Being connected to Wi-Fi does not mean every application has a usable route to the internet. A PC configured to send web traffic through a particular proxy may behave differently when moved away from the network where that proxy is available.

Before changing settings, compare the situation. Does another device work on the same connection? Does this PC work at the office but fail at home? Is a work VPN normally required? Record any proxy-related error rather than summarising all failures as no internet.

Inspect without erasing the configuration

Open Settings, Network & internet, Proxy. Windows supports automatic detection, a setup script and a manually specified proxy. Note which mode is active. A script address or server name may belong to an organisation; it should not be removed simply because it is unfamiliar.

If the computer uses a VPN, Microsoft documents separate proxy settings for that VPN connection. The ordinary Proxy page may therefore not describe the complete path used during a work session.

For a managed device, ask IT which configuration should apply outside the office. Provide the network context and error while keeping internal addresses out of public forums. If a personal application deliberately configured a proxy, consult that application's official instructions and preserve the original values before an authorised change.

Test the intended arrangement

Make only the agreed change, then retry the same website or application. Confirm other required resources still work, including any internal service that depends on the proxy. If the change makes no difference, restore the known configuration instead of layering more unrelated network changes on top.

Do not enter a proxy address supplied by an unexpected popup or stranger promising faster internet. The intermediary is part of the traffic path and must be trusted for the intended use.

A successful comparison can show that proxy configuration matters. It does not mean the organisation's proxy is unnecessary, or that permanently bypassing it is the right fix for a travelling computer.

Reference: Microsoft Support.