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Understanding Google's "Unusual Traffic" Error
What to do when you see this Google error
By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell Writer Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 12, 2022 Reviewed by Christine Baker Reviewed by Christine Baker Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Around the Web Browsers Cloud Services Error Messages Family Tech Home Networking 5G Antivirus Around the Web You're at your computer working, busily conducting Google searches, and you see the following error: Unusual traffic from your computer network Alternatively, you might see this message: Our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network. What's going on? These errors surface when Google detects that searches are being sent from your network automatically. It suspects these searches are automated and might be the work of a malicious bot, computer program, automated service, or search scraper. Lifewire / Michela Buttignol Don't be alarmed. Getting this error doesn't mean Google is spying on you and monitoring your searches or network activity. It doesn't necessarily mean you have a virus, especially if you're running one of the best antivirus software programs. There is no long-term impact on your system or network from these "unusual traffic" errors and there's often a quick and simple fix. Why the " Unusual Traffic" Error Occurs
There are a few scenarios that can trigger this error message from Google. Searching too Quickly
It's possible you were searching too many things too quickly, and Google flagged those searches as automated. You Were Connected to a VPN
Many users receive this error because they are using a VPN connection. This is a common occurrence. Network Connection
If your network is using a shared public IP address, such as a public proxy server, Google may have triggered the message based on traffic from other people's devices. Additionally, this error could be triggered if multiple people on your network were searching at once. Automated Search Tool
If you were intentionally running an automated search tool, Google may flag this as suspect. Browser
If you've added third-party extensions onto your browser, this could also trigger Google's "unusual traffic" error. Malicious Content
While unlikely, it's possible someone is using your network for nefarious purposes, or a virus has overtaken your system. Similarly, some unknown background process may be running and sending unwanted data. Hong Li / Getty Images What to Do to Stop the Error
Getting past this error is likely a simple process, and the solution depends on what was causing the error in the first place. Perform the CAPTCHA
If you know you were conducting high-frequency Google searches, this error message is normal. Google will present a CAPTCHA code on the screen for you to fill out. Reassure Google that you're a real person and that you're not abusing its network, and go about your searching business. Hold off on making more manual Google searches for a few minutes to widen the gap for another "unusual traffic" error to occur. Disconnect the VPN
If you were using a VPN connection when you received the error, try disconnecting the VPN to see if that solves the problem. VPNs often trigger these errors, so you may need to disable your VPN to continue working. Reset Browser
If third-party extensions or browser issues caused the error, reset your browser to get back to the default configuration. Restart your computer when this is done. You may also need to turn off some browser extensions, such as a search scraper. Scan for and Clean Up Malware
If you think your computer has a virus, do not hesitate to properly scan your computer for malware to get rid of it. Run the Chrome Cleanup Tool to ensure you don't have any of the malicious programs Google watches out for. If none of these solutions work, Google's support page offers more help with the "unusual traffic" error. How to Fix the Error Message 'Your Computer or Network May Be Sending Automated Queries' Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Fix a Connection-Is-Not Private Error Can Chromebooks Get Viruses? How to Browse the Web Anonymously 503 Service Unavailable Error Message: What It Is and How to Fix It Can a Router Get a Virus? How to Fix an IPv6 No Network Access Error Opera vs. Google Chrome How to Fix a Privacy Error In Chrome How to Fix the Error Message 'Your Computer or Network May Be Sending Automated Queries' Is Google Play Safe? What Is a Public IP Address? (and How to Find Yours) Netflix Error Codes: How to Fix Them How to Fix Openal32.dll Is Missing or Not Found Errors What lsass.exe Is & How It Affects Your Computer What Is IAStorIcon.exe? The 9 Best Free Antivirus Software of 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies