You set up a proxy, hoping for better privacy or smoother access, but now you’re starting to wonder: Is it even working? Maybe pages load slowly, maybe your real IP is leaking, or maybe things just feel... off. Using a proxy sounds simple, until it doesn’t work. One moment it’s fine, the next you’re blocked by websites or stuck waiting for pages to load. That’s where testing comes in. In this guide, we’ll show you how to check if your proxy is doing its job, introduce tools that make the process easier, and help you avoid common proxy headaches down the line.
A proxy is like a middleman between your device and the internet. When you use a proxy, your internet traffic goes through another server before reaching its final destination. This helps mask your real IP address, giving you more privacy, access to geo-blocked content, and even better control over your online identity.
People use proxies for many reasons. Some want to stay anonymous while browsing. Others, like marketers or researchers, use them to manage multiple accounts or gather data from different locations. No matter the reason, one thing is always true: not all proxies work the same way. That’s why it’s important to test proxy connections before using them.
When you check proxy quality, you're looking at things like speed, reliability, and whether your real IP address is still being exposed. A slow or leaky proxy can ruin your browsing experience or get you blocked from websites. That's where a proxy checker comes in. These tools help you quickly find out if your proxy is doing its job—keeping your identity hidden and your connection smooth.
By regularly testing your proxy, you can avoid problems like broken connections, wrong IP locations, or security risks. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference, especially if you're using proxies for work or personal privacy.
The first method to test proxy performance is by setting it up directly in your device’s network settings. This allows you to check if the proxy works on a system-wide level, outside of browsers or apps.
This method is a quick way to check proxy connections outside of any app or extension.
1. Open the Start Menu (bottom-left corner) and click the gear icon to open Settings
2. In the Windows Settings menu, go to Network & Internet3. On the left sidebar, click Proxy
4.Proxy setup
Automatic Setup
Make sure the PAC file is saved on your computer and the path is correct
Manual Setup
1. Open System Settings2. In the search bar, type “Proxies”
3. Click “Proxies” from the search results to open proxy options
Automatic Setup
Make sure the PAC file is saved and the path is correct
Manual Setup
Another simple way to check proxy functionality is by using browser extensions like FoxyProxy in Chrome or Firefox. This lets you test whether your proxy works in a regular browser environment before using it in more advanced tools.
Here’s what to look for:
The good news? Most proxy issues are easy to fix. Your provider can:
Testing your proxy with a browser extension is a quick way to identify problems early. It's also a great way to make sure your proxy checker results match real-world usage.
One of the easiest ways to test proxy performance is by using the built-in checker in DICloak. This quick method only takes a few seconds and gives you instant feedback.
To get started, go to your profile settings and find the "Proxy" section. Then, click the “Checking proxy” button. DICloak will automatically attempt to connect through the proxy and let you know if it works properly.Here’s how to read the results:
Manually testing proxies can be time-consuming, especially if you’re working with many of them. That’s where a proxy checker comes in. These tools help you quickly check proxy status, speed, location, and anonymity level—all in one place.
Most proxy checker tools are super easy to use. Just paste in your proxy list, hit the “check” button, and the tool will run a series of tests. It’ll show you:
Some tools even let you test proxies in bulk, which is perfect for marketers, automation users, or anyone managing multiple accounts.Using a proxy checker not only saves time, but also helps you catch bad or dead proxies before they cause issues.
Here, I’ll break down some useful tools to help you find the right one for your needs:
To get the most out of your proxies, it’s important to test them the right way. Here are some simple tips to help you test proxy connections more effectively and avoid common issues:
Always start with a trusted proxy checker. Whether it's built into your platform or a separate tool, make sure it gives clear info on speed, IP location, and anonymity level. Don’t rely on guesswork.
Even a working proxy can slow down or go offline over time. Make it a habit to check proxy status regularly—especially if you’re using them for tasks like automation or multi-accounting.
Free proxies might seem tempting, but they’re often slow, unstable, or even unsafe. Stick to paid, reputable providers for better performance and privacy.
Different tasks need different types of proxies. For example:
If you're using multiple proxies, use a rotation system to avoid getting flagged. Also, keep an eye on performance using logs or built-in checker tools. It’ll help you spot issues early.
Using proxies is a smart way to stay private and access the web more freely, but only if they work as expected. By learning how to test proxy connections, using the right proxy checker, and following best practices, you can avoid headaches and keep your setup running smoothly. Take a few minutes to check proxy performance now, it’ll save you a lot more later.
A resolved IP is the final IP address that websites see when you connect through a proxy. In some setups, like residential rotating proxies, you may connect to one proxy, but the actual request to the website goes through another. That means the IP shown to the site (the resolved IP) is different from the one you directly connect to. This is the address websites use to identify your connection.
We use a proprietary method to determine a proxy’s Quality Level. This score reflects how likely it is that commercial detection systems (used by many websites) will identify your proxy as suspicious or commonly linked to bot traffic. While millions of people use proxies daily for work or personal browsing, certain proxies are more likely to be flagged or blocked. A high-quality level means your proxy is less likely to trigger those filters, helping you stay under the radar.
The Fraud Score (also called Proxy Risk Score) measures how risky an IP address appears to websites. It considers factors like whether the IP is on blacklists, tied to malicious activity, or associated with unwanted traffic sources. The higher the score, the more likely it is that a website will block the user, require a CAPTCHA, or even ban an account. A lower score means the proxy is considered safer and more trustworthy.
No—it’s not a honeypot, and we don’t collect personal data from proxy users. Proxies can already be identified through common technical methods. Since billions of users access the web via proxies every day, we focus on evaluating risk and quality, not tracking behavior. Our platform runs under a strict “No Honeypot” policy, which is a core part of our values. For more details, see our company Manifest.