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Windows could not automatically detect the network’s proxy server settings

Anonymous
2020-10-11T17:19:48+00:00

About the time of the last Windows 10 update, my PC lost its reliable WiFi connectivity to the internet.  Troubleshooting yielded the error message in the title of this post.

Researching the "try this" approaches to fix the problem, I have completed the following:

Some are listed but couldn't be done --- those having to do with an Ethernet connection between the PC and the router.  I am strictly WiFi.

All other WiFi devices in the house --- phones, iPads, laptops, streaming boxes, etc. work fine. 

Are there other things to try, or is my PC basically been trashed by Windows 10?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-10-11T17:29:37+00:00

    Hi and thanks for reaching out. My name is William. I'm a Microsoft Windows Certified Professional and Systems Administrator. I'll be happy to help you out today.

    Have you checked that you have not inadvertently enabled the use of a proxy server? Press Windows key + R > type Inetcpl.cpl > go to Connections > Lan Settings > make sure that "Use a proxy server..." is not checked.

    Another cause could be misconfigured VPN settings ... if that is service you are using.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-10-12T17:23:43+00:00

    Start by seeing if the following Intel Wifi driver applies to you (64bit version): https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29849...

    Next thing to check, run regedit.exe > go to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles. This is a list of the available networks you have connected to at one point, each one uses a unique GUID. The profile name will reflect your wifi SSID. Make sure Category has a value of 1. If it does not, change it and restart the computer. If it does have a value of 1, then remove it. Before doing that, right-click on the Profile key > select Export and save it somewhere in case it needs to be restored. Afterwards, right-click Profiles and select Delete. Do the same for the key below it in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Signatures\Unmanaged. Restart when done. These values should be repopulated when you connect to wifi network again.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-10-11T19:00:21+00:00

    Making sure the "Use a proxy server" box is NOT CHECKED is probably the step I've repeated the most.

    I do not use a VPN.

    HOWEVER, I need to modify my statement about all other devices working without a glitch.  I just returned from my workshop, which is located about 30 yards from the main house.  I stream through Roku there to the shop TV.  The signal is broadcast to the shop from the house via an Almond Extender, which is fed via a Trendnet Powerline Ethernet extender (uses house electrical wiring for signal from cable modem, then feeds Almond WiFi range extender).

    This setup sounds sketchy but it has reliably delivered what Roku determines is "Good" signal strength, and I have no problem watching any content available on the many Roku apps without any buffering.  That is until today when I first tried to use it since I've been experiencing connectivity problems in the house.  I now have those same connectivity problems with the Roku.

    This leads me to believe the origin of the problem is back at the hardware --- the Motorola Cable Modem, or the ISP signal that feeds it.  I need to focus there now I suppose.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-10-11T20:03:56+00:00

    I have access to both the cable modem and the wifi router, but nothing I've seen there looks unusual.  I've reset both to factory settings, and the ISP has just completed their own "reset" of the modem.  I'm sitting here with my Windows 10 PC still having its connectivity issues, with my iPad Pro right next to it, connected to exactly the same access point, just showing my paid for plan 50MBs download, and no interruptions in connectivity.

    Baffling!!

    The other device I mentioned may in fact be working normally now, but it is too time consuming to run back and forth to the shop to check its status.  I'm back thinking I have a PC Windows 10 problem....

    Here's another bit of info:  the symptoms on the PC are web page won't load (can't find it or won't connect to server).  Sometimes, just the act of trying to open a web page severs the Wifi; in that case, connecting to a different access point will bring back the internet, but the page might not load --- but then does after a refresh, or even stranger, after opening the access point properties box, and then closing it.  Very large traffic sites seem to be more accessible than others, like Amazon.  One that I have been unable to open no matter what shenanigans I try: my ISP's customer log in page.  To communicate with them, I use the iPad.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-10-11T19:08:06+00:00

    Can you ping the router from the problem computer or access the router's configuration console via the IP address? The address varies from manufacture to manufacture but is usually 192.168.1.1.

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