If you’re trying to watch BBC iPlayer with Private Internet Access and it’s not working, don’t panic. There’s a number of fixes you can try to resolve this issue.
The reason it’s not working is because BBC iPlayer has managed to identify and block all of the IP addresses Private Internet Access currently has available for you to use.
Below is a list of fixes you can try to fix Private Internet Access not working with BBC iPlayer. Follow these in order. If one doesn’t work, move on to the next one until you can watch BBC iPlayer again.
See also:
- Private Internet Access not working with Netflix? Here’s how I FIXED that! (November 2021)
- CyberGhost not working with BBC iPlayer? Try these EASY fixes! (November 2021)
- Surfshark not working with BBC iPlayer? Try these EASY fixes! (November 2021)
Private Internet Access not working with BBC iPlayer: Fixes
Delete Cookies
Some websites ask you to accept Cookies. These are small files designed to streamline your online experience.
BBC iPlayer uses these to make your online experience faster and more accurate. However, in order to do this, Cookies need to contain information about your physical location.
Whether you’re using Private Internet Access or not, the BBC can potentially access this information, and if it finds you’re outside of its broadcast zone (the UK), it will block your connection.
To make sure this isn’t the cause of Private Internet Access not working with BBC iPlayer, delete your Cookies.
Change to a different UK server
The most probable reason Private Internet Access isn’t working with BBC iPlayer is because the IP address it has given you has been identified and blocked by the streaming service.
The good news is, the BBC cannot block Private Internet Access completely. But it can block the IP addresses it provides.
Changing to a different UK server will give you a new IP address, and if that one hasn’t been blocked by the BBC, Private Internet Access will work with the streaming service again.
Upgrade to a better VPN
If deleting your Cookies and changing to a different UK server doesn’t fix Private Internet Access not working with BBC iPlayer. Then the BBC has managed to identify and block all of Private Internet Access IP addresses.
This has happened because the measures Private Internet Access has in place to stay ahead of the BBC’s VPN blocking techniques are no longer working.
You can wait for Private Internet Access to release new IP addresses that haven’t been blocked. However, that could take a long time. And, the VPN would need to upgrade its techniques to get around the BBC’s blocks because if it doesn’t, the new IP addresses will inevitably get blocked as well. And this can take even longer.
To fix the issue properly, you need to upgrade to a VPN that’s still compatible with BBC iPlayer. We recommend NordVPN ($3.49/month) or Ivacy ($1.33/month).
Why has BBC iPlayer blocked Private Internet Access?
The BBC tries to prevent VPNs from connecting to iPlayer because of the copyright and licensing agreements it has with its content partners.
The BBC only has the rights to broadcast its content in the UK. It does not have international broadcast rights.
To prevent copyright and licensing issues from arising, the BBC blocks users outside of the UK from accessing its content.
Because Private Internet Access allows you to watch BBC iPlayer outside its broadcast zone, the BBC blocks IP addresses provided by the VPN from connecting to its service.
These blocks are why Private Internet Access is no longer working with BBC iPlayer.
How does the BBC block Private Internet Access?
The BBC is constantly trying to block VPNs. This isn’t unique to Private Internet Access. It happens to all VPNs.
Private Internet Access may have been working with BBC iPlayer reliably. However it constantly needs to stay one step ahead of the BBC’s VPN blocking techniques. If it’s no longer working, Private Internet Access is no longer doing that.
The BBC blocks Private Internet Access, using three main techniques:
- The most common technique is all to do with the IP addresses Private Internet Access can provide. Private Internet Access has 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 a Private Internet Access 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 the streaming service. NordVPN ($3.49/month) or Ivacy ($1.33/month) are good options.
Both of these VPNs have plenty of UK IP addresses, they have fast UK servers, and most importantly, they’re very good at getting around the BBC’s VPN blocks.
When the BBC blocks an IP address provided by NordVPN ($3.49/month) or Ivacy ($1.33/month), these VPNs will close that IP address and open a new one. This simple process will allow you to watch BBC iPlayer reliably anywhere in the world. And it will prevent you from running into the same issues you have come across with Private Internet Access.
The best VPNs to watch BBC iPlayer
1. NordVPN
The BEST VPN of 2022

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2. Ivacy
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3. ExpressVPN
A very reliable and fast VPN

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4. Private Internet Access
The BEST mid-range VPN for streaming!
Pros
- Fast and reliable servers
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- Only 48 server locations
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5. CyberGhost

Pros
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Cons
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