Netflix not working with VPN? Try these EASY fixes! (September 2023)

Netflix not working with VPN? This has happened because the streaming service has managed to block the IP address your VPN has given you.

To fix this, you need to use a VPN that’s specifically equipped for streaming Netflix. Alternatively, you can try changing to a different server that might not have been blocked, and see if that fixes Netflix not working with VPN.

This article will explain why your VPN is no longer working with Netflix and how you can fix it. We’ve also included a number of additional fixes you can try to resolve the problem if changing to a better VPN doesn’t work.

The best VPNs for Netflix

Netflix not working with VPN: Quick fixes

Why is Netflix not working with VPN?

The reason you’re coming across the issue, Netflix not working with VPN, is because Netflix has managed to block the IP addresses your VPN can currently provide.

The reason it does this is because Netflix doesn’t have the rights to broadcast its content anywhere in the world. For example, just because a TV show or film is available on US Netflix, doesn’t mean it will be available on UK or Australian Netflix. A good example of this is trying to watch Band of Brothers on Netflix, it’s available on the US Netflix library but nowhere else.

Content is only available on Netflix in locations where the streaming service has purchased the rights to broadcast that content. If you’re trying to watch a TV show and Netflix hasn’t purchased the rights to that show in your location, it won’t be on your Netflix library.

The good news is VPNs are potentially good ways to get around this and watch any Netflix content anywhere in the world. However, someone using a VPN to watch Netflix in a location where it doesn’t have the rights to broadcast it breaches Netflix’s copyright and licensing agreements it has with its partners. And these sorts of breaches are often met with financial penalties.

Netflix doesn’t want to get fined, so it has started adopting measures to block VPNs from accessing its service.

If you’re coming across issues with Netflix not working with VPN, your VPN has been blocked by Netflix.

Does Netflix work with a VPN?

Yes, Netflix stills works with a VPN however you need to use a VPN that can get around Netflix’s VPN blocking techniques.

This means you need a VPN with fast servers all over the world, that offers a 100% secure connection and most importantly has measures in place to prevent all of its IP addresses getting blocked by Netflix.

The best VPNs for Netflix meet all these criteria. The very best VPNs for watching Netflix libraries anywhere in the world are  ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) and Private Internet Access ($2.03/month).

Both these VPNs play a game of cat and mouse with Netflix. If Netflix manages to identify an IP address provided by either of these VPNs, both  ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) and Private Internet Access ($2.03/month) will close that IP address and open a new unblocked one.

This will ensure you can watch Netflix with a VPN reliably anywhere in the world. And you won’t come across issues with Netflix not working with VPN again.

Can I use a free VPN to watch Netflix?

Free VPNs are attractive choices when trying to secure your online connection or watch Netflix libraries in a different location. However, there are a number of reasons why we don’t recommend using a free VPN.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

The five best VPN services (September 2023)

Additional Netflix not working with VPN fixes

If changing to a different server doesn’t fix Netflix not working with VPN, your VPN has most likely fallen victim to Netflix’s VPN blocking techniques. The best way to fix this is to upgrade to a VPN that works reliably with Netflix. From our tests the best for this is ExpressVPN ($6.67/month).

However, if ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) isn’t for you there are some additional fixes you can try to resolve the problem.

1. Delete Cookies: Cookies are small files designed to make your online experience more streamlined. The problem is, in order to do that, often Cookies contain information disclosing your physical location. If the location stored on your Cookies differs from the location you’re using with your VPN, Netflix can potentially realise the discrepancy and block the connection.
2. Reinstall your VPN: On occasion your VPN can inadvertently download bugs or errors. These can result in the VPN not working properly. A good way to get rid of bugs is to completely reinstall the VPN software. This will give you a clean version of the VPN removing any bugs or errors that are causing Netflix not working with VPN.
3. Change to a different protocol: VPN protocols are sets of rules that determine how your data is rerouted through your VPN servers. Check and see if your VPN supports multiple protocols and change to one you’re not using. Your VPN might not be working because the protocol you’re using isn’t fast or secure enough to work reliably with Netflix.

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.