Why am I seeing a security check?
Why the sign-up, sign-in and password-reset forms sometimes ask you to confirm you are human, and what to do when the check will not load.
Overview
Some forms show a small Security check box from Cloudflare Turnstile. It confirms that a person, not a script, is filling in the form. Most of the time it passes by itself in a second or two and simply says Verified. You can continue. Sometimes it asks you to tick a box.
The check exists because automated scripts try to create fake accounts and guess passwords. Free accounts use our market-data allowance, so keeping scripts out keeps the service fast for everyone.
Where you see it:
- Create your account (e-mail sign-up): always.
- Sign in: only after several wrong passwords for the same e-mail address, or many failed attempts from the same network. A normal sign-in never shows it.
- Reset your password: before we send a reset link.
Signing in or signing up with Google never shows the check: Google has already confirmed you.
Steps
- Fill in the form as usual.
- Wait for the Security check box to say Verified. You can continue. If it shows a checkbox, tick it.
- Press the form's button (for example Create account or Sign in). The button stays greyed out until the check has passed.
FAQs
Why did the check appear when I signed in?
A few wrong passwords were entered for your e-mail address (or from your network) in the last 15 minutes. That can be you mistyping, or someone else trying to guess. The check makes guessing slow for scripts and costs you one tick. If you did not make those attempts, see Your recent security activity after you sign in.
Why does the button stay grey for a few seconds on the sign-up page?
People need a few seconds to fill in a form; scripts do not. The Create account button becomes active after a short moment.
Does the check work with a screen reader?
Yes. The box announces its state ("Loading", "Verified", "The check expired") and Cloudflare offers an accessible challenge when it needs one.
Troubleshooting
The security check will not load
- Check your internet connection, then press Retry in the box.
- Turn off browser extensions that block scripts or trackers for this page, or allow
challenges.cloudflare.com. - Corporate networks sometimes block Cloudflare. Try another network, or use Continue with Google.
"The security check did not go through"
Each check can be used once. After a refused attempt the box refreshes itself; wait for Verified and submit again.
"This form had expired, so we refreshed it"
The page was open for a long time. It has been refreshed; submit again.
"E-mail sign-up is paused while we finish setting up our security check"
Our side is being set up and e-mail sign-up is briefly unavailable. Use Continue with Google, or try again later. Nothing is wrong with your details.
"Verification is unavailable right now"
Cloudflare could not be reached for a moment. Wait a minute and try again, or continue with Google. We never skip the check silently, so the form waits rather than letting an unchecked request through.