Private Internet Access not working with Netflix? Here’s how I FIXED that! (2023)

If you’ve been using Private Internet Access to watch Netflix and it’s stopped working, there’s no need to panic. There’s a number of fixes you can try to resolve this issue.

You’re running into problems using Private Internet Access with Netflix because the streaming service has been able to identify and block all of the IP addresses the VPN can currently provide.

Below is a list of fixes you can try to resolve Private Internet Access not working with Netflix.

See also:

• How to watch Two and a Half Men on Netflix: It’s EASY! (2023)
• How to watch US Netflix while travelling: The EASY way! (2023)
• ExpressVPN not working with Netflix? Here’s how to fix that! (2023)

Private Internet Access not working with Netflix: Simple fixes

Why isn’t Private Internet Access working with Netflix?

Private Internet Access isn’t working with Netflix because all of its IP addresses have been identified and blocked by Netflix.

Netflix is constantly monitoring VPN IP addresses connecting to its service. When it finds them, it blocks them from accessing its service. 

Netflix does this to prevent breaching the copyright and licensing agreements it has with its content partners. 

These agreements are region-based. The content owners define where in the world Netflix can broadcast their content. That’s why Netflix libraries all around the world are different. You can watch some shows on Netflix in the US but not in other countries.

Because VPNs are effective ways of getting around these region-based broadcast rights, they could result in Netflix breaching its copyright and licensing agreements. And these breaches could result in Netflix facing severe financial repercussions. 

To prevent this from happening, Netflix tries to block VPNs from connecting to its service. 

How does Netflix block Private Internet Access?

Private Internet Access is a popular VPN meaning it has more customers than IP addresses.

Because of this, Private Internet Access customers are forced to share IPs.

Normally, only an average household worth of devices will connect to Netflix via the same IP address.

Because of Private Internet Accesses popularity, when hundreds or thousands of customers connect to Netflix with the same IP address, Netflix deems this as an abnormal amount, and it knows it’s a VPN IP address and subsequently blocks it.

This happens to all VPNs. However, the best VPNs, ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) has measures in place to get around this problem. These measures will allow you to watch Netflix anywhere in the world reliably. 

Does Netflix still work with VPNs?

Netflix still works with a VPN, but you need to use a VPN that still works with the service. You need a VPN that has a lot of IP addresses to reduce the chance you’ll share an IP with someone else, and most importantly, you need a VPN that has measures in place to allow you to keep watching Netflix if one of those IP addresses gets blocked.

You need a VPN like ExpressVPN ($6.67/month). This VPN plays a game of cat and mouse with Netflix. 

When Netflix identifies and blocks an IP provided by  ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) it will close that IP and open a new one that hasn’t been blocked. 

This will allow you to reliably watch Netflix from anywhere in the world, and it will prevent you from coming across the same errors you have with Private Internet Access.

The best VPNs to watch Netflix

1. ExpressVPN 🥇

Why You Should Use ExpressVPN? It’s the fastest and MOST reliable VPN of 2023

Number of servers: 3,000+ | Speed: >80% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 160 in 94 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes

ExpressVPN ($6.66/month) is still the best VPN. And importantly, it ALWAYS has servers that are open with major streaming sites such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, etc.

ExpressVPN is usually very good at playing Cat and Mouse with online streaming sites. Meaning, whenever one of its servers is blacklisted it creates a new one – giving its users a constant stream of servers that aren’t blocked. Needless to say, this is a valuable attribute if you’re looking for a VPN to unblock streaming sites.

Its app is easy-to-use and free to download on pretty much any device you can think of. Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, FireStick, Android TV, Roku, PS4, Xbox, Linux, even Apple TV (with a workaround). It’s got it all covered.

The app is another main reason this VPN is so good at unblocking TV streaming sites (that claim they block VPNs) is that its software takes a pragmatic approach to user management. While other VPNs tempt customers by promising them access to hundreds/thousands of servers in multiple countries, ExpressVPN does things differently.

With ExpressVPN you only have a handful of server locations to choose from. Once you select your location the app takes care of the rest. Assigning you to the fastest available server that’s not oversubscribed. This simple technique is so important, as it keeps ExpressVPN’s servers operating at lightning-fast speeds and prevents its IPs from getting blacklisted for “abnormal” usage in the first place.

Check out our full ExpressVPN review.

2. NordVPN 🥉

A very quick and trustworthy VPN

Number of servers: 5,000+ | Speeds: >80% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 62 countries | Devices supported: 6 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes

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.

Another interesting thing to note is that NordVPN is an industry leader in its development of Nordlynx technology. Nordlynx is built using the WireGuard, a new VPN tunneling protocol designed to outperform current standards (OpenVPN and IPSec). The benefits, according to NordVPN, are dramatically faster transfer speeds while connected to a VPN. My tests – New Zealand to London – confirm that Nordlynx is currently the fastest VPN on the market. However, the difference isn’t dramatic, a few Mbps is all.

3. Ivacy

A very quick and trustworthy VPN

Number of servers: 1,000+ | Speed: >65% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 275 in 100 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes

If you’re looking for an excellent VPN, with an even better price tag, Ivacy ($1.16/month) is a great option.

This VPN has all the features you need to stream BBC iPlayer, in HD, from any country in the world. I’ve been testing the app recently on Mac, PC, Android, iOS and FireStick and the results have been impressive – unlocking BBC iPlayer, US Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, etc. with ease.

The Ivacy app is a little different in regards to its UX (user experience). Instead of just selecting a UK server, you need to select the specific BBC iPlayer server. Don’t worry, this isn’t a bad thing – by connecting to a dedicated BBC iPlayer server, it simply means that you’re connecting to an IP address that Ivacy knows works with BBC iPlayer.

For an extra $1.99/month (£1.74) you can add-on a dedicated IP. This will buy you sole access to an IP address in a country of your choice, meaning you won’t have to share your IP (and speeds) with any other use. I don’t recommend this though, using the regular Ivacy servers is enough 95 per cent of the time.

4. CyberGhost

A very quick and trustworthy VPN

Number of servers: 1,000+ | Speed: >65% | Bandwidth: Unlimited | IP locations: 275 in 100 countries | Devices supported: 5 | Live chat: Yes | 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes

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.

From my tests over the past several months, CyberGhost has no trouble at unblocking major streaming services – US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max etc. This VPN performed well at maintaining download speeds, well above 65 per cent of my regular (non VPN) ISP speed.

That said, there’s nothing really unique about the service. Which forces you to look at its price-point. And there’s nothing special here. Its short-term $12.99/month price tag puts is well above the industry average of $10.10/month. Similarly, its long-term $2.75/month for 3 years deal isn’t much of a “deal” either.

Oddly, CyberGhost’s most unique feature is its a 1-day, no obligations, free trial. This is an appealing offer to customers who are new to VPNs. However, it’s important to remember that most reputable VPNs will offer customers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so try not to be too seduced by the offer.