How to Add a Proxy in Chrome: Complete Configuration Guide [2026]

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To add a proxy in Google Chrome, you cannot configure a proxy strictly within the browser's internal settings menu for standalone HTTP/HTTPS connections; instead, Chrome relies on your operating system's proxy settings or a specialized extension. To set it up immediately, click the three-dot menu in Chrome, select **Settings**, navigate to **System** (or **System and Performance**), and click **Open your computer's proxy settings**. In the resulting OS window (Windows, macOS, or Linux), toggle "Use a proxy server" under **Manual proxy setup**, enter your proxy **IP address** and **Port**, and click Save. If you need browser-specific settings independent of your OS, you must install a Chrome extension (like 'Proxy SwitchyOmega') or use a command-line flag (`--proxy-server`) when launching the browser executable. Always ensure you are using a secure HTTPS proxy or SOCKS5 to prevent data leakage, as standard HTTP proxies transmit your credentials in plain text.

# How to Add a Proxy in Chrome: Advanced Configuration & Automation

Configuring Google Chrome to use a proxy server is a fundamental skill for web scraping, privacy protection, and accessing geo-restricted content. Unlike Firefox, which allows you to set a proxy directly within the browser's connection settings, **Google Chrome is architected to share the proxy settings of the host operating system**. This design choice simplifies management for average users but requires specific workarounds for developers and power users who require browser-specific proxies.

This guide covers the manual configuration via OS settings, browser-agnostic solutions using extensions, and advanced programmatic control using Python and Selenium for scraping tasks.

---

## Method 1: Configuring via Operating System Settings (The Standard Way)

This is the most common method. When you configure the proxy here, Chrome, Edge, and other system browsers will adhere to these rules.

### On Windows 10 and 11

1.  **Access Settings:** In Chrome, type `chrome://settings/system` in the address bar and press Enter.
2.  **Open Proxy Settings:** Click the button labeled **"Open your computer's proxy settings"**. This will launch the Windows Settings app.
3.  **Manual Setup:** Scroll down to the **"Manual proxy setup"** section.
4.  **Toggle On:** Flip the switch for **"Use a proxy server"**.
5.  **Input Details:**
    *   **Address/IP:** Enter the proxy server IP (e.g., `192.168.1.10`).
    *   **Port:** Enter the port number (e.g., `8080`).
6.  **Save:** Click **Save**.

*Note: Windows does not support username/password authentication for HTTP proxies natively in this menu. If your proxy requires authentication, you will receive a popup prompt from Chrome when you first navigate to a website.

### On macOS

1.  **Access System Settings:** In Chrome, go to **Settings > System > Open your computer's proxy settings**.
2.  **Network Selection:** Ensure you are connected to the network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), then click **Details** or **Advanced**.
3.  **Proxies Tab:** Click the **Proxies** tab.
4.  **Select Protocol:** Check the box for the protocol your proxy uses (e.g., **HTTP**, **HTTPS**, or **SOCKS Proxy**).
5.  **Configuration:** Enter the proxy server and port.
6.  **Authentication:** If required, click the lock icon to unlock settings, then input the username and password directly into the system prompt.

---

## Method 2: Browser-Specific Proxies (Extensions & Flags)

If you do not want other applications (like Outlook or Spotify) routing through your proxy, you must use a Chrome Extension or a command-line flag.

### Using Chrome Extensions (Recommended for Flexibility)

Extensions allow you to configure proxies that *only* affect Chrome traffic, or even specific websites within Chrome.

**Top Choice: Proxy SwitchyOmega**

1.  **Install:** Add "Proxy SwitchyOmega" from the Chrome Web Store.
2.  **Setup Wizard:** Open the extension and click the "New Profile" wizard.
3.  **Profile Type:** Choose "Proxy Server".
4.  **Input:**
    *   **Protocol:** Select HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5.
    *   **Server:** `proxy.example.com`
    *   **Port:** `1234`
    *   **Auth:** Enter username/password if applicable (stored locally in Chrome).
5.  **Apply Settings:** Click "Apply Options". You can now click the extension icon to toggle the proxy on or off.

### Using Chrome Command-Line Flags (For Automation)

You can launch Chrome with a proxy pre-configured without saving it to the OS. This is ideal for temporary debugging.

**Windows Command Prompt:**
```cmd
"C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --proxy-server="192.168.1.10:8080"
```

**macOS / Linux Terminal:**
```bash
google-chrome --proxy-server="192.168.1.10:8080"
```

---

## Method 3: Programmatic Proxy Configuration (Python & Selenium)

For web scraping professionals, hardcoding proxies into the browser is inefficient. We use Selenium to inject proxies dynamically.

### Selenium Wire (Best for HTTP/HTTPS Auth)

The standard `selenium` library struggles with proxy authentication. We use `selenium-wire` to extend its functionality.

**Installation:**
```bash
pip install selenium-wire
```

**Code Snippet:**
```python
from seleniumwire import Chrome  # Import from seleniumwire, not selenium

# Define the proxy
capabilities = {
    'proxy': {
        'http': 'http://username:password@proxy-server-ip:8080',
        'https': 'https://username:password@proxy-server-ip:8080',
        'no_proxy': 'localhost,127.0.0.1' # Bypass these addresses
    }
}

# Initialize the browser with proxy config
driver = Chrome(options=webdriver.ChromeOptions())
driver.get('https://httpbin.org/ip')

# Verify request headers
print(driver.requests[0].headers['User-Agent'])
print(f"Proxy IP: {driver.requests[0].response.headers['X-Proxy-User-IP']}")

driver.quit()
```

### Undetected Chrome (For Anti-Bot Evasion)

When scraping complex targets like Cloudflare-protected sites, you need to avoid detection.

```python
import undetected_chromedriver as uc
from selenium.webdriver.common.proxy import Proxy, ProxyType

options = uc.ChromeOptions()

# Configure proxy via capabilities
proxy = Proxy()
proxy.proxy_type = ProxyType.MANUAL
proxy.http_proxy = "ip_addr:port"
proxy.ssl_proxy = "ip_addr:port"

# Add to capabilities
options.add_argument('--proxy-server=http://ip_addr:port')

driver = uc.Chrome(options=options)
driver.get('https://bot.sannysoft.com/')
```

---

## Understanding Proxy Protocols: HTTP vs. SOCKS5

Not all proxies are created equal. Selecting the wrong protocol in Chrome will result in connection failures.

*Recommendation:* For 2025 scraping standards, prefer **SOCKS5** or **HTTPS Proxies**. Standard HTTP proxies transmit your target URL in plain text, which is a major security risk.

---

## Troubleshooting Common Proxy Errors in Chrome

### 1. ERR_NO_SUPPORTED_PROXIES
This occurs if you try to use an HTTP proxy for a WebSocket connection (WSS). **Fix:** Switch to a SOCKS5 proxy or ensure your HTTP proxy supports the `CONNECT` method for WebSockets.

### 2. ERR_PROXY_AUTH_REQUESTED
If Chrome does not prompt you for a password, or repeatedly fails authentication:
*   **Windows:** Ensure Credential Manager is not storing an old password for the proxy.
*   **URL Encoding:** If using a command-line flag, ensure special characters in your password (like `@` or `#`) are URL encoded (e.g., `%40`).

### 3. Leaking DNS Requests
By default, Chrome may bypass the proxy for DNS lookups if not configured correctly.
*   **Fix:** In your extension or proxy settings, look for the option "Proxy DNS when using SOCKS v5" and ensure it is enabled. This forces DNS queries through the proxy IP rather than your local ISP.

## Advanced: PAC Files (Proxy Auto-Configuration)

For enterprise environments or advanced scrapers managing a pool of IPs, you can host a PAC file and tell Chrome to use it.

**In Chrome Settings:**
Set "Automatic proxy setup URL" to: `http://my-domain.com/proxy.pac`

**PAC File Logic (Example):**
```javascript
function FindProxyForURL(url, host) {
    // Send traffic to specific domains through Proxy A
    if (shExpMatch(host, "*.google.com")) {
        return "PROXY 192.168.1.10:8080";
    }
    // Send traffic to scraping targets through Proxy B
    if (shExpMatch(url, "*target-site.com*")) {
        return "PROXY 192.168.1.11:8080";
    }
    // Direct connection for everything else
    return "DIRECT";
}
```

This method is highly scalable as it allows you to change routing rules centrally without touching every client machine.

How to Add a Proxy in Chrome: Complete Configuration Guide [2026]

How to Add a Proxy in Chrome: Advanced Configuration & Automation

Method 1: Configuring via Operating System Settings (The Standard Way)

On Windows 10 and 11

On macOS

Method 2: Browser-Specific Proxies (Extensions & Flags)

Using Chrome Extensions (Recommended for Flexibility)

Using Chrome Command-Line Flags (For Automation)

Method 3: Programmatic Proxy Configuration (Python & Selenium)

Selenium Wire (Best for HTTP/HTTPS Auth)

Define the proxy

Initialize the browser with proxy config

Verify request headers

Undetected Chrome (For Anti-Bot Evasion)

Configure proxy via capabilities

Add to capabilities

Understanding Proxy Protocols: HTTP vs. SOCKS5

Troubleshooting Common Proxy Errors in Chrome

1. ERR_NO_SUPPORTED_PROXIES

2. ERR_PROXY_AUTH_REQUESTED

3. Leaking DNS Requests

Advanced: PAC Files (Proxy Auto-Configuration)

ProxyFAQs Assistant