On some occasions, when we have Internet connection problems, one of the causes may be the proxy configured in the browsers. If in our organization or company we have to go to the Internet through the Proxy server, we must configure it properly, otherwise, we will not connect to any Internet website. In case of not having proxy configuration in our network, we will have to verify that this function is disabled. In this tutorial we are going to explain how to disable proxy settings in the main web browsers we have today, both Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and also in Mozilla Firefox.
Next, we will explain what a proxy is and what it means if it is not properly configured in our Internet browser. At times, it can even be related when our computer is infected by malware.
What is a proxy and why it should be disabled sometimes
A proxy could be defined as an intermediate device or computer that allows a user to connect to the Internet indirectly. This computer is the one that connects directly to the Internet and its clients make their inquiries through it. This strategic situation as an intermediary acting as a proxy, allows it to offer these functions:
- Access control. All users allowed after an authentication in the system, will be able to access the Internet, the rest are denied.
- Traffic log. We can have a complete record of all the accessed websites and who has accessed.
- Restriction of certain types of traffic.
- Anonymity in communication, as long as it is an HTTPS proxy external to us and anonymous.
- Performance improvement, as you can cache images, CSS content and other information, to serve them quickly.
This form of proxy intermediation can be considered by users, administrators or providers as legal or criminal. In addition, in terms of anonymity, in this article we have already seen that the best way to browse anonymously is by using VPN services that are capable of forwarding all traffic from the PC through this intermediary, however, there are also free proxy servers for browse anonymously. However, the best way to browse anonymously right now would be with a paid VPN or through Tor Browser.
As for the reasons for wanting to disable proxy settings, we have several. The first would be to solve Internet browsing problems when we stop using that Proxy, or, for example, if we are using the equipment in another place. Another is when some forms of malware redirect users to certain web pages without their permission. How can you see, in some situations like the above, they can solve our problems. Next, we will explain how to do it in the main Internet browsers.
Disable proxy settings in Google Chrome
The first browser that we are going to disable the proxy settings is in Google Chrome. The first thing we have to do is start it and then a screen like this will appear.
Our next step is to click on the three vertical dots that are the browser options. Once done, the options that you see below will be displayed.
In this case, the option we have to point out is Settings . After having selected it, our next mission is to locate Advanced Configuration that you have indicated in a red box. As soon as you have it located, the next step is to click on it.
Now we are in advanced configuration and then we have to look for the System section.
As for the System options, we have to look at one in particular that you have indicated with a red box. At this point, what you have to do is click on Open your computer’s proxy settings .
Next comes the screen where we can disable the proxy settings. Here we have to leave the two options that you have framed in red deactivated.
The sections that must be deactivated are:
- Use configuration script .
- Use proxy server .
Finally, once both are disabled, click on the Save button and then we have the Google Chrome proxy disabled.
How to disable proxy settings in Mozilla Firefox
We are going to start by running Mozilla Firefox to be able to work with it and thus be able to disable the proxy. The next step we have to take is to access its configuration, for which we go to its upper right corner. There, marked with a red box, you have an icon with three horizontal stripes that you must click.
At that moment, a drop-down menu opens and to access settings we will click on Options .
In the General section, the next step we are going to take is to find the Network Configuration section.
Once located you must proceed by clicking on the Settings button that you have framed in red above. Then a screen like the following will appear:
This is where we have to disable Firefox proxy settings. In Configure internet proxy access, we must select the No Proxy option. Once this step is done, the only thing left to do is click OK so that the changes are saved. Thus, from now on the Firefox proxy is disabled.
What to do if the Firefox proxy settings button is grayed out
Although this is not frequent, some people have reported that the proxy section of Firefox had the button grayed out. In that case they cannot disable proxy settings. Then they have to perform a series of steps that we will mention below. To solve this problem we have to work with the Windows registry for this we must go to:
- Start Menu.
- Run.
- We put regedit and we accept or press enter.
Then, the Windows Registry Editor will load and you will get a screen like this:
On the left you have the registry keys that are a kind of folders where the values that change the behavior of Windows are stored. On the right are the values, for example, one of them would be AllowGameDVR. Depending on the value we set in them, the behavior of Windows will change. Next, on the left side we have to follow the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Policies / Microsoft Internet Explorer / Control Panel .
Once we have we get to the «Control Panel» folder. Then we press the right button of the mouse, we choose the New option and within it the DWORD value (32 bits).
In that new value that we have created, we right click and modify. The next step is to name Connection Settings . Then we have to change the information field of the value from 1 to 0 and press enter, to save the changes.
Finally, you have to restart the computer for the changes to take effect. This should solve this problem, and all you have to do is follow the steps explained in the previous section.
Disable proxy settings in Microsoft Edge browser
The first thing we have to do is start Microsoft Edge. The next step we are going to take is to go to the browser options. It is the icon with three horizontal dots that you have indicated with the red box.
Already within the options that it offers us we have to point out the configuration section that is represented by the gear of a wheel.
Here we have two ways two ways to reach our final goal which is none other than disabling the proxy.
One of them would be to click on System that you have indicated below in red. The other one above in looking in configuration we write Proxy and press enter. Next, we will get a screen like this:
At that moment what we have to do is select Open the computer’s proxy settings . Now it’s time to disable Microsoft Edge proxy settings.
The first thing we have to do is disable the Use configuration script option. Next, we proceed to do the same with Use proxy server so that they are the same as in the image above. The next and last step is to click on the save button.
As you can see in this tutorial, you have learned to disable the proxy settings of Chrome, Firefox and Edge. Remember that this is one of the things that should be checked when we do not have internet access and we have reviewed other options such as Windows TCP / IP.
