Autocrat error message - not allowing me to run Autocrat

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Robert Macgregor

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Sep 26, 2025, 12:47:25 PMSep 26
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I have restarted my computer, uninstalled and reinstalled Autocrat, and tried multiple PCs, but Autocrat seems to have blocked me, giving me endless CAPTCHA requests and this message - 
 
Our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network. This page checks to see if it's really you sending the requests, and not a robot. Why did this happen?

This page appears when Google automatically detects requests coming from your computer network which appear to be in violation of the Terms of Service. The block will expire shortly after those requests stop. In the meantime, solving the above CAPTCHA will let you continue to use our services.

This traffic may have been sent by malicious software, a browser plug-in, or a script that sends automated requests. If you share your network connection, ask your administrator for help — a different computer using the same IP address may be responsible. Learn more

Sometimes you may be asked to solve the CAPTCHA if you are using advanced terms that robots are known to use, or sending requests very quickly. 


Granted, I do use Autocrat all the time at my job, but I have never come had my work capped like this. I have been also using spreadsheets that pull from the Autocrat-created spreadsheets by using importrange, but this is again nothing new for me. Any idea why Autocrat is halting? I see others recently with similar concerns. 

Any ideas, Joseph, guru of Autocrat?

Joseph Schmidt

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Sep 26, 2025, 12:50:14 PMSep 26
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I'm sorry you are having the problem.  I am not having the issue.  

Have you tried your personal email on a different network?  You can send a test message to yourself.



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Alix Lasker

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Sep 26, 2025, 12:53:43 PMSep 26
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I'm having the same issue. Never happened to me before. I've tried all of the known troubleshooting steps, nothing is working. This is a mail merge that we run annually without issues. 

MISSION STATEMENT

To educate the children of Kansas City to become globally minded, locally active, critical thinkers through immersion in world languages and cultures.

DISCLAIMER: This e-mail and any file(s) transmitted with it, is intended for the exclusive use by the person(s) mentioned above as recipient(s).  If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying, or action taken in relation to the contents of and attachments to this e-mail is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender and delete the original and any copies of this e-mail and any printouts immediately from your system and destroy all copies of it.


Joseph Schmidt

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Sep 26, 2025, 12:56:01 PMSep 26
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I'm sorry, I don't have an answer.  I'm CCing NewVisions.



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Amy Becker

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Sep 26, 2025, 12:56:44 PMSep 26
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I am having the same problem with CAPTCHA requests. And I can't get them to clear.

What is the problem?

Amy Becker
Administrative Assistant
Teaching & Learning Department

Champaign Unit 4 School District
Administrative Building
502 W. Windsor Rd.
Champaign, IL 61820




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Joseph Schmidt

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Sep 26, 2025, 12:59:43 PMSep 26
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This is what Gemini said.

Is there a new problem with Google Add-ons that requests a captcha

I couldn't find any specific, widespread announcement from Google about a new general problem where Google Add-ons are suddenly requiring a CAPTCHA.

However, CAPTCHA issues, including those that might appear within a Google Add-on's process, are often caused by:

  1. Network/Connection Issues: Using a VPN, proxy server, or being on a shared network that has been flagged for suspicious automated traffic can trigger CAPTCHAs, sometimes repeatedly.

  2. Browser Configuration: Outdated browsers, disabled JavaScript, or certain browser extensions/add-ons (especially privacy or ad-blockers) can interfere with how Google's reCAPTCHA works, leading to challenges being shown.

  3. Security Measures: Google may prompt a CAPTCHA for security reasons when it detects unusual activity, like a new sign-up, a password change, or an attempt to access a service from an unfamiliar location or device.

If you are encountering a CAPTCHA request repeatedly when using a specific Google Add-on, you might want to try these troubleshooting steps:

  • Try a different browser or an Incognito/Private window (with all extensions disabled) to see if the issue persists.

  • Temporarily disable any VPN or proxy services.

  • Check for and update your browser.

  • Make sure JavaScript is enabled in your browser settings.

  • Clear your browser's cache and cookies.

If the issue only affects a single add-on, it could also be a problem with that add-on's specific integration with Google's services, and you may need to contact the add-on developer for assistance.


On Fri, Sep 26, 2025 at 12:53 PM Alix Lasker <ala...@academielafayette.org> wrote:
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Joseph Schmidt

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Sep 26, 2025, 2:11:01 PMSep 26
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I couldn't find any specific, widespread announcement from Google about a new general problem where Google Add-ons are suddenly requiring a CAPTCHA.

However, CAPTCHA issues, including those that might appear within a Google Add-on's process, are often caused by:

  1. Network/Connection Issues: Using a VPN, proxy server, or being on a shared network that has been flagged for suspicious automated traffic can trigger CAPTCHAs, sometimes repeatedly.

  2. Browser Configuration: Outdated browsers, disabled JavaScript, or certain browser extensions/add-ons (especially privacy or ad-blockers) can interfere with how Google's reCAPTCHA works, leading to challenges being shown.

  3. Security Measures: Google may prompt a CAPTCHA for security reasons when it detects unusual activity, like a new sign-up, a password change, or an attempt to access a service from an unfamiliar location or device.

If you are encountering a CAPTCHA request repeatedly when using a specific Google Add-on, you might want to try these troubleshooting steps:

  • Try a different browser or an Incognito/Private window (with all extensions disabled) to see if the issue persists.

  • Temporarily disable any VPN or proxy services.

  • Check for and update your browser.

  • Make sure JavaScript is enabled in your browser settings.

  • Clear your browser's cache and cookies.

If the issue only affects a single add-on, it could also be a problem with that add-on's specific integration with Google's services, and you may need to contact the add-on developer for assistance.




To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nv-autocrat-add-on/CAOeQPUme2Sv6QfA7ifPPwzAmH1C_cxJv%3Da3gxU7xgSNDv6S%2BMA%40mail.gmail.com.

Alix Lasker

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Sep 26, 2025, 2:13:56 PMSep 26
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By the way, this issue has now also spread to the FormMule Add-On. I'm unable to start it due to the Captcha. 

Robert Macgregor

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Sep 26, 2025, 2:20:05 PMSep 26
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Just as an update - I ran Autocrat using my hotspot and was able to finish my job. The shared network must be flagged, but I have never had that happen before. I have also never had to complete a CAPTCHA on Autocrat before. 

Joseph Schmidt

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Sep 26, 2025, 2:22:18 PMSep 26
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Thanks for the update.  Based on your solution, I would think it has to do with the network.  That is probably why I can't duplicate the issue.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nv-autocrat-add-on/3679684c-c7b5-4268-b6d2-c71785f224f2n%40googlegroups.com.

Pierre Roquet

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Sep 26, 2025, 2:39:56 PMSep 26
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I had the exact same issue. Captcha wasn't recognized, no matter how many attempts. Tried on Safari, Chrome, Firefox wouldn't even let me click past the error page.
Tethering off my phone fixed everything instantly.

Joseph Schmidt

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Sep 26, 2025, 5:14:18 PMSep 26
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That is a great solution for those that can bypass their network.

I would wait and see if it gets fixed.

Newvisions took a quick look at the Google Issue Tracker, this captcha issue seems to be a new bug on the Google App Script side. All of the Cloudlab add-ons use Google App Script so I'm not surprised that so many folks are seeing it. The ticket looks to be assigned so hopefully Google can resolve quickly 🤞
- https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/447566707


To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/nv-autocrat-add-on/2b3f29c4-1fa8-43ae-9239-96c323782ed9n%40googlegroups.com.

Pierre Roquet

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Sep 26, 2025, 5:18:41 PMSep 26
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I'm having the exact same issue. Firefox wouldn't even let me click past the error window. Chrome and Safari both didn't react to the captchas.

On Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 1:22:18 AM UTC+7 Joseph Schmidt wrote:

Chris Minamyer

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Sep 26, 2025, 5:18:52 PMSep 26
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I am in an endless captcha loop. restarted router. uninstalled autocrat/reinstalled it. uninstalled chrome and reinstalled it. tried incognito mode. still asking for captcha just to open autocrat. don't know what to do!

Dallas Hurst

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Sep 26, 2025, 5:19:31 PMSep 26
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Same here. Please let me know if anybody finds a resolution that doesn't require using a hotspot / different network.

Dallas Hurst

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Sep 26, 2025, 5:19:41 PMSep 26
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Update:
Seems to be back to working normally again.

On Friday, September 26, 2025 at 1:39:56 PM UTC-5 Pierre Roquet wrote:

Alix Lasker

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Sep 26, 2025, 5:19:54 PMSep 26
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Works again for me on my regular work network. 

On Friday, September 26, 2025 at 1:39:56 PM UTC-5 Pierre Roquet wrote:
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