Atlas VPN not working with BBC iPlayer? Troubleshooting tips

Due to licensing agreements, the BBC blocks access to iPlayer outside of the UK. As a result of these region locks, you will first need a VPN to get a valid British IP address while traveling abroad to access your home services.

Unfortunately, the BBC works hard to block VPNs. It does this to stop consumers from sidestepping its geo-blocks. This means you must pick a VPN for iPlayer carefully if you want to avoid disappointment. The good news is that AtlasVPN has British servers that work to watch iPlayer abroad. You can use AtlasVPN to stream iPlayer on vacation from anywhere in the world.

In this guide, we will explain exactly how to fix AtlasVPN with BBC iPlayer. We will provide details about why AtlasVPN might not be working to watch iPlayer, and we will give you a list of fixes to get you up and running.

Why isn’t AtlasVPN working with BBC iPlayer?

British TV platforms like BBC iPlayer work hard to comply with the licensing contracts they have in place. For this reason, they track each visitor’s IP address and block them from viewing if they are located abroad.

If the BBC notices that you are outside of the UK, or that you are connected to an IP address that is known to belong to a VPN, it will serve you the following location error message:

“BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.”

Due to the BBC’s proxy blocks, it is vital to stick to a VPN that knows how to bypass the BBC’s VPN blocking methods. Luckily, AtlasVPN is one of these services. The important thing to remember, however, is that while AtlasVPN has been tested to watch iPlayer abroad – not every AtlasVPN server will work all of the time.

AtlasVPN is locked in a game of cat and mouse with the BBC. This means that from time to time the BBC may manage to block an AtlasVPN server. If this happens, we recommend that you try a different server – or check with the VPN to find out which server has been optimized to watch iPlayer.

Later in this guide, we will provide tips and tricks to help you fix AtlasVPN with iPlayer. There are various reasons why you might be having trouble streaming iPlayer, and we will discuss all of them. For now, we have included a list of reasons why AtlasVPN might not be working:

The Atlas VPN server you are currently using has been blocked by iPlayer.
Your device’s GPS location and IP address do not match.
iPlayer has stored a cookie on your device that lets it know where you really are.
Your real IP address is leaking and the VPN is failing to conceal your location.
The IP address you’re using is not compatible with the BBC website.

How to use AtlasVPN to watch iPlayer abroad?

If your main issue is that you are new to VPNs and you don’t know how to access iPlayer with one, we have provided a walkthrough below:

Choose a VPN that works to watch iPlayer abroad. AtlasVPN works fine, but if you want something even better we recommend NordVPN.
Follow one of the links above to get a VPN for BBC iPlayer. Our links get you a VPN subscription at the lowest possible cost thanks to our automatic coupon.
Subscribe to the VPN and download the VPN app. Our recommendations have apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. This will let you stream iPlayer on any device.
Install the VPN app and log in using your credentials.
Pick a server in the UK that has been optimized for watching iPlayer.

As soon as your VPN connects, you can watch iPlayer on holiday abroad. If you have any problems watching BBC iPlayer using AtlasVPN, follow the tips in this guide to get it working.

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What issues can AtlasVPN cause when streaming iPlayer?

If you are wondering what kind of problems people experience when streaming iPlayer with AtlasVPN, we have included a comprehensive list below. We will explain how to fix all these problems later in the guide.

The VPN is causing buffering and low-quality video playback.
You are getting an incorrect password message when connected to AtlasVPN.
iPlayer gives you a location error message or says it can’t play a video.
You are entirely failing to use iPlayer while connected to the VPN.

How to fix AtlasVPN with iPlayer

No matter which of the problems above you are experiencing, you can use our tips to fix AtlasVPN. Just work your way through the steps below to start watching iPlayer abroad.

AtlasVPN is causing bad quality and buffering on iPlayer

If you can access iPlayer abroad using AtlasVPN, but the VPN is causing slow speeds and buffering issues, it is possible that you may want to subscribe to an alternative VPN.

At the time of writing, AtlasVPN is the 6th best VPN to access iPlayer. Of the five VPNs we recommend above it, NordVPN is the best choice – we’ll explain why later in the article.

AtlasVPN is known to implement super-fast WireGuard connections. It also has a choice of reliable servers in England – so you should still be able to stream iPlayer without too much trouble, no matter where you are in the world.

Below, we have provided tips for you to get the best possible speeds while connected to AtlasVPN:

Ask AtlasVPN which UK server is optimized for streaming iPlayer.
Try connecting to a British server that is located physically closer to you.
Try changing the VPN protocol in your VPN application. We recommend WireGuard for faster speeds and improved quality.

AtlasVPN not working with iPlayer

If your problem watching iPlayer with AtlasVPN is more serious, we recommend that you work through the troubleshooting tips below. Our list has all the information you need to watch iPlayer abroad on any device.

Here’s how to fix AtlasVPN not working with iPlayer:

Restart your computer, restart the Atlas VPN application, and relaunch your browser.
Try re-installing Atlas VPN to ensure it is up-to-date.
Clear the cookies and cache in your browser.
Choose a different UK server.
Try a different browser.
Ask AtlasVPN which UK server is optimized for iPlayer.
Check that DNS leak protection is enabled. AtlasVPN enables it by default, but it is worth checking with AtlasVPN if you seem to be getting a DNS leak.
Try using a different VPN protocol. We recommend WireGuard for the fastest speeds, but you can try IKEv2 as well.
Switch to streaming on a desktop PC or laptop rather than a mobile device.
Disable GPS in your browser and on your device.

The tips above will work to solve the vast majority of issues. If you are still experiencing problems watching iPlayer, we strongly recommend that you contact AtlasVPN’s customer support. The VPN will be able to help diagnose your specific problem and help you to unblock iPlayer.

Which VPNs still work with BBC iPlayer?

Although AtlasVPN is on our list of the best VPNs to watch iPlayer abroad, it is not currently our top recommendation. To help you out we have included the full list below:

Best VPNs to watch iPlayer abroad:

NordVPN: #1 best VPN for iPlayer. Has 440+ servers in the UK, impressive connection speeds, and works with BBCiPlayer – as well as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Dinsey+, and C4OD. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark: Best cheap VPN for BBC iPlayer. Robust encryption. Plenty of advanced privacy features. Works with many British TV platforms. Allows unlimited connections.
ExpressVPN: Robust security and privacy. Provides access to servers in 105 countries, including the UK. Works with BBC iPlayer and all major streaming platforms.
CyberGhost: A superb option for beginners. Has fast servers in 100+ countries, including the UK to watch iPlayer. Secure apps for all platforms.
PrivateVPN: Fantastic all-rounder. Fast servers that work for streaming or torrenting. Works with iPlayer, ITVX, My5, C4OD and more.
Atlas VPN: Fast and secure provider that works with a range of streaming services, including BBC iPlayer. Has easy-to-use apps and allows unlimited connections.
Private Internet Access: Has servers in 91+ countries and works well with BBC iPlayer and Netflix. Lots of customizability options. Secure apps for all devices.

Can I use a free VPN to watch iPlayer abroad?

Unfortunately, this is no longer an option. Free VPNs have very few servers that are very easy for TV platforms like the BBC to spot. Most free VPNs have been blocked and will not work to watch iPlayer abroad.

In addition, free VPNs are massively oversubscribed. This makes them extremely slow, which means they are not suitable for streaming, gaming, making video calls, and other data-intensive tasks such as torrenting.

Besides these performance drawbacks, free VPNs are a massive risk to your online security. Free VPNs have invasive privacy policies that allow them to track what you do online for profiling purposes. Free VPNs will then sell that data to third parties such as advertisers.

In addition, free VPNs often suffer from app and server vulnerabilities, they lack robust security, have DNS or IP leaks, and sometimes even conceal spyware in their apps. This makes using free VPNs a risk to your data and the security of your devices.

What other British TV services can I watch with a VPN?

As soon as you connect to an AtlasVPN server in the UK, you should be able to watch the TV networks and streaming services listed below. To find out more about watching any of these platforms follow the links: