How to avoid CAPTCHAs when using Proton VPN
Using a VPN makes you slightly more likely to encounter CAPTCHA challenges. But there are steps you can take to keep them to a minimum.
How to reduce CAPTCHA frequency when connected to Proton VPN
- Use servers with lower server load: These servers are less crowded, so you’re less likely to get frequent CAPTCHAs. (To access our full server network in 120+ countries, you’ll need to be on a paid plan).
- Don’t switch servers too often: Regularly changing your IP address can look suspicious.
- Avoid frequent page refreshes: Multiple refreshes in a short period can look like spam.
- Clear your cookies: Or try using incognito mode (private browsing).
- Turn off any active browser extensions: Or try using a different browser.
Why do I get more CAPTCHAs while using a VPN?
Each VPN server has one IP address. So unless you’re using a dedicated server (which most people don’t need), you’re browsing under the same IP address as other people using that VPN server.
If a website gets lots of requests from the same IP address, it sometimes mistakes VPN users for bots or spammers and responds with a CAPTCHA.
Other browsing behaviors can also look suspicious, like:
- Changing IP addresses frequently
- Regularly refreshing a webpage
What is a CAPTCHA?
A CAPTCHA is a short online test that websites use to protect themselves against spam, fraud, and hacking attempts. They’re designed to be easy for humans to solve but hard for bots that often carry out malicious activity.
Common tasks include:
- Checking a box to confirm you’re a human
- Finding objects in images (like traffic lights or buses)
- Identifying the letters or numbers shown in a blurry or distorted image