Computer May Be Sending Automated Queries: What It Means and How to Fix It

If you see “Your computer or network may be sending automated queries”, the site has detected requests from your public IP address or network that look automated. It does not automatically mean your PC is infected or taking part in a DDoS attack. Google says this warning can be triggered by malware, automated programs, VPNs, or other users sharing the same network; A recently flagged IP address or heavy automated traffic against a site can also be involved.

If a reCAPTCHA appears, complete it first. If the warning keeps returning, work through the checks below instead of repeatedly refreshing the page.

Why websites show an automated queries warning

Anti-abuse systems look for traffic patterns that resemble bots. Common causes include:

• A VPN, proxy, public Wi-Fi, office network, or ISP address shared by many people.
• Browser extensions, scripts, search tools, or automation software that send requests in the background.
• Malware using your device or network connection without your knowledge.
• An IP address with a recent abuse history, even if you did not create the earlier traffic.
• Heavy automated traffic against the website itself.

Google’s official guidance for this message is available in its unusual traffic troubleshooting page.

How to fix “Your computer may be sending automated queries”

1. Complete the CAPTCHA and stop repeated automated requests

If the page offers a reCAPTCHA, solve it. Google says that normally clears the warning once it confirms you are a person. If no CAPTCHA appears, make sure JavaScript is enabled and that you are using a browser supported by reCAPTCHA.

Pause search scrapers, rank-checking tools, scripts, macros, or other software making repeated requests. Avoid rapidly refreshing the blocked page; the restriction may remain until suspicious traffic stops.

2. Turn off a VPN or proxy and test the network

VPN users can share a public IP address with many other customers. If someone else using that exit IP generates abusive traffic, you can inherit the block even when your own activity is normal. Temporarily disconnect the VPN or proxy and try again. On a work or school device, check with IT before disabling a required connection.

Testing on another trusted network, such as a mobile hotspot, is also useful. If the warning disappears there but affects multiple devices on your usual network, the likely cause is the shared public IP or network rather than one browser. Google recommends contacting the network administrator, VPN provider, or ISP when the problem persists.

3. Disable browser extensions and automation tools

An extension can send background requests even while you are browsing normally. In Chrome, open More > Extensions > Manage extensions, turn extensions off, test the site again, then re-enable extensions one at a time to identify the trigger.

Pay special attention to VPN/proxy add-ons, search helpers, scraping tools, automation utilities, and extensions you do not recognize. See Google’s Chrome extension documentation for disable/remove steps.

4. Run a malware scan

If the warning appears across multiple browsers on the same computer, scan the system. In Windows Security, open Virus & threat protection > Scan options, choose Full scan, and select Scan now.

If you still suspect persistent malware, Microsoft also offers Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan). It restarts the PC and scans outside the normal Windows session. Save your work first. See Microsoft’s Windows Security scan guidance for the current options.

5. Clear site data if the problem is limited to one browser

Cookies are not a common cause of automated traffic by themselves, so clearing them should not be the first fix. However, if the warning happens only in one browser profile, clearing site data can reset a broken session after you have checked extensions and the network.

In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data. Select Cookies and other site data for the appropriate time range, then delete the data. This can sign you out of websites. See Google’s Delete browsing data instructions.

What the pattern can tell you

When the warning will not go away

If you have stopped automation, disabled suspicious extensions, scanned the device, and ruled out the VPN, the remaining issue may be outside your computer. A shared network or ISP can place many users behind one public IP. In that case, contact your network administrator, VPN provider, ISP, or the affected website as appropriate.

Treat the message as an anti-abuse warning about traffic patterns, not proof that your computer is attacking a website. Isolate whether the trigger follows the browser, device, or network to find the cause faster.