That “unusual activity” message is a security and anti‑abuse warning, not a judgment about you personally. It appears when the system thinks the way you or your network are using ChatGPT looks different from normal or might resemble automated/bot traffic.
What “unusual activity” means
The platform tracks patterns such as how many requests are sent, how fast they come, and where they come from (IP, region, device). When those patterns suddenly change or look risky, it temporarily limits access and shows the warning. This is meant to protect both your account and the service from spam, scraping, or compromised accounts.
Common reasons you see it
Typical triggers include:
- Sending many prompts very quickly or repeatedly refreshing, which can look like a script or bot.
- Using a VPN, proxy, or shared/public network (school, office, café) where your IP might already be flagged or lots of people are using ChatGPT at once.
- Logging in from new or very different locations/devices in a short time, which can look like someone else using your account.
Sometimes it also shows up by mistake when servers are busy, even if your usage is normal.
What you can do
If you see this message:
- Slow down your requests, avoid rapid-fire prompts or constant page refreshes for a bit.
- Turn off VPNs/proxies and try a “clean” network (like your home Wi‑Fi or mobile data) and a different browser if possible.
- If you have an account, check that no one else is using it, change your password, and enable extra security if available.
If it is only occasional, it usually clears on its own after some time. If it happens constantly and none of the above applies, contacting the platform’s support with details (time, network, account type) is the best next step.
