I'm Being Nagged by Google CAPTCHAs

GordonD on 18/05/2026 - 15:12
Last edited 18/05/2026 - 15:32 by 1 other user

Recently every time I google for something I get told to first prove I'm not a robot, and have to go through a whole lot of CAPTCHAs about sidewalks and hydrants and bicycles and buses to get what I want.

I get told its because "our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network".

My internet connection is through the 5G mobile network. That does mean I share an IP address with a lot of people. So I don't know if the "network" Google is referring to is mine specifically, or the mobile network's network.

But its getting really tiresome.

Is anyone/everyone else getting this problem, or able to shed some light on it.

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  • MS Paint on 18/05/2026 - 15:51

    Stop using Google. Too easy.

    • 6
    • 30year old Camry on 18/05/2026 - 16:10

      Stop using Google.

      Then just ask all questions in the forums section of Australia's number one premium bargain sharing website?

      • 3
    • Wiadro on 18/05/2026 - 16:00

      Ask Jeeves would like to chat

      • 1
  • GordonD on 19/05/2026 - 09:37

    Complaining to OzBargain works again!

    After weeks of it doing it, a day after I complain here it stopped doing it.

    • 4
    • GordonD on 20/05/2026 - 09:25

      I think the fact that it suddenly went away proved that it wasn't something at my end, but something to do with google. Maybe it was that dynamic IP addressing had put me on an address that had previously generated dodgy traffic.

      • 0
  • Muppet Detector on 18/05/2026 - 15:17

    I'm being nagged by google

    AI replacing wives.

    • 2
  • BOGOF on 18/05/2026 - 16:57

    try deleting cache in your browser

    • 2
    • GordonD on 18/05/2026 - 17:21

      I thought I was deleting it every time I closed my browser. The only thing I want to keep between sessions is logins.

      • 0
  • Clickbait on 18/05/2026 - 22:37

    Just saw this. How appropriate!

    The biggest joke on mankind is that computers have started asking humans to prove they aren't a robot

    • 2
  • boomramada on 18/05/2026 - 15:14

    is your connection goes through the VPN?

    • 1
    • GordonD on 18/05/2026 - 16:07

      No.

      • 0
  • plmko on 18/05/2026 - 15:23

    It means your ad block, location block etc is working as intended.

    It's designed to frustrate you into opening those protections.

    • 1
    • CodeXD on 18/05/2026 - 17:04

      I use ublock origin with google on the daily and never had CAPTCHAs

      • 3
      • tenpercent on 18/05/2026 - 17:06

        That means it's not working.

        • 1
        • ssfps on 19/05/2026 - 00:54

          Downvoted because he spake the truth.

          • -1
    • GordonD on 18/05/2026 - 16:07

      Don't have ad block or location block.

      • 0
  • IMadeYouReadThis on 18/05/2026 - 15:39

    If its not VPN and you are on iOS then its Private Relay setting that must be causing this. I had the same and since turning this off, it has reduced significantly but I still get it every now and then but that's mostly due to VPN.

    • 1
    • GordonD on 18/05/2026 - 16:07

      Not on iOS.

      One of things suggested as possible by google was the time wasn't set correctly on my PC. Which would be what google would see if I was on a VPN. But I'm not using a VPN. And the clock is set correctly.

      • 0
  • studentl0an on 18/05/2026 - 15:49

    I've had this for ages on one of my PCs at home. Windows with no VPN, but has got a few different adblockers. It still happens when I use a different browser without any adblockers. I have the same setup on a laptop and it doesn't get the captcha with Google so no idea why it's happening.

    I just changed the search engine to search.brave.com, problem solved.

    • 1
  • tenpercent on 18/05/2026 - 17:13

    Is anyone/everyone else getting this problem, or able to shed some light on it.

    Lately I've just been getting blocked completely. No option to even try captchas. It seems to be worse for Australian shopping sites like Kmart, BigW, Spotlight, etc. I can't recall every having this issue with many other sites. Yes I use VPN, adguard, Brave browser, etc. I find the VPN server is usually the culprit.

    • 1
    • ssfps on 19/05/2026 - 00:55

      Had this for kmart the other day, for the first time. Until then, the only site i'd had block me entirely was carsales.

      • 2
    • skid on 19/05/2026 - 12:44

      Think that is a bug on the site. For Kmart, it is checking the referrer. If you click the link that Kmart says you were blocked on, it'll enter the site like normal.

      • 0
  • 30year old Camry on 18/05/2026 - 17:22

    Sir, I will need to connect to your device in order to fix the problem. A fixation will cost $500 payable via iTunes gift card.

    • 1
  • trustnoone on 18/05/2026 - 18:41

    My internet connection is through the 5G mobile network.

    I get this all the time for 5G internet connection (and I have a feeling I know your ISP). Basically everytime you reset that router you'll be given a new IP, so it gets recycled a lot, this means you might have lots of people hitting google or google wondering why your ISP logging into gmail on the daily. Its super annoying though and I typically see it on a particular ISP.

    IMO check your IP address, reset your router, check again to see if its changed and if you got rolled a new one thats probs better.

    • 1
    • Brotality on 18/05/2026 - 18:51

      This here is the best answer so far. One thing worth noting considering you're running Windows 10 is that you might be a part of a botnet. Windows 10 has been out of support since Oct last year and some vulnerabilities are not patched anymore. These vulns can used to do all kinds of stuff. You might have something relatively harmless probing/scraping the internet using your IP and google doesn't like that (and if true, neither should you)

      • 3
      • Grunntt on 19/05/2026 - 11:01

        Windows 10 has been out of support since Oct last year and some vulnerabilities are not patched anymore

        Not totally true for all - Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC is still as fully patched as usual. (look for massgrave.dev if you want to check what that is and how it works)

        Also Update KB5087544 - not a direct link

        BTW, depending on the version of LTSC that you use, they have extended support out to 2032

        • 0
    • GordonD on 19/05/2026 - 09:40

      That's why I mentioned it.

      • -1
  • decryption on 19/05/2026 - 08:52

    Get used to it unfortunately. The internet is now a hostile place but it was designed for a time when most people acted in good faith.

    • 1
  • apple2016 on 19/05/2026 - 11:27

    My internet connection is through the 5G mobile network. That does mean I share an IP address with a lot of people.

    its very likely your 5G mobile network is CGNAT, so yes you are sharing a public ip with many others.

    • 1
  • hithere2341 on 18/05/2026 - 16:07

    Are you using an iPhone? It will be iCloud Private Relay that's causing it

    • 0
    • GordonD on 18/05/2026 - 16:08

      No. Its a Windows 10 PC.

      • 0
      • Wiadro on 18/05/2026 - 16:15

        Time for an upgrade, Windows 11

        • 1
        • GordonD on 18/05/2026 - 17:25

          Why. Windows 11 has a lot of annoying crap in it that I've just got to keep finding ways t o get around. Like secure boot. And slowing down my SSD access by encrypting. And trying to force me to have a Microsoft account and log in.

          I am going to a new PC soon, and I was trying to make up my mind whether to stay on 10 or go to 11. If I can't sort this out I'll go to Tiny 11.

          • 0
          • ricadam on 19/05/2026 - 09:41

            @GordonD: You could be penalised becuase Windows 10 is now end of life.

            • -1
          • Wiadro on 18/05/2026 - 17:26

            @GordonD: Maybe get Mac

            • -3
  • GordonD on 18/05/2026 - 17:20

    So what's the best search engine to use?

    I'm running Microsoft's browser. But when I told it I wanted to search using google, the Microsoft browser's search stopped working.

    I like google search, because it gives me easy access to maps, which I use a lot.

    • 0
  • FireRunner on 18/05/2026 - 17:22

    What browser(s)?

    • 0
  • djones145 on 18/05/2026 - 18:04

    to see this post, fill this CAPTCHA

    sBY6KFYf

    • 0
    • MS Paint on 18/05/2026 - 18:43

      It worked and fixed all my issues. Hopefully OP has the same luck as me.

      • 0
  • Shame on 18/05/2026 - 20:38

    Have you updated your router's firmware in the past few years? It might be being used as a part of a botnet? Other devices in your household might also be compromised- e.g. security cameras, smart lights, etc.

    • 0
  • Clickbait on 18/05/2026 - 22:21

    My Optiplex is running Windows 7 "PROFESSIONAL"
    My hobby these days is finding workarounds to Microsoft strangulating consumers with every update
    Maybe ask the Mods here. Their very own CLOWNSTRIKE has targetted me as a Bot or whatever they are called.
    I see very few Captchas, and usually just back out.
    I update and run one of the Virus softwares every few months

    • -2
    • tenpercent on 19/05/2026 - 08:55

      Only a matter of time before clownstrike asks you to scan your eyeballs to confirm you're a human.

      • 1
  • Wiadro on 18/05/2026 - 16:01

    i think your webcam has exposed you

    • -3
    • GordonD on 18/05/2026 - 16:08

      Don't have a webcam.

      • 0
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