Google “Unusual Traffic From Your Computer Network”: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
Google says “Our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network” on every search? The five causes (VPN, Private Relay, CGNAT, shared Wi-Fi, malware), a 2-minute check, free fixes, and how to stay on a VPN without the CAPTCHA.
Quick Answer
Google shows this when automated searches seem to come from your IP address, usually because you share it: with other VPN users, a school or office network, or neighbors on CGNAT such as Starlink or 5G home internet. Solve the reCAPTCHA, then turn off the VPN or Private Relay, sign in to Google, or try mobile data to find the cause. If the same device gets it on every network, scan for malware and extensions. If you need to stay on a VPN, use a dedicated IP that only you use.
Google shows “Our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network” when automated searches seem to come from your IP address. Usually they are not yours: you share the address with other VPN users, a whole dorm, or hundreds of neighbors on a CGNAT connection such as Starlink.
Solving the reCAPTCHA clears it for now. If it comes back on every search, find which of five causes it is, using the table below. If you need to stay on a VPN, the lasting fix is an IP address no one else uses.
Why Google Says It Detected Unusual Traffic
Google lists VPNs, shared networks such as schools and businesses, other customers of your internet provider, malware, and software that sends searches automatically. In practice it comes down to this:
| Cause | How to tell | What fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| VPN or proxy | Stops when you disconnect the VPN | Switch server, or use a dedicated IP |
| iCloud Private Relay or a browser VPN | Only in Safari or one browser | Turn it off for a test |
| CGNAT (Starlink, 5G home internet, mobile data) | Happens at home with no VPN; router WAN IP starts with 100.64–100.127 | Sign in to Google, or get an IP only you use |
| School, office, dorm or public Wi-Fi | Stops on mobile data | Tell the network admin; use mobile data meanwhile |
| Malware, extensions or rank-checking tools | Happens on one device on every network | Scan for malware, remove search-related extensions |
2-Minute Check: Is It You, Your VPN or Your Network?
- Disconnect any VPN, proxy or Private Relay and search again. Gone? The shared VPN address was the cause.
- Still there? Switch the same device to mobile data. Gone? The Wi-Fi network or your ISP’s address is the cause.
- At home with no VPN, check your router’s WAN IP. An address from 100.64.0.0 to 100.127.255.255 means CGNAT.
- Same message on every network, on one device only? Look at that device: extensions, scrapers, malware.
The NAT type test also flags carrier-grade NAT, and how to check for CGNAT walks through every router.
Free Fixes, Fastest First
Solve the reCAPTCHA
Turn off the VPN or switch server
Sign in to your Google account
Get a new IP from your router
Scan for malware and extensions
Try mobile data
If the free fixes work, you are done. If you keep a VPN on for privacy or work, or you are on CGNAT, the check will keep coming back, because the address is still shared with strangers. Every flagged neighbor costs you another round of picking traffic lights.
Stop the Check on a VPN: Use a Dedicated IP
A normal VPN server puts you behind the same address as many other users, which is exactly what Google flags. A dedicated IP is an address only you use, so other people’s scripts no longer count against you. It also takes CGNAT out of the picture, because Google sees the VPN address instead of the one you share with your ISP’s other customers.
PureVPN
- Dedicated IP from $4.45/mo on a 2-year plan ($15.95 monthly)
- US, UK, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, Singapore and more
- Optional port forwarding on the same address
- 31-day money-back guarantee
5-year plan·$1.69/mo $12.95/mo
NordVPN
- US, UK, Germany, Canada, Japan and 26 more countries
- Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android and browser extensions
- Not available over IKEv2
- 30-day money-back guarantee
2-year plan
+3 months free
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A dedicated IP lowers the odds a lot; it is not a pass. If your own browser runs scrapers or rank checkers, Google will flag the dedicated address too. More on the trade-offs in is a VPN dedicated IP worth it.