pupils cannot access websites

[techtech]

Issue:

In some classes (primarily in one room, although it has happened in another room) 1-10 pupils are randomly blocked from accessing websites. They can browse for something but whenever they click on a website, they get a 'site cannot be reached' with an err_proxy connection failed message. Only websites that work are teams and MSN.

 

Temporary solution: delete user profile

 

We noticed that if we run chrome as an admin, internet works fine, this doesnt work on Edge however. Also, if we move the pupil to another computer, it works (although, sometimes the issue comes back).

 

What we tried:

-ipconfig flushdns

-ipconfig release renew.

-deleting computer from sophos and then reimaging

-unticking, 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power' on the network adapter settings

-reimage

-windows updates

-I tried adding the IP address to the exclusion range on DHCP

 

Extra notes:

 

 

-We don't think its a proxy server issue as we don't have one and we even tried tweaking those settings.

-I can ping google.com (from impacted machine) so its not DNS.

-No drivers missing

-Smoothwall is our web filter and we see no message on the realtime web filter.

-We have some group policies in place like folder redirection, so if they save something on their downloads or documents folder, it will save into their network personal drive instead of locally.

 

-Machines are relatively new (manufacturer: VeryPC), about 1 year and half old and we started having these issues since October when we started adding GPO's as we moved to a new domain to join the trust's schools. Which makes me think its that group policy issue but then why is it not impacting everyone. Is it the machine?

 

-We use abtutor and the teacher uses it a lot to apply policies. Not sure if this would impact it?

Thank you!

[mavhc]

If it says proxy failed and you don't think you have a proxy, something's gone wrong

 

What are the settings in Settings>Internet>Proxy?

[machy]

Smoothwall cloud or a Physical box / VM?

[sigma]

Issue:

 

 

 

-We use abtutor and the teacher uses it a lot to apply policies. Not sure if this would impact it?

Thank you!

 

It certainly could if there was a badly designed policy.

 

Have you checked the abtutor policies?

[TwistedHelixis]

This does sound like a policy is being pushed out to those clients that is changing the client proxy settings.

 

There are 2 levels of proxy settings. The browser level and system level.

 

Do any proxy settings get listed in the Settings > Network > proxy pages

 

Does the following give you any info

from admin cmd

 

netsh winhttp show proxy

Edited March 10, 2025 by TwistedHelixis

[techtech]

Thanks for posting, the cmd prompt produced, 'Direct access (no proxy server)' and there is nothing on the settings proxy page, see attachedI also confirmed with my manager that we don't have a proxy server.

[techtech]

Thanks for posting, I have deleted all abtutor policies and given the computers a few restarts to no avail.

[techtech]

Thanks for posting, nothing is configured(see attached), I have spoken with my manager and we do not have a proxy server

[Davit2005]

AB tutor can defo have a impact. Teacher bans student from Internet, next teacher comes in and does not realise. I did see this in a previous employment but way back in 2009/10

[techtech]

Thanks for the reply - this was one of the first things I checked. I have since deleted all policies to see if that would make a difference, but issue still occurs. Teacher does use the 'lock' feature on the pupil machines when he needs to talk but I don't think that would cause the problem.

[techtech]

On 3/14/2025 at 12:12 PM, Davit2005 said:

AB tutor can defo have a impact. Teacher bans student from Internet, next teacher comes in and does not realise. I did see this in a previous employment but way back in 2009/10

Abtutor was the culprit, thank you!!!
 

Turns out when a teacher applies a website block policy, the policy works. However once the policy is removed, the issue strikes and most websites become unavailable. I have let Abtutor know, must be something to do with the proxy server that abtutor uses.