[Skip to main content](#vessel-content)

#  hCaptcha plugin

Details    Written by: Administrator    Category: [Pther extensions](/support/documentation/hikashop/other-extensions)     Published: 10 November 2026     Hits: 4

## Installation

1. Install the plugin with the Joomla extension manager, then publish it in the plugin manager (System - HikaShop hCaptcha).
2. Get your hCaptcha keys from your hCaptcha account (the plugin asks for a public key and a private key).
3. Open the settings of the plugin, paste the two keys and choose the forms to protect. Then save.

The captcha is shown to visitors who are not logged in. It is compatible with the Joomla, HikaShop, AlphaRegistration, ccUsers and JomSocial registration forms, and with the Joomla and QContacts contact forms.

## Configuration

![The hCaptcha settings](/images/doc/plugins/hcaptcha/plg_system_hcaptcha_settings.png)

- **Public key**: the public (site) key of your hCaptcha account. Without it the captcha cannot be displayed.
- **Private key**: the private (secret) key of your hCaptcha account, used by your server to check the answer. Without it the answers cannot be verified.
- **Captcha Caption**: the text displayed next to the captcha field. Empty, the word "Captcha" is used.
- **Theme**: Light (default) or Dark, to match your template.
- **Invisible**: Visible checkbox captcha (default) shows the usual checkbox. The invisible choices (inline, bottom left, bottom right) hide the checkbox and place the hCaptcha badge where you choose.
- **Use in registration forms**: Yes (default) displays the captcha on the registration forms, including the registration step of the HikaShop checkout.
- **Display after**: where the captcha appears in the registration form: after the Password (default), the Email or the Address.
- **Use in contact forms**: No by default. Yes displays the captcha on the contact forms.
- **Display position on contact forms**: after the message textarea (default), after the email address input, or after the "receive a copy" option.
- **Use in comment forms**: No by default. Yes displays the captcha on the HikaShop product comment and vote forms.
- **Display position on comment forms**: after the comment textarea (default), after the username input or after the email address input.
- **Use in withdrawal forms**: No by default. Yes displays the captcha on the HikaShop withdrawal form, for customers who are not logged in. It needs HikaShop 6.7.0 or later.

## Troubleshooting

- **The captcha does not appear**: check that the plugin is published, that the public key is filled in and that the matching "Use in ... forms" setting is on.
- **"hCaptcha couldn't verify the public key" or "hCaptcha couldn't verify the private key"**: the key is wrong. Copy it again from your hCaptcha account, without spaces.
- **"Invalid referer, hCAPTCHA API keys are tied to a specific domain name for security reasons"**: the keys were made for another domain name. Use keys that belong to the domain of your shop.
- **"We couldn't contact the hCAPTCHA server to verify your answer. Please try again."**: your server could not reach hCaptcha. Check that it can make outgoing connections, then try again.
- **"The CAPTCHA solution was incorrect"**: the visitor failed the challenge; they can try again.
- **"The parameters were incorrect, make sure you are passing all the required parameters"** or **"The challenge parameter of the verify script was incorrect"**: the answer sent by the form was missing or expired. Reload the page and try again.
- **"Anti-bot Validation - Unknown error"**: hCaptcha refused the answer without giving a reason.