So you plug your MacBook Pro into a new Ethernet port and all of the sudden your HTTP stops working with various applications — I often notice this first with either iTunes trying to access the iTunes Store or when trying to perform a Mac software update, but it could be any app that leverages HTTP connections…this of course recently happened to me when I was updating my iPhone to the 3.0 s/w, so you can imagine my frustration as I wasn’t sure what the cause was at first.
Huh? What gives, I was just accessing the iTunes Store with my wireless???
Well, I’ve noticed several times now that when you plug into a new Ethernet, sometimes (I have no idea when or why this happens) the Web Proxy (HTTP) and Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) checkboxes are checked or marked as true…the sad thing is that there’s no warning for this settings change, you’ll just notice it when something bombs and says something like:
“There was a problem communicating with the web proxy server (HTTP).”
If you encounter this error, check your network settings in:
System Prefs -> Network -> Ethernet -> Advanced -> Proxies
Make sure both of these are unchecked:
- Web Proxy (HTTP)
- Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)

MacBook Pro Network Proxy Settings :: Make sure Web Proxy (HTTP) & Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) are UNCHECKED.
#1 by MAC - June 20th, 2009 at 04:31
Cool thanks for share.
#2 by MC - August 16th, 2009 at 08:02
Thanks for this. Had this problem come up yesterday and all of the other fixes were nonsense. This one worked well.
#3 by Subbu - November 4th, 2009 at 11:19
Thanks .. it worked
#4 by dj - December 19th, 2009 at 04:43
thanks guys..I was having a similar problem connecting wifi..GOsh..it works now..Cheers mate!!!
#5 by Chaudhry - February 2nd, 2010 at 11:32
i hv the same problem with my iphone. i cant access the secure web servers. plz someone help me to get out of this. I have my own proxy settings hence.
#6 by Skye.Axon - February 28th, 2010 at 12:58
Thanks!
I’m on airport, so instead of ethernet tab, I hit airport, cleared the boxes, and voila… problem solved. Thank You!!!
#7 by Stan - May 3rd, 2010 at 17:11
Thanks! Finally something that worked!