Private Internet Access not working with Netflix? Here’s what to do

Like most major streaming platforms, Netflix geo-restricts its content. This means that users in different countries can only watch a limited selection of shows and movies. As a result, a VPN, such as Private Internet Access, is an essential tool for people traveling abroad who want to keep access to their favorite shows.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides location spoofing services and online privacy. This should let you securely access Netflix from anywhere. However, very few VPNs work to stream Netflix anymore, thanks to the service’s stringent anti-VPN methods. If you try to watch Netflix with most VPNs, you’ll see the following proxy error: “You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again.”

This means that you must do your VPN research carefully to pick out a VPN that does work. In this article, we look at whether Private Internet Access still works with Netflix, some common problems you might face, their fixes, and some alternative VPNs to try if all else fails.

Does PIA work with Netflix?

Private Internet Access has a wide network of servers in 90+ countries to help users gain access to censored, restricted, and region-locked content from around the world. To test PIA Netflix compatibility, we connected to servers in various countries and then attempted to use Netflix in incognito mode (to prevent cookies and cache from affecting our ability to watch a foreign Netflix catalog).

Our tests revealed that while it is possible to access a handful of foreign Netflix libraries, streaming will result in an error message on most servers. Consequently, we can deduce that PIA has focused its energy on providing access to just a few Netflix regions that are in high demand. Unfortunately, this means that the vast majority of its servers will not allow users to stream Netflix abroad.

The table below shows which versions of Netflix we were able to access via PIA servers during this round of testing:

As you can see, PIA only works with a few regional Netflix libraries, but they are the most popular ones. Despite this, it’s not the most reliable way to access Netflix abroad. Company representatives have publicly admitted that Netflix blacklists PIA’s servers and real IP addresses, explaining why PIA can struggle to access Netflix catalogs that were previously available.

PIA is also slower than the very best VPNs for Netflix and is a little inconsistent. This means that even if you succeed in watching your home Netflix library, your experience may be lackluster. We found that streaming quality can be affected by which server you use, how far away it is, and what time of day it is.

If you can’t access a version of Netflix that PIA should work with, it is worth contacting customer support for advice on which server to use. However, if you have not yet subscribed, we strongly recommend opting for a VPN provider that works better with Netflix. We recommend using NordVPN, Surfshark, IPVanish, or ExpressVPN instead.

How to securely stream Netflix with Private Internet Access

New to VPNs? Don’t worry: with the right VPN, it’s easy to access platforms like Netflix abroad securely:

1. Start by signing up for Private Internet Access. Although, if you want the best VPN for Netflix, we actually recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the appropriate version for your device (PIA currently offers desktop and mobile apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS).
3. Connect to one of PIA’s VPN server locations in the country where you’d like to access Netflix.
4. Sign in to Netflix and start streaming. Videos should load without any issues.
5. If not, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, then refresh the page. Failing that, contact PIA’s customer service team and ask them for help choosing the best streaming-optimized server for Netflix.

Which are the best VPNs for streaming Netflix abroad?

Netflix is one of the world’s most popular streaming platforms and can afford to devote a huge amount of resources to blocking VPN users. This means that VPN providers, especially smaller ones like PIA, often find it difficult to keep up. However, there are a few VPN services that work reliably with Netflix, and we’ve listed the best of these below. It’s worth noting that we tested just 30 different regions, so the number of libraries they can securely access could be even higher.

1. NordVPN Our top pick provides high-speed streaming servers, exceptionally strong security features, and a no-logs policy. Further, it works with some of the most popular Netflix libraries. It also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Netflix.
2. Surfshark is a low-cost, high-performance, privacy-oriented VPN that works with several Netflix libraries. Better still, it works in China, has no connection limit, and offers a true no-logging policy.
3. IPVanish is another great VPN that works with UK and US Netflix on desktop, Android, iOS, and many other streaming devices. Allows for unlimited simultaneous connections.
4. ExpressVPN is a strong choice for Netflix. Fast, highly secure, and privacy-focused. Provides secure access to over a dozen different Netflix libraries and most major streaming services.
5. CyberGhost is a fast, reliable VPN that works well with Netflix. Vast network of streaming-optimized servers. Secure, user-friendly, and has strong security and privacy policies to protect your online security.
6. PrivateVPN is an excellent choice for Netflix as it keeps no logs, works with most of the Netflix libraries we tested, and offers higher download speeds than most other VPNs.
7. PureVPN Fast speeds for Netflix and other streaming platforms. Secure, fast, and great value. Allows you to use up to 10 devices at one time.
8. ProtonVPN One of the most secure VPNs on the market. Great for traveling abroad, torrenting, and accessing Netflix from anywhere.

Best VPNs for Netflix: at a glance

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

Why PIA doesn’t work consistently with Netflix

In our tests, PIA is able to access the most popular Netflix libraries consistently. However, some issues can still crop up. If you run into problems, don’t panic. There are a few reasons why you might be struggling, so just work your way through the following troubleshooting steps to fix the issue.

1, First, check your IP address. This will ensure that PIA is working and that you are definitely connected to a server in the location you want. Checking your IP address is simple; just go to our IP address checker; if it doesn’t show the location you were expecting, disconnect PIA and try again.

2, Netflix could be using old location data. This can cause problems if it points to a different country than your IP address does. To fix this, clear your browser’s cookies and reload the page.

Here’s how to clear your cookies on the most popular browsers:

• Firefox: Click Menu icon in the top-right > Settings > Privacy & Security > Manage Data under Cookies and Site Data, type “Netflix”, click Remove All Shown, click Save Changes
• Google Chrome: Click Menu icon in the top-right > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > View permissions and data stored across sites > type “Netflix”, click Clear all data
• Microsoft Edge: Menu icon > Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies and site data > See all cookies and site data > Type “Netflix”, click Remove all shown

This is a crucial step and one that you should repeat after any failed attempt to access Netflix.

3, If that doesn’t fix the issue, your device itself may also be giving Netflix hints that you’re using a VPN. For instance, Netflix apps have been known to use GPS data to cross-reference your location. This could mean you’re able to watch on a PC but not on mobile devices. To resolve this, you’ll have to either find a GPS-spoofing app or use a VPN that takes care of this automatically.

4, It could be that Netflix has blacklisted the server you’re using. If so, switching to a new server in the same location should help. If you struggle to find one that works, try contacting the customer support team. They should be able to direct you to a server that is working with the platform.

5, Try a dedicated IP address. VPNs run multiple users’ traffic through the same servers; this is usually not a problem and actually increases your online security. However, if Netflix sees multiple users connecting from the same IP, they might flag it as being owned by a VPN and blacklist it. To prevent this from happening, you need a dedicated IP address. PIA has this option, but it will cost you a few dollars more a month; alternatively, check out other VPNs that offer dedicated IP capabilities.

How Netflix blocks PIA from working

It’s actually pretty simple. Netflix PIA blocking works by detecting when a user is connected to a VPN server and then blocking their access. This is done by looking at the IP address of the user and seeing if it matches with any known VPN servers. If it does, then the user is blocked from accessing Netflix.

There are a few reasons why Netflix may do this. One reason is to prevent users from accessing content that is not licensed in their country. Another reason is to prevent people from using VPNs to get around geographic restrictions on content.

Whatever the reasons, it’s fairly easy to bypass Netflix’s PIA blocking. All you need to do is find a VPN that changes your IP address to one that’s not on their list.

Our top recommended VPN for Netflix

NordVPN

Nov 2024 Works with NetflixTested Nov 2024

NordVPN is our number one recommended VPN for Netflix. It’s ideal for streaming with a large network of over 6,000 reliable global servers, excellent speeds, and consistent unblocking abilities. In our rigorous testing, NordVPN was repeatedly able to access several Netflix libraries, including Netflix US, UK, Japan, Australia, and Canada, so you should be able to access your home library from abroad.

They are consistently working on their accessing abilities and are adept at avoiding detection by streaming services and geo-restricted sites. They offer all the security and privacy features you could hope for and have a zero logs policy.

Nord VPN allows you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, so it’s great for letting the whole family stream; plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can be sure you’re completely happy.

Want to know more? Check out our full NordVPN review.

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Watching Netflix with a free VPN

Free VPNs can be tempting, but they come with several major disadvantages for anyone looking to stream. For example, these services usually don’t have enough streaming servers to accommodate all of their users. This means you’re likely to experience slow streaming and download speeds, which leads to low-resolution video streaming and frequent buffering. Further, your chosen service might not have servers with local IP addresses in your required country, and even if it does, there’s a high chance that its servers will have been blocked by Netflix.

Finally, there’s no easy way to tell if you’re actually using a legitimate free VPN or just one of the many malware-carrying apps lurking in popular app stores. Your chosen VPN might not be safe even if it doesn’t contain malware: recent research found that 18% of tested apps never encrypted user data at all, and 66% were vulnerable to DNS leaks. Well-known services aren’t necessarily safer, though; back in 2016, Hola was caught selling user bandwidth to help run a botnet.

To stay safe online, we recommend using a VPN with a good reputation and a history of standing up for its customers’ online privacy. If you’re worried about the price, make the most of a reputable provider’s free trial or 30-day money-back guarantee. That way, you can be sure you’re getting a decent product before committing long-term.

Private Internet Access & Netflix: FAQs

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