If you’ve been watching or are trying to watch ESPN+ with Private Internet Access and it’s not working, don’t panic. There are some simple fixes you can try to resolve this problem.
ESPN+ isn’t working because it has blocked the IP address Private Internet Access has given you. This has happened because ESPN is constantly trying to block Private Internet Access IP addresses.
While Private Internet Access is a very good VPN, sometimes it falls behind and doesn’t manage to stay ahead of ESPN’s VPN blocking techniques.
Below is a list of steps to fix Private Internet Access not working with ESPN+. Try them in order until you can watch ESPN+ with your VPN again.
See also:
- Surfshark not working with ESPN+? Try these EASY fixes! (December 2021)
- ExpressVPN not working with ESPN+? Try these EASY fixes! (December 2021)
Private Internet Access not working with ESPN+: Quick Guide
Disclaimer: ESPN is very effective at blocking IP addresses provided by VPNs. Because of this, VPNs need to dedicate a lot of time trying to maintain their functionality with ESPN+.
Sometimes VPNs fall behind and no longer win the battle with ESPN.
Because Private Internet Access is a very good VPN, it’ll only be a matter of time before it fixes the issue on its end, but there’s no way to tell how long that will take. Because of this, we recommend subscribing to two different VPNs, so if one stops working, you can use the other one.
Delete Cookies

Private Internet Access might not be working with ESPN+ because of Cookies stored on your device or browser.
Cookies are small files that websites and apps use to streamline your online experience. The problem is, they sometimes contain information about your location.
When you connect to ESPN+, it can potentially scan your Cookies. If it finds the location stored on your Cookies is different from the location you’ve selected on Private Internet Access, ESPN knows you’re using a VPN, and it blocks your connection.
A good place to start when trying to fix Private Internet Access not working with ESPN+ is deleting your Cookies.
Change to a different server

Private Internet Access isn’t working with ESPN+ because the streaming service has identified the IP address you’re using as a VPN provided IP address.
Just because this IP has been blocked, it doesn’t mean they all have. Changing to a different server will give you a different IP address. If ESPN hasn’t blocked this one, Private Internet Access will work again.
Get a VPN that’s still compatible with ESPN+.

There’s no way of telling how long it will take for Private Internet Access to fix this issue on its end. This means you could potentially not be able to watch ESPN+ for a long time.
To better your chances of watching ESPN+, we recommend two VPNs that have a history of working well with ESPN+. These are NordVPN($3.49/month) or Ivacy ($1.33/month)
Both of these VPNs have fast US servers, they allow you to select city-based US servers for blackout games, and they’re reliable.
When ESPN blocks an IP address provided by these VPNs, NordVPN($3.49/month) or Ivacy ($1.33/month) will close that IP address and open a new unblocked one. This will allow you to watch ESPN+ reliably anywhere in the world.
As stated earlier, ESPN is very good at blocking VPNs. We don’t recommend getting rid of your Private Internet Access subscription, as it will eventually fix the problem on its end. But if you want to fix the problem quickly, your best bet is to subscribe to multiple VPNs (at least 2) and flick between them as you need.
Why does ESPN block Private Internet Access?
ESPN doesn’t only block Private Internet Access. It tries to prevent any VPN from connecting to its service. It does this because of the copyright and licensing agreements it has with its content partners.
ESPN only has the rights to broadcast its content in certain regions. It does not have international broadcast rights.
ESPN blocks users outside its broadcast zones from accessing its content to prevent copyright and licensing issues from arising. This is why you cannot access blackout games in certain states.
Because Private Internet Access allows you to watch ESPN+ outside its broadcast zone, ESPN blocks IP addresses provided by the VPN from connecting to its service to protect itself from financial punishments.
These blocks are why Private Internet Access is no longer working with ESPN+.
How does ESPN block Private Internet Access?
The way ESPN blocks Private Internet Access isn’t unique. A lot of streaming services use this technique.
ESPN monitors the connections coming through to its service. The main reason for this is to keep an eye out for abnormal connections coming from the same IP address.
Usually, only a household of devices connects to ESPN+ via the same IP address. Because Private Internet Access is a popular VPN, it has a lot of customers and not enough IP addresses to give each customer their own IP.
This discrepancy forces customers to share IP addresses. When ESPN sees more than an average household of connections coming from the same IP, it knows it’s a VPN IP address and blocks it.

Does ESPN+ still work with VPNs?
ESPN+ still works with VPNs. However, because ESPN is so good at blocking VPN IP addresses, you need to use a VPN with adequate measures to get around these blocks.
We recommend NordVPN($3.49/month) or Ivacy ($1.33/month). Both of these VPNs have a good track record working with ESPN+, and they also have an important measure that allows them to stay ahead of ESPN+’s blocking techniques.
Both NordVPN($3.49/month) and Ivacy ($1.33/month) play a game of cat and mouse with ESPN. When ESPN blocks an IP address provided by one of these VPNs, NordVPN($3.49/month) or Ivacy ($1.33/month) will close that IP and open a new one. This will allow you to watch ESPN+ reliably anywhere in the world.
The best practice for being able to watch ESPN+ reliably with a VPN is to have multiple VPNs. Even the best VPNs get blocked by ESPN+ from time to time. Subscribing to two VPNs will ensure that you can continue to watch ESPN+ while the other VPN fixes the issues on its end if needed.
The BEST VPNs to watch ESPN+
1. NordVPN
The BEST VPN of 2022

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
2. Ivacy
The BEST low-cost VPN

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)
3. ExpressVPN
A very reliable and fast VPN

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
SPECIAL OFFER – 3-MONTHS FREE!
4. Private Internet Access
The BEST mid-range 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
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE 82%!
30-day money-back guarantee
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