These errors surface when Google detects that searches are being sent from your web link automatically.

Don’t be alarmed.

Getting this error doesn’t mean Google is spying on you and monitoring your searches or web connection activity.

Person finding unusual traffic on computer network

Lifewire / Michela Buttignol

This is a common occurrence.

Additionally, this error could be triggered if multiple people on your data pipe were searching at once.

Similarly, some unknown background process may be running and sending unwanted data.

Illustration of road leading to a computer a hand holding a key, depicting Google’s unusual traffic error

Hong Li / Getty Images

Google will present aCAPTCHAcode on the screen for you to fill out.

VPNs often trigger these errors, so you may need to disable your VPN to continue working.

power cycle your gear when this is done.

You may also need to turn off some online window extensions, such as a search scraper.