ExpressVPN not working with Netflix? Don’t panic, there’s a number of fixes you can try to resolve this issue.
If you’ve been watching Netflix with ExpressVPN and it’s no longer working, Netflix has managed to identify all the IP addresses ExpressVPN can currently provide and has blocked them.
Usually, ExpressVPN works very well with Netflix, and it sits at the top of our best VPNs list however, on occasion Netflix introduces new VPN blocking techniques that can take some time for ExpressVPN to get around.
This article will explain how to fix ExpressVPN not working with Netflix, so you can get back to watching your favourite Netflix shows with private, safe, online connection again.
The best VPNs for Netflix
Our Pick 🥇
Private Internet Access

- Install on an unlimited amount of devices
- Independently audited no-logs policy
- A bundle of features for an affordable price
Runner-up
NordVPN

- Incredibly reliable servers
- Proprietary NordLynx protocol
- Available on most devices
Budget Option
Ivacy

- One of the most affordable VPNs
- Advanced features like port forwarding
- Option for a personal dedicated IP address
Budget Option
CyberGhost

- Reliable NoSpy servers
- Servers in over 90 countries worldwide
- Kill Switch and Split Tunneling support
ExpressVPN not working with Netflix: Quick Fixes
Total Time: 2 minutes
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Change to a different server on ExpressVPN
If you’re coming across ExpressVPN not working with Netflix issues, the IP address you’ve been allocated has been identified and blocked by Netflix.
To fix this, try changing to a different server on ExpressVPN. This will give you a different IP address and if that one hasn’t been blocked, you’ll be able to watch Netflix with ExpressVPN again.
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Use a VPN that currently works with Netflix
If changing to a different server doesn’t fix the ExpressVPN not working with Netflix issue, then all of ExpressVPN’s IP addresses have been blocked by Netflix.
To get around this, you can either wait for ExpressVPN to fix the issue, or you can use a VPN that currently works with Netflix.
We recommend, using Private Internet Access ($2.03/month) because there’s no telling how long it will take for ExpressVPN to fix the problem.
Private Internet Access ($2.03/month) is a very good VPN that excelled in all of our VPN tests. It has fast servers all over the world, it’s incredibly secure, and it has measures in place to help prevent Netflix from being able to block all of its IP addresses.
We’ve been using Private Internet Access ($2.03/month) to watch US Netflix in New Zealand for years. You can check out our full Private Internet Access review here.
Disclaimer: ExpressVPN usually works very well with Netflix, however on occasion it can fall victim to Netflix’s increasingly stringent VPN blocking techniques. To ensure you can watch Netflix reliably with a VPN at all times, we recommend subscribing to multiple VPNs. If one isn’t working, try the other one. It’s highly unlikely both VPNs will have all their IP addresses blocked at the same time.
Why is ExpressVPN not working with Netflix?
ExpressVPN isn’t working with Netflix because the streaming service has blocked all of the IP addresses it can currently provide.
Recently, Netflix has started trying to block VPN connections from accessing its servers. And as time goes by, Netflix only gets better at doing this.
VPNs can allow users to access Netflix content in locations where Netflix doesn’t have the rights to broadcast that content. This can be seen as Netflix breaching its copyright and licensing agreements, which can often be met with huge fines.
To stop that from happening, Netflix tries to block all VPNs. And ExpressVPN has stopped working with Netflix because the measures it has to prevent Netflix from identifying all of its IP addresses have stopped working.
If you’re coming across issues with ExpressVPN not working with Netflix, the IP address you’ve been given has been blocked.
Does ExpressVPN work with Netflix?
Usually, ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs to use with Netflix.
However, if you’re having issues watching Netflix with ExpressVPN, then Netflix has managed to identify and block all the IP addresses ExpressVPN currently has available.
First, we recommend changing to a different server to see if that fixes the issue. But it may simply be a case of ExpressVPN no longer being able to stay one step ahead of Netflix’s VPN-blocking techniques.
If this is the case and changing to a different server doesn’t fix ExpressVPN not working with Netflix, we recommend using a different VPN that has a good track record of working with Netflix. From our experience and our tests, the best VPN for that is Private Internet Access ($2.03/month).
With two VPNs, you can try the other if one gets blocked by Netflix. It’s highly unlikely Netflix will manage to block the IP addresses provided by two VPNs at the same time. This way, you can watch all your favourite Netflix content anywhere worldwide without running into Netflix not working with VPN issues.

Does Netflix still work with VPNs?
Netflix still works with a VPN, but you need to use a VPN that’s still compatible with the service. You need a VPN that hasn’t had all of its IP addresses blocked by Netflix.
If you’re coming across ExpressVPN not working with Netflix problems, you can wait for ExpressVPN to release more IP addresses that Netflix hasn’t blocked. But there’s no telling how long this will take.
To fix the problem, you need a VPN that plays a game of cat and mouse with Netflix. You need a VPN like Private Internet Access ($2.03/month)
When Netflix identifies and blocks an IP provided by Private Internet Access ($2.03/month), this VPN will close that IP and open a new one.
This will help in ensuring you can watch Netflix anywhere in the world reliably, and it will help to prevent the errors you’ve run into with ExpressVPN not working with Netflix from happening again.
The best VPN services (September 2023)
1. NordVPN $3.79/month
An incredibly fast and trustworthy VPN
- ✔Over 5,000 servers worldwide
- ✔6 simultaneous devices
- ✔Reliable customer service
- ✔Fast NordLynx protocol
- ✔Cybersec ad and tracker blocker
- ✔Easy to use interface

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.
Read our full NordVPN review.
Special Offer for you!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
2. Private Internet Access $2.03/month
An affordable, reliable VPN
- ✔35,000 servers worldwide
- ✔Unlimited simultaneous devices
- ✔24/7 chat support
- ✔Servers in over 80 countries
- ✔MACE ad blocker included
- ✔Supports multiple protocols

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, MAX, Disney+ Amazon Prime, and many more.
Even better, it allows for an unlimited number of simultaneous devices to be connected to its servers at the same time. So you can share the account with all of your friends.
Read our full Private Internet Access review.
Special Offer for you!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
3. Ivacy $1.00/month
A trustworthy and affordable VPN
- ✔5700+ servers worldwide
- ✔10 simultaneous devices
- ✔24/7 customer support
- ✔Dedicated IP address option
- ✔Available on all major platforms
- ✔Great price

If you’re looking for an excellent VPN, with an even better price tag, Ivacy ($1.00/month) is a great option.
While it doesn’t do much more than the other VPNs on this list, the main attraction is the price. This is an affordable VPN that will allow you to stream BBC iPlayer, in HD, from any country in the world on Mac, PC, Android, iOS and FireStick. You’ll also be able to unlock other services like US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, MAX, Amazon Prime, etc. with ease.
Read our full Ivacy review.
Special Offer for you!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
4. CyberGhost $2.19/month
A solid VPN package
- ✔Deloitte verified no logs policy
- ✔Servers in 91 countries
- ✔7 simulatenous devices
- ✔Proprietary NoSpy servers
- ✔Multiple protocol options
- ✔Split tunneling support

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.
It also offers NoSpy servers which are specially designed to provide an extra layer of security and privacy for users.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
Special Offer for you!
(30-day money-back guarantee)
Can I use a free VPN to watch Netflix?
When it comes to watching Netflix with a VPN, a free VPN can be an enticing option. However, most of the time, free VPNs won’t work with the streaming service.
From our tests, we found that free VPNs struggle with four key criteria when trying to watch Netflix:
- Limited Security: Free VPNs often aren’t as secure as other VPNs. They don’t usually have strong encryption protocols, and some free VPNs have even been found logging user data. This means the VPN is collecting your online data and, in some cases, selling it to third parties. This compromises your online privacy and goes against the main reason for using a VPN in the first place.
- Feature restrictions: If you’re using a free VPN, you’ll probably come across limitations in regard to the features. There may be a limit on the number of servers you can access, there are often limits on the amount of data you can use with the VPN, and there have even been examples of reductions in speed. This can hamper the online experience and make streaming content or downloading files with the VPN difficult.
- Lack of customer support: VPNs can sometimes be tricky to navigate, and the best VPNs often have customer support to assist you when you’re having trouble. Free VPNs very rarely have customer support options.
- Limited server locations: If you’re using a VPN to watch a streaming service, it’s better to have more servers worldwide. Free VPNs often have severe limitations in regard to how many servers they have available. This can make it more difficult to access specific content.
Is watching Netflix with a VPN legal?
In most countries, using a VPN is 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 some streaming services may breach that service’s terms of use.
If you subscribe to a streaming service, you automatically accept its terms of use. If we look at Netflix’s terms of use, it states, “You may access the Netflix content primarily within the country in which you have established your account and only in geographic locations where we offer our service and have licensed such content.”And “You also agree not to circumvent, remove, alter, deactivate, degrade or thwart any of the content protections in the
Netflix service; use any robot, spider, scraper or other automated means to access the Netflix service… We may terminate or restrict your use of our service if you violate these Terms of Use or are engaged in illegal or fraudulent use of the service.”
This means, Netflix can stop your subscription and ban you from the streaming service if you try to access its content with a VPN turned on.
However, given the wide-spread use of VPNs, plus the many legitimate and legal use cases for VPNs, it’s fair to suggest that banning customers for using a VPN would be a heavy-handed and financially costly policy for Netflix (and other streaming services) to enforce.
If you’re trying to watch Netflix in a region where it does not traditionally operate or you’re trying to change the location of the Netflix library, you risk having your account banned. In theory. However, as the best VPNs for Netflix use military-grade encryption it is impossible for Netflix to trace where you’re physically accessing its content from.
There’s one final thing to note on the subject: Netflix has never banned anyone for using a VPN to access its service.
IMO yes it’s worth the money 🙂