What is Error 1015 (Cloudflare) and How to Fix it?

Encountering Cloudflare Error 1015 can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to access important content or services online. This error indicates that you've been rate-limited, but what does that mean, and how can you fix it?

In this article, we'll explore the causes of Error 1015 and provide practical solutions to mitigate it.

What is Error 1015?

Cloudflare Error 1015, commonly displayed as "You are being rate limited", occurs when a user exceeds the number of requests allowed by a website within a specific time frame.

The error can include one of the following messages:

• "error 1015 rate limited"
• "service resource is being rate limited"
• "error 1015 you are being rate limited"
• or simply "this resource is being rate limited"

All of these messages relate to the same error 1015 error just different in presentation.

This rate-limiting is a protective mechanism to safeguard websites from malicious activities such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, brute-force login attempts, or web scraping bots.

Some reasons that trigger a Cloudflare 1015 error include:

• Excessive Requests: Making too many requests in a short period, intentionally or unintentionally.
• Automated Scripts or Bots: Using automated tools that send multiple requests rapidly.
• Shared Networks: Being on a network (like a corporate or school network) where multiple users access the same service simultaneously.

Where is Error 1015 Encountered?

Since error 1015 "rate limited" is Cloudflare specific, it's only encountered if a website uses Cloudflare Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Cloudflare's anti-bot services.

Cloudflare Web Application Firewall (WAF)

Cloudflare WAF acts as a shield between your website and the internet. It monitors and filters incoming traffic based on predefined security rules.

Functions of WAF:

• Blocks Malicious Traffic: Filters out attacks like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other web exploits.
• Customizable Rules: Allows website owners to set specific rules tailored to their application's needs.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Provides insights into the nature of threats and traffic patterns.

WAF blocks malicious traffic by returning a 1015 Error page to the client indicating they are being rate-limited.

Cloudflare Anti-Bot System

The Anti-Bot system is designed to detect and mitigate automated bot traffic that could be harmful.

Features of Anti-Bot System:

• Behavioral Analysis: Monitors user behavior to distinguish between humans and bots.
• Challenge Mechanisms: Implements CAPTCHA or JavaScript challenges to verify users.
• Machine Learning: Utilizes algorithms to adapt to new bot behaviors over time.

Cloudflare Anti-Bot System treats bot traffic as malicious traffic, even if the bot is not spamming the website, so just the detection of a client as being automated is enough to result in a 1015 error.

If you are trying to scrape a website with cloudflare anti-bot prtection, check out our cloudflare bypass guide.

Mitigating error 1015

As already mentioned, 1015 error is either an indication of being rate-limited or being detected as automated traffic (bot). Each cause has its own means of mitigation.

Rate Limiting

Rate limiting controls the number of requests a user can make to a server within a set time frame. Understanding how rate limiting works can help you adjust your behavior to avoid triggering it.

Common Axes Used for Rate Limiting:

• IP Address: Limits based on the user's internet protocol address.
• User-Agent Header: Identifies the application, operating system, vendor, and version of the requesting user agent.
• Cookies and Session Identifiers: Tracks user sessions to enforce limits.
• JavaScript Fingerprinting: Uses browser characteristics (like screen resolution, installed plugins) to create a unique user profile. You can learn more about JS fingerprinting through our CreepJS fingerprinting giude

To avoid getting rate-limited, you can either reduce request frequency by spacing out your requests to the server or use proxies to distribute the workload over multiple IP addresses. We explain proxies in depth in our Complete Guide To Using Proxies For Web Scraping

Bot Detection

Most websites have robust bot protection measures in place to prevent web scraping and automated traffic. When bot traffic is detected, websites usually throw a 403 error or 429 error, and in Cloudflare's case, the HTML shows a 1015 "You are being rate limited" error.

In this case, the bot would be rate-limited but with no plan from the server to remove that limit, meaning it is permanently blocked.

Bot detection is usually acheived using complex fingerprinting techniques that find loopholes in requests to leak their automated nature. There are many tools that block those leaks and help bypass fingerprint detection:

• curl_cffi: a Python HTTP client library built on top of curl-impersonate. It modifies the request configuration to mimic normal browsers, which helps bypass bot detection. You can learn more about curl_cffi in our curl impersonate guide.
• undetected-chromedriver: a modified selenium webdriver that has bulitin measures to combat websites that block automated headless browsers scraping their pages. Get to know more about it in our in-depth guide on web scraping with undetected chromedriver.

Error 1015 Popular Examples

Many popular websites use Cloudflare's services under the hood, giving them the ability to rate-limit users when suspicious traffic is detected. Let's look at some common scenarios where you can get 1015 error on popular websites:

1. Discord

   • Scenario: Rapidly sending messages or joining/leaving servers.
   • Solution: Slow down activities and avoid using bots that automate actions.

2. Crunchyroll

   • Scenario: Refreshing pages excessively or using downloaders to save content.
   • Solution: Use the service as intended and consider subscribing for offline access.

3. ChatGPT

   • Scenario: Making too many API requests in a short time.
   • Solution: Implement rate-limiting in your application and monitor your usage.

4. Red Robin

   • Scenario: Placing multiple orders rapidly or refreshing the menu pages.
   • Solution: Complete one order before starting another and minimize page refreshes.

5. USTravelDocs

   • Scenario: Constantly checking for visa appointment availability.
   • Solution: Limit checks to a reasonable frequency and avoid using automation tools.

6. Chess.com

   • Scenario: Rapidly starting and ending games or refreshing leaderboards.
   • Solution: Engage in games at a normal pace and avoid unnecessary page reloads.

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It takes Scrapfly several full-time engineers to maintain this system, so you don't have to!

FAQ

Wrapping up, here are some common questions about Cloudflare's 1015 error.

How long does Error 1015 last?

The duration can vary based on the website's settings. It can range from a few minutes to several hours. It's best to wait and try again later.

Why am I getting Error 1015 when I haven't done anything unusual?

Factors like shared IP addresses, background applications making requests, or malware can cause unexpected rate limits. Check your system for any unwanted activity.

Can Error 1015 mean I am permanently blocked?

While Cloudflare Error 1015 typically indicates a temporary rate limit due to excessive requests within a short period, under certain circumstances, it can signify a more prolonged or even permanent block due to repeated violations or suspicious activity.

Summary

Cloudflare Error 1015 serves as a protective measure for websites against excessive or malicious requests. Understanding the reasons behind this error helps users adjust their online activities to prevent future occurrences.

Whether you are being rate limited for frequenty requesting a website or you are permanently block due to bot detection, Scrapfly's powerful proxy pools and anit-scrpaing protection measures can help you bypass this error.