Resolved: Windows Unable to Automatically Detect Proxy Settings for This Network

Encountering the “Windows Could Not Automatically Detect This Network’s Proxy Settings” error can be frustrating, especially when it prevents you from connecting to the internet. This guide provides several methods to troubleshoot and resolve this issue effectively.

Understanding the Error

This error usually indicates a problem with your computer’s network configuration, specifically with the proxy settings. Proxy settings are used to connect to the internet through a proxy server, but when they are misconfigured or when there’s an issue with the network, Windows may fail to detect them properly.

1. Restart Your Computer and Router

A simple restart of your computer and router can often resolve network-related issues.

Steps:

1. Restart your computer by clicking on the Start menu, selecting the Power icon, and choosing Restart.
2. Unplug your router, wait for 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
3. Once both devices have restarted, check if the issue is resolved.

2. Check Proxy Settings

Incorrect proxy settings can cause the error. Make sure your proxy settings are correctly configured.

Steps:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Network & Internet > Proxy.
3. Under Automatic proxy setup, make sure Automatically detect settings is toggled on.
4. Under Manual proxy setup, ensure that Use a proxy server is toggled off.

3. Reset Internet Options

Resetting your internet options can resolve proxy and network configuration issues.

Steps:

1. Open the Control Panel and go to Network and Internet > Internet Options.
2. Go to the Connections tab and click LAN settings.
3. Ensure that Automatically detect settings is checked and Use a proxy server for your LAN is unchecked.
4. Click OK to save the changes.

4. Run Network Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix network issues.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
2. Click on Additional troubleshooters.
3. Select Internet Connections and click Run the troubleshooter.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

5. Reset TCP/IP Stack

Resetting the TCP/IP stack can fix issues with network configuration and connectivity.

Steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator: Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
   perl

   netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset

3. Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

6. Update or Reinstall Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupted network drivers can cause various network-related errors, including proxy settings issues.

Steps:

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Network adapters section.
3. Right-click your network adapter and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
5. If updating the driver doesn’t work, try uninstalling it and restarting your computer to allow Windows to reinstall the driver automatically.

7. Check for Malware

Malware can interfere with your network settings, causing issues like the proxy settings error. Running a malware scan can help.

Steps:

1. Open Windows Security.
2. Go to Virus & threat protection and click Quick scan.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove any detected threats.

8. Reset Network Settings

If all else fails, resetting your network settings can restore everything to default and resolve persistent issues.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
2. Scroll down and click Network reset.
3. Click Reset now and follow the prompts to restart your computer.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to fix the “Windows Could Not Automatically Detect This Network’s Proxy Settings” error and restore your internet connectivity. Regular maintenance of your network settings and keeping your system updated can help prevent such issues in the future.