Fix “Windows Could Not Automatically Detect This Network’s Proxy Settings” Error

All Windows users have an excellent built-in tool that helps them solve connectivity issues.

The tool analyses the issue and suggests the best solutions you can implement to solve it. So, what’s the problem, then?

The problem is that sometimes the troubleshooting tool analyses the problem but offers no solution.

That’s a bummer because if you’re facing a connectivity issue and need urgent help, then your work will get delayed, lacking an effective solution.

Now, there’s one such problem that the tool finds tough to solve. This states: “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings”.

Let’s understand what this message means.

It means that your operating system is finding trouble in detecting proper proxy settings you’re trying to implement.

This’s a multifaceted problem that’s complex to solve, and hence the troubleshooting tool fails to provide a quick solution.

In this article, we’ll discuss 10 solutions that you can implement to solve this problem. Let’s get started…

Restart Your PC’s Network Adapter

Restarting your Pc’s network adapter is a quick method to solve the connectivity issue. So, how can you do this?

• Navigate to “Settings”
• Then go to “Network & Internet” > Change adapter settings > Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
• Disable this network device on the toolbar.
• After 30 seconds, re-enable the network adapter.
  

Check Adapter IP Settings

Sometimes the first method doesn’t resolve the problem.
This Is where the second method comes handy.

You can disable the manual IP addresses or DNS configuration of your network adapters.

This’s an effective solution because by doing this you are allowing Windows to automatically get the IP addresses.
So, how can you disable the addresses?

• Navigate to network connections > right-click on network > properties.
• Then, select Internet Protocol Version 4 > Properties.
• Click on the General Tab > obtain IP addresses automatically > obtain DNS addresses automatically.
• Save the setting.
  

Update Your Network Driver

This’s another solution you can implement to fix the connectivity issue. 

Why is this solution effective?

It’s effective because when drivers get corrupt or outdated, they host connectivity problems.

Hence, by updating the network driver, you can fix the issue. Follow the steps below to update the drivers.

• Navigate to the Device Manager > expand the Network Adapter section > right- click on your network driver.
• Now, select Update driver > select Search automatically for updated driver software.

After doing this, you can relax because Windows will find a new version of the adapter, and you can follow the prompt to install the update.

But sometimes people get confused because they find multiple drivers. You only need to update the ones for Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapters.

How can you find the particular driver?

• Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Change adapter settings.
• Here, you can find the Ethernet and Wi-Fi drivers.
  

Disable Proxies, Firewall and VPN

Network connectivity is sometimes prone to get affected if you constantly route your internet through firewalls, VPNs and proxies.

This practice even displays the message “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings.”

How can you solve this issue?

You can solve this issue by disabling your proxies, Firewall and the VPN services you are using to access the internet.

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.
• Now, toggle off “Use a proxy server to disable manual proxy setup on the upper computer.”

This’s a quick way to fix the issue.

Roll Back Network Adapter

Updates aren’t always healthy for your device.

This is because sometimes the latest updates bring bungs with them that affect the certain well-functioning features on your computer.

If you face this connectivity error saying “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings”, after updating your device, then it’s better to roll back the network dapper to its previous version.

You can do this by expanding your network adapters section from the Device manager and double-clicking your network adapter.

Now, navigate to the Driver Tab and click on the “Roll back Driver” button. Finally, follow the instructions and restart the device to apply the changes.

Reset Your Computer’s Internet Configurations

What does resetting the internet configurations mean?

This means you have to reset the Winsok and TCP/IP stack. When you do this, you reset the way network applications read each other.

Hence, if you face the message “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings” then chances are the network functions are corrupt.

You can run a set of commands that will clear all the DNS cache and rewrite the registry keys used by the TCP/IP.

How can you reset your computer’s Internet configurations?

• Open the command prompt
• Press enter after running each command.
• netsh winsock reset
• netsh int ip reset
• ipconfig /release
• ipconfig /renew
• ipconfig /flushdns

You’ll also receive a success message after running the commands.

        – Restart the device.

Check for Malware Infection

This’s a straightforward problem solver.

When you have malware on your device, they damage the network files and hence cause connectivity issues.

The best workable solution is to scan the device with the Windows defender or antivirus applications.

This’ll help remove the malware and make your device healthy.

Reset Your PC’s Network Settings

This’s another method you can implement.

Resetting your network settings can help you restore all the default settings and hence solve the issue.

So, what does this mean for the device?

If you reset the network settings, then you’ll reset the VPN and proxy servers, reinstall network adapters, and apply the default settings.

How can you do this?

• Settings > Network & Internet > click on “Network reset”.
• Choose the Restart button > “Yes” on the confirmation prompt.

This’ll restart the device and ask you to sign in again.

Restore Your Computer

One effective method is to restore the device to a state when there were no connectivity issues.

This helps because when you restore the device, the Windows System Restore removes all the recently installed programs.

How can you do this?

• Control Panel > System > System Protection > System Restore.
• Select a point and click next.

Restore Internet Connectivity

If none of the above methods solve the issue, then the last resort is to use the Windows System File Checker (SFC) tool. This tool repairs the corrupt files and solves the connectivity issue.

Conclusion

There you have it. Now, you know 10 methods that you can implement to solve the connectivity issue saying “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings”.