RECAPTCHA gone mad again - on a holiday. So predictable!

[JewelleryDetective]

Hi all,

Can't log on to Etsy due to RECAPTCHA going mad again. Same thing happened last Christmas. And before you tell me I don't know how to click on images, I have an LSE PhD, so yes, I can manage this simple task.

I am in the UK. It started yesterday, but it became almost impossible to log on last night. When you click on Recaptcha images, the button just stays on 'Next' rather than turning to Verify. Every few images it turns to Verify, but when you correctly click on all the relevant squares it just moves on to the next image instead of logging you in. I checked this several times, so it wasn't a fluke. Ultimately, I was completely unable to log in.

Last time it happened, it helped when I closed all my other Etsy tabs. Now this no longer helps.

I use Firefox, and yes maybe I could try using Chrome but shouldn't have to. It's Etsy's job to keep the platform working efficiently. Sellers are expected to be professional, but I can't answer queries from my customers. Where is your professionalism, Etsy?

[ImpossibleMothToo]

I’m not sure it is an Etsy thing as such, other than they are using Captcha. It is captcha deciding whether the connection is secure or not. I’m not saying it isn’t completely out of hand sometimes with the amount of captcha screens etc. One seller actually had the patience to count and worked through about 30 screens of bikes and fire hydrants before they were allowed in. 

Realistically though the easiest solution is to try another browser - I don’t tend to get any captcha screens with private windows on Firefox, but get loads with the regular Firefox. I think Chrome was ok too. I use a vpn and sometimes get more captchas if the server I’m connected to is busier, I’m assuming because some of those people are also connecting to Etsy so it flags as a potential problem. I just swop to a different server and it normally solves it. 

[JewelleryDetective]

Hmm, interesting. That could explain captchas being such a problem at holiday time, when I never get them at all at other times, actually. Many thanks!

[BagmakerSupply]

@JewelleryDetective: Actually it is Google that is questioning your humanism. Every time you go to a page protected by reCaptcha it calculates a score - if that score is below the threshold set by the hosting site (in this case Etsy) it starts the reCaptcha image cycle until Google is satisfied that you are a human.

While Google does not share its magic recipe for how it calculates your score there are some known factors: the reputation of your IP address, if you are using a VPN, what browser you are using, if your browser is blocking tracking, what extensions are on your browser, whether or not you are currently logged into Google, viruses or malware on your computer or modem, if you are using a proxy server, your search history, your cookies, etc etc etc. Sometimes it is as simple as your browser not sending enough information and that is why doing a hard page refresh occasionally works.

[JewelleryDetective]

Many thanks for this - lots to consider. It's true that I hate being logged into Google, and they keep trying to make me do it and I keep refusing. I don't use a VPN or anything like that.

I only have this problem at holiday time, so it may be something to do with lots of people logging in at the same time (?)

[JewelleryDetective]

However, having said that, I never have any problems logging into any of my other accounts, including Ruby Lane, at holiday or any other time. It's really ONLY ETSY, which is why I think it's an Etsy problem.