[Fix] Downloading Proxy Script Issue in Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome

SUMMARY: If you try to open a website in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome web browser, the browser takes long time in loading the website and shows “Downloading proxy script” message in status bar at the bottom-left corner of the window. This tutorial will help you in fixing the issue and removing this error message which is slowing down website opening.

PROBLEM SYMPTOM:

Many readers have reported me that when they open a website in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome web browser, the website takes several seconds in loading. The web browser displays “Downloading proxy script” (or sometimes “resolving proxy”) message at the bottom of the window as shown in following screenshot:

It’s not a slow Internet connection problem. The issue occurs on faster broadband connections as well.

It may become annoying when it happens with almost all websites and you have to wait for several seconds before the website starts loading in the web browser.

PROBLEM REASON:

It’s not a fault of the website or the web browser. Actually the web browser tries to get current proxy settings from Windows because by default, Windows operating system is configured to detect and apply LAN settings automatically.

When we install Windows in our computer system, the option to detect LAN settings automatically is enabled by default. That’s why, the web browser tries to receive proxy settings from Windows and it may take few seconds in scanning and receiving the settings. The web browser keeps displaying “Downloading proxy script” message while it tries to receive settings from Windows. Proxy works like a gateway or middle man between Internet and your local network.

Since both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge web browsers are based on same Chromium project, you get this “Downloading proxy script” issue in these web browsers. I have not checked but other Chromium-based browsers such as Opera and Vivaldi may also display same message in Windows.

PROBLEM SOLUTION:

The solution to fix this annoying issue is very easy and simple. You can disable the option to detect LAN settings automatically in Windows and it’ll fix the problem. Your web browser will stop detecting proxy settings and will not show “Downloading proxy script” message while opening websites and all websites will load faster.

Thanks to our reader “Gaurav Saxena” for sharing the fix.

Following steps will help you in disabling or removing “Downloading proxy script” message in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome and other Chromium-based web browsers:

STEP 1:

Microsoft Edge users:

• Click on the 3-dots icon (main menu) present at the top-right corner of Edge window and select “Settings” option from the main menu.
• It’ll open Edge settings page. In left-side pane, click on “System” section.
• In right-side pane, click on “Open your computer’s proxy settings” option.

You can directly open above mentioned page using edge://settings/system URL in Edge address bar.

Google Chrome users:

• Click on the 3-dots icon (main menu) present at the top-right corner of Chrome window and select “Settings” option from the main menu.
• It’ll open Chrome settings page. In left-side pane, click on “Advanced -> System” section.
• In right-side pane, click on “Open your computer’s proxy settings” option.

You can directly open above mentioned page using chrome://settings/system URL in Chrome address bar.

It’ll open Proxy Settings page in Windows 10 or Internet Properties window in older Windows versions such as Windows 7.

NOTE: There is an alternate way to direct launch Windows 10 Proxy Settings page or Internet Properties window. You can open Proxy Settings page directly in Windows 10 using “ms-settings:network-proxy” command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here. Similarly, you can direct launch Internet Properties window using inetcpl.cpl command in RUN dialog box as mentioned here.

STEP 2:

Windows 10 Users:

Once you open Proxy Settings page, disable or turn off “Automatically detect settings” toggle option.

All Windows Users:

Once you open Internet Properties window, go to “Connections” tab and click on “LAN settings” button. It’ll open a new window. Now uncheck “Automatically detect settings” checkbox and click on OK button.

That’s it. Now open any website in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browsers and you’ll never see “Downloading proxy script” message in status bar. All websites will now load fine without any slow down issue.

Also Check:

[Tip] Having Problems with Your Web Browser? Disable Hardware Acceleration Feature