If you’ve been watching Showtime with ExpressVPN and it’s not working, Showtime has identified and blocked all the IP addresses ExpressVPN can provide.
Usually, ExpressVPN works well with Showtime; however, if you can’t resolve the issue, the measures ExpressVPN has in place to ensure it works reliably with Showtime are no longer working.
From here, you can wait for ExpressVPN to fix the issue or fix the problem yourself.
This article will explain how you can fix ExpressVPN not working with Showtime, and if you read to the end of the article, we’ll explain how you can prevent these sorts of errors from coming up again in the future.
See also:
- How to watch Showtime outside the US: The EASY method! (2023)
- Showtime not working with VPN? Try these EASY fixes! (2023)
ExpressVPN not working with Showtime: Fixes
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Delete Cookies
Cookies are small files saved on your device to streamline your online experience.
They aren’t dangerous files. However, they can cause issues when using a VPN.
To streamline your online activity, some Cookies contain information regarding your location. If that information differs from the location you’re selecting with ExpressVPN, Showtime knows you’re using a VPN and will block the connection.
To get around this, try deleting your Cookies.
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Change to a different US server on ExpressVPN
The good news is Showtime cannot block ExpressVPN entirely. The bad news is it can block the IP addresses ExpressVPN can provide.
If you were watching Showtime with ExpressVPN and it suddenly stopped working, chances are the IP address you’ve been given has been blocked by Showtime.
Changing to a different server will give you a different IP address, and if that one hasn’t been blocked, you’ll be able to watch Showtime with ExpressVPN again.
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Change to a different protocol
ExpressVPN supports two protocols, OpenVPN and Lightway.
These protocols determine how ExpressVPN reroutes your data via its own servers. ‘
It might not be working with Showtime because the protocol you’re using is no longer compatible with the streaming service.
Try changing to a different protocol to see if that fixes the issues you’re having. We recommend Lightway.
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Update ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is constantly releasing updates. These often contain fixes for common issues customers are having with the VPN software.
These updates may contain a fix for Showtime not working with ExpressVPN.
To ensure you have these fixes update ExpressVPN to its latest version. -
Use a VPN that is compatible with Showtime
If the above fixes don’t resolve ExpressVPN not working with Showtime, then the streaming service has managed to identify and block all the IP addresses ExpressVPN can currently provide.
This has happened because ExpressVPN’s measures to ensure it works reliably with Showtime are no longer working.
To get around this issue, the best thing to do is to change to a VPN that is currently compatible with Showtime. We recommend NordVPN ($3.79/month)
NordVPN ($3.79/month) works very well with Showtime. It has fast US-based servers, and it has measures in place to ensure Showtime cannot block all of its IP addresses.
If Showtime manages to identify and block an IP address provided by NordVPN ($3.79/month), NordVPN ($3.79/month) will close that IP and open a new unblocked one, so there’s always one for you to connect to.
This will allow you to watch Showtime reliably anywhere in the world.
Why has ExpressVPN stopped working with Showtime?
ExpressVPN is an incredibly popular VPN, and it has a lot of customers, so much so that it cannot provide each customer with their own individual IP address.
When a VPN has a discrepancy between customers and IP addresses, they share IPs between their customers. This is a common practice and is the only way ExpressVPN can be economically viable.
The problem with this is it makes it easy for Showtime to identify an IP address provided by ExpressVPN.
Usually, only a household’s worth of devices will connect to Showtime via the same IP address. This equates to around ten connections. When ExpressVPN is forced to share IP addresses between its customers, it results in significantly more than ten connections.
Showtime sees this as abnormal activity and will block that IP address. Eventually, it can identify all the IP addresses ExpressVPN currently has and blocks them all.
ExpressVPN has stopped working with Showtime because it’s losing the battle wherein it needs to be closing blocked IP addresses and opening new unblocked ones to stay ahead of Showtime.
Why does Showtime block ExpressVPN?
Showtime tries to block all VPNs, not just ExpressVPN. It does this because VPNs are well-known ways to watch Showtime outside its broadcast zone, the US.
Showtime only has the rights to broadcast its content within US borders. If it made itself available outside the US, it would be infringing on copyright and licensing deals already in place with other streaming services in that location.
These infringements are often met with severe financial punishments and a customer using ExpressVPN to watch Showtime outside the US could result in Showtime being found guilty of this sort of infringement.
So, to protect itself, Showtime needs to employ methods and be seen trying to block VPNs like ExpressVPN.
Does Showtime work with VPN?
Yes, Showtime does work with VPNs. Just because ExpressVPN isn’t working with the streaming service doesn’t mean all VPNs are no longer compatible with Showtime.
With that said, there are a lot of VPNs out there that don’t work with Showtime. These are, more often than not, free VPNs which can’t afford to install measures to ensure they work reliably with Showtime.
If you want to watch Showtime with a VPN, you need to use a VPN that meets three key criteria:
- Fast US servers
- A guaranteed secure connection
- Measures in place to stay one step ahead of Showtime’s VPN blocks.
NordVPN ($3.19/month) meets all of these criteria. It has several super fast US servers, it can give you a secure, anonymous internet connection, and it plays a game of cat and mouse with Showtime.
Every now and again, an IP address provided by NordVPN ($3.19/month) might get identified by Showtime. A VPN cannot 100% guarantee they won’t have IP addresses blocked by Showtime; however, NordVPN ($3.19/month) uses a simple technique to ensure you can always connect to Showtime.
When an IP address provided by NordVPN ($3.19/month) gets blocked, NordVPN ($3.19/month) will close that IP and open a new unblocked one, so there’s always one for you to connect to. This will allow you to watch Showtime reliably anywhere in the world and will prevent you from coming across the same errors you’ve come across with ExpressVPN.
The best VPNs for Showtime
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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