# ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED

> The browser is set to send traffic through a proxy server that it cannot reach.

## Quick answer

A proxy is a middle server that forwards your web traffic. The setting can come from the network settings of your system, from a browser extension that manages proxies, or from your school or employer. ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED (Chromium error -130) means Chrome could not create a connection to that proxy, so no website loads; Chrome shows "No internet" and "There is something wrong with the proxy server, or the address is incorrect."

When to wait: If the proxy belongs to your workplace or school and it is down, waiting for the fix may be the only option. A wrong setting on your own device does not fix itself.

## If you are visiting the website

1. **Check the proxy setting of your system** If you never set up a proxy on purpose, switch it off. If your workplace or school requires one, leave it on and ask the administrator for the correct address instead.
   - Windows: In Settings, go to Network & internet > Proxy. Select Set up next to Use a proxy server and switch it off, and check whether Use setup script points to an address you do not know.
   - macOS: Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Network, select your network service, then Details > Proxies. Switch off every proxy type you did not configure, including Automatic proxy configuration.
   - Android: Open Settings > Network & internet > Internet and tap the settings icon next to your Wi-Fi network. Find Proxy (often behind an edit button or Advanced options) and choose None. Menu names differ between phone makers.
   - ChromeOS: Select the time at the bottom right, then Settings > Network, and select your network. If its settings show a Proxy section, choose a direct connection. On a school or work Chromebook, ask the administrator instead.
2. **Switch off proxy and VPN extensions** Open `chrome://extensions` and switch off extensions that offer a VPN, a proxy or a change of location, then reload. Extensions with the proxy permission can take over the proxy settings of Chrome.
3. **Make Chrome pick up the change** After you change a setting, open `chrome://net-internals/#proxy`, select Re-apply settings and Clear bad proxies, then reload the page.
4. **Check for unwanted software if it comes back** A proxy setting that returns after you removed it suggests a program is changing it. Run a full scan with your security software and remove programs you do not recognise.
5. **Use the network the proxy belongs to** A company or school proxy may only answer inside that network or through its VPN. Connect there, or ask the administrator how the device should work at home.

## If you run the website

1. **Test the proxy itself** From an affected device, run `curl -v -x http://proxy.example:3128 https://example.com` with your proxy address and port. A refused or timed-out connection to the proxy reproduces this error.
2. **Check automatic configuration** If clients use a PAC file (an automatic proxy script) or WPAD discovery, make sure the script loads. When a PAC script cannot be fetched, Chromium falls back to the next option: often a direct connection, and with Windows system settings the manual proxy if one is set. If the script was set as mandatory in Chrome's own proxy settings, requests fail with ERR_MANDATORY_PROXY_CONFIGURATION_FAILED instead.
3. **Review managed proxy settings** If you push proxy settings to devices, check address and port, and decide what should happen on networks where the proxy cannot be reached, such as home Wi-Fi.

## Related guide

- [Website works on mobile data but not on Wi-Fi: device or network?](https://checkwebsitenow.com/guides/website-works-on-mobile-data-but-not-wifi)

## Why every website fails at once

Each request goes to the proxy first, so when the proxy cannot be reached, no website loads even though the Wi-Fi works. Apps that ignore the proxy setting may still get online, which makes the fault look confusing.

Chromium describes this code as a failure to create a connection to the proxy server. That separates it from ERR_TUNNEL_CONNECTION_FAILED, where the proxy was reached but could not open a tunnel to the site.

## For developers: where Chrome gets its proxy

Chrome can connect directly, use fixed proxy servers, load a PAC script, detect one automatically through WPAD, or follow the system settings. Extensions with the proxy permission can switch between these modes.

For a deeper look, the proxy documentation of Chromium suggests a network log from `chrome://net-export/`, which you can share with whoever runs the proxy.

## Common questions

### Is ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED a problem with the website?

No. Chrome never reached the website; it failed at the proxy in between. An outside check of the site, such as CheckWebsiteNow, normally works and confirms that the problem is local.

### Why did a proxy switch on by itself?

Possible reasons are a VPN or proxy app that was removed without cleaning up, an extension, or unwanted software. Remove the setting, then check extensions and installed programs if it returns.

### Will a VPN fix ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED?

Not by itself. Some VPN apps set a proxy of their own, and a broken one causes exactly this error. Correct or remove the proxy setting first.


## Likely causes

- A proxy is switched on in the system settings, but its server no longer runs or the address is wrong. (common, visitor side)
- A VPN or proxy app was removed or crashed and left its proxy setting behind. (sometimes, visitor side)
- A browser extension or unwanted software changed the proxy settings. (sometimes, visitor side)
- The proxy of your company or school is down or cannot be reached from this network. (sometimes, either side)
- An automatic proxy script (PAC file) cannot be loaded. (rare, either side)

## What to avoid

- Do not enter a proxy address found online to make the error go away; an unknown proxy sees your traffic.
- Do not change proxy settings on a work or school device without asking the administrator.

## Related messages

- [ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED](https://checkwebsitenow.com/errors/err-connection-refused)
- [ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED](https://checkwebsitenow.com/errors/err-internet-disconnected)
- [ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT](https://checkwebsitenow.com/errors/err-connection-timed-out)
- [This site can't be reached: how to find the cause and fix it](https://checkwebsitenow.com/errors/this-site-cant-be-reached)

## Sources

- [Chromium source: net/base/net_error_list.h (network error codes)](https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromium/src/+/HEAD/net/base/net_error_list.h)
- [Chromium source: components/error_page_strings.grdp (texts of Chrome's error page)](https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromium/src/+/HEAD/components/error_page_strings.grdp)
- [Chromium docs: Proxy support in Chrome](https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromium/src/+/HEAD/net/docs/proxy.md)
- [Chromium source: net-internals page (Clear host cache, Re-apply settings, Clear bad proxies)](https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromium/src/+/main/chrome/browser/resources/net_internals/index.html)
- [Chrome for Developers: chrome.proxy extension API](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/reference/api/proxy)
- [Microsoft Support: Use a proxy server in Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-a-proxy-server-in-windows-03096c53-0554-4ffe-b6ab-8b1deee8dae1)
- [Apple Support: Change Proxies settings on Mac](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-proxy-settings-on-mac-mchlp2591/mac)
- [Android Help: Manage advanced network settings on your Android phone](https://support.google.com/android/answer/9654714?hl=en)
- [Chromebook Help: Connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi](https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1047420?hl=en)
- [curl manual (option -x, --proxy)](https://curl.se/docs/manpage.html)

Last updated: 2026-10-07. Check a website now: https://checkwebsitenow.com/?check=example.com