"Proxy server" checks itself automatically

[Plecto]

When entering Internet properties -> connection -> LAN settings, the box named "Use a proxy server for your LAN" keeps checking itself! I have to constantly un-check this box while surfing to make sure that all sites load. Could someone help me out with this issue?

 

[chev65]

I'm not sure where you are seeing this proxy setting to uncheck it?

Is the proxy setting uncheck in Internet Explorer "or which ever browser you are using"?

 

[Plecto]

I have to uncheck it all the time, it keeps checking itself (the box that is highlighted in yellow, yes). I'm using Chrome, but the browser doesn't really matter as these are the internet settings for W7 if I'm not mistaken.

 

[chev65]

I have to uncheck it all the time, it keeps checking itself (the box that is highlighted in yellow, yes). I'm using Chrome, but the browser doesn't really matter as these are the internet settings for W7 if I'm not mistaken.

Not sure with Chrome but in IE use the Advanced tab from internet options then hit the Reset button as there could be something overriding the proxy setting.

This problem is fairly common but with many possible causes such as malware, web content filters and a bunch of other installed programs.

LAN Connection settings keep changing back to proxy server after - Microsoft Community

 

[Plecto]

I tried to reset IE, but it made no difference. Arent't these W7 settings that apply to every browser? I don't see how changing specific browser settings would change anything.

 

[chev65]

I tried to reset IE, but it made no difference. Arent't these W7 settings that apply to every browser? I don't see how changing specific browser settings would change anything.

No those setting only relate to one browser. Other browsers have similar settings.

You don't see how turning off the proxy setting on a browser would turn off an obvious Proxy problem?

This is how is how you turn off Proxy settings unless there is something overriding the setting which in this case is obviously the problem. It's not a Windows problem, something else is in fact overriding the setting.

The link I posted shows the a number of different things can cause this problem, anything from malware to certain installed programs. In the case of malware you would need to run virus scan's.

I would hate to guess which one might apply in your case because it can be many different things causing the problem, many of which are highlighted in the link I posted earlier. I suggest you look them over and try the suggestions mentioned in the link.

 

[TheCyborg]

Solution

Hey guys, I know this thread has been inactive for a while but I wanted to post a solution.

I've been having this problem for a few weeks and I finally got fed up with un-checking that stupid little box, so I decided to look into it. I tried everything and got so frustrated I started sifting through my running processes to find that HotSpot Shield was running. Apparently it runs on startup and even when you're not connected to the proxy it will change your ProxyEnable value in the registry.

Uninstall Hotspot shield and you should be good to go! If you don't have hotspot shield installed trying to run a Malwarebytes scan: https://www.malwarebytes.org/mwb-download/ and running and adwcleaner scan: https://toolslib.net/downloads/viewdownload/1-adwcleaner/ might help you find out whats going on.

 

[Fairway]

Same problem here. Suspect that this is the reason why my Dropbox wont sync anymore when in the dropbox setting proxy settings are set to 'Automatic'.
Firefox has proxy set to off and is the default browser, but still this is worrying me since I sufferd a adware infection recently and this may be a leftover oddity which the malware could exploit.
Ran adwcleaner, ccleaner, malwarebytes, superspyware. These all state the system is clean now.
I dont have a process running called HotSpot Shield.
Maybe someone else has similar experiences and did find another solution?

 

[Fairway]

Found some suggestions elsewhere:
Go restart into Windows Safe mode, change the settings in IE (they will stick). And restart in normal Windows mode.
Or, in normal Windows mode start IE as an administrator (right click on the IE-logo from the Start menu and select 'Run as administrator') and then change the proxy settings in IE, then the changes will stick.
Both these suggestions worked for a lot of people, but not for me, unfortunately.

 

[Fairway]

OK, finally solved it.
In case you're interested:
proxy server settings won't change [Solved] - Networking - Networking