How to stop Amazon Prime Video thinking you’re using a VPN when you aren’t

Amazon’s VPN detection system can cause false positives. This can result in an error message even when you aren’t using a VPN. In this guide, we explain what to do if Amazon Prime Video mistakenly thinks you are using a VPN when you aren’t.

Many people use a VPN to unblock regional Amazon Prime Video catalogs and to access Amazon Prime on networks where it has been blocked – such as at work. Amazon Prime is aware that people use VPNs to bypass region locks, so it blocks dozens of VPNs. This can result in a proxy error message when using a VPN to watch Amazon Prime Video.

Only a few VPNs work to watch Amazon Prime Video, so you must choose a provider carefully. If you are using a VPN to watch Prime Video and are getting error messages, you will need a different troubleshooting guide. We have guides for various VPNs that explain how to get them working with Amazon Prime Video. If this is your problem, keep scrolling to the end of the FAQs – for links that explain how to prevent Amazon Prime Video from detecting a VPN.

Keep reading to learn how to stop Prime Video from thinking you’re using a VPN when you aren’t. 

How does Amazon Prime Video detect VPNs?

Amazon Prime Video detects VPNs by identifying IP addresses associated with VPN servers, analyzing unusual traffic patterns, and employing techniques like IP blacklisting and DNS filtering to determine if a connection is routed through a VPN.

Amazon uses lists of known VPN and proxy IP address ranges to block as many VPNs as possible. It then blacklists those addresses to prevent users from accessing its service from VPNs. This is why Amazon has already blocked most consumer VPNs.

Amazon might further invest in technologies and automated systems that search for signs that a VPN is being used. These include:

1. Shared IP usage: If multiple Prime subscribers appear to be using the same IP address, it will flag that IP address as a possible VPN and then blacklist it.
2. Suspicious use: If a subscriber logs in from many different regions or countries on the same day, Amazon’s automated systems will flag the IP addresses used as potential proxies and then block them.
3. Traffic analysis: Amazon looks for signs of VPN use by checking for traffic patterns, packet configurations, and other indicators that might suggest a VPN is being used to the subscriber’s real location.
4. Geolocation cross-referencing: Amazon constantly monitors each user’s IP address, DNS requests, and GPS information. If a user accesses their account from unusual IP addresses or has IP address data that doesn’t match their geolocation data, it could flag that IP address as a possible VPN IP address.
5. IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks: Amazon’s automated monitoring systems will detect multiple IPs if a VPN leaks DNS requests or IP data outside of the protected VPN tunnel. The system can then flag any IPs suspected of being a VPN and block them.

These methods are extremely effective and usually do an excellent job of detecting and blocking VPNs. However, under some circumstances, they may result in a false positive. If this happens, you could potentially receive an error message even when you aren’t using a VPN.

What are the common triggers for false VPN detection?

More often than not, people who receive location error messages or VPN error messages on Amazon Prime Video use privacy services or location spoofing technologies without realizing it.

Your first step should be to check whether a VPN, proxy, or Smart DNS service is enabled. A proxy could cause Prime Video to serve you an error message.

If you are confident that you aren’t using a VPN and that no proxies are working in the background, then check the DNS settings on your device. If you are streaming Amazon Prime Video on a smart TV or some other set-top streaming device, there is a chance that your DNS settings have been changed and are causing the error. Some VPN and proxy apps alter your default DNS nameservers even after you’ve disconnected.

Old VPNs that you no longer use could still be loading some services in the background. These older VPN apps might cause a conflict even if you haven’t launched the VPN application and connected to a server. For this reason, it’s a good idea to check and uninstall any old VPNs from your device.

Below, we have included a list of other common triggers that could be causing you to receive a VPN or location error message when streaming:

• You are outside of the licensed region: If your Amazon account is registered to a different country and you have traveled outside your usual region for work or vacation, you could encounter a location error message for legitimate reasons.
• You are using your Amazon Prime account on someone else’s device: If you are attempting to log in and stream your Amazon account on someone else’s device, they may have a proxy or other privacy services on their computer that you aren’t aware of. Alternatively, they may have trackers or cache that is causing a conflict and preventing your Amazon Prime account from working on their machine. The problem might also be upstream, such as a VPN set up on a wi-fi router.
• Problematic ISP configurations: Some ISPs may route your traffic through different locations or use specific IP ranges that are mistakenly identified as VPNs by Amazon Prime Video. If your ISP is causing the problem, you will need to speak to your ISP to find out what is happening. Alternatively, you could solve the problem caused by an unreliable ISP by using an Amazon Prime Video-compatible VPN. While it may seem counterintuitive to fix a VPN error message by using a VPN, a reliable VPN can bypass streaming issues caused by a problematic ISP.
• Dynamic IP addresses: Most ISPs assign dynamic IP addresses. On some occasions, the IP address you are assigned may have previously been blacklisted by Amazon Prime. If this happens, you will need to contact your ISP to ask them to assign you a different IP address. Alternatively, you could use a reliable VPN to conceal your IP address and gain access to Prime Video.
• Using a shared network or public Wi-Fi network: Public or shared Wi-Fi networks, like those in cafes or hotels, often use network configurations that can resemble VPNs or proxies. They may also have previously had many different users accessing their Prime accounts, which can cause the IP address to be blacklisted by Amazon. A reliable VPN for Prime Video will work to bypass this problem.
• Browser extensions: Some privacy-enabling browser extensions can potentially modify your connection and cause Amazon Prime Video to think you are using a VPN. Check what extensions you are using and disable any that might be causing a conflict.
• Misconfigured router settings: The settings on your router might be configured in a way that mimics the behavior of a VPN, which could cause a false VPN detection when you stream Prime Video. Things to look out for include DNS settings, proxy settings, VPN passthrough, firewall settings, outdated firmware, and NAT settings.

How do I stop Amazon Prime Video thinking I’m using a VPN when I’m not?

Now that you understand what can trigger false positives when streaming on Amazon Prime Video, you are ready to run through our troubleshooting tips.

Below, we have explained how to stop Amazon Prime thinking you are using a VPN:

1. Check that no VPN or proxy is active

If Amazon Prime Video believes you are using a VPN, the most likely culprit is a VPN or proxy extension. We strongly recommend that you start by checking whether a VPN or proxy extension is running in the background.

Some VPNs have system-level components that run in the background. This means that an old VPN you used to use could potentially conflict with your Amazon Prime Video app.

Check your installed apps and uninstall any old VPNs to refresh your system. You may need to restart your computer after uninstalling any old VPNs.

If you watch Amazon Prime Video in your browser, check your browser extensions. If you have any privacy-enabling extensions, pause them to see whether they are causing your streaming problem.

2. Check your internet connection

If your internet is behaving strangely and causing you to get error messages suggesting you are using a VPN when you aren’t, your network may suffer from a temporary glitch. This can make your traffic look unusual, causing Amazon Prime Video to mistakenly believe you are using a VPN. If this happens, we recommend restarting your router and modem by unplugging them for thirty seconds. This will refresh your connection and should get it working smoothly again.

In some countries or locations, ISPs may route your traffic in ways that cause problems. Some ISPs may also provide you with an IP address previously flagged as a VPN. If you live in shared accommodation or at an address that has likely had many previous occupants, this may be the reason for your problems.

Under these circumstances, you may want to contact your ISP to ask them to refresh your account’s IP address. A new IP address should be enough to solve the issue. If you still have problems that you believe are being caused by your ISP, the best solution is to use a VPN. By connecting to a VPN that works with Amazon Prime Video, you can bypass any issues caused by your ISP.

3. Restart your router and device

Many issues that people experience when streaming Prime Video are caused by temporary files or glitches. We recommend restarting your device and router to get everything working smoothly again. This should reset everything and get your computer working properly again.

4. Clear your browser cache and cookies

If you usually watch Amazon Prime Video by visiting the website in your browser, we recommend clearing your cookies and cache. Files left in your browser during previous sessions can sometimes cause errors. Once these have been cleared, you can log in and stream your account without errors.

5. Update your device’s Operating System

Out-of-date applications can be the root cause of problems when getting error messages on Amazon Prime Video. Outdated apps or an old operating system that hasn’t been updated in a long time can lack important security settings and lead to false positives and errors. This is why we recommend keeping your device’s apps and operating system fully updated. This will keep your device running smoothly and ensure you are more secure against hackers and other potential vulnerabilities.

6. Reinstall the Amazon Prime Video app

If you are using an older version of the Amazon Prime Video app, it is possible that you just need the newer version. We recommend uninstalling the version you currently use and installing the latest version.

7. Check your DNS settings

Check your DNS settings if you are trying to watch Amazon Prime Video on a laptop, desktop computer, tablet, smartphone, smart TV, FireTV, Firestick, or some other set-top streaming device.

Revert to default DNS settings

If you have previously used a VPN or proxy, its software may have automatically updated your default DNS settings. This could cause your internet to behave unusually and may be the reason for an error message when streaming Prime Video.

When resetting your DNS, you have various options. Firstly, you should be able to revert your device to its default settings. To do this, choose the option that automatically selects your DNS nameservers, which should be the DNS servers provided by your ISP. If you are concerned that the default IP address is wrong, then contact your ISP.

Use a third-party DNS service

The second option is to use a secure and reliable third-party DNS resolver. If you suffer from connectivity issues, error messages, and other problems you believe might be caused by your ISP, using a third-party DNS service can be a huge help. There are reliable DNS resolvers that anybody can use for free.

Many people prefer to use Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8) because it improves page load times over their default ISP servers. Google Public DNS is a free service that uses advanced technologies like load-balancing to speed up DNS lookup times, which can improve page load times.

Another advantage of Google DNS is that it is highly consistent and compatible. It is more likely to work with services like Amazon Prime Video, and using it can clear up errors caused by a problematic ISP.

In some countries, ISPs may have unusual backbone deals that route DNS requests and traffic through different regions. Under these circumstances, using Google DNS may help stabilize your connection in the eyes of services like Amazon Prime.

Use a privacy-friendly DNS resolver

Users who prioritize privacy may want to try DNS resolvers like OpenDNS, OpenNIC, Quad9, Contold D, or DNS Watch. These services have a superb reputation and are designed with user privacy in mind. This can help to ensure that your DNS requests aren’t leveraged for data analysis or other invasive practices. You can try many competing DNS resolvers for free, so do a little research and pick the DNS service that best suits your needs.

Avoid configurations that appear to be a VPN

Our final troubleshooting step is to verify that your network or device isn’t using any configurations that could be mistaken for a VPN connection. Things to check for include:

1. VPN pass-through: Some routers have a setting called VPN pass-through. This setting can be useful if you often use a VPN and want to prevent your router’s firewall from blocking it. Unfortunately, this feature can sometimes cause streaming platforms to think you are using a VPN – even if you aren’t. Check your router settings and disable VPN pass-through if it isn’t needed.
2. Security software: Some online security apps can result in error messages when streaming. We recommend checking your device for antivirus programs or any other network security tools that route your data through their own servers for analysis or to block malware. Temporarily disable these tools to check whether they are the root cause of your streaming woes.
3. NAT configuration: Some NAT configurations, such as double NAT, can make your connection appear to be VPN traffic. Most home networks shouldn’t experience this problem because most ISPs provide a combined router and modem. However, if your internet setup includes a separate modem and router, it is worth checking that you don’t have a double NAT configuration. Double NAT can also sometimes become an issue if you’ve upgraded to a new router rather than using the one provided by your ISP. To fix the problem, ensure that only your router handles NAT and that your modem is set to bridge mode.

What happens if Amazon Prime falsely detects a VPN?

If Amazon Prime Video falsely detects a VPN, it will serve you an error message stating that you can’t stream. If this happens, you will need to follow our tips to get Amazon Prime working again.

Below, we have included information about the error messages you could see if you are using a VPN that is incompatible with Amazon Prime or if Prime erroneously detects a VPN.

What error messages might you see if Prime thinks you’re using a VPN?

If Amazon Prime Video mistakenly believes you are using a VPN, you will receive an error message. Amazon uses several different messages for various reasons.

Below, we have included some of the error messages that users experience on Amazon Prime:

1. Your device is connected to the Internet using a VPN or proxy service.

This error means that Amazon Prime Video believes it has detected a VPN or proxy that is preventing you from streaming content. If you experience this message, you will need to disable the VPN or proxy to stream.

2. Your device is connected to the Internet using an HTTP proxy which masks your Internet address.

You will see this error message if Amazon Prime Video has detected the use of an HTTP proxy. This proxy type is usually controlled by a browser extension but may also be a web-based proxy used to conceal or change your IP address. Check out our HTTP proxy Amazon Prime Video troubleshooting guide to resolve this problem.

3. This video is not available due to geographical licensing restrictions.

The primary reason for receiving this error message is when you try to stream a video or channel that is unavailable locally. You may receive this error message if you are on vacation or traveling for work. If this is the case, you will need to use a VPN to get an IP address back home. Unfortunately, this error message may also happen when you are using some VPNs and proxies that Prime Video has already blocked. If you receive this message while using a VPN, change to a different VPN service. If you receive this message when you aren’t using a VPN, ensure you are accessing content that is available in your location.

4. You must disable your anonymizer to play this video.

An anonymizer is a tool or service designed to hide your IP address, similar to a VPN or proxy. If you receive this message, you may need to check that you aren’t using an application that provides anonymization, such as Tor Browser.

5. This content is not available in your location.

You might receive this generic message if Amazon Prime Video believes your IP address is outside of the licensed region for the content or channel you are trying to stream. A VPN connection may sometimes cause this message.

6. We’ve detected that you are using a proxy service. Please disable it to play this video.

This error message will be displayed if Amazon Prime Video specifically detects a proxy being used. Disable the proxy to remove the error message and continue streaming.

7. Playback error. Please check your internet connection and try again.

Various issues, including ISP problems, router misconfigurations, connectivity issues, and the use of a VPN can cause this error message.

How to stop Amazon Prime thinking you’re using a VPN – FAQs