BBC iPlayer not working

BBC iPlayer, and the exclusive content it shows is a privilege reserved for those in the UK. This exclusivity is due to liscencing rights and if travel outside the UK you will find your access to the platform blaocked. The usual way to bypass these kinds of geographic blocks is with a VPN, but the BBC’s stringent VPN-detection features make it a challenge for most VPNs to unblock iPlayer abroad. It’s not uncommon for users to encounter one of the following errors:

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

“This content is not available in your location.”

“This content doesn’t seem to be working”.

But don’t worry, despite these challenges, it’s still possible to access BBC iPlayer abroad with a VPN. In this article, we’ll list the VPN services that work best to bypass blocks, and explain how to overcome any other issues you might face when using BBC iPlayer abroad.

Why doesn’t my VPN work with BBC iPlayer?

As one of the UK’s largest broadcasters, the BBC has invested significant amounts of time and money into preventing users in other countries from using their service. As a result, it can be difficult to unblock BBC iPlayer with a VPN.

Here are the potential reasons your VPN isn’t work with BBC iPlayer:

  • Your VPN’s servers have been blacklisted by the BBC.
  • Your device’s GPS location and IP address location don’t match.
  • Your VPN doesn’t have the resources to keep finding workarounds when BBC iPlayer’s geo-blocking is upgraded.
  • BBC iPlayer has stored a cookie on your device which is telling its services that you’re not in the UK.
  • Your VPN is using virtual servers, and BBC iPlayer can see the server’s actual location.
  • Your real IP address is leaking.
  • The server you’re using isn’t able to unblock BBC iPlayer.

Read on for ways to fix these issues.

How to fix VPN problems with BBC iPlayer

Below are the steps you can take to solve the problems above and stream BBC iPlayer live from anywhere. After each step, try reloading BBC iPlayer to see if it has worked. If not, move on to the next step.

Here’s how to fix your VPN not working with BBC iPlayer:

  1. Clear your cookies and cache or try a different browser.
  2. Ask your VPN’s customer support team which server to use, since sometimes only certain ones can unblock the most popular streaming services.
  3. Enable leak protection in your VPN’s settings menu to prevent BBC iPlayer from discovering your real location.
  4. Try watching on a desktop PC instead of a mobile device. This way, GPS location data can’t be cross-referenced with your IP address.
  5. If none of the above steps helped, your VPN will likely not work with BBC iPlayer. Instead, try using one of the VPNs below, they have all been proven to consistently work with BBC iPlayer.

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Which VPNs still work with BBC iPlayer?

We’ve found these VPNs to be the most consistent at working with BBC iPlayer:

  1. NordVPN: Our top choice for streaming BBC iPlayer. Particularly fast, with a no-logs policy and excellent unblocking ability. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for BBC iPlayer.
  2. Surfshark: Best budget VPN for iPlayer. Quick and reliable, with a major focus on privacy, it offers lots of advanced features. There are apps for all popular platforms, and you can connect as many devices as you like.
  3. IPVanish: A fast VPN with servers in the UK that reliably work to watch iPlayer. Good value long-term subscriptions and allows an unlimited number of connections with a single account. The cheapest monthly subscription of any provider on our list.
  4. ExpressVPN: Great all-rounder. Easy-to-use and security-conscious, with servers in 105 countries. Works with various popular platforms including iPlayer, Netflix UK, ITV Hub, and All 4.
  5. CyberGhost: CyberGhost is highly versatile and very easy to use. It boasts 700+ British servers, stops online threats with powerful security features, and has strong unblocking ability.
  6. ProtonVPN: Provides top-notch security and privacy features. Large server network, with plenty of UK options. Great for streaming and torrenting.
  7. PureVPN: The low pricing structure makes it very affordable for BBC viewers. Solid encryption and a no-logs policy. Allows 10 simultaneous connections.
  8. PrivateVPN: Capable of accessing BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and ITV Hub without any issues. Zero-logs policy and advanced security features.
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Warning

Many VPNs claim to work with BBC iPlayer but most (especially free VPNs) are often blocked.

We regularly test the top 70 VPNs with all major streaming sites and this list only includes VPNs which reliably unblock BBC iPlayer and offer a full money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them risk-free.

Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer: Our hands-on review

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for BBC iPlayer.

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Methodology: How we chose the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer

Every VPN gets blocked by BBC iPlayer at some point, which is why we regularly test to see which still work. But we don’t stop there. We also test — and score — providers on several other fronts. We combine these scores to give us our VPN rankings. We focus on the following areas:

Speed

There’s little point being able to access BBC iPlayer if the VPN you’re using is too slow for streaming. With this in mind, we carried out several speed tests while connected to each VPN’s UK servers. You can see the results below.

The first thing to notice is that all providers performed consistently. This means that you won’t experience sudden slowdowns while streaming BBC iPlayer. You’ll also notice that NordVPN and Surfshark were by far the fastest providers in all three tests. If you have a slow base connection speed, these are the providers to go for as they’ll have the least effect on it (all VPNs slow down your connection — some far more than others).

Streaming ability

In addition to making sure that providers worked with BBC iPlayer, we scored each VPN on how well it could access a range of UK content from major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus.

We then scored providers on the number of server locations they had in the UK. As some VPNs don’t release the actual number of servers, this is the next best metric to gauge server availability.

Finally, we averaged these two scores to give us our overall streaming ability score. You can see how the VPNs compare in the chart below.

ExpressVPN is the best overall for UK streaming, with five UK server locations and a well-known ability to unblock all manner of streaming services. Surfshark and NordVPN are also great alternative options.

Security and privacy

VPNs should help keep you safe online. Unfortunately, some don’t. To evaluate the level of security and privacy offered by each provider, we used 16 different criteria. These included everything from the range of protocols they support to the level of encryption they use.

Ease of use

If you’re getting frustrated with BBC iPlayer not working, then you’ll want a VPN service that’s easy to use so that you can quickly get back to streaming. To gauge which VPNs fulfil this requirement, we scored providers against 10 different criteria. We looked at everything from the user-friendliness of their apps to whether they offered router support.

Value for money

BBC iPlayer is free, so you’re unlikely to be over the moon about paying for a VPN to use it. The good news is that some providers offer great value for money. We found out which these were by evaluating them against eight different criteria. We considered everything from the existence of money-back guarantees and free trials, to the number of allowed connections.

Why streaming services region-lock their content

Why do streaming services region-lock their content?

Usually, streaming services don’t own exclusive worldwide broadcast rights for their shows, although there are some exceptions, such as with Netflix Originals. This means that, for instance, the BBC might have the rights to broadcast a particular title in the UK while another network will show it in the US. As such, major streaming services often use region-locking to stick to their end of the bargain and prevent users in other countries from watching anything.

Of course, region-locking doesn’t help much if your broadcast schedule punishes the viewer for living outside of a certain country. Killing Eve season 2, for instance, had different release dates for the UK and the US, meaning British fans not only had to wait longer but also had to avoid spoilers for several months. To prevent having one of the UK’s biggest shows in recent years spoiled for them, many fans resorted to using VPNs to watch new episodes as they were released on American TV.

How to watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN

With the right VPN, it’s easy to watch geo-blocked content abroad. Just follow the steps below to get a British IP address and stream BBC iPlayer from outside the UK.

Here’s how to use BBC iPlayer with a VPN:

  1. First, sign up for a suitable VPN. We recommend NordVPN. We tested using the Standard plan (the cheapest), which worked without issues. Surfshark is an great option, too.
  2. Download and install the VPN app, taking care to get the appropriate version for your device.
  3. Connect to one of your VPN’s British servers (ideally in London or another major city).
  4. Now, create a BBC iPlayer account. You’ll be asked for your postal code, but the BBC doesn’t actually check whether you live there or not, so any valid UK postal code will work.
  5. Finally, try playing a video. If it doesn’t start right away, clear your browser’s cookies and cache, then reload the page. Still having trouble? head back up to the troubleshooting section and work your way through the steps to fix the most common problems.
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How to fix BBC iPlayer error code 02066

Encountering BBC iPlayer error code 02066 can be quite frustrating, especially when you’re eager to stream your favorite shows.

However, the solution is often more straightforward than it seems. This error usually stems from network connectivity issues, app cache corruption, or the use of VPNs.

To resolve error code 02066, follow the simple steps below:

  1. Start by clearing the BBC iPlayer cache and data, a straightforward process.
  2. Ensure your internet connection is stable; consider using an Ethernet cable for a more reliable connection.
  3. If you’re using a VPN, disable it, as BBC iPlayer’s geo-restriction measures can block VPN traffic. For VPN users wanting to use iPlayer outside the UK, try switching to a different UK server or use a different VPN from our list above.
  4. Restarting your device can also clear temporary glitches.
  5. Updating the BBC iPlayer app to the latest version can resolve compatibility issues.
  6. If these steps fail, uninstall and reinstall the app.

By following these simple steps, you can often overcome error code 02066 and enjoy uninterrupted streaming of your favorite British shows and movies.

What can I watch on BBC iPlayer?

BBC iPlayer lets you stream 10 TV channels and one radio station live online, for free. It also offers a wide range of on-demand content covering everything from news to documentaries to reality TV. Here’s a brief list of some of the content you can watch on BBC iPlayer with a VPN:

Live streams

  • BBC One
  • BBC Two
  • CBBC
  • BBC Three
  • BBC Four
  • CBeebies
  • BBC News
  • BBC Scotland
  • S4C
  • BBC Parliament
  • Radio 1
  • BBC Alba

Classic, exclusive, new, and popular iPlayer content 

  • Happy Valley
  • Eastenders
  • The Traitors
  • Dragon’s Den / Shark Tank
  • Doctor Who
  • Normal People
  • Fleabag
  • A Good Girls Guide To Murder
  • Gavin & Stacey
  • Drag Race UK / UK vs The World
  • The Jetty
  • Would I Lie to You?
  • Killing Eve
  • The Responder
  • We Might Regret This
  • Daddy Issues
  • Waterloo Road
  • Match of the Day

Watching BBC iPlayer with a VPN: FAQ

Is it legal to watch iPlayer with a VPN?

Using a VPN to access geo-restricted services like iPlayer while on vacation abroad is not illegal, and there is no precedent of UK residents being prosecuted for using a VPN to watch iPlayer while traveling abroad.

That said, it is technically in breach of the BBC’s terms of service, and you could theoretically have your login revoked. Despite this, the BBC does not spend time blocking accounts or chasing up VPN users.

Instead, it uses technical means to detect IP addresses associated with VPNs and blacklists them to prevent users from being able to watch iPlayer abroad. This is why only a few VPNs work and why it is essential to use a recommended VPN that knows how to stay one step ahead of those blocks.

The only instance in which using a VPN to access iPlayer could be construed as illegal is if a UK resident attempted to cover up their use of iPlayer to avoid paying their TV license. In this case, the user would be breaking UK law and could be fined. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice, so please do your own research before using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions.

Are there any free VPNs that work with iPlayer?

It’s possible you’ll be able to find a free VPN that unblocks BBC iPlayer, but not likely. This service has poured a lot of resources into its VPN-detection systems so that many major VPN providers still can’t access it.

However, even if you find one that works, you will likely encounter other issues. There’ll almost certainly be a monthly bandwidth cap preventing you from streaming regularly, for instance, and as most free VPNs tend to have small networks, your connection may not even be fast enough to watch at all. Free VPNs often lack basic encryption measures and some store your data to sell to third parties. In short we recommend avoiding the risk and avoiding free VPNs.

Can I still stream in HD on BBC iPlayer with a VPN?

Most VPNs will indeed slow your connection to some degree. However, live HD broadcasts only require download speeds of around 5 Mbps. In other words, unless your internet connection is already extremely slow, you shouldn’t have any problems streaming BBC iPlayer with an active VPN.

Do I need a TV license to watch BBC iPlayer?

Yes, you need a TV license to watch BBC iPlayer. This is the case whether you’re streaming content live or on-demand. The platform asks you to say whether you have a TV liscence when you sign up. However, there is no no verification process in place.

What devices does BBC iPlayer support?

You can access and stream BBC iPlayer on a wide range of devices. This includes desktop and mobile devices, smart TVs, set-top boxes, and games consoles. Here’s a full list of devices that BBC iPlayer supports:

  • Desktop (Windows 7 and above, Mac OS 10.10 and above, and Linux)
  • Mobile (Android 5.0 or above, iOS 7 or above, Blackberry 10, Windows 10)
  • Browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari)
  • Set-top boxes (Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku)

Games consoles (Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5)

Can I use a free proxy for BBC iPlayer?

Yes, you can use a free proxy for BBC iPlayer, but it’s not a secure option. A VPN is a better option. A proxy server acts in the middle between a user and the web, hiding the user’s IP address from a web server the user visits, but it does not secure the sent and received data. On the other hand, a VPN encrypts all your internet traffic and runs it through an encrypted tunnel, making it an effective solution for ensuring network security.

While proxies and VPNs can help you access BBC iPlayer from outside the UK, most free VPNs have severe limitations like data caps, small networks with few/no UK servers, poor unblocking abilities, and slow speeds. Even worse, they can risk your security by exposing you to malware or selling your data to third parties.

See also: