Proxies act as intermediaries between your network traffic and the internet. However, some are slow and unreliable at masking your actual IP address. This is why it’s important to check proxy functionality, whether it is active, performs well, and correctly masks your IP address. Checking its status before use saves time, improves browsing stability, and reduces the likelihood of IP bans.
To check if a proxy is working, several parameters, such as validity, speed, geolocation, and speed, should be considered. Validity check is crucial to confirm that it is active and online. The speed test determines if it can handle your tasks lagging. On the other hand, the geolocation test confirms that the new IP matches your desired location, especially for accessing geo-restricted content. Meanwhile, the anonymity level must be confirmed to ensure that the intermediary is masking your real IP address and not leaking information that could compromise your security and privacy.
Although intermediaries have the same primary function, they are not created equal. Have you ever thought, “Why check my proxy?” Here are some main reasons to always check proxy status:
Sometimes, an intermediary may not be functional, especially when obtained from free sources. They may fail to connect or provide the required anonymity. Therefore, knowing how to check proxy servers is crucial to confirming functionality. In other words, it confirms that the new intermediary is active, stable, and masking your IP address.
Websites usually flag or blacklist certain IPs, especially if they have been overused or associated with spam activities. Failing to check proxy online may result in CAPTCHAs, restricted access, or bans. By checking new IPs, you can switch to high-quality IPs to avoid interruptions in your activities.
An overloaded or low-quality intermediary can reduce your network speed. When you check proxy speed, it gives an insight into the server’s response time and connection speed, which helps you determine if it is suitable for your intended tasks.
One of the main reasons people use intermediaries is to mask their digital fingerprint. However, some of these intermediaries are not effective at hiding your actual IP address, which may put you at risk of tracking or data theft. Privacy is a key reason to check an intermediary, so you can confirm whether it is truly anonymous.
The first step in learning how to check proxy is to confirm that the server is active and functioning. A non-functional IP can compromise your workflow so you need to check proxy quality. Here are a few approaches:
Most operating systems – Windows, macOS, or Linux, allows users to configure proxies directly in the system network settings. Once configured, network traffic is routed via the intermediary. Therefore, if you receive connection error messages when attempting to access online pages, it means the IP is inactive or incorrectly configured. So, you may need to double check the proxy settings to ensure the details are accurate.
Alternatively, you can enter IP details in your preferred browser then attempt to visit a site. If you receive an error message like “Proxy Server Not Responding,” it indicates that the server is down. A key indicator of functionality is the HTTP response code received when you attempt to connect through the intermediary. For example:
There are several online services to check proxy validity and functionality. These tools allow you to input the IP address, they run a check and provide feedback on the functionality of the IP. The results usually include the status, response time, and anonymity level. If you are working with a large IPs list, you can use an online tool that allows you to check them at once.
Even if the new connection is valid, speed testing is necessary to determine its usability. A slow server can cause streaming frustration, break automation scripts, and delay scraping activities. Therefore, you need to know how to check proxy server speed. Here are some things to look out for:
A ping test measures how long it takes to send and receive data from your device to the intermediary server. Lower values, or low latency mean faster response time.
When you open a website, observe how long it takes to load to determine the load time. Alternatively, you can use a speed test tool that reveals not just latency but also download speed and reliability.
Speed is highly relevant especially for scraping and automation tasks. Slow IPs can cause timeouts and make bots slow. Therefore, it is important to buy proxy servers from reliable providers to get IPs with high-level speed.
Proxies differ in the level of anonymity they offer. Therefore, testing anonymity helps confirm that your real IP address and other details are not leaked. You can use an online tool to check the server anonymity level. The main levels of anonymity offered include:
They forward your real IP address with the request headers and identify itself as a proxy. Therefore, any website you visit knows that you are using an intermediary server and can see your real IP address. While they are useful for internal networks, they are not privacy-focused options.
Offering a moderate level of anonymity, these ones hide your real IP address but still signals that it is an intermediary IP. In other words, websites can tell you are connecting via an intermediary server, but cannot tell your actual IP address.
These provide the highest level of anonymity by hiding both your IP address and the fact that you are using an intermediary. Therefore, your network traffic appears to websites you visit as a regular user. Tasks such as web scraping, automation, and privacy-focused browsing often require elite proxies.
When using an intermediary, it is not enough to confirm that it simply works; you also need to check proxy location and IP address. This is because some platforms use geolocation filters that block access from mismatched server details. Checking the new IP helps verify that it matches the details provided by your service.
Confirming location helps determine what content you can access. For example, streaming services like Netflix often display content based on your current location. On the other hand, websites see your IP address when you visit them. Regular testing helps confirm that your original IP remains masked. Here are some ways to confirm intermediary server location and IP address:
Online IP checker: Enter IP address into online tools like whatismyipaddress.com, whoer.net, or iplocation.net. These tools will usually display the IP address, country, city, and ISP associated with the server. Compare the displayed IP and location with the details given by your provider.
Check for DNS or WebRTC leaks: Sometimes, even if the checker shows the right IP, your actual location can leak through DNS or WebRTC. Use advanced testers like ipleak.net to ensure complete masking.
Although the process is different for different operating systems, it is quite straightforward.
There are two main ways to check intermediary network settings on a Windows device – Network Settings and PowerShell.
Method 1: Using Network Settings
Method 2: Using PowerShell
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Polski netsh winhttp show proxyYou’ll see whether a server is configured, and if so, its address and port. This method is useful for a quick confirmation of intermediary IP details.
Follow the steps below if you are using macOS to check network details, alternatively, you can visit this article for visual steps:
Here you’ll see the list of protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS, etc.) and whether they are active as well as their corresponding IP and port.
For mobile devices, network settings are usually configured per Wi-Fi network.
On Android:
On iOS (iPhone/iPad):
For those who want to check it precisely, we recommend such a guide for Android, and this one for iOS.
Apart from the online IP checker discussed earlier, other advanced tools for more detailed analysis include:
Web-based checkers: Web-based IP checkers can test speed, anonymity, and geolocation in an accessible way. For checking the operational status of IPs you can use this online proxy checker. To verify the speed is meeting your requirements this tool is useful.
Desktop or downloadable tools: For bulk testing, desktop applications offer better control. They support bulk testing, multiple protocols, and automated retesting at scheduled intervals. Examples include Proxifier and GSA proxy checker.
IP databases and reputation checkers: These checkers are used to reveal IP reputation. Some IPs are active but already flagged for spam or malicious activities. Therefore, it is necessary to verify your IP against blacklist databases. Some commonly used examples include IP Blacklist check from Geonix, AbuseIPDB, IP2Location, and Spamhaus. If you notice slow browsing or frequent connection drops, using a tool check proxy can help diagnose whether the issue lies with the intermediary server.
Checking proxies before use is essential to help maintain reliability, privacy, and anonymity. An invalid, slow, or poorly configured connection can disrupt browsing, scraping, or automation tasks and may expose your real IP. The most important aspects to verify are whether the server is valid and functional, how fast it performs, the level of anonymity it provides, and whether its geolocation matches the region you need to access.
Casual users may rely on basic IP lookup tools, while professionals in SEO, web scraping, or privacy-focused tasks often use advanced tools that provide detailed insights into speed, anonymity, and location accuracy.
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