Has Sky Go stopped working with your VPN? If the answer is “yes”, then I have some bad news for you. The VPN you’re using has been detected and blacklisted by Sky. But don’t worry, there are a couple of easy things you can still do.
In the section below you’ll see a list of a few tricks you can try if your VPN isn’t working with Sky Go. These tips, however, will only work if you’re using a good VPN. If you’re using a (poor) VPN that has had its servers blacklisted by Sky Go (see below) there’s nothing you can do – apart from upgrade you’re VPN. Check out my article on Best VPNs 2020 to learn more about what makes a good VPN, er, good.
See also: BBC detecting VPN? Here’s a QUICK fix!
Sky Go not working with VPN: Quick guide
If Sky Go isn’t working with your VPN and you want a quick fix, here are some things to try.
- Delete cookies and hit refresh (if you’re using a web browser)
- Try connecting to a different UK server
- Contact your VPN’s support team via Live Chat and ask for a server that works with Sky Go
Note: If your VPN’s support team can’t point you to a server that works with Sky Go, you’ll need to upgrade your VPN. You won’t regret upgrading to ExpressVPN ($6.66/month) if you can afford it. Failing that Ivacy ($1.16/month) is a good low-cost alternative for watching Sky Go abroad.
“I’ve been using ExpressVPN ($6.66/month) since May 2018 and have experienced zero downtime watching Sky Go – or BBC iPlayer, BT Sport and US Netflix. I’m connecting from New Zealand (where I now live) and have been able to watch live and catch-up TV in HD.”
Why is Sky Go blocking my VPN?

Sky Go is a digital app that lets customers stream live and catch-up Sky TV from their smartphone tablet and laptops. However, like Sky’s satellite TV product, customers have to be accessing the app from within the UK for it to work.
The reason for this is pretty logical. Sky TV is only permitted to broadcast in the UK and it pays big money for this privilege.
Let’s use Sky Sports’ jewel in the crown (the EPL) as an example. The most recent Premier League rights package cost Sky Sports and BT Sport £4.464billion. This enables them to broadcast 160 games per season for three years.
Now, when you consider that US TV network NBC Sports were able to buy the rights to every game for six seasons for $1bn – you start to understand why viewing territories are protected.
…which is why broadcasters are tightening their grip on VPNs.
See also: Netflix not working with VPN? Here’s are 3 VPNs that still work!!
How is Sky Go detecting my VPN?
VPNs (virtual private networks) work by encrypting data at the user’s end and then resurfacing that data through an IP address in a location of the user’s choice. The unencrypted is then relayed to a local ISP (internet service provider) allowing users to spoof their location to anywhere in the world.
This is how, in theory, a subscriber to Sky Go can watch live and catch-up TV on their mobile device or laptop from literally anywhere in the world.
But times are changing. Sky Go (and pretty much every other major broadcaster) is clamping down on location spoofing via VPNs.
The way this is policed is pretty simple. Broadcasters have correctly recognised that VPN funnels a large number of customers through a small number of servers/IP addresses. The creates the potential for tens, or even hundreds, of Sky Go users connecting via the same IP address – and unrealistic scenario in the real world.
Which is why Sky Go, BBC iPlayer, Netflix (et al) are now blacklisting any IP address that has an abnormal level of activity.
This is why your VPN is not working with Sky Go anymore…
Sky Go detecting VPN? How to fix!

(As I’ve said above) The reason Sky Go has stopped working with your VPN is simple – the IP address you’ve been using, via your VPN’s UK server, has been blacklisted by Sky Go.
The fix is simple. You need to use VPN that gives you access to IP addresses that aren’t blacklisted by Sky Go.
Annoyingly, not all VPNs do this. It’s an expensive process that requires the constant management of IP address loads – to prevent them getting detected and blacklisted – as well as the additional cost of replacing IP addresses if/when they get blacklisted by Sky Go.
The good news is that there are still a handful of VPNs who are willing to play this game of Cat and Mouse with streaming services such as Sky Go, BBC iPlayer and Netflix.
I’ve found ExpressVPN ($6.66/month) to be the best at this. It’s a little bit more expensive than its peers, but over the course of a year, you get what you pay for. ExpressVPN’s servers always have IP addresses that work with Sky Go. Better still, ExpressVPN also has the fastest servers in the industry.
ExpressVPN also employs a full-time dedicated team of technical staff that monitors its connections to major streaming services – Sky Go, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, etc. – so whenever there’s a glitch with the connection, they start work on it straight away.
They also have an excellent Live Chat feature on their website that’s available for customers 27/7 if there’s ever a problem.
Get ExpressVPN for $6.66/month (30-day money-back guarantee)

Does Sky Go work abroad?
Yes and No. It works from inside the EU (for now). But won’t work in any other country.
If you’re a Sky subscriber in the UK, you can only watch Sky TV when you’re in the UK or EU. This is because of international copyright and licensing laws.
This can be maddening for users. Especially when you consider the high price Sky charges for its TV packages. Rival services such as Netflix and Amazon Instant Video let users access local libraries no matter where they are in the world. If, for example, a UK Netflix subscriber goes on holiday to America, they’ll be served the US Netflix library.
Sky is different. Annoyingly. The only option users have – if they want to watch Sky Go while overseas – is to buy a VPN and use it to location spoof to a UK IP address. Read the sections above to find out how to do this.
Best VPNs for Sky Go 2020
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
Will Express VPN from Spain allow both Skygo and BT sport