Proxy issues bringing about error 0x800704cf

Question

Compounding errors have been making my computer run more poorly over the past several months and seems likely to be connected to proxy problems. It can no longer connect for Windows updates and gives the error message 0x800704cf when it fails. The Internet works and 'Use a proxy server' is turned off in Settings, yet if I do the 'netsh winhttp show proxy' in Command Prompt it says it's on even though none exists. Clearly there is some disconnect between the Settings and what the computer sometimes reads for certain activities. I had tried several times going through a full reset but each time it failed because of connection problems, suggesting to me the false proxy is blocking that as well.

During the past week, I've sometimes gotten the repair message during bootup but not consistently and nothing ever seemingly comes of it. There may be other issues afoot but figure at least if the proxy issue is solved and I can reset then that may circumvent the other issues as I have my files backed up and ready.

For added background, the proxy issues began when I participated in the Smart Panel app as that would want to turn the 'Use a proxy server' setting to On at startup, and later whenever it seemingly felt like it. I stopped using it and uninstalled it and things worked fine for a few months before the problem began with Windows updates. Being that they're both involved in the proxy issue, I would assume these things are connected.

Answer 1

The information that we're gathering seems to be pointing at an issue in the operating system itself. Having said this, we suggest that you perform a repair update and this should do the trick. See this **article**by Andre Da Costa for the set of instructions.

update us after performing a repair upgrade.

Answer 2

It seems to have still done nothing. The easy fix option, although saying it applies to Windows 10 on the page, just said it only works for 7/8/9 after opening. The manual way popped up a DOS box when I did each step but I have not noticed a change, and checking the proxy setting in Command Prompt still says there is one despite what the Windows Settings say. I restarted after to see if it just needed to take effect but continues to block certain connections.

I have also been getting prompts to update Adobe Flash after starting up and this too is getting blocked since after running the installer it always says connection failed before it does anything.

Answer 3

We appreciate your response.

Let's try resetting the proxy settings on your computer. See this **link**on how to do so. This should delete all possible left proxy settings fragments on your computer.

Update us with the result of resetting the proxy settings.

Answer 4

Hi John,

I'm afraid changing the Internet Options did not alter things. The Proxy box was unchecked when I went in and checking the auto detection box seemingly has not changed anything. I suspect you are correct as to the cause, however. I had previously seen a suggestion for going into regedit to change a proxy setting but the entry that was supposed to be in there was absent. Perhaps the remaining fragment is in there someplace but I'm obviously skittish about blindly messing around in the registry.

Answer 5

Hi,

There's a possibility that the network (proxy) set up on your computer wasn't fully deleted/removed from the registry that's why you're having the issue. You may try unticking the proxy server as it usually resolves the issue. See the steps below on how to do so:

1. Press Windows key, type in "internet options" and choose Internet Options. A pop-up box will appear.
2. Go to Connections tab, and click on the LAN settings at the bottom part. Another pop-up box will appear that says Local Area Network (LAN) settings.
3. Untick the "Use a proxy server for your LAN option", and tick Automatically detect settings under Automatic configuration.
4. Click on OK.

Let us know what happens after the configurations.