How to Fix reCAPTCHA Not Working

Google’s reCAPTCHA allows websites to reduce spam by requiring users to prove they’re not robots. If this service isn’t working for a website, you won’t be able to continue your form submissions because the website won’t let you progress. In this guide, we’ll show you how to fix reCAPTCHA so your form submissions are successful.

The most common reason why reCAPTCHA doesn’t work is that Google finds your IP address suspicious. Other causes include outdated web browsers, faulty browser extensions, blocked VPN servers, and more.

Reboot your router

Unless you specifically ask for it, your internet service provider (ISP) assigns you a dynamic IP address each time you connect to the internet. If your current IP address has been banned by reCAPTCHA, you can get a new and unique IP address by restarting your router.

How you do this depends on your router model. Most routers allow you to access the router’s settings page in a web browser, open the maintenance or a similar section and select the reboot option to reboot the router.

For all other routers, you can use the outlet switch to turn the router off and on.

Once you’ve done that, access the same webpage and try submitting the form you were having trouble with. Your submission should go through with no problems this time.

Update your web browser version

An outdated web browser can cause many problems, including Google’s reCAPTCHA service. You should update your browser to the latest version and check if that solves the problem.

It’s easy to update most browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

Update Chrome

1. Open chromeselect the three dots in the upper right corner and select Help > About Google Chrome.
2. Allow Chrome to find and install the updates.

3. reboot chrome for the updates to take effect.

Update Firefox

1. Open fire foxselect the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and select Help > About Firefox.
2. Let Firefox find and install the updates.

3. Close and reopen fire fox.

Update Edge

1. Access edgeselect the three dots in the upper right corner and select help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge.
2. Wait for Edge to find and install the updates.

3. Close and restart edge.

Disable your web browser extensions

You can get more out of your web browsers by using various extensions. However, sometimes one or more of these add-ins interfere with the core functions of your browser and cause various problems.

Your reCAPTCHA issue may be the result of a faulty extension. In this case, disable your extensions and see if you can submit the reCAPTCHA-enabled online forms.

Disable extensions in Chrome

1. Select the three points chrometop right and select More tools > extensions.
2. Disable the toggles for your extensions.

3. Refresh the website with reCAPTCHA.

Disable extensions in Firefox

1. Select the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and choose Addons and Themes.
2. Disable the extensions that appear on your screen.

3. Reload your reCAPTCHA page.

Disable extensions in Edge

1. Type the following into Edge’s address bar and press Enter:
   edge://extensions/
2. Disable the extensions that appear.

3. Refresh the website with reCAPTCHA.

Disable your VPN

Your VPN app transfers your data through a third-party server. If Google flags this server as malicious, your reCAPTCHA requests may be blocked. In this case, you can temporarily disable VPN to send your forms.

In most VPN apps, you can select the main Start/Pause button to turn the VPN service on and off. Alternatively, you can try switching servers to see if that makes reCAPTCHA work.

If disabling the VPN fixes your problem, you may need to use a new VPN server or switch your VPN provider to avoid the same problem in the future.

Disable your computer’s proxy service

If you’re having network issues like the reCAPTCHA issue, consider turning off your PC’s proxy server to see if that fixes the issue. Your proxy server may be interfering with your browsing sessions, causing the captcha not to work.

1. Open settings on your Windows PC by pressing Windows + I.
2. Choose Network & Internet in the settings.
3. Choose proxy from the left sidebar.
4. Switch off Use a proxy server options on the right.

5. Access the website with reCAPTCHA in your web browser.

Run a full virus scan on your computer

A virus-infected computer will show various symptoms that cause services like reCAPTCHA not to work fully. One way to fix this problem is to run a full virus scan and remove all viruses from your computer.

On Windows, you can use the built-in antivirus software to remove viruses and malware.

1. Open beginningFind Windows securityand select this app in the search results.
2. Choose Virus and threat protection.
3. Choose Scan options.
4. Enable Full scan and select scan now.

5. Restart your PC when the scan is complete.

Reset your web browser

If your reCAPTCHA error persists, your web browser may have problematic settings. These settings can affect the functionality of your website and result in reCAPTCHA not working.

You can deal with it by restoring your web browser to its default settings. This will erase your custom configuration and factory reset the browser.

Reset Chrome

1. Select the three dots in the top right corner chrome and choose settings.
2. Choose Reset and clean up in the left sidebar.
3. Choose Reset the settings to their original default values On the right side.

4. Choose reset settings in the command prompt.

Reset Firefox

1. Select the three horizontal lines in the top right corner fire fox and choose Help > More troubleshooting information.
2. Choose Update Firefox On the right side.

3. Choose Update Firefox in the command prompt and follow the on-screen instructions.

reset edge

1. Open edgeselect the three dots in the upper right corner and select settings.
2. Choose reset settings from the left sidebar.
3. Choose Reset the settings to their default values in the area on the right.

4. Choose Reset to default in the command prompt.

Fix reCAPTCHA issues to successfully submit online forms

reCAPTCHA is an excellent service that allows webmasters to prevent spam and bot delivery on their websites. Sometimes this service stops working for real users resulting in them failing to submit their online forms.

If you find yourself in this situation and the reCAPTCHA form doesn’t progress, use one or more of the methods above and your issue should be resolved. You can then successfully submit your forms to your favorite websites. Enjoy!