How to Use Chrome Proxy Settings: 6 Methods

Online security is a matter of concern in this rapidly advancing digital landscape. Obtaining IP addresses has become convenient for cybercriminals, for instance, your digital location can be exposed by simply making you click on a link. Digital censorship is another problem people can face while browsing without enabling proxy settings in Chrome.

A proxy can help you secure your online presence and visit blocked sites. However, many people are unfamiliar with proxy servers or lack knowledge of how to utilize them effectively. As Google Chrome is the most widely used browser, this article will guide you through configuring Chrome proxy server settings.

What is a Proxy Server, and How Does It Work?

A proxy server acts as a facilitator between your computer and the website. To ensure your security, it sends requests to the website on your behalf. The website then delivers the content to this external server, which passes it to your computer.

Proxy can be used to deal with geo-restriction issues. It is best for accessing content from around the globe, including banned sites, without revealing your location. All you need to do is acquire a proxy server in a region where the particular site is not banned.

Method 1: Try a Third-Party Proxy Manager

Employing a third-party app is the easiest way to set up a proxy on your computer. A proxy manager saves you from all the struggle you go through for the manual proxy configuration. Bright Data is one of the best proxy tools that provides reliable service leveraging the largest number of servers. It offers 72 million IPs in more than 195 territories.

Bright Data lets you conveniently set up and manage a proxy for Google Chrome. In case you encounter any issues, 24/7 global customer support is available for help. The proxy manager claims to deliver the best performance with a success rate of 99.9%. You can purchase Bright Data Proxy at a very reasonable price. Additionally, registered companies can avail of a free trial to enjoy all features.

Here are steps to set up a Bright Data proxy on your PC:

Step 1) Click on the Network & internet tabs from the menu on the left side of your Settings window.

Step 2) Find Proxy settings in the list and hit on it.

Step 3) Click the “Set up” button for the “Use setup script” under “Automatic proxy setup”.

Step 4) Enter the Script address, that you receive from Bright Data and hit Save. You can use the same proxy settings for mobile.

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Method 2: How to Use Proxy on Chrome in Windows 10/11

Before setting up the proxy server in Chrome, find a free or paid proxy server. All kinds of service providers are in the market, but finding a reliable tool could be difficult. You can choose the right proxy based on its server quality and quantity, protocol support, cost-effectiveness, speed, and performance.

After selecting the service, proceed with the setup. You can install the proxy on Windows manually or automatically. Below, you will find detailed instructions.

Configure Chrome Proxy Manually on Windows 10/11:

Step 1) Launch Google Chrome on your PC, hit three dots, and choose Settings.

Step 2) Go to the System tab and click the Open your computer’s proxy settings link.

Step 3) Under “Manual proxy setup,” hit the Set Up button.

Step 4) Enable “Use a proxy server” by hitting the toggle.

Step 5) Submit the IP address and port from the proxy service.

Step 6) Check the box for “Don’t use the proxy server for local (Intranet) addresses” and then hit Save.

Note: The third text box in the above image is for you to put the links to the websites you do not want to visit using the proxy.

Setup Proxy Automatically on Windows 10/11:

Step 1) Open the Proxy settings from the browser by following the first two steps of the previous method.

Step 2) Turn on Automatically detect settings.

Step 3) Hit the Set up button of “Use setup script” to enable it and provide the script from your network.

Remember that the change in proxy settings will affect all the programs on your computer.

Method 3: How to Set Proxy on Chrome Proxy Settings in MacOS

Configuring proxy settings is like preparing a stage for a smooth online performance. MacOS users can set up a proxy server for Google Chrome, however, its local proxy settings are different from Windows. Following the instructions below, you can easily set up a Google Chrome proxy server on Mac:

Step 1) Open the Google Chrome program and navigate to the settings by hitting the menu icon.

Step 2) Click on Open your computer proxy settings from the System tab.

Step 3) Select the protocol you want to edit. Web proxy (HTTP) or Secure web proxy (HTTPS).

Step 4) Enter the server address and port number given by the service provider.

Step 5) Hit OK to secure the chosen preferences.

The proxy server should be active by now. You can then open the browser to check.

Method 4: How to Change Proxy on Chrome Browser

While using a school or office computer, you may realize that a proxy on the system restricts you from visiting certain websites. The best way to fix this is to replace it with your own proxy settings, which can be obtained for free or purchased from the market.

Furthermore, you get two ways to change the proxy in Chrome. One is the manual method that requires you to tweak the settings. In the second technique, you add Command-line flags to automate the process.

Change Proxy for Chrome Manually Via System Settings:

Step 1) Right-click on the Windows icon and select Settings.

Step 2) Navigate to the Network & internet tab and click on Proxy.

Step 3) Under the “Manual proxy setup,” hit the Edit button for the “Use a proxy server” option.

Step 4) Replace the Address and port number.

Step 5) Clear the third text box containing the links banned from opening on the proxy and hit the Save button.

Change Chrome Proxy Settings Automatically Via Command-Line:

Command-line flags are instructions provided to a program to enable additional options. The method allows you to customize the program’s behavior without modifying the source code. In this method, you will add two flags for the SOCKS5 proxy on Chrome.

Step 1) Shut down the Chrome program and right-click its icon to choose Properties.

Step 2) Add these flags at the end of the text in the “Target” window. Replace myproxy:12345 and myproxy with your proxy server information:

--proxy-server="socks5://myproxy:12345" --host-resolver-rules="MAP * ~NOTFOUND , EXCLUDE myproxy"

Step 3) Click OK & Apply buttons to save the settings.

Method 5: How to Disable a Proxy Server in Google Chrome on Windows 10/11

Turning off the existing proxy from the system settings can be enough for some users to visit the blocked sites. However, you might not have the authority to change the settings on a school Chromebook. In that case, contact the network proxy admin for assistance.

Here are the steps to disable browser web proxy on Windows:

Step 1) Launch Google Chrome browser and go to its settings. Open the proxy settings.

Step 2) Click the Edit button before the “Use a Proxy Server” option.

Step 3) Hit the toggle to turn it off and Save.

Method 6: How to Disable a Proxy Server in Google Chrome on Mac

Some MacBook owners may not consider proxy a secure solution due to potential vulnerabilities and security concerns. If you do not wish to bypass proxy settings, alternatively, turn it off and try a VPN.

Here are steps to turn off proxy settings in Chrome on Mac:

Step 1) Access the Mac proxy settings from Chrome > Settings > System > Open Your Computer’s Proxy Settings.

Step 2) Hit the Switches of all the active proxies to turn them off.

Step 3) Next, click on OK to confirm the action.

Fix Google Chrome’s Proxy Settings Issues

After installing the proxy server for Chrome on your PC, you may face certain issues. Pay attention to these factors to have a smooth internet experience:

• Multiple Profiles: Each Google Chrome profile can have different proxy settings. Make sure you are using the right profile.
• Problematic Extension: An extension on the browser can interfere with and modify the proxy settings.
• ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED: The “Proxy failed to connect” error may arise for various reasons, such as misconfigured settings or an inactive proxy server.
• Update Chrome: Outdated Google Chrome software can start causing compatibility issues with the proxy. You should update the browser to the latest version.
• Unstable Internet: Slow or no internet can result in the proxy not working properly. Restart the router or check with your ISP.

Benefits of Using a Proxy on Google Chrome

Here are some of the advantages of using a proxy on Chrome:

Privacy and Anonymity

Even if you visit a safe and trustworthy site, a visible IP address can cause problems. Monetized sites share visitors’ data with ad platforms like Google Adsense. Browsing without a proxy allows advertisers to track you online and bombard you with ads.

Access Restricted Content

Proxy servers empower you to access anything online, such as geo-restricted content on video streaming platforms. You can access the banned videos by utilizing the server offered by your proxy manager.

Improved Security

Having the proxy server adds a layer of protection against online threats. It is a barrier that secures you from viruses and hides you from cybercriminals.

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