In this article, I will explain how to fix ExpressVPN not working with BBC iPlayer.
If you’re watching BBC iPlayer with ExpressVPN and suddenly it has stopped working, the BBC has been able to identify and block all of the IP addresses ExpressVPN can provide.
This is obviously frustrating as what was once working now doesn’t work. However, there is an easy way to fix this issue.
To fix ExpressVPN not working with BBC iPlayer, follow the simple steps below. And to find out how you can prevent this issue from arising again, read the entire article, where I’ll go into more detail.
See also:
- How to watch BBC iPlayer abroad: The EASY 2-minute method!
- BBC iPlayer not working with VPN? Here’s how I FIXED that!
- How to get BBC iPlayer on the US App Store: The SIMPLE method!
ExpressVPN not working with BBC iPlayer: Quick Guide
There are a few simple steps you can take to try and resolve this issue. If one step doesn’t work, move onto the next one and see if that fixes ExpressVPN not working with BBC iPlayer:
Total Time: 2 minutes
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Delete Cookies
When you visit websites, you may have come across a popup asking you to accept cookies. These cookies aren’t malicious, they are designed to streamline your online browsing. However, they do contain information that discloses your location.
The BBC can potentially use these cookies to determine where you are when you connect to BBC iPlayer. If the BBC finds you are outside of its broadcast zone (the UK), it will block you from accessing the content.
Deleting your cookies is a good first step to take when trying to fix ExpressVPN not working with BBC iPlayer.
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Change to a different UK server
If ExpressVPN has suddenly stopped working with BBC iPlayer, then the BBC has managed to block the IP address that ExpressVPN has provided. Although this is the case with this particular IP, it doesn’t mean that all of ExpressVPN’s IP addresses have been blocked.
Changing to a different UK server will give you a new IP address, and if that one hasn’t been blocked by the BBC then ExpressVPN will work with BBC iPlayer.
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Upgrade to a better VPN
If neither of the two steps above work, then the BBC has managed to block all of the IP addresses that ExpressVPN can provide.
The easiest way to get around this is to upgrade to a better VPN like Private Internet Access ($2.03/month). It has fast UK based servers, it works well with BBC iPlayer, and most importantly, it has measures in place that will prevent the BBC from being able to block all of its IP addresses.
If you want to watch BBC iPlayer reliably and not run into the problems you’ve run into with ExpressVPN, then Private Internet Access ($2.03/month) will do a great job.
How does the BBC block ExpressVPN?
Even though you may have been reliably using BBC iPlayer with ExpressVPN, the BBC has been trying to block VPNs from connecting to its service for a long time.
Much like other streaming services, like Britbox, Sky Go and Amazon Prime, the BBC uses specific VPN blocking techniques to prevent VPNs from connecting to its service.
- The most common technique is all to do with the IP addresses ExpressVPN can provide. ExpressVPN more customers than IP addresses, and this results in customers having to share IPs. The BBC monitors for an abnormal amount (more than a standard household) of connections coming from the same IP address. When it sees hundreds or thousands of connections coming from the same IP, it knows that this is an ExpressVPN IP address, and it blocks it.
- The BBC monitors for IP, DNS and WebRTC leaks that can tip the service off you are using a VPN.
- The BBC teams up with GeoIP databases like Maxmind to identify IP addresses. If the IP address your VPN provides is on one of these databases, the BBC will be able to find out where in the world you are connecting to the internet from and it will block you.

Does BBC iPlayer still work with VPNs?
Yes, BBC iPlayer still works with VPNs. However, you need a VPN that is still compatible with BBC iPlayer. We recommend Private Internet Access ($2.03/month) because this VPN works well with BBC iPlayer. It has plenty of UK IP addresses, fast UK servers, and most importantly, it is very good at getting around the BBC’s VPN blocking techniques.
When the BBC blocks an IP address provided by Private Internet Access ($2.03/month), this VPN will close that IP address and open a new one. This cat and mouse game ensures that Private Internet Access ($2.03/month) stays one step ahead of the BBC’s blocks. This not only allows you to watch BBC iPlayer anywhere in the world reliably, but it also prevents the same issues occurring as you have found with ExpressVPN.
Below is a list of VPNs that all work well with BBC iPlayer, and all play that cat and mouse game staying one step ahead of the BBC’s VPN blocking techniques.
The best VPNs to watch BBC iPlayer
1. Private Internet Access 🥇
The BEST low-cost VPN for streaming!

Pros
- ✅ Fast and reliable servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 10-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 24/7 Live Chat
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- ❌ Only 48 server locations

Special Offer for you!
Sign up for a 3-year plan with Private Internet Access and save 83% + 3 months free. That works out at $2.03/month.
Number of servers: 25,000+ | Speed: >75% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 70 in 74 countries | Devices supported: 10 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $2.03/month for 3 years
- $7.50/month for 6 months
- $11.99/month for 1 month
Private Internet Access is one of the leading no-log VPN services with over 1-million paying customers.
This VPN is one of the best in the industry at beating streaming sites’ VPN bans. It provides reliable connections with US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+ Amazon Prime Video, etc. It also allows 10 simultaneous devices to be connected to its servers at the same time, so you can share the account with your close friends.
If – for whatever reason – you’re not happy with Private Internet Access, there’s a 24/7 live chat support available to assist you with your problem. PIA also offers the industry-standard 30-day money-back guarantee.
From my tests (from New Zealand) I was able to get download speeds of 70 Mbps while connected to a UK server using the Private Internet Access VPN (my non-VPN speed is 100 Mbps).
Special Offer – Save 83%
(30-day money-back guarantee)
2. NordVPN 🥈
A very quick and trustworthy VPN

Pros
- ✅ Fast servers
- ✅ No logs
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 6-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✅ Easy-to-use app
Cons
- ❌ No refunds for purchases from iTunes/App store

Special Offer for you!
Sign up for a 3-year plan with Private Internet Access and save 83% + 3 months free. That works out at $2.03/month.
Number of servers: 5,000+ | Speeds: >80% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 62 countries | Devices supported: 6 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $3.49/month for 2 years
- $6.99/month for 1 year
- $11.95/month for 1 month
NordVPN is the most widely-used VPN in the world. And it’s easy to see why. It’s a polished app that delivers fast connections (more on this later) to a massive network of VPN servers.
It’s the most reliable at unblocking popular streaming services too – US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, etc. This is because NordVPN hired a full-time technical team (that’s responsible for monitoring its servers’ connections with popular TV streaming services) and has been aggressively investing in its network of IP addresses in key locations.
Another interesting thing to note is that NordVPN is an industry leader in its development of Nordlynx technology. Nordlynx is built using the WireGuard, a new VPN tunneling protocol designed to outperform current standards (OpenVPN and IPSec). The benefits, according to NordVPN, are dramatically faster transfer speeds while connected to a VPN. My tests – New Zealand to London – confirm that Nordlynx is currently the fastest VPN on the market. However, the difference isn’t dramatic, a few Mbps is all.
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE 70%!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
3. Ivacy 🥉
A very quick and trustworthy VPN

Pros
- ✅ Fast servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ Dedicated streaming servers
- ✅ 5-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✅ 24/7 Live Chat
Cons
- ❌ Only 5 devices
- ❌ Sometimes runs slow
- ❌ Occasionally block by streaming sites for several days

Special Offer for you!
Sign up for Ivacy and enjoy a 7-day trial with no strings attached
Number of servers: 1,000+ | Speed: >65% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 275 in 100 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $1.16/month for 5 years
- $3.50/month for 1 year
- $9.99/month for 1 month
If you’re looking for an excellent VPN, with an even better price tag, Ivacy ($1.16/month) is a great option.
This VPN has all the features you need to stream BBC iPlayer, in HD, from any country in the world. I’ve been testing the app recently on Mac, PC, Android, iOS and FireStick and the results have been impressive – unlocking BBC iPlayer, US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, etc. with ease.
The Ivacy app is a little different in regards to its UX (user experience). Instead of just selecting a UK server, you need to select the specific BBC iPlayer server. Don’t worry, this isn’t a bad thing – by connecting to a dedicated BBC iPlayer server, it simply means that you’re connecting to an IP address that Ivacy knows works with BBC iPlayer.
For an extra $1.99/month (£1.74) you can add-on a dedicated IP. This will buy you sole access to an IP address in a country of your choice, meaning you won’t have to share your IP (and speeds) with any other use. I don’t recommend this though, using the regular Ivacy servers is enough 95 per cent of the time.
Special Offer – 7-day FREE trial!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
4. CyberGhost
A very quick and trustworthy VPN

Pros
- ✅ 1-day free trial
- ✅ Reliable servers
- ✅ Thousands of IP addresses
- ✅ 7-simultaneous connections
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✅ Easy-to-use app
Cons
- ❌ Expensive
- ❌ Average speed scores

SPECIAL OFFER – 1-DAY FREE TRIAL
Take advantage of CyberGhost’s 1-day FREE TRIAL!
Number of servers: 1,000+ | Speed: >65% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 275 in 100 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
- $2.75/month for 3 years
- $3.69/month for 2 years
- $5.99/month for 1 year
- $12.99/month for 1 month
CyberGhost is one of the more established VPNs on the market. It has a well-established, and well-tested global network of servers that perform well.
From my tests over the past several months, CyberGhost has no trouble at unblocking major streaming services – US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max etc. This VPN performed well at maintaining download speeds, well above 65 per cent of my regular (non VPN) ISP speed.
That said, there’s nothing really unique about the service. Which forces you to look at its price-point. And there’s nothing special here. Its short-term $12.99/month price tag puts is well above the industry average of $10.10/month. Similarly, its long-term $2.75/month for 3 years deal isn’t much of a “deal” either.
Oddly, CyberGhost’s most unique feature is its a 1-day, no obligations, free trial. This is an appealing offer to customers who are new to VPNs. However, it’s important to remember that most reputable VPNs will offer customers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so try not to be too seduced by the offer.
SPECIAL OFFER – 1-DAY FREE TRIAL
(30-day money-back guarantee)
Is watching BBC iPlayer with a VPN legal?
There are only a handful of countries (spot the authoritarianism link) where using a VPN is illegal; these are: China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, North Korea, Iraq, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Egypt, Eritrea, Seychelles, Suriname, Namibia, Slovenia, Nicaragua and Tajikistan.
If you’re outside these countries and are using a VPN, you’re legally allowed to do so. However, it’s important to know that using a VPN with BBC iPlayer may breach the service’s terms of use.
In here it states: “You need to be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record live TV programmes on any channel, or to watch or download BBC programmes on iPlayer when you’re in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. If you’re outside these areas you need to check if your country has its own TV licensing scheme.”
What this means is if you’re accessing BBC iPlayer in a location that doesn’t have a TV licensing scheme with a VPN, then the BBC is within its rights to ban/block your connection or account.
However, with BBC iPlayer being a free streaming service that doesn’t require any sort of subscription, you aren’t obliged to accept a contractual agreement meaning there’s less restrictions when it comes to using a VPN with the streaming service.
This means, although BBC iPlayer will try and stop you from accessing its content with a VPN. It won’t ban your account for using one.
Also, BBC iPlayer has never banned anyone for using a VPN to access its service.
For more information you can check out our article answering Is streaming with a VPN legal?