diff --git a/src/chasers/chaser_validate.cpp b/src/chasers/chaser_validate.cpp
index 53755d99..34c1aaa4 100644
--- a/src/chasers/chaser_validate.cpp
+++ b/src/chasers/chaser_validate.cpp
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ void chaser_validate::do_bumped(height_t height) NOEXCEPT
 
         const auto bypass = is_under_checkpoint(height) ||
             query.is_milestone(link);
-        const auto silent = height >= query.silent_start_height();
+        const auto silent = query.is_silent(link, height);
 
         switch (ec.value())
         {
diff --git a/src/chasers/chaser_validate_parallel.cpp b/src/chasers/chaser_validate_parallel.cpp
index a2314cc4..110978f4 100644
--- a/src/chasers/chaser_validate_parallel.cpp
+++ b/src/chasers/chaser_validate_parallel.cpp
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ code chaser_validate::validate(bool& batched, bool& capturing, bool bypass,
 
     // Defer block state change when batched.
     // Valid must be set after set_prevouts, set_filter_body, and set_silent.
-    if (!batched && !bypass && !query.set_block_valid(link))
+    if (!batched && !query.set_block_valid(link))
         return error::validate10;
 
     return error::success;
diff --git a/src/protocols/protocol_header_in_31800.cpp b/src/protocols/protocol_header_in_31800.cpp
index d58bab12..cd7e3c2c 100644
--- a/src/protocols/protocol_header_in_31800.cpp
+++ b/src/protocols/protocol_header_in_31800.cpp
@@ -129,13 +129,26 @@ void protocol_header_in_31800::synchronize(const headers& message,
         return;
     }
 
-    // A message not extending the branch restarts from its stored parent.
-    // An unstored parent (announcement) is requested from the candidate.
+    // A message that does not extend the branch restarts from the parent of
+    // its first header. A single header with an unknown parent is an
+    // announcement from a peer that is ahead, so headers are requested from
+    // the top candidate. Multiple headers with an unknown parent are a
+    // response from a peer that does not connect to our locator, so the
+    // peer is dropped.
     const auto& first = ptrs.front()->previous_block_hash();
     if ((!state_ || first != state_->hash()) && !restart(first))
     {
+        const code ec{ error::orphan_header };
+        if (!is_one(ptrs.size()))
+        {
+            LOGR("Headers (" << ptrs.size() << ") from [" << opposite()
+                << "] " << ec.message());
+            stop(ec);
+            return;
+        }
+
         LOGP("Header [" << encode_hash(ptrs.front()->get_hash()) << "] from ["
-            << opposite() << "] " << code{ error::orphan_header }.message());
+            << opposite() << "] " << ec.message());
         SEND(create_get_headers(), handle_send, _1);
         return;
     }