Telegram Desktop proxy not working
Telegram Desktop keeps every proxy control in one window, Settings → Advanced → Connection type. It also has options the phone apps lack: system proxy settings, IPv6, HTTP proxies. Most desktop-only failures come from these.
What you see
| Where | On screen |
|---|---|
| Connection type | “Connecting through proxy...” |
| Saved proxies | “online”, “connecting…”, “available (ping: … ms)”, “not available”, “not tested” |
| Errors | “The proxy link is invalid.” and the invalid secret message |
What it usually means
- Use system proxy settings is selected, so Desktop follows the proxy configured in Windows or macOS instead of the one you added.
- Try connecting through IPv6 is on in a network where IPv6 does not work properly.
- An old version of the app does not support the proxy type in the link, and says so.
- A firewall or antivirus stops Telegram Desktop from reaching unusual ports.
Check it step by step
- Open Settings → Advanced → Connection type.
Check that Use custom proxy is selected and the proxy you want is the active one in the list.
- Read the status next to each saved proxy.
“online” is the proxy you are connected through; “available (ping: … ms)” answered a test; “not available” did not; “not tested” has not been tried yet.
- Turn off Try connecting through IPv6 and test again.
If the proxy connects, your network has trouble with IPv6.
- Turn on Auto-switch proxies if you saved several servers.
Desktop then moves to the nearest active proxy when the current one stops working, after the delay you choose.
- Allow Telegram Desktop in your firewall or antivirus.
Security software can block ports such as 8443 or 8880, which many free proxies use.
- Update the app under Settings → Advanced → Version and updates.
Old versions reject newer proxy links: see the proxy link is invalid.
Try a server that passed our last check
These servers passed a full MTProto handshake from our checker. List built 18 October 2026 at 14:51 UTC; it is rebuilt every 20 minutes. A server that works for our checker can still be blocked on your network.
- On 9 October 2026, 53.5% of working proxies in our list used port 8443 and 10% used 8880. Only 17.5% used the standard HTTPS port 443.
Questions
Where are proxy settings in Telegram Desktop?
Settings → Advanced → Connection type. The same window lists saved proxies, their status and the Auto-switch option. Step-by-step setup: Telegram Desktop on Windows.
Does the proxy affect my browser?
No. A proxy added in Telegram Desktop covers only Telegram Desktop.
Telegram Desktop says my version doesn’t support this proxy type. What now?
Update the app and open the link again. The message means the app did not recognise the link format.
Related problems
Setting the proxy up from scratch? Step-by-step setup guide.