Google Search repeatedly showed CAPTCHA in Firefox desktop after a Firefox update

[maxxbox]

Shortly after a Firefox update, Google Search started showing the “Our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network” CAPTCHA on nearly every search in Firefox on my desktop PC and laptop.

The issue did not occur in Chrome on either computer. Firefox on my phone, connected to the same Wi-Fi network, also worked normally. Disabling all Firefox add-ons and restarting the router did not resolve the issue.

The timing makes me wonder whether this could be related to the updated Firefox desktop interface, but I cannot confirm that as the cause.

Steps to reproduce

1. Open Firefox on a desktop computer.

2. Search for something using Google Search.

3. Repeat with a few different search terms.

Actual result

Google displays a CAPTCHA warning about unusual traffic for almost every search.

Expected result

Google Search loads normally without repeatedly asking me to complete a CAPTCHA.

Environment

• Firefox version: 157.0.1 (64-Bit)

• Operating system: Windows 11 Pro 26H2

• Devices affected: desktop PC and laptop

• Comparison: Chrome works on both computers; Firefox on my phone works on the same Wi-Fi

Troubleshooting

• Disabled all Firefox add-ons: no change.

• Restarted the router: no change.

Could the updated Firefox desktop interface or browser-window layout affect how Google evaluates Firefox searches?

see https://cdn.ebnermediagroup.de/pctipp_de/pctipp/img/1/6/2/6/2/1/1/20220215GoogleTrafficCGNAT_teas_64...

[Agentvirtuel]

Bonjour

If it's not already experimented, nevertheless, you can use alternative search engine
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox

This similar discussion thread
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1606479

[dftf]

@maxxbox : Google services don't like Firefox, either because of the more-effective ad-blockers it still allows, or I've also heard some AI agent bots pretend to be Firefox too.

Install the Chrome Mask extension (https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/chrome-mask/) and set Firefox to lie on sites like Google Search, GMail, Google Docs and YouTube and pretend to be Chrome when necessary.

[KLA]

After hours of intermittent troubleshooting over the past few weeks, I narrowed down the issue to a privacy and security setting - "Clear cookies and site data every time you close Firefox". Unchecked this and all appears to be working as it should.

[lontm3]

Good morning.  For the past several weeks, every time conduct a google search I am required to complete a captcha window, sometimes more than once.  This is new and annoying.  The suggestion was made to use another search engine.  I think my real option is to go to a different browser.  I would prefer not to if I knew Mozilla was working on solving this problem.  The sense I get from the blogs and posts is that the Mozilla recommended solutions don't work and Mozilla isn't working on the problem.  It was a good product as long as it lasted.  If it can't fix this problem or say it's commited to fixing the problem, I will uninstall firefox and move to another browser.

Regards, Lon

[dftf]

@lontm3 : some extensions, like ad or script blockers, may cause this.  If you use any such extension, there's not much Mozilla can do about what they block.

But within Firefox itself, you can do the following:
•  type about:preferences#etp in the URL bar, then press ENTER.  By-default, that is set to "Standard"; on "Strict", you may encounter issue like this.  If you use "Custom", click "Customise Tracking Protection", then ensure "Fix major site issues" and "Fix minor site issues" are both enabled, and set Cookies to "Isolate cross-site cookies", not "Block all cross-site cookies"
•  type about:preferences#privacy in the URL bar, then press ENTER.  Scroll-down to the "Browsing data" category, then click "Manage exceptions".  Type https://www.recaptcha.net into the "Address of web site" box, then click Allow, then Save Changes.  This will always allow cookies from Google's Captcha service to be saved on your device, which should reduce the number of screens you are asked to complete each time