If you live in the UK, you’ll have access to all the great comedies, dramas, and documentaries that BBC iPlayer offers without having to think about using VPNs like Avast to access the platform from abroad. For everyone else, a VPN is the best way to enjoy everything the British broadcaster offers.
At one time, Avast VPN was a great way to watch iPlayer, but that’s no longer the case. BBC has toughened up on its geo-restrictions, meaning only the best VPNs can avoid detection and the frustrating error “This content is unavailable in your location.” Unfortunately, Avast isn’t one of them.
We’ll take a closer look at why Avast isn’t working with iPlayer in this post, along with solutions to get it working again and the best alternatives if you exhaust all options.
Why Avast isn’t working with iPlayer
The BBC and BBC iPlayer is increasingly adept at detecting and blocking VPN IP addresses. Unfortunately, Avast, like many other providers, simply doesn’t have the resources to keep up with the BBC’s tech-savvy tactics. In fact, many VPNs aren’t capable of evading iPlayer restrictions.
Another reason Avast may not be working with iPlayer is that the BBC is blacklisting IPs that are used too frequently. If a lot of Avast users access iPlayer, the BBC will soon identify and block those VPN server IPs. This will mean that your VPN stops working with BBC iPlayer.
Solutions for getting Avast VPN to work with iPlayer
There are two solutions you can try if you want to use Avast but keep hitting the dreaded ‘Content Unavailable’ error. The first is to cycle through Avast’s UK servers, as the BBC may only be blocking specific IPs. Just disconnect and reconnect to another server within the UK, and you’ll most likely be assigned a different UK IP address.
If that doesn’t work, you can try whitelisting your current IP address by clicking ‘Security’ in the left sidebar of Avast’s main screen and then selecting ‘Web Shield.’ Under ‘Customized Settings,’ click on ‘Exclusions’ and add the URLs of any iPlayer content you want to access.
It’s also worth clearing your cache and browser cookies to allow iPlayer to register the change of server location. If you’ve tried all of these options, contact Avast support to see if they’re aware of the problem, as they may be able to advise further.
How to stream BBC iPlayer with NordVPN
If none of the fixes in the previous section work, then your best option is to switch to a VPN with better success in avoiding the BBC’s geo-restrictions. NordVPN is a great option as it has consistently avoided detection from the BBC’s efforts. Other good alternatives include Surfshark and IPVanish, among the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer.
Here’s how to watch BBC iPlayer with NordVPN:
- Sign up for NordVPN via this exclusive coupon link.
- Download and install NordVPN on your device of choice.
- Open the app and connect to one of its UK servers.
- Visit the BBC iPlayer website or open the app if you have it installed.
- Enjoy! You should now be able to watch all your favorite shows without any geo-restrictions.
If you’ve followed the steps above and cannot connect, clear your browser cache and cookies. Refresh the page and try again.
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Read more BBC iPlayer articles here:
FAQs about Avast not working with BBC iPlayer
What can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
BBC iPlayer offers a wide range of shows, including drama, comedy, documentary, and entertainment. These include hit shows such as Doctor Who, Sherlock, EastEnders, and Strictly Come Dancing. There is also a wide range of films available to watch on the service.
Do I need to pay for Player?
No, BBC iPlayer is completely free, and you don’t need to pay anything to access the service. However, you need a valid UK TV license to watch live television on the platform.
