Pages won't load after enabling the system proxy

You turned on the System proxy switch but the browser still can't open pages. Check in this order:

1. Run a latency test first: Test the current group on the Proxies page. If everything times out, the issue is the nodes, not the switch—see all latency tests time out.
2. Check the tray icon: The golden cat icon means the proxy is running; a grey icon means the core is not started—return to the home tab and check the System proxy switch.
3. Check for port conflicts: Another proxy app or a stale system proxy may occupy port 7890. Quit other proxy software and restart Clash for Windows.
4. Disable browser proxy extensions: Extensions like SwitchyOmega override system proxy settings—disable them temporarily.
5. Clear stale system proxy settings: On Windows, open Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy and confirm no leftover manual proxy address remains; remove leftovers via Internet Options → Connections → LAN settings.

If the browser works but terminals and games bypass the proxy, that is a natural limitation of system proxies—use TUN mode instead, see TUN mode troubleshooting.