Ultimate guide to set up a SOCKS5 proxy in Firefox

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you two methods to quickly set up a SOCKS5 proxy in Mozilla Firefox.

First, we’ll show you how to use a third-party extension called FoxyProxy. Then, using the native Firefox settings.

💡 First thing first, to set up your proxy, you’ll need a few requirements:

An anyIP.io proxy account. You can enjoy our fully refundable plan if you don't have one.
All the proxies needed information such as :
- username/password;
- proxy server addresses (URL or IP + port) ;

Set up SOCKS5 Proxy on Firefox with FoxyProxy

This guide will show you how to configure a proxy on Firefox using the FoxyProxy extension.

This method is ideal for improving your workflow and addressing some common downsides of native proxy configuration, such as:

Compatibility issues;
DNS leaks;
Difficulty switching between multiple profiles.

Head up to the FoxyProxy download page to download the extension, then follow our guide :

Step 1: Download the extension and add the extension to your browser :

FoxyProxy standard version on Firefox Add-ons page

Confirmation prompt for adding the FoxyProxy extension to your browser

Notification after a successful installation of FoxyProxy.

Click on “Add to Firefox"
Review all the permissions granted to FoxyProxy and click on “Add” to confirm
Don’t forget to check the box to allow the extension to run in private mode if you need it. Then click on “Okay” to finish the installation

Step 2: Open the extension and click on “Options” to open FoxyProxy’s dashboard

How to access the FoxyProxy options menu

Click on the FoxyProxy icon to open the extension
Open the Options menu by clicking on “Options.”

Step 3: Head up to the “Proxies” tab to configure your proxy

Example of a newly added proxy configuration in FoxyProxy

Navigate to “Proxies”
Click on “Add” to open the form
Fill out the form as follows

Title: Choose a clear title to identify this proxy quickly
Type: select “SOCKS5” in the dropdown menu
Country, City, and Color: For this guide, we use a proxy configured to "Spain." But those fields are purely for UI purposes. They won't impact the way the proxy works
Hostname: Enter the proxy hostname or IP. Here, we use our proxies, so we enter “portal.anyip.io”
Port: enter the proxy port, here “1080”
Username and password: Enter your credentials to connect to your proxy
Proxy DNS: ⚠︎ Make sure to enable this option to be fully anonymous. Otherwise, the website you’ll be visiting will know that you’re using a proxy.

After completing the form, click “Save” and close the FoxyProxy dashboard

Step 4: Connect to your proxy

How to connect to a proxy through FoxyProxy

Open FoxyProxy by clicking on the extension’s icon
Select the proxy you want to connect to by clicking on it. Here, we select our proxy.

💡 The extension’s icon should change and indicate that you are now using the proxy. It should look like the following:

You are now all setup and can freely and anonymously browse the web.

Set up SOCKS5 Proxy natively on Firefox

You don't like installing extension to your browser? Say no more, we can still help you!

💡 Firefox is not fully compatible natively with proxies

To use a SOCKS5 Proxy natively on Firefox, we’ll need a proxy provider that offers an IP Whitelisting authentication method.
For example, anyIP.io. Indeed, Firefox is not compatible with a SOCKS5 Proxy. The Proxy requires username/password authentication.
With that being said, let's start now

Step 1: Go to Firefox’s settings

How to access the settings menu in Firefox

Click the Firefox configuration menu on the right to access the menu
Then open Firefox’s settings by clicking on “Settings.”

Step 2: Scroll down to the bottom to access the “Network Settings”

How to find the network settings using Firefox

How to access the network settings in Firefox

Make sure that you are on the “General” settings panel
Scroll down to the bottom of the general settings page
Click on the “Settings” button to open Firefox network’s settings

Step 3: Check the “Manual proxy configuration” box. Fill the SOCKS Host field with your provider information (URL, IP, and port).

How to configure a SOCKS5 proxy on Firefox

Select “Manual proxy configuration.”
Enter your hostname in the SOCKS Host field. In our example, we use anyIP.io as a provider: portal.anyip.io
Enter here your proxy port for anyIP.io we use: 2080
Select “SOCKS v5” to use this protocol
Confirm your configuration by clicking

If your proxy provider has an IP Whitelisting feature, you are now connected to your proxy.

You can test the proxy with https://browserleaks.com/dns.

As you can see, your IP address is hidden. But, when using a native proxy connection with Firefox, you have a DNS leak

Screenshot of a BrowserLeaks test result highlighting a DNS leak

To prevent this issue, we recommend using the extension, “FoxyProxy.”

How to test your proxy connection

We cover two methods to use a SOCKS5 proxy in Firefox. How can we ensure that your proxy is enabled?

Luckily, It’s a simple verification. Head up to https://browserleaks.com/ip with and without the proxy activated. You will see that your IP is getting updated.

browserleaks results using a proxy on Firefox

I can see that my new residential IP is different with the proxy enabled and that I’m well located in Spain as configured in my proxy.

You can also run a DNS Leak test to check if your DNS servers are safe:

GIF showing how to run a DNS leak test on browserleaks.com/ip.

Thanks to anyIP.io, I can see that both my IP and my DNS are located in Spain. Hence, my session is entirely located in Spain.

💡 You can also use the tool available directly in the extension:

Easily check your IP location using FoxyProxy.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

You may encounter a few common issues, such as :

My proxy is not connecting?

If you’re having trouble connecting to your proxy, check if you have the correct hostname/IP port.

Take the time to double-check your credentials (username/password).

Firefox keeps asking for a username and password

As mentioned, Mozilla Firefox is incompatible with SOCKS5 Proxy. SOCKS5 Proxy requires username and password authentication. Before using a proxy provider, ensure it can handle the IP Whitelisting authentication method.

Connection refused or server not responding

Suppose your credentials and proxy information are correct. In that case, I suggest contacting your proxy provider to check if their services are still working correctly.

How to quickly get SOCKS5 proxy using anyIP.io

You can access SOCKS5 proxies with ease through anyIP.io expanding network. Plus, the 24/7 support is here to assist you anytime, ensuring seamless service round the clock.

What is a SOCKS5 proxy, and how are they working with Firefox?

A SOCKS5 proxy is a type of proxy. It enables users to bypass network restrictions. They can also maintain their anonymity while browsing the internet.

SOCKS stands for Socket Secure. An internet protocol routes network packets between a client and a server through a proxy server. A SOCKS5 proxy will allow you to access geo-restricted content. It can also improve internet security and hide your IP address.

Does this work on Google Chrome?

If you are more confortable with Google Chrome, we got your back! You can follow our guide to help you easily configure the proxy on Chrome.