Brave Search: “Your request has been refused by the server” after successful human verification

Brave Search
1

Description of the issue:

Hello,

I am having a problem with Brave Search. Whenever I try to use `search.brave.com`, I get a human verification screen:

> “Let’s confirm you are human”

I complete the security check successfully, but immediately afterward I get:

> “Your request has been refused by the server.”

It also mentions Tor/VPN and suggests changing the exit node, but I am **not using Tor or any VPN**.

### What I tested

* Brave Browser version: **1.96.60**

* Windows desktop

* Brave Search fails

* Google Search works normally inside Brave

* Microsoft Edge + Brave Search also fails

* Same phone mobile-data hotspot is being used for both browsers

* No VPN

* No Tor

* No browser extensions

* JavaScript is enabled

* Brave Shields OFF → still fails

* Brave Private Window → still fails

* Reset Brave settings → still fails

* Directly opening `search.brave.com` → same refusal

* Turning Airplane Mode on/off on the phone and reconnecting the hotspot → still fails

* Changing the search engine from Brave Search to Google immediately makes searching work normally

The important point is that the verification itself appears to complete successfully, but the request is refused afterward.

Since the problem also occurs in **Edge using the same mobile connection**, this does not appear to be specific to my Brave browser profile.

Could someone confirm whether this is a known Brave Search issue or whether my connection/IP is being incorrectly flagged by the Brave Search anti-abuse system?

I would like to continue using **Brave Search**, so I would appreciate any diagnostic steps or in

formation you need from me.

Thank you.

Brave Version (check About Brave): 1.96.60 Chromium:154.0.8037.93

Operating System: window 10 Pro

2

@Kritina

The Cloudflare Keystone Cops Perpetual Turnstile … can be very frustrating. I used to get caught up in it when selecting the 3rd webpage of Brave Search Results.

Over time … well, the problem has faded away … and I do not know the why of that. (I am using Brave Browser for MacOS.)

I use Brave Browser Private Windows as standard operating procedure (instead of the “normal” non-Private window). And:

  • Brave Browser Global Shields UP
  • JavaScript allowed
  • All but 3rd party cookies allowed
  • Usually aggressive blocking of Trackers & Ads
  • Fingerprinting ← blocking turned ON

My Brave Search bookmark:

‘https://search.brave.com/settings’

There, if I want to use Brave Search (Answer with AI), I DISABLE:

  • Anonymous local results
  • Discussions
  • Google fallback mixing
  • Anonymous usage metrics

Make sure that Answer with AI is ENABLED … and then I scroll up the settings page and click on the Brave lion icon … to get the Brave Search webpage. ← There, I use the Brave Search field - NOT the URL address field.

That is my routine, in order to use Brave Search with the Answer with AI feature.

Maybe related (as in “Brave Search site can be picky”), and on-going battle:

‘"Your request has been refused by the server" on search.brave.com and all searches’

Sometimes: A network issue anywhere from A to Z.

Possibly: Computer display’s back face toward 278 deg on the compass. Winds mild. Clean clothes. Pants pressed. Shoes polished. All present and accounted for - in uniform … gets a Brave Browser user past the front gate sentries.