How to Solve Amazon Prime Video Error: “This Video is Currently Unavailable to Watch in Your Location”

You’re traveling or living abroad and are looking to enjoy a bit of your favorite streaming content from back home. You settle in, fire up your favorite streaming device, visit Amazon Prime Video to resume the movie you were watching, and you’re greeted with this Amazon Prime error: “This video is currently unavailable to watch in your location”.

You see an error like this due to Amazon Prime Video’s restrictions on content.

Why Does Amazon Prime Video Restrict Access to Content?

The contracts that Amazon signs with content providers (TV and movie studios) restrict the availability of streaming content to designated countries. This means that if you connect to Amazon U.S. from outside of the United States, you’ll likely see the error mentioned in the previous paragraph.

This geo-blocking of content isn’t restricted to Amazon Prime Video. Most streaming services – including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and most others – also geo-restrict access to their content.

Does a VPN Help Access Amazon Prime Video?

Luckily, there is a tool that allows users to “spoof” their geographical location, making it appear as if they are in the same country as their Amazon Prime Video content of choice.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can assign a new IP address to your connected device.

It does this by routing your internet connection through a VPN server. When that server is located in another country, your device’s new IP address makes it appear as if you and your device are based in that other country. That is because an IP address can be used to determine a device’s geographical location.

VPNs also have added abilities, including the ability to encrypt a user’s internet connection. Encryption hides your online activities from the prying eyes of nosy types, like hackers, the government and even your own Internet Service Provider (ISP).

How to Solve the Amazon Prime Video Error by Using a VPN

By following a few simple steps, you can fix the Amazon Prime “Unavailable” error. Here’s how to do it:

1. Sign up with a VPN service provider. While NordVPN is the provider I recommend, I’ve also seen plenty of success unblocking Amazon Prime Video with other VPNs, including Surfshark, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and PrivateVPN.
2. Install the provider’s app on your computer.
3. Connect to a server in the country where you want to view a different content catalog.
4. Log in to your Amazon Prime Video account in your computer’s browser.
5. Search for your favorite content.
6. Click the “Watch Now” button and enjoy your movie or TV series.

The above steps should allow you to access content in Amazon Prime Video’s standard content library. If you decide to purchase additional content, you will need to set up a payment method set up in the other country. Or, you can purchase an Amazon gift card and use that to make the payment.

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NordVPN: The Best VPN for Solving the Amazon Prime Video Error

Apr 2024

Not all VPNs out there are capable of unblocking Amazon Prime Video. That’s why I had to do a little (read: a lot of) research to find the best one.

NordVPN is my top pick for resolving the Amazon Prime Video “This Video is Currently Unavailable…” error.

The VPN service provider does a top-notch job of unblocking geo-blocked content from around the globe. It also provides comprehensive online security and privacy for all of your online antics.

The provider’s impressive global server network is made up of over 5,500 servers stationed in 60 countries around the globe. This server network, which is in the process of moving to a fully self-owned and self-operated network for additional privacy protection, provides reliable access to geo-blocked content around the globe.

NordVPN’s server network provides fast download speeds. The HD and 4K content that Amazon Prime Video offers requires a fast connection, and NordVPN connections can easily handle those streaming requirements. Gamers, as well as file sharing aficionados, will also appreciate the provider’s fast, no-data-caps connections.

Those fast connections are also well protected thanks to NordVPN’s use of military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, automatic kill switch protection and IP/DNS leak prevention. The provider’s NordLynx protocol (based on WireGuard) is designed to provide improved security and performance. You can also use multi-factor authentication to confirm your NordVPN account credentials when you log in.

All NordVPN servers are run on a strictly no-server-logs basis. Plus, all of the provider’s servers are run directly from RAM, never writing any information to a physical hard drive. That means that all data is completely erased whenever the server is restarted. The provider also accepts cryptocurrency to help protect your payment privacy.

NordVPN provides native app support for the Windows, macOS (with native Apple Silicon support), iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Chromebook, Linux and Android TV device platforms. Chrome, Edge and Firefox browser extensions are available to protect and enhance your in-browser viewing sessions.

The provider allows up to 6 simultaneous connections on a single user’s account. You can take advantage of the provider’s extensive router compatibility to protect all of your devices via a single internet connection.

NordVPN also offers a SmartDNS service that allows set-top boxes, smart TVs, game consoles and other connected devices to benefit from NordVPN’s geo-blocked content-accessing abilities. Stay aware, however, that a smart DNS service does not encrypt your connection like a VPN does.

The provider offers 24/7 live support chat, email support and a searchable support and troubleshooting library.

Read my full review of NordVPN.

Methodology for Assessing VPNs for Amazon Prime Video

When you’re considering VPN providers to protect and enhance your Amazon Prime Video viewing, there are several important considerations. Not just any VPN is suitable, as not all of them offer the required features.

Here are the many features I consider and why they’re worth mulling over before subscribing to a VPN:

• Connection Speed: Connection speeds are critical when viewing streaming video. Today’s HD and 4K streams require fat data pipelines. Each VPN on my list offers low lag, fast connections.
• Server Network: A large global server network is a requirement when you’re in the mood for content from other areas of the globe. Look for a provider with multiple servers located in each country, as it helps prevent a single server from being overloaded with too many users.
• Value: A VPN offers a good value when its asking price is in line with the features and functionality it offers. All of the VPNs on my list provide an excellent value.
• Ease of Use: VPN apps should be as easy to use as possible, without giving up anything in protection. Apps should also support your favored viewing devices. Each VPN I include on my list offers easy to use multi-platform app support.
• Security and Privacy: While this article concentrates on streaming video from Amazon Prime Video, a VPN is also an excellent tool for protecting your online security and privacy. All the VPNs on my list offer banking-level encryption, an automatic kill switch and DNS/IP leak protection, and never save any logs connected to your online activities.

The list above is just a small part of my overall comprehensive VPN testing methodology. My data-driven approach provides a better understanding of these VPNs service offerings. This allows me to confidently recommend VPNs that are a good fit for my readers’ needs.

Can I Solve the Amazon Prime Video Video Error on All of My Devices?

Sadly, I found that during testing, while Amazon Prime video allows you to view streaming content on a mobile device, it is limited to the content that is available in the country you signed up in.

Amazon doesn’t provide information about how it determines a viewer’s location on a mobile device. It is possible that it may use your device’s GPS capabilities to determine its actual location, or perhaps it keys off of the country where your payment method is based. Either way, you’ll be able to watch some content, but not all of it.

To (try to) combat this, you can spoof your GPS location on your mobile device. While apps are available in the Google Play Store for Android devices (search for “GPS Spoofing” or a similar search term), you’ll need to jailbreak your iPhone and load a third-party GPS spoofing app that way.

SEE ALSO: How To Bypass VPN Blocks For Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, BBC, Etc. (for desktop)

Will a Free VPN Solve the Amazon Prime Video Video Error?

Sure, “free” is an enticing price, and why shouldn’t you use a free VPN if you can?

Well, you really can’t. Free VPNs are not a good idea for use with any online activity, but especially when using it for an activity like streaming video from Amazon Prime Video and other streamers.

You see, free VPNs don’t usually prove to be compatible with an enjoyable streaming experience.

This is because free VPNs usually throttle their users’ connection bandwidth, while also enforcing a daily or monthly data cap. The HD and 4K content that video streaming services like Amazon Prime Video offer require fast connections and also quickly butt up against data caps.

You’ll find that you don’t have much choice when it comes to selecting servers when using a free VPN. You may even be forced to cool your heels in a virtual waiting room before being given the okay to connect.

Once you’re allowed to connect, you’ll either find that you’re limited to being allowed to connect to a small number of servers, or that you’re simply connected to a server of the provider’s choice.

Your privacy is also at risk when using a free VPN.

This is because, even though the VPN service provider is free, it still needs to make money to keep its lights on. Many freebie VPNs track their users’ online travels, log that activity, and then sell that valuable info to advertisers and other nosy types.

Some VPNs have even been caught inserting unwanted ads and tracking cookies into their users’ browser sessions.

I don’t know how you feel about all of this, but none of the free VPN experience sounds good to me.

What Else Can a VPN Do For Me?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) offers many useful features, including protecting your online security and privacy, as well as providing access to geo-blocked content.

As I’ve laid out above, a VPN provides access to geo-blocked content from around the world. It does this by assigning a fresh IP address to your connected device, making it appear as if you and your device are located in another area of the globe. This usually allows you to access geo-blocked content in your new virtual area of the world.

A VPN also encrypts your internet connection, preventing nosy folks like hackers, the government and also your Internet Service Provider (ISP) from monitoring your online activities.

Encrypted connection protection also comes in handy for those of you who use public WiFi hotspots, such as those found at coffee shops, hotels, airports and other public locations. Since many public WiFi hotspots are usually unprotected, this leaves hotspot users open to having their online activities monitored by hackers!

An encrypted connection also blocks your ISP from tracking and logging your online activities and then selling that information to advertisers and other nosy folks that are willing to pay for it.

ISPs have also been caught throttling or blocking their users’ connections simply because they’re engaging in “unapproved” activities, like streaming from certain websites or sharing files. An encrypted connection blocks the ISP from viewing your activities.

SEE ALSO: The Most Reliable Way To Resolve The Amazon Prime Video HTTP Proxy Error

In Closing

Amazon Prime Video users can help prevent getting a video error from the streaming service by using a Virtual Private Network. NordVPN is my top choice for this purpose.

NordVPN’s impressive global server network delivers reliable access to geo-blocked local content around the globe. The provider’s fast, well-protected connections deliver smooth streaming for Amazon Prime content. The provider offers support for most popular devices, which all adds up to a reliable way to protect and enhance Amazon Prime Video streaming and your other online activities.

For more information or to purchase a subscription, visit the NordVPN website.