If you’re trying to use a VPN in the UAE and it’s not working, the VPN is being blocked by the UAE telecommunications companies, Etisalat and Du.

This has happened because your VPN isn’t able to get around the VPN blocking techniques imposed by these companies.

To fix this, you need to upgrade to a VPN that will work in the UAE.

What this means is you need to use a VPN that has measures in place to ensure it will stay one step ahead of these blocks, so you can use it reliably in the UAE.

See also:

VPN not working in the UAE: Quick Fix

If your VPN isn’t working in the UAE you need to upgrade to one with a proven record of being able to get around Etisalat and Du’s blocks.

All you need to do is follow these steps:

  1. Create a new account with ExpressVPN ($6.67/month)

  2. Download and install the new VPN app

  3. Open your new app and connect to a server

  4. Continue using a VPN in the UAE

Why is my VPN not working in the UAE?

In the UAE, there are two state-owned internet service providers (ISPs). These are Etisalat and Du and they’re owned by the UAE government.

Both of these ISPs try to block VPNs from being used. They do this because internet censorship in the UAE is significantly more strict than other nations around the world.

In 2019, The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the UAE, banned 1,600 websites for “obscene” content.

These blocks included VoIP calling services, dating websites, pornographic websites, gambling applications, LGBT content and content critical of the UAE government or Islam.

Because a VPN can potentially allow you to get around these blocks, the government owned ISPs, Etisalat and Du try to block VPNs.

How does my VPN get blocked in the UAE?

There are two ways the UAE can block your VPN:

The first is using Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology that allows them to identify when online data comes through certain VPN protocols.

If you’re using a VPN reliant on one of these protocols, it shows the government that someone is accessing online content via a VPN.

When this happens Etisalat and Du will block the IP address your VPN has given you and will subsequently block all the IP addresses your VPN can provide.

The second way they can block your VPN is via your IP address.

If you’re using a VPN that cannot provide enough IP addresses for all its customers you’ll be forced to share an IP with others.

This can result in hundreds or thousands of customers connecting to online services in the UAE via the same IP address.

This makes it easy for Etisalat and Du to recognise when someone is using a VPN and they’ll subsequently block the IP address.

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Can I use a VPN in the UAE?

Yes, VPNs still work in the UAE; however, you need a VPN that can stay ahead of the State’s Deep Packet Inspection VPN blocking techniques.

While these blocks are relatively effective at blocking most VPNs, some VPNs have better protocols than others. These protocols determine how fast and secure a VPN is.

ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) uses its own protocol, Lightway which is designed to be super-fast and incredibly secure. The use of Lightway makes ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) a very good VPN for getting around the UAE’s VPN blocks.

Lightway is open-source and was created by ExpressVPN ($6.67/month). This means if it comes across any errors or you run into issues using the protocol, it’s significantly easier and faster for the problems to get fixed by ExpressVPN ($6.67/month). 

This allows you to use a VPN in the UAE reliably without issue.

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