ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED Browser Origin: On your device Last updated 15 Oct 2026

Chrome: Unable to connect to the proxy server. ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED

Chrome is configured to use a proxy but cannot connect to it — the proxy is down or the setting is wrong (often left over from a VPN or malware).

Exact message you may see Unable to connect to the proxy serverProxy server is refusing connections
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Seen on: Chrome Edge Windows macOS

Meaning

A proxy address saved in Windows, macOS or the browser keeps being used even after the program that created it is gone. Removing the proxy setting usually restores normal browsing immediately.

Common causes

  • Leftover proxy setting from a VPN, antivirus or developer tool (Fiddler, Charles)
  • Wrong proxy address or port
  • Proxy server stopped
  • Malware or an extension changing proxy settings
  • Auto-config (PAC) URL unreachable

⚡ Quick fix

  1. Turn off the proxy in system settings
  2. Remove suspicious extensions and scan for malware
  3. Reset Chrome network state by restarting the browser after changing the proxy

Detailed fix by platform

Windows

  1. Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy → turn off "Use a proxy server"; also check "Automatically detect settings"
  2. reg query "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" /v ProxyEnable

macOS

  1. System Settings → Network → Details → Proxies: untick all

How to diagnose

  1. Setting — Is a proxy enabled in system settings?
  2. Software — Which tool set it?
  3. Extension — Do extensions manage proxies?

🔧 Still not fixed?

Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:

Where this error sits

Origin: On your device. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):

0x80070035 — 0x80070035: The network path was not found (System error 53) (Windows)0x80070035407 — HTTP 407 Proxy Authentication Required (HTTP)407417 — HTTP 417 Expectation Failed (HTTP)417511 — HTTP 511 Network Authentication Required (HTTP)511captive portal — Browser: This network requires you to sign in — captive portal (hotel, airport, café Wi-Fi) blocking HTTPS sites (Browser)captive portalDNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET — Chrome: No internet — DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET (DNS probe finished, no internet) (Browser)DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO…ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED — Chrome: No internet — ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED (You are not connected to the internet) (Browser)ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNE…ERR_NETWORK_ACCESS_DENIED — Chrome: This site can’t be reached — ERR_NETWORK_ACCESS_DENIED (blocked by firewall or antivirus) (Browser)ERR_NETWORK_ACCESS_DE…ERR_PROXY…

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