diff --git a/sidecars/reddit-post/tests/reddit-post.spec.js b/sidecars/reddit-post/tests/reddit-post.spec.js
index f540bc6..5a396db 100644
--- a/sidecars/reddit-post/tests/reddit-post.spec.js
+++ b/sidecars/reddit-post/tests/reddit-post.spec.js
@@ -42,16 +42,41 @@ test.describe('reddit post', () => {
     try {
       await page.goto('https://www.reddit.com/login/');
 
-      await page.fill('input[name="username"]', /** @type {string} */ (username));
-      await page.fill('input[name="password"]', /** @type {string} */ (password));
-      await page.click('button[type="submit"]');
+      const blockedHeading = page.getByText(/blocked by network security/i);
+      if (await blockedHeading.isVisible({ timeout: 3_000 }).catch(() => false)) {
+        outcome = {
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Reddit blocked this request at the network level ("blocked by network security") before login could be attempted — this is not a credentials or selector issue, it means the current network/IP is being flagged as automation by Reddit',
+        };
+        outcomeFinalized = true;
+        throw new Error(outcome.error);
+      }
+
+      const rejectCookies = page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Reject Optional Cookies' });
+      if (await rejectCookies.isVisible({ timeout: 5_000 }).catch(() => false)) {
+        await rejectCookies.click();
+      }
+
+      const usernameField = page.getByLabel(/email or username/i);
+      await usernameField.click();
+      await usernameField.fill(/** @type {string} */ (username));
+
+      const passwordField = page.getByLabel(/^password/i);
+      await passwordField.click();
+      await passwordField.fill(/** @type {string} */ (password));
+
+      await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Log In' }).click();
 
       try {
         await expect(page.locator('span[name="avatar"], #USER_DROPDOWN_ID, [icon-name="account-circle-outline"]').first()).toBeVisible({ timeout: 20_000 });
       } catch {
+        const loginErrorBanner = page.getByText(/something went wrong logging in|invalid username|invalid password/i);
+        const bannerText = await loginErrorBanner.first().textContent().catch(() => null);
         outcome = {
           success: false,
-          error: 'Login did not complete — possible CAPTCHA, 2FA prompt, or invalid credentials',
+          error: bannerText
+            ? `Login failed: ${bannerText.trim()}`
+            : 'Login did not complete — possible CAPTCHA, 2FA prompt, or invalid credentials',
         };
         outcomeFinalized = true;
         throw new Error(outcome.error);