Browser Won’t Open Websites: Proxy Server Connection Error

Read this article to find out what to do if your browser won’t open websites, while Skype, cloud services and other Internet applications do not seem to have any problems.

This tutorial will be suitable for all popular web browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer.

Viruses

First of all, your computer should be checked for malware, adware, and other unwanted programs. Too often, they prevent your browser from working properly and opening websites when you need it.

You can check the computer for viruses with one of the many popular antivirus products. They are so numerous that it is hardly a good idea to mention all of them. However, you are welcome to watch one of our videos about getting rid of viruses, Trojans and adware.

Configure the proxy server in your browser

If you removed all viruses and unwanted software but your browser is still playing tricks with you by refusing to open any websites, it’s time to check local network settings for your computer. Here is how you do it:

  • Go to Control Panel – Internet Options (in Windows 7, this item has the same name).

  • In the tab Connections click LAN settings. If you have the checked box next to Use a proxy service for your LAN…, uncheck it and check the box next to Automatically detect settings instead.

You can also open the proxy server settings menu from the browser. For Google Chrome, Opera and Yandex Browser the steps are similar:

  • go to Menu / Settings / Advanced,

  • and click on Change proxy settings. Then follow the steps I have shown before.

In Mozilla Firefox:

  • go to Menu – Options – General – Network Settings – Settings.

  • When the menu Connection Settings opens, select Use system proxy settings.

In Internet Explorer, go to Service/ Browser Properties.

Then follow the instructions above.

In Microsoft Edge, go to Menu / Settings / Advanced and click on Open proxy settings.

If manual proxy setup is enabled, turn it off and then go to the tab Automatic proxy setup to activate Automatically detect settings.

Open the registry editor for AppInit_DLLs

If the browser won’t open websites even after proxy setup operations, you should check the entry AppInit_DLLs in the registry editor. Here is how you do it:

  • Run Registry Editor.

  • Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\.

  • Right-click on the entry AppInit_DLLs and click Modify.

  • If in the Value line you can see the path to any .dll file (for example, C:\filename.dll), it should be deleted. Before that, copy the path to that file, clear the line and click ОK.

  • Then paste this path to the file explorer, enable the option Show hidden files and delete this file as well as any other suspicious .exe files which are in the found folder.

Once again, go to the Registry Editor, find the entry AppInit_DLLs in the section HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\, and repeat the steps I have described above, then restart the computer.

Check the Hosts file

The next step should be checking the file Hosts. It can be found by following this path – C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.

Open it with Notepad and read the values. If the last line #::1 localhost is followed by other lines with IP addresses – delete them, save changes in Notepad and restart the computer.

DNS Server

If your browser still won’t open any websites, there may be a problem with the DNS server. To check this server, here’s what you do:

Go to Network and Sharing Center, and click on the connection name next to the line Connections.

Choose Properties and click on IP version 4 / Properties.

Select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter these values:

  • preferred DNS server – 8.8.8.8;
  • alternate DNS server – 8.8.4.4;

After that, try opening any webpage with your browser.

Clear the DNS cache

If nothing helps, try clearing the DNS cache. Here is how you do it:

  • aunch the Command prompt as Administrator and type the following command: ipconfig /flushdns. This command will clear the DNS cache.

  • Then enter the command route -f. This command will clear the route table from all gateway entries.

  • When you see the Ok message, close the Command Prompt and restart the computer.

The steps we have described in this article should help you fix the problem with your browser. Yet if none of the methods worked for you, post a comment to let us know, and we can try to find an individual approach to your case.

Author: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Editor: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

What is a proxy server?

A proxy server acts as a gateway between you and the Internet. It’s an intermediary server separating an end user from the websites they visit. It creates a situation, when the website believes a proxy server is an actual, real user.

Why do people use proxy servers?

Proxy servers are quite multifunctional and are used in several scenarios:

  • To ensure privacy, so that the websites do not “know” who is the person browsing them;
  • To improve safety when going online: basic attacks will actually target the proxy server;
  • Also, it is required to access content which only exists in certain locations;
  • To accelerate access to certain resources on the Internet;
  • And certainly, we need it to gain access to blocked webpages, websites, messengers and so on.

What is the difference between VPN and proxy server?

By its functional purpose, VPN and proxy have a common structure, but slightly differ by the number of functions they can perform. Besides that, proxy is more widespread and can even sometimes be integrated into an application, which saves you the trouble of changing certain system settings.

What is a proxy server error?

Most of the time, this error appears because of wrong proxy server settings in Windows. They may be related to installation of a certain program, malware activities, or user errors when modifying proxy settings.

What types of proxy servers by the source of IP address are there?

Proxy types by the source:

  • Datacenter proxies are, as the name suggests, found in datacenters where they benefit from having high speed, specialized software and tech support.
  • Residential proxies use IP addresses provided by an ISP (Internet Service Provider) to its clients.
  • Mobile proxies work by the same principle as residential (home) proxies but they use IPs provided by cellular network providers.

Comments (16) #

  • Babak 27.01.2023 12:05 #

    I tried all the above solutions but had no success. I wonder why my socks5 proxy is working on Telegram messenger as well as the entire Windows 11 but isn't working in any browser if I set up that proxy manually or with the aid of extensions. Any idea?

    • Hetman Software 27.01.2023 12:15 #

      Very interesting, have you tried to find the answer on the internet? nothing? You may have done something wrong while setting it up manually after all.

  • Andrea 26.01.2023 14:39 #

    Hi, I'm on a Win11 pc and I've tried all of the above but nothing works. Connection works normally but webpages cannot open on any browser. What else could it be?

    • Hetman Software 26.01.2023 14:42 #

      If none of the methods worked for you, talk to your internet service to see if they have any restrictions.

  • Scarlett Madison 14.04.2021 11:49 #

    Great post really amazing content

  • Eustace Stack 6.01.2021 23:57 #

    What are some other possible causes of connection errors with a browser?

    • Hetman Software 7.01.2021 00:16 #

      1. Poor internet connection
      2. Incorrect DNS settings
      3. Outdated browser version
      4. Corrupt browser cache or cookies
      5. Firewall or antivirus blocking the connection
      6. Browser extensions or add-ons interfering with the connection
      7. Problems with the website’s server
      8. Problems with the ISP’s network
  • Gavin Mummery 6.01.2021 20:53 #

    What are the steps to troubleshoot the problem caused by a proxy server?

    • Hetman Software 6.01.2021 21:20 #

      1. Check the proxy server settings: Make sure that the proxy server settings are correct and that the proxy server is working properly.
      2. Check the network connection: Make sure that the network connection is working properly and that the computer is connected to the internet.
      3. Check the browser settings: Make sure that the browser settings are correct and that the browser is configured to use the proxy server.
      4. Check the firewall settings: Make sure that the firewall is not blocking access to the proxy server.
      5. Check the DNS settings: Make sure that the DNS settings are correct and that the DNS server is resolving the domain name correctly.
      6. Check the web application: Make sure that the web application is configured to use the proxy server and that it is working properly.
      7. Check for malware: Make sure that there is no malware present on the computer that might be interfering with the proxy server.
      8. Contact your ISP: If all of the above steps fail, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for assistance.
  • Mason Cooper 6.01.2021 16:46 #

    How can a user identify if the error is caused by a proxy server?

    • Hetman Software 6.01.2021 17:20 #

      The user can try to bypass the proxy server by disabling it or using a different network connection. If the issue is resolved, then it is likely that the error was caused by the proxy server. Additionally, the user can check the proxy server logs to look for any errors or warnings that might indicate a problem with the proxy server.

  • Greg Richardson 6.01.2021 15:07 #

    How can a proxy server cause connection errors with a browser?

    • Hetman Software 6.01.2021 15:25 #

      A proxy server can cause connection errors with a browser if it is not configured correctly, if it is overloaded with requests, or if it is blocked by a firewall. Additionally, if the proxy server is not compatible with the browser, it can cause connection errors.

  • Stefan Rawlings 6.01.2021 13:14 #

    What is the possible cause of the error "browser does not open pages"?

    • Hetman Software 6.01.2021 13:46 #

      The possible cause of the error "browser does not open pages" could be due to an issue with the browser itself, such as a corrupt installation or a conflict with other software on the computer. It could also be due to a problem with the internet connection, such as a slow connection or a blocked port.

  • Maxim Cherniga 6.01.2021 12:54 #

    If you have any questions why the browser can’t open websites and displays a proxy server connection error, feel free to post a comment and ask us.

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