The error “Proxy Server Refused Connection” is a common issue that prevents your browser from reaching websites through a proxy. It usually signals a problem with how the proxy is set up or how access is controlled. In this article, we explain what the error means, outline the typical causes, and provide clear steps you can follow to restore normal browsing.
“Proxy Server Refused Connection” means the proxy server is online but rejects your request instead of allowing traffic through. In practice, the browser can reach the proxy, but the server refuses to forward the connection. This differs from a “connection failed” error, which usually indicates the proxy is unreachable because of network issues, an incorrect IP address or port, or timeouts. If you are facing that issue instead, see our article on how to fix ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED errors for detailed solutions. Recognizing this distinction helps you focus on configuration and access problems rather than assuming the server is down.
Error Type | What It Means | Common Cause |
Connection Failed | Browser cannot reach the proxy server | Wrong IP, offline server, network timeout |
Refused Connection | Proxy online but rejects the request | Blocked by rules or proxy configuration |
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When a proxy server refuses a connection, it means the request reached the server but was blocked for specific reasons. Such refusals usually stem from account status, access rules, or security controls rather than random errors. The most common causes are outlined below.
Incorrect or expired login details will cause the proxy to deny requests. Some providers also suspend accounts for unpaid bills or policy violations, leading to the same error.
Many services require you to add your public IP to a whitelist. If the IP is missing, or you connect from a restricted region, the server will block the request.
Proxy services often cap bandwidth or the number of concurrent sessions. Once these thresholds are exceeded, new requests are declined until resources become available.
Local firewalls, antivirus software, or company networks can block proxy traffic. On the server side, Web Application Firewalls (WAF) or ACL rules may filter your requests, causing rejections.
Firefox has its own proxy settings, and misconfigurations can trigger connection errors. In managed environments, IT administrators may enforce proxy rules with policies.json, overriding user preferences.
Proxy refusals often occur when your browser or operating system is still storing outdated credentials. This is common if you recently changed your proxy password, switched accounts, or mistyped your login details. The server receives your request but rejects it because the authentication does not match.
To fix this, first re-enter your proxy details (server address and port) in the network or browser settings. When prompted, re-enter your username and password exactly as provided by your service. If the wrong credentials were cached, clear your browser cache or restart the browser so old values are not reused. Once the correct details are supplied, the proxy can verify your identity and allow traffic through, resolving many 407 Proxy Authentication Required errors.
Even with the right credentials, your account may be limited by service rules. Providers suspend accounts for unpaid invoices, disable expired subscriptions, or enforce traffic and concurrency limits. In these cases, the server is online but refuses new requests linked to your account.
Log in to your provider’s dashboard and verify that your account is active. Check if you have reached bandwidth, session, or regional limits. If your plan only allows traffic from certain countries, choose a supported location. Updating your plan or switching regions ensures the proxy no longer blocks connections for account-related reasons.
Many proxy networks use IP whitelisting for security, meaning only registered addresses can connect. If your current IP is missing or has changed due to your ISP, the server will refuse the request as unauthorized. This is a frequent issue for users with dynamic IPs.
To resolve this, log in to your provider’s control panel and add your current public IP to the whitelist. You can quickly check your IP by searching “what is my IP” in Google. If your ISP changes your IP often, update it regularly or, if supported, switch to username-and-password authentication instead of whitelisting. If you cannot whitelist your current network, try connecting through a different one—for example, using home Wi-Fi instead of office Wi-Fi, or testing with a mobile hotspot. With the correct address authorized, the proxy will accept your connection.
Sometimes the refusal has nothing to do with the proxy itself but with local conflicts. VPN software, firewalls, and antivirus tools can intercept or block the ports proxies use. Corporate networks may also enforce strict outbound filtering, preventing proxy traffic from reaching its destination.
To check for this, temporarily disable your VPN, firewall, or antivirus software and test the proxy again. If the connection works, re-enable your security tools and add an exception for the proxy’s IP and port. This way, your protection remains active while avoiding unnecessary blocks on proxy traffic.
Not every proxy node is available at all times. A refusal might happen if the server you are trying to use is under heavy load, undergoing maintenance, or restricted by upstream providers. The error may look identical to other causes but is limited to one endpoint.
Switch to another proxy node or location offered by your provider and test again. Most dashboards let you choose nodes in different cities or countries—for example, if you are using a US East proxy, try switching to US West or Europe. If every node you try shows the same error, test with a different provider. Comparing results helps identify whether the refusal is caused by a single bad node, provider limits, or external restrictions.
A common source of refused connections is incorrect browser configuration. Chrome and Edge rely on system proxy settings, so an incorrect server address or port at the operating system level can cause errors. On Windows, these are found under Network & Internet → Proxy (or Internet Options → LAN Settings on older versions), and on macOS under System Preferences → Network → Proxies. Firefox uses its own settings, and misconfigured preferences or conflicting PAC scripts may block requests.
Open your browser’s proxy settings and confirm that the server address, port, and authentication details are correct. In Firefox, go to about:preferences → Network Settings to review your configuration. In enterprise environments, check if policies.json or other IT rules are overriding your setup. Adjusting these values ensures the browser can pass requests through correctly.
Proxy connection errors can feel overwhelming, but most are solvable with systematic checks. Verifying your login credentials, monitoring account limits, adding the right IPs to the whitelist, and reviewing browser settings usually restores normal browsing quickly. If conflicts from VPNs, firewalls, or overloaded proxy nodes are involved, switching settings or nodes often resolves the issue with little effort.
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