Hi everyone,

I'm having a strange issue with Internet Explorer - it's always trying to go through my corporate proxy server, which is available only while I'm connected to the corporate network via VPN. So the moment I disconnect from VPN, I must go to IE LAN Settings and uncheck "Automatically detect settings". If I don't do that, no matter what, it won't get past the message "The proxy server isn't responding...".

I think I tried pretty much everything I could find relevant on TechNet... it still doesn't help. 

https://support.microsoft.com/kb/271361

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/ie/en-US/07d1ec01-8d5a-4c9f-9a16-ba1d7d459e58/how-to-stop-ie-from-caching-wpad

Other than that, scanned for viruses/malware, installed the latest updates, tried the "obvious stuff".

Also got a Microsoft support technician connected to the computer remotely - today he suggested to escalate this issue.

I'd be very grateful for any ideas,

Thanks!!

Hi dsafro,

We wonder if the corporate network has group policy for proxy settings, seems like your Internet Explorer keeps policy settings even when you disconnect from VPN.

Does closing and reopen Internet Explorer change the settings back?

The proxy setting registry entry is in

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\

"ProxyEnable"=dword:00000000          

1 for enable 0 for disable

When you disconnect from VPN, the value should be changed back to 0.

We suggest you perform a trace by using process monitor

As a workaround, the proxy pac file might be help.

Here is an example which can change your proxy settings according your network IP address.

function FindProxyForURL(url, host)

{

if (isInNet(myIpAddress(), "192.168.1.0", "255.255.255.0"))

return "PROXY 192.168.1.1:8080";

else

return "DIRECT";

}

You might need change the part depends on your network environment.

More information about process monitor

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

Regards

D. Wu

Hi Deason, 

Thanks for your reply.

My computer isn't part of a domain and no group policies are being applied to IE once I connect. The registry key you mentioned is set to "0" (both on a computer where IE works fine and on mine where IE has an issue) and it doesn't change upon the connection to or disconnection from the VPN. It changes to "1" only if I fill the Proxy Server hostname:port field in IE, but stays "0" when only "Automatically detect settings" checkbox is selcted.

Hi dsafro,

Thanks for the update.

So here you means the "Automatically detect settings" only available when you are VPN connected, right?

Before you contact to VPN, do you need to manually select the check box of "Automatically detect settings"? If this is the point, I am afraid you have to uncheck it when you leave VPN connection.

More information regarding automatic connection, please see:

Automatic Configuration: Internet Explorer Customization Wizard

If you consider using scripts, you may ask in the scripting guys forum.

Best regards

Hi Michael,

Thanks. For the questions:

So here you means the "Automatically detect settings" only available when you are VPN connected, right?

I don't quite understand what do you mean by "available". I can change the setting anytime, both when I'm connected and not. But when the vpn is NOT connected I can browse the internet only when Autodetect is unchecked, and when the vpn IS connected - both checked and unchecked settings allow to browse.

Best regards.

Hi dsafro,

We wonder if your VPN connection is using Cisco AnyConnect session.

We suggest you contact your VPN provider for that issue.

Important: Following contents is not hosted by Microsoft, Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information

Cisco Bug: CSCtj51376 - IE Proxy setting is not restored after Anyconnect disconnect

Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client

Description (partial)

Symptom:

If the IE proxy setting is configured for "Automatically detect settings" and Anyconnect pushes down a new proxy setting, the IE proxy setting is not restored back to "Automatically detect settings" after the user ends the Anyconnect session.  This causes LAN issues for users who need their proxy setting configured for "Automatically detect settings".

Conditions:

Issue happens in Windows environment with IE proxy configuration of "Automatically detect settings"

Regards

D. Wu