the IP belongs to your carrier/provider.
• If the IP is “someone else’s”, check: VPN clients, browser extensions with proxies, “accelerators”/“traffic savings”.

Quick checklist after any changes

• Pages began to open faster, captchas disappeared.
• In the system settings/The network proxy is turned off (wherever found).
• The IP on the verification services corresponds to the provider.
• On phones, the proxy is turned off in the Wi—Fi network used; for the mobile network, the APN is clear.
• Nothing (MDM/agents/extensions) turns the proxy back on.

How to Turn Off Proxy in Popular Browsers

Sometimes the proxy is configured not at the system level, but only inside the browser. This is especially true if you use extensions, VPN plugins, or PAC files. In this case, it is important to check the browser settings separately, even if the proxy is already disabled in Windows, macOS or Android.

Google Chrome

1. Open the menu: three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
2. At the bottom of the page, click System → Open your computer’s proxy settings.
   • Chrome uses the system settings, so here you will get to the standard Windows/macOS settings.
3. Check the Extensions section:
   • Go to Menu → More tools → Extensions.
   • Disable or remove the VPN/Proxy extensions.
4. Check for PAC files (automatic configurations): In the address bar, enter:

chrome://net-internals/#proxy

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open the menu: three bars on the right → Settings → General.
2. Scroll down to the Network Settings block and click Settings….
3. Click OK and restart the browser.
4. In the window that appears:
   • Select No proxy or Use system proxy settings.
   • If a manual proxy or PAC URL was specified, delete it.

Microsoft Edge

1. Menu → Settings → System and Performance.
2. In the Open your computer’s proxy settings section, go to System settings.
3. Check the Extensions tab:
   • Remove VPN/Proxy plugins if they are active.
   • Clear the cache to get rid of “imposed” redirects:
   • Menu → Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data.

Safari (macOS/iOS)

• On Mac → System Settings → Network → Proxies.
• On iPhone/iPad → Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) → Configure Proxy → Off.

The difference between system and browser proxies

• System proxies affect all applications and all internet traffic.
• Browser proxies only work within a specific browser.
• Sometimes it is extensions and PAC scripts that enable proxies locally, which causes problems even if the system proxy is disabled.

Checking for active proxies via extensions

• Check the list of installed VPN/Proxy plugins in the browser.
• Try disabling all suspicious add-ons and restarting the browser.
• Go to whatismyip.com : if the IP matches your ISP, it means that the proxy in the browser is disabled.

How to Turn Off Proxy in Apps and VPN Clients

Even if the system proxies and browsers are configured correctly, some applications may use their own proxies or VPN clients. This is common in corporate messengers, streaming services, email clients, and applications with additional security settings.

How to check settings inside applications

1. Telegram • Settings → Data and Storage → Proxy Settings. • If MTProto or SOCKS proxy is active, turn it off.
2. Spotify
   • Settings → Advanced Settings → Proxy.
   • Select “No Proxy” or “Auto Detect” if you are not sure about the settings.
3. Enterprise Applications
   • Check the Connection, Network, and Proxy sections.
   • If there is a manual proxy address, delete it or switch it to “Automatic”.

If the application continues to connect via proxy:

1. Log out of your account and log in again.
2. Clear the application cache (in the settings or through the system settings).
3. Delete and reinstall the application — this will reset all proxy settings.
4. Check if the proxy is connected to an active VPN — disable the VPN client completely.

Important about VPNs and proxies

• Some VPNs create a local proxy to redirect traffic.
• Even after disabling the VPN, the client can keep the proxy settings active.
• Solution: Open the VPN client → Settings → Connection itself and make sure that it is completely turned off.

How to Check If Proxy Is Fully Disabled

Even if you have turned everything off, the proxy may remain active due to profiles, extensions, or PAC scripts. We check in three directions.

• Online services: verify the external IP address
  • Open whoerip.com — remember the IP, the country and the provider (ASN).
  • Compare with what your operator usually shows (or with the result via the mobile Internet).
  • If the IP is “foreign” (another country/another ASN), a proxy/VPN is still active somewhere.

Tip: take two measurements — in a regular browser and in Private/Incognito mode to exclude the influence of extensions.

Checking DNS queries (dnsleaktest.com )

1. Go to dnsleaktest.com → Standard test (or Extended test).
2. If you see DNS servers not from your provider, then traffic is still being bypassed. This can be a proxy, VPN, SmartDNS, or configuration profile.
3. Check the same Wi-Fi network on the phones (on iOS/Android, the proxy is set for each network separately).

Compare the real IP and system settings

• Windows: Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy + inetcpl.cpl → Connections → LAN settings + netsh winhttp show proxy (must be Direct access (no proxy)).
• macOS: System Settings → Network → (Details) → Proxies + scutil –proxy (everywhere = 0).
• iOS/iPadOS: Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) → Configure Proxy = Off + check profiles in General → VPN & Device Management.
• Android: Wi-Fi → Modify network → Proxy = None + if necessary — APN (Proxy/Port are empty).

Tell-tale sign: after disconnection, delays disappear, captchas disappear, IP and DNS match your ISP.

When You Shouldn’t Turn Off Proxy

Sometimes a proxy is not a “hindrance”, but an essential part of the infrastructure. That’s when it’s better not to touch.

Corporate networks and mandatory policies

In companies, a proxy is responsible for traffic filtering, logging, and DLP. It is often imposed by GPO/MDM. Turn it off and:

• internal resources will stop opening.;
• you will violate the security policy;
• the settings will be rolled back automatically.

Geo-restricted access

Support services, billing, affiliate programs, advertising cabinets, and research landing pages can only be accessed from the desired region/ASN. Disable the proxy — you will lose access or break the test scenario.

Proxy as a security element

Some of the solutions (secure gateways, web filters, antivirus web proxies, CASB) encrypt/verify traffic through a proxy. Disabling it will reduce the visibility of threats and remove the protective layer.

Rule: if you are not sure why the proxy is enabled, first find out its role. Sometimes an “extra” proxy is a critical part of the security chain.

Final Tips on Safe Network Usage

Let’s fix the main thing and sort it out — when to use a proxy, when not, and how to stay safe after disconnecting.

Proxy vs VPN vs Direct connection — in a nutshell

• Proxy: transmits your HTTP(S)/SOCKS traffic through an intermediary; it may not encrypt (depends on the type). It is configured at the system/browser/application level.
• VPN: creates an encrypted tunnel for all device traffic, changes the route and the entire IP address.
• Direct connection: works through your provider without intermediaries; minimal overhead, but also fewer layers of protection.

When should I use a proxy and when not?

• Use: corporate access, geo-testing, thin routing, proxy security gateways.
• Do not use: daily home surfing, banking transactions through questionable public proxies, sensitive data without encryption. In controversial cases, a VPN is safer.

How to protect the connection after disabling the proxy

1. Check the browser extensions (VPN/Proxy/Smart DNS) — disable unnecessary ones.
2. Delete the PAC scripts and unknown profiles (iOS/macOS/Android corporate/configuration).
3. Reset the network settings if the proxy “returns” by myself (Android/iOS: Reset Network Settings; Windows: netsh winsock reset).
4. Enable HTTPS-Only/SSL verification in the browser, use secure DNS (DoH/DoT from a reliable provider).
5. Update the system and applications to close the vulnerabilities.
6. Check the IP and DNS periodically (whatismyip.com , ipinfo.io , dnsleaktest.com ) — quick self-control.
7. Firewall and anti-malware: keep it enabled, especially if you have previously used public proxies.

Frequently Asked Questions