Windows could not automatically detect this network's proxy settings

Have you ever come across that yellow exclamatory sign on the Network icon in the system tray that shows an error message Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings? Well, this article can help you solve this problem. Restarting the router can sometimes solve this issue, but in case if it doesn't work, here are the steps to fix it.

These are the following 9 ways of solving the above problem:

1. By checking the Proxy Server Settings

2. By checking the Proxy Settings

3. By obtaining the DNS server address automatically

4. By restarting the Network Adapter

5. By scanning the PC with an adware removal tool

6. By installing/updating the network driver

7. By resetting the Internet settings

8. By temporarily disable antivirus, firewall software, or VPN

9. By using the Network Troubleshooter.

Let us look at each of them separately.

1. By checking the Proxy Server Settings

One of the root causes of the problem "Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings" is the wrong proxy server. So, the best way to fix this problem is to first check the proxy server settings. To do this:

• First press Win + R and then type inetcpl.cpl and press the enter button.
• Or else, search for the Internet Options in the search box, then switch to Connections tabs.
• Now, click on the LAN settings button and ensure that the Use a proxy server for your LAN is unchecked.

Below is the pictorial representation of the same.

2. By checking the Proxy Settings

If you have a habit of using a manual proxy, then make sure that you do the following steps.

• First press the Win + I and then go to Network & Internet > and then select the Proxy.
• Check whether the proxy setting is entered correctly or not.
• Now, disable the manual proxy and enable only the Automatically detect settings option.

3. By Obtaining the DNS server address automatically

If you are using a direct Ethernet connection or use the Ethernet cable through a Wi-Fi router and you haven't enabled this Obtain DNS server address automatically option, then you may face this problem.

To fix this problem:

• press Win + R, and then type ncpa.cpl.
• Now, right-click on the Ethernet or any other connected network name.
• Firstly, select Properties, then click on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and then click on the Properties.
• Select the Obtain DNS server address automatically as well as the Obtain an IP address automatically.

A point to be noted here is that this solution is only effective if you are using an Ethernet cable through a router.

4. By Restarting the Network Adapter

To restart the network adapter first press Win + R, then type ncpa.cpl, and press enter. Now, right-click on the connected network name and then select Disable. Wait for few minutes then again right-click on the same and this time select Enable.

5. By Scanning the PC with an adware removal tool

It is often observed that adware and malware can enable the proxy server settings automatically or make some other changes internally. This gives us an error while connecting the PC to the internet. So, it is a better practice to scan the entire system with a reliable adware removal tool.

6. By Installing/updating the network driver

To avoid this problem, it is always recommended to update the network driver. Not only when the problem occurs, but we should also regularly update the system.

7. By Resetting the Internet settings

Resetting the internet explorer settings can also fix the problem "Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings". To do that:

• First press Win + R, type inetcpl.cpl, and then press the Enter button.
• Select the Advanced tab and click on the Reset button.
• Again click on the Reset button present in the next button and finally restart your PC.

Below is the pictorial representation for the same.

8. By Temporarily disable antivirus, firewall software, or VPN

Sometimes, temporarily disabling the antivirus, firewall software, or VPN can also fix this problem as this software often causes problems related to incoming as well as outgoing connections.

9. By Reseting the TCP/IP

If the problem is occurring due to corruption, then the best way of solving this problem is by resetting the TCP/IP.

10. By Using the Network Troubleshooter

Last but not least, use the network troubleshooter to fix this issue.

• First, press Win + I to open Windows Settings.
• Now, select the Update & Security and then select the Troubleshoot.
• After that, click on the Internet Connections present on the right-hand side and then Run the troubleshooter.
• Check the pictorial diagram for the same.

Also Read: Computer Networks