If you’re seeing the error message “Oops, something went wrong… You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy” when trying to watch Netflix, it’s bad news.
Your VPN server’s IP address has been blacklisted by Netflix. Don’t worry though – there’s a few fixes you can try to resolve the problem.
In this article, we help you understand how the Netflix VPN ban works and what you can do to beat it!
We also list five excellent VPNs that still work with US Netflix (see below).
See also:
- Netflix not working with NordVPN? Here’s some EASY fixes! (August 2022)
- ExpressVPN not working with Netflix? Here’s how to fix that! (August 2021)
Netflix error code m7111-5059?
The “Netflix error code m7111-5059” simply means that the VPN you’re using has been detected by Netflix (more on this later).
Follow the steps below to find out how to stop seeing the m7111-5059 error code when connecting to Netflix via a VPN.
Netflix not working with VPN: Quick guide
Netflix only blocks the IP addresses of some VPNs. Good VPN still work with Netflix.
Follow the steps below to and you’ll be able to watch Netflix (again) from anywhere in the world.
Delete Cookies
If Netflix is no longer working with your VPN, a good place to start is deleting your Cookies.
Cookies are small files used to streamline your online experience. For example Netflix uses Cookies so you don’t have to input your login details everytime you access Netflix.
While they aren’t malicious files Cookies do contain information about where you’re located. This can be a problem.
If the Cookies show a different location than the location you’re connecting to with your VPN, Netflix will know you’re using a VPN and will block your connection.
To fix this, try deleting your Cookies.
Change to a different server
The most likely reason you’re coming across errors with your current VPN, is because Netflix has identified and blocked the IP address your VPN has given you.
This doesn’t necessarily mean it has been able to block all of the IP addresses your VPN can provide though.
Changing to a different server will give you a different IP address. If this one hasn’t been blocked by Netflix, your VPN will work with the streaming service again.
Upgrade to a better VPN
If deleting your Cookies and changing to a different server doesn’t fix Netflix not working with VPN, your VPN hasn’t been able to get around Netflix’s VPN blocking methods.
This is potentially something that could take a long time to fix, as your VPN will need to purchase and release new IP addresses and build an infrastructure that prevents those new IPs from being blocked. This isn’t cheap and could take a long time.
To properly fix Netflix not working with VPN, you need to upgrade to a VPN that already has this sort of infrastructure in place. ExpressVPN ($6.66/month) is the best VPN on the market and it has measures in place that will allow you to watch Netflix reliably without issues.
How Netflix detects VPNs?
A cheap, oversubscribed VPN is easy for Netflix to detect.
Too many people connecting from the same (VPN) IP address is basically how all VPN IP addresses get detected and blacklisted by the streaming service.
An IP address is like a telephone number, complete with a dialling code. Every internet connection in the world has its own unique IP address. Your IP address reveals (to a website) which country/city your internet connection is coming from.
VPNs make money by sharing a small number of servers/IPs with a larger number of customers. When you use a low-end VPN, you’re sharing your IP address with a lot of other customers. So naturally, this IP will be detected and blacklisted by Netflix first.
The best VPNs, such as ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or Private Internet Access ($2.03/month) provide users with access to a lot more servers and IPs. This is important as it allows them to spread their customers across their IPs. Keeping them undetected as the number of customers connected to Netflix via each IP remains under Netflix’s “abnormal” threshold.
ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) or Private Internet Access ($2.03/month) also play a game of Cat and Mouse with Netflix. When one of their IP addresses is detected and blacklisted, they react by shutting it down and opening a fresh (undetected) IP. This will allow you to watch Netflix reliably anywhere in the world and will prevent you running into the same problems you’re coming across with your current VPN.

Why does Netflix block VPNs?
It’s common knowledge that Netflix has different size libraries for different countries. This is due to the third-party content Netflix includes in its library.
Let’s use the TV show Frasier for example. You can watch it on US Netflix, but not on UK Netflix. This is because Netflix US has bought distribution rights from Paramount (the show’s producers and rights holders). However, Netflix doesn’t have the same distribution rights for the UK. Channel 4 and 4OD does.
But, if a UK Netflix subscriber uses a VPN to spoof their internet connection to somewhere in the US, they can use their same Netflix account to watch Frasier on US Netflix.
This is a global problem for Netflix. Part of the reason US Netflix has a much bigger library than any other region is that there are more subscribers in the US than any other country.
TV & Film distributors recognise this and sell their content to Netflix accordingly.
Netflix’s recent crackdown on VPNs is likely to be due to pressure put on them by the third-party rights holders it licences content from.
What to do when Netflix detects VPN?
The best workaround for the Netflix VPN block is to simply use a VPN with servers/IPs that aren’t blacklisted by Netflix. It’s as easy as that.
These can be tricky to find and verify. So we recommend you use one of the VPNs featured below. These VPNs play a game of Cat and Mouse with Netflix. When Netflix blacklists one of its IP addresses, the VPNs open a new one and direct their customers to it.
If you want to start watching US Netflix (again) all you need to do is sign up with one of the VPNs listed below and connect to a US server.

Why does Netflix block VPNs?
It’s common knowledge that Netflix has different size libraries for different countries. This is due to the third-party content Netflix includes in its library.
Let’s use the TV show Frasier for example. You can watch it on US Netflix, but not on UK Netflix. This is because Netflix US has bought distribution rights from Paramount (the show’s producers and rights holders). However, Netflix doesn’t have the same distribution rights for the UK. Channel 4 and 4OD does.
But, if a UK Netflix subscriber uses a VPN to spoof their internet connection to somewhere in the US, they can use their same Netflix account to watch Frasier on US Netflix.
This is a global problem for Netflix. Part of the reason US Netflix has a much bigger library than any other region is that there are more subscribers in the US than any other country.
Data released by Statistica highlights the mismatch. In Q4 2017, Netflix had 54.8m subscribers in the US and 62.8m international subscribers. Netflix has customers in 160 different territories. With 159 of these only just overtaking the number it has in America. Which means more buying power for the US. Hence the bigger and better library.
TV & Film distributors recognise this and sell their content to Netflix accordingly. Netflix’s recent crackdown on VPNs is likely to be due to pressure put on them by the third-party rights holders it licences content from.
The best VPNs to watch Netflix
1. ExpressVPN
The fastest and MOST reliable VPN of 2022

Pros
- Fast servers
- Thousands of IP addresses
- 10-simultaneous connections
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Easy-to-use app
Cons
- Expensive
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2. 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
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3. NordVPN
A very quick and trustworthy VPN

Pro
- 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 – $3.49/month
4. Ivacy
The great budget VPN option

Pros
- Fast servers
- Thousands of IP addresses
- Dedicated streaming servers
- 5-simultaneous connections
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only 5 devices
- Sometimes runs slow
- Occasionally blocked by streaming sites
SPECIAL OFFER: 7-DAY TRIAL ($0.99)
5. CyberGhost

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
30-day money-back guarantee