PIA not working with BBC iPlayer? Try this!

BBC iPlayer is available for viewers in the UK to stream for free without advertisements in return for TV licensing fees that fund the broadcaster. If you try to access the streaming provider outside of the UK, you’ll likely encounter an error, or streams will fail to load. This is because BBC iPlayer uses geo-blocks to ensure only UK citizens can view its content which can be frustrating for UK residents when they travel outside the country. You can bypass these restrictions by using a VPN, but unfortunately, not every VPN provider is up to the job.

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a well-known VPN provider that normally helps users access geo-blocked sites and services. Unfortunately, BBC iPlayer isn’t one of them, and PIA struggles to get past its region-blocking measures.

If you’ve been trying to access iPlayer via PIA but have run into problems, you’ll likely see the error message, “This content is unavailable in your location.” In this post, we’ll explain why this error occurs, some potential fixes, and our top PIA alternatives if you cannot access the streaming service after trying these recommended solutions.

Why isn’t Private Internet Access working with BBC iPlayer?

Private Internet Access is one of the most popular VPNs, and it can access a range of region-blocked sites and services. But unfortunately, it doesn’t work consistently with BBC iPlayer. While we don’t know why this is the case, there are a few possible explanations.

For starters, BBC iPlayer has become increasingly aggressive in blocking VPNs from accessing its content. As a result, VPNs like PIA may not be able to get around these blocks. In addition, the BBC is reportedly blocking IP addresses associated with data centers that offer VPN services. So if your PIA connection uses an IP address from one of these data centers, it won’t work with iPlayer.

How to fix PIA not working with iPlayer

It may not always be evident what’s causing the problem with accessing iPlayer with PIA, so troubleshooting yourself is the best option. Here are some of the steps you can take to try and fix the problem:

1. Ensure your PIA connection is set up correctly (contact PIA support if you’re unsure).
2. Ensure you are connecting to a server in the United Kingdom, this will give you the UK IP address required to bypass iPlayer’s geographic restrictions. Try a few different UK servers.
3. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies, then refresh your browser.
4. Check if BBC iPlayer is down or having any technical issues.
5. Use an alternative VPN that works with BBC iPlayer (see below).

If you still can’t access iPlayer via PIA after taking all these steps, you may need to contact PIA support to see if there are any specific servers they’re aware of that work with BBC iPlayer.

How to access iPlayer with NordVPN

Private Internet Access is known to be inconsistent with iPlayer, but our top choice VPN, NordVPN, allows access time and time again. Whether you use NordVPN or our recommended alternatives, Surfshark and ExpressVPN, the connections to BBC iPlayer are similar.

Here’s how to access BBC iPlayer with NordVPN:

1. Sign up for a subscription to NordVPN using our exclusive discount link. Remember, you’ll also benefit from its 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Download and install NordVPN on your device. NordVPN has apps for desktop, mobile, and routers and allows six simultaneous connections.
3. Connect to a UK server to obtain a UK IP address.
4. Launch the BBC iPlayer website or application. If all goes well, you should now be able to access iPlayer.
5. We’d recommend clearing your cookies and browser cache to allow BBC iPlayer to recognize the change.

Watching BBC iPlayer with Private Internet Access: FAQs