Troubleshooting hub
Proxy Errors and Fixes
Use this hub to diagnose authentication errors, timeouts, blocked requests, DNS leaks, location mismatches, reputation issues and slow proxy connections before replacing a proxy.
Find the failure layer first
A proxy request has several layers: local software, proxy format, authentication, proxy server, DNS behavior, target website and response handling. A failure at any layer can look like “the proxy is bad”. Testing each layer in order is faster than rotating proxies randomly.
Start with the simplest question: can the proxy connect at all? Then check whether credentials are accepted. Then verify that the target website is reachable. Finally, inspect reputation, location and browser leaks if the proxy technically works but the destination rejects the traffic.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 407 Proxy Authentication Required | Wrong credentials or IP whitelist mismatch. | Fix proxy error 407 |
| Timeouts | Distant location, blocked destination, slow target or too short timeout. | Proxy speed test |
| Wrong location appears | Browser bypass, DNS leak, WebRTC leak or wrong proxy selected. | DNS and WebRTC leaks |
| Many sites reject the IP | IP reputation, ASN history, blacklist signals or overuse. | Proxy IP reputation |
| Free proxy works once then fails | Open proxies are unstable, overloaded or monitored. | Free proxy list risks |
Fast troubleshooting sequence
- Check that the proxy row uses the correct format.
- Confirm protocol support: HTTP, HTTPS or SOCKS5.
- Run the proxy in the proxy tester.
- Test a neutral destination before testing the difficult target.
- Check authentication and whitelist settings.
- Check DNS, WebRTC, location and reputation only after basic connectivity works.
When replacement is the right answer
Replace the proxy when multiple neutral destinations fail, when authentication is correct but the server is unreachable, or when reputation is consistently poor for the job. Do not replace it just because one website blocks a request; that may be a website rule, rate limit or account-level issue.
For large lists, record failure reason and last test time. This turns guessing into pool management.
FAQ
Is a 407 error a bad proxy?
Usually no. A 407 error means the proxy requires authentication and the supplied credentials or whitelist do not match.
Why does the proxy work in one tool but not another?
The tools may use different protocols, DNS handling, certificate settings or authentication formats. Test the exact same format in both tools.
What should I test first?
Test basic connectivity and authentication before checking reputation, leaks or target-specific blocking.
Related BuyProxies guides
These related pages help connect the setup, troubleshooting and buying decisions instead of treating each proxy problem in isolation.
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