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How to set up a proxy server on your LAN?

To set up a proxy server on your LAN in Windows, open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy, turn on Use a proxy server under Manual proxy setup, enter the proxy IP address and port, and save. Chrome and Edge use these same Windows settings, while Firefox has its own proxy configuration under Network Settings. You can also use automatic detection or a PAC setup script provided by your network administrator.

Understanding LAN Proxy Settings

A proxy server sits between your computer and the internet, forwarding requests on your behalf. On a Local Area Network (LAN), a proxy is often used to control access, cache content, enforce security policies, or monitor traffic. Windows detects proxy settings automatically by default, but you can also configure them manually. There are three configuration styles you will encounter: automatic detection (WPAD), an automatic configuration script (a PAC file), and manual entry of an IP address and port.

One key detail decides where you configure things: Chrome, Edge, and Internet Explorer share the operating system's proxy settings, while Firefox maintains its own. So configuring Windows covers most browsers, but Firefox needs a separate step.

Set Up a LAN Proxy in Windows

Configuring the proxy at the OS level is the cleanest approach because Chrome and Edge inherit it automatically:

Open Settings and go to Network & Internet > Proxy.
To let Windows discover the proxy, turn on Automatically detect settings under Automatic proxy setup.
To use a PAC script from your administrator, next to Use setup script select Set up, enter the script address, and Save.
For manual setup, under Manual proxy setup, next to Use a proxy server, select Set up.
Turn on Use a proxy server, then enter the proxy IP address and port.
Select Don't use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses so internal LAN traffic goes direct.
Click Save, and you are good to go.

Configure the Proxy in Chrome and Edge

Chrome and Edge do not have independent proxy settings, their menus open the Windows dialog:

Open the browser and click the three dots in the top-right corner, then Settings.
Search for proxy, or in Chrome open System and in Edge open System and performance.
Click Open your computer's proxy settings.
In the Internet Properties dialog, go to the Connections tab and click LAN Settings.
Under Proxy server, select Use a proxy server for your LAN.
Enter the Address and Port of your proxy server.
Click OK to save.

Configure the Proxy in Firefox

Firefox keeps its own proxy configuration, so set it separately:

Open Firefox and go to Settings.
Scroll to Network Settings and click the Settings button.
In the Connection Settings dialog, choose one of the options:

No proxy: no proxy is used.
Auto-detect proxy settings for this network: Firefox discovers the proxy via WPAD.
Use system proxy settings: inherits the Windows OS proxy.
Manual proxy configuration: enter HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS host and port values yourself.

Select the option you need, then click OK to save.

Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting

Wrong port number: A proxy on 8080 will not work if you enter 80. Confirm the exact port with your network administrator.
Not bypassing local addresses: Routing intranet traffic through the proxy slows internal sites and can break them. Enable the local-bypass option.
Expecting Firefox to follow Windows: Firefox uses its own settings unless you explicitly choose Use system proxy settings.
Stale PAC file cache: After editing a PAC script, restart the browser so the new rules load.
Proxy authentication prompts: If your proxy needs credentials, expect a username and password prompt; missing this looks like a connection failure.

Conclusion

Setting up a proxy server on your LAN is mostly about choosing where to configure it. For Chrome and Edge, configure Windows once at Network & Internet > Proxy or through the Internet Properties LAN Settings dialog. For Firefox, set the proxy separately in Network Settings. Use manual entry when you know the IP and port, or a PAC script when your administrator provides one, and remember to bypass local addresses for faster intranet access.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up a LAN proxy in Windows 10 or 11?

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. Under Manual proxy setup, turn on Use a proxy server, enter the proxy IP address and port, and save. You can also enable Automatically detect settings or point to a setup script under Automatic proxy setup.

Do Chrome and Edge use their own proxy settings?

No. Chrome and Edge use the operating system's proxy settings by default. Their Settings pages simply open the Windows Internet Properties dialog, where you configure the LAN proxy under the Connections tab via LAN Settings.

How is Firefox proxy configuration different?

Firefox keeps its own proxy settings independent of the OS. In Settings > Network Settings you can choose No proxy, Auto-detect, Use system settings, or Manual configuration, where you enter HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS host and port values.

What is a PAC file in proxy setup?

A PAC (Proxy Auto-Configuration) file is a script that tells the browser which proxy, if any, to use for each URL. You point the browser or OS to the PAC file URL, and it decides per request, which is common in managed corporate LANs.

Should I bypass the proxy for local addresses?

Usually yes. Enabling Do not use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses lets internal LAN traffic go direct, which is faster and avoids routing internal requests through an external proxy unnecessarily, unless your organization specifically requires it.

Why is my proxy connection failing after setup?

Common causes are an incorrect IP or port, a proxy that requires authentication, or a browser that was not restarted after a PAC change. Double-check the address and port, confirm credentials, and restart the browser to reload settings.