How to bypass VPN blocks for Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu and others

Streaming companies like Netflix and Amazon Prime vary their content between countries. This can be frustrating when, for example, that movie you’re desperate to watch is available everywhere except in your country. However, it’s not quite as bad as it seems. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help bypass VPN blocks and access geo-restricted content.

A VPN changes your IP address—like a virtual postcode—to one in a different country. This makes it look like you’re connecting from that country, prompting the streaming platform to serve you the relevant content.

Unfortunately, not all VPNs are good for accessing geo-restricted content. Most are detected and blocked. To find out which VPNs do work, we’ve tested a range of popular providers with the most difficult-to-access streaming services. We’ll explain what makes these services good options for streaming and how and why streaming platforms try to block them.

Here’s how to bypass VPN blocks on Netflix and other platforms

Ironically, all you have to do to bypass VPN blocks is to use a better VPN. Below, we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step.

From our experience, here’s how to get around VPN blocks on Netflix and all your favorite streaming services:

1. First, sign up for a VPN to unblock various streaming services. We recommend NordVPN, but  Surfshark and IPVanish are strong alternatives to bypass VPN blocks.
2. Download the appropriate version of the app for your device, then log in.
3. Connect to a VPN server in the required country. For instance, you’d use an American server to access Netflix US or a British server for BBC iPlayer.
4. Finally, play a video on your chosen service. It should begin immediately; if not, clear your browser’s cookies and cache, then reload the page. If problems persist, contact your VPN’s customer support team to see if there’s a specific server you should use.

The best VPNs for bypassing blocks on Amazon Prime, Netflix, and others

Based on the results of our tests — which you can read about in detail later — these are the best VPNs for bypassing blocks:

1. NordVPN: The best VPN for bypassing VPN blocks. Works with multiple content libraries from Netflix, Prime Video, and more. Can be used to overcome censorship in places like China and North Korea. Also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for bypassing VPN blocks.
2. Surfshark: The best budget choice for bypassing VPN restrictions. Works with over 30 Netflix libraries and allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Very fast speeds.
3. IPVanish: Strong unblocking abilities and secure servers in dozens of countries. Good value subscriptions and lets you connect all of your devices at the same time.
4. ExpressVPN: RAM-only servers in 105 countries for safe bypassing of VPN blocks. Can help VPN-incompatible devices stream geo-restricted content.
5. CyberGhost: Streaming-optimized servers that simplify access to streaming platforms. Robust security and privacy. Great for users with no VPN experience.
6. PureVPN: Strong encryption means you can safely stream at work or in school. Easy to use on all devices. Has a 31-day money-back guarantee.
7. ProtonVPN: Secure and private connections via servers in 112 countries. Works great with Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and others. 30-day money-back guarantee.
8. PrivateVPN: Watch Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and more from abroad. An excellent option for lag-free streaming. Beginner-friendly apps and strong online privacy protection.

Best VPNs for bypassing VPN blocks – 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 bypassing VPN blocks.

How do services detect and block VPNs?

There are several ways to tell if a user is connected to a VPN or proxy, and new methods are always being designed. Below, we’ve found a few of the most common:

Using GPS data

Accessing region-locked services like Netflix is much more difficult when using a cell phone or tablet. This is because mobile devices store much information that desktop computers don’t, including your current GPS location. For instance, if your GPS and IP address say you’re in the US, you likely are. On the other hand, if you have an American IP address but your GPS data says you’re in France, you’re almost certainly using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Checking a known VPN blacklist

Most streaming platforms keep a list of IP addresses from known VPN services. This kind of IP blocking tends to be more effective against free VPNs or those with small networks since it’s a dead giveaway when the same IP address is used to log into hundreds of Netflix accounts in 24 hours.

However, IP address blacklisting does very little to stop major VPN providers. With a vast server network, users can usually find a working server without trouble. Further, the fact that a well-known VPN can bypass IP-based VPN blocks on even the notoriously stubborn service could attract more customers.

Blocking traffic from specific ports

When you browse the internet, you’re sending data to the server of whatever website you’re on. This server has various ports configured to accept different kinds of traffic, for instance, most accept HTTP traffic on port 80, or HTTPS traffic via port 443. However, some VPN protocols have their specific ports. This means, for example, that if a website wants to block PPTP connections completely, all it has to do is block the port that the PPTP protocol uses: port 1723.

Of course, there are ways around port-blocking. Some VPNs offer features that scramble your data and disguise it as regular HTTP traffic, neatly side-stepping this problem. Additionally, services would have to block numerous ports to cater to all available VPN protocols, which could prevent legitimate users from accessing the service.

Deep packet inspection

Streaming services don’t use this method. Instead, it’s mostly used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in countries where the Internet is heavily restricted or VPN usage is banned. Effectively, this technology examines the user’s internet traffic and filters it based on predetermined rules. For example, if you’re attempting to send VPN traffic via the standard HTTP port, this can be detected and stopped.

The easiest way to beat deep packet inspection is to use a VPN with advanced cloaking technology. VPNs encrypt your data, meaning nobody (not even the government) can see what you get up to online, and cloaking features reshape your traffic, hiding the data patterns that indicate you’re using a VPN and allowing you to bypass deep packet inspection. Of course, if a country uses deep packet inspection, like China, it’s likely it also blocks access to VPN sites. As such, it’s important to install a VPN before you arrive.

Testing methodology: Choosing VPNs to bypass streaming blocks

We do a lot of behind-the-scenes work before recommending VPNs to our readers. To find the best providers for bypassing blocks from the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, we tested them in the following areas: streaming ability, speed, value for money, security and privacy, and ease of use.

All are important to a user’s experience, but we’ll quickly examine the two things people care about most: streaming ability and speed.

We started by manually testing providers’ compatibility with the top streaming platforms. We also compared their network size for access purposes. Scores were combined to give an overall result out of 10.

As you can see, NordVPN hits the sweet spot regarding its network size and ability to bypass the greatest number of streaming service blocks. Surfshark, IPVanish, and ExpressVPN score particularly highly and are excellent options for consistent access to content worldwide.

We then moved on to our speed tests. After all, there’s little point in accessing streaming platforms if your chosen VPN slows your connection to a crawl.

We tested each provider’s download speeds in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon while connecting to servers in the UK, US, and Japan. We averaged the results and converted them to a score out of 10.

Again, NordVPN is the top provider, with Surfshark a good option for interruption-free streaming.

We then moved on to the other areas, gathering scores along the way. Once all the data was in, we calculated an overall score for each provider.

These are the scores used to decide the pecking order of the recommended VPN provider list seen at the start of the article.

How do I know a platform has detected VPN use?

Sometimes, services will tell you outright if they think you’re using a VPN. Netflix, for instance, has the infamous “You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy” error, and Amazon Prime Video says “Your device is connected to the internet using a VPN or proxy service.” More often, though, you’ll see a generic error letting you know you’re not in the required country, something like “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK” or “Sling TV is only available in the US.”

On the other hand, you might find that there’s no error, and the service doesn’t work when connected to a VPN. Videos might buffer endlessly despite you using a high-speed internet connection, or the website might stop loading partway through.

Why is Amazon Prime Video not working with my VPN?

Amazon Prime Video might not work with your VPN for a few reasons. Amazon uses advanced technology to detect and block VPNs to enforce content licensing agreements. If your VPN’s IP address is detected, Amazon might block it.

Your Amazon account country also needs to match your VPN’s location. If it doesn’t, even the best VPNs won’t work. In this case, you should create a new Amazon account in the country you want to access.

Your VPN service might need to be more robust to bypass Amazon’s blocks. Not all VPNs can handle this, but VPNs like NordVPN are known to be more effective. For more information, check out our guide to the best VPNs for Amazon Prime Video.

If you see an error message, try disconnecting your VPN, choosing a new server location, and refreshing the page. Other solutions include clearing your browser’s cookies and cache. Also, if you are running an antivirus program on your computer, check that it isn’t causing issues. Make sure your VPN is up-to-date and if all else fails, delete the VPN application and reinstall.

How can I make my VPN undetectable to streaming services?

To make your VPN undetectable to streaming services, start by choosing a high-quality VPN for streaming like from our list above. These VPN services frequently refresh their IP addresses and support obfuscation. Obfuscation disguises your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, making it harder for streaming services to detect. If a server gets blocked, switch to a different one to get a new IP address.

Using different VPN protocols like OpenVPN (TCP), WireGuard, or Lightway can also help evade detection. Some VPNs offer dedicated IP addresses for an additional cost, which are less likely to be blacklisted. Manually selecting prevalent ports, like 443 (HTTPS) and 80 (HTTP), can bypass port-based restrictions.

Make sure you disable your location services on your device, as this will prevent GPS from revealing your actual location. Regularly clearing your browser’s cookies and cache can also help avoid detection, as streaming services use these to track your location.

FAQs about VPN blocks