Windows comes up with built-in troubleshooting that allows you to analyze connectivity issues on your PC. So, when this troubleshooting tool analyzes an issue with your network, it resolves them on its own. At times, it just points out the issue & suggests some of the probable fixes. Over time, the network troubleshooter defines the issue without proffering any kind of valid solution or fix.
And a good example of this instance is the “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings” error message. Of course, this notification tells you that there’s a certain problem with the network’s proxy settings. What it does not reveal is how to resolve the issue.
That’s because problems relating to proxy configurations are corrupted or multifaceted and often pretty challenging to resolve, especially if you do not know what to do or where to look.
Restarting both the PC & router might resolve the issue. If the issue persists, one of the 9 hacks mentioned below should do the magic.
Power-Cycling the PC’s Network Adapter
Rebooting the network adapter is one of the most convenient as well as useful ways to fix the connectivity issue on your PC. Initially, head over to the Settings section > locate and click on the Network & Internet > hit the option named Status & choose the Change adapter settings button.
Select the Wi-Fi option (if you’re using a wireless connection). And select the Ethernet if you have a LAN/WIFI connection & hit Turn off this network device on the toolbar.
Once you are done with this, wait for a while & then try to re-enable the network adapter. Choose the option named network & hit the Enable this network device.
Verify the Adapter IP Settings
Even after power cycling the network adapter, if the error message still comes up & you still can’t access the internet, then make sure you disable any manual DNS configuration or IP address assigned to your network adapters. Enabling Windows to automatically obtain DNS & IP server addresses for your connections can eradicate this problem
Head over to the Network Connections windows (Invoke the Settings > choose Network & Internet > hit the option Status > choose the Change adapter settings), right-tap on the network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and invoke the Properties section.
Choose Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) & invoke the section named Properties.
Now, head over to the General tab and hit the Obtain & IP address automatically & Obtain DNS server address automatically. When you are done with it simply choose the button named OK to save.
Turn Off Proxies, VPN, Firewalls,
So, routing your internet via VPNs, firewalls, & proxies can cause major to minor network interference and which result in error notifications like “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings.” In such situations, you can turn off the firewall, VPN, & all the other network-oriented applications that you have installed in your device & verify if that restores internet access.
In addition to the fact, head over to Settings > locate & select the Network & Internet > hit the option named Proxy & then toggle off Use a proxy server in order to turn off any manual proxy setup on the PC
Install the Latest Version of the Network Driver
Due to certain instances, drivers get corrupt, outdated, as well as buggy every now & then. And these often influence the connectivity issue & also make the internet unusable on your PC. Therefore, navigate to the Device Manager & verify if there is any update shown for the network driver.
Proceed to right-tap on the Start menu icon & choose the option named Device Manager that is located on the Quick Access menu.
Afterward, you have to expand the Network adapters section, & then simply hit the network driver, & choose the option named “Update Driver”.
PRO Tip: If there is more than one driver in the Network adapters section & you don’t have any idea which one’s the Ethernet adapter or Wi-Fi, then head over to the Settings section > choose the Network & Internet > hit the option Status > & tap on the Change adapter options.
Now, you might find the name of your device’s Wi-Fi & Ethernet drivers identified below the network types. Here, you need to understand which driver to update.
Afterward, choose the option named Search automatically for updated driver software.
Once you are done with these instructions, windows automatically search your PC & the internet for the latest version of the network adapter. And if it finds any, then you need to follow the prompt on the page in order to download & install the update.
Roll Back Network Adapter
Sometimes, Windows Updates ship with driver updates. And when these driver updates bring the latest features, they might contain bugs & technical glitches that will break some features on your PC. And some driver updates might also be incompatible with your PC.
So, if the “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings” error message comes up after a recent Windows or driver update, then make sure you roll the driver back to the previous version & reboot your device.
- Locate & head over to the Device Manager, then invoke the Network adapters section by double-tapping on it., Then double-tap on your network adapter.
- Navigate to the Driver tab & hit the option Roll Back Driver button.
Make sure you follow each & every instruction on the next page in order to roll back the driver & reboot your PC afterward.
Tips: If you find that the Roll Back Driver is grayed out, it implies you (or Windows) didn’t install the latest version of the drivers!
Look for the Malware Infection
Buggy & Malicious files can corrupt as well as damage essential network files & settings. To avoid such kinds of situations, you can scan your device for malware by utilizing the Windows Defender or any other reliable and trustworthy third-party anti-malware applications. And these will aid to identify & eliminate stubborn malware & spyware responsible for the network failures.
Reset the PC’s Internet Configurations
It actually entails resetting the Windows Socket & the TCP/IP stack. And these network settings will decide how the network applications communicate with your PC. Well, you might experience certain connection issues like the “Windows could not automatically detect this network’s proxy settings” if the network functionalities become corrupt.
Now check out the undermentioned instructions in order to fix Winsock errors & corrupt TCP/IP settings. And you have to do this step by using the Command Prompt tool.
Proceed to right-tap on the start button & locate and invoke the Command Prompt (Admin).
Here, you need to run the commands below respectively. Make sure to hit the Enter button after entering each command & wait for a while to get a success notification before you proceed with the next command.
- netsh winsock reset
- netsh int ip reset
- ipconfig /release
- ipconfig /renew
- ipconfig /flushdns
Reboot your PC.
Here, you need to keep in mind that the commands will clear the device’s DNS cache, and also revert all the changes made to your PC’s Winsock settings, & rewrite registry keys utilized by the TCP/IP.
Remember: You might require reconfiguring some network-oriented programs like your firewall software, VPN, etc. after resetting the Winsock and TCP/IP catalog.
Reset Your Device’s Network Settings
Even after performing all the above-mentioned instructions, if the issue still persists & you still can not access the network, then make sure to perform a network reset. It will reset VPN & proxy servers, then reinstall network adapters, & also revert each and every network configuration back to the default condition.
Initially, head over to the Settings > then choose the option named Network & Internet > hit the option Status & hit the Network reset at the bottom of the page.
Afterward, locate and hit the Reset now button & tap the Yes button on the confirmation prompt.
Once you are done with these instructions, windows will sign you out automatically & reboot your device, thus be sure you close all apps before resetting the network settings—since you do not lose any kind of unsaved documents or tasks.
Restore the Device
You have to consider restoring your PC to the default version when network connectivity was working in the correct manner. When you perform this instruction, the Windows System Restore will eliminate all the recently installed apps & drivers that might be responsible for the issue you are facing. Your personal data ( documents, files, videos, pictures, etc.) will remain intact, therefore, you’ve nothing to worry about.
Navigate to the Control Panel > choose the System > hit the option titles System Protection & hit the System Restore.
Make sure you choose the correct restore point & hit the Next button to proceed.
Pro Tip: Choose the Scan for all the affected applications in order to verify a list of apps that will be eliminated during the system restore process.
Unable to find any restore point in this menu? Then, the System Restore is possibly disabled on your PC. Check out how to turn on or turn off the system restore in Windows.
Ending Notes
Hopefully, after reading the above-mentioned troubleshooting, you will be able to fix the problems you are facing. But, in case, if you find the same error message pop up on your PC screen, then you may contact the professionals. They will help you to overcome the situation!
