VPNArea Netflix Not Working Workaround

At a Glance

Let’s face it: in everyone’s life a little rain must fall, and it’s been pouring outside for three days in a row now while you’re on holiday. Sounds like a great time to settle in for a Netflix binge from back home.

You fire up your VPNArea app, click a server from back home, load Netflix, and all you see is:

“Whoops, something went wrong…Streaming Error. You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again.”

Bah!

What Went Wrong?

More and more, it seems that VPN users who had in the past enjoyed success in using their VPN to access Netflix content outside of their own countries are finding that this trick no longer works.

While VPNArea is often successful in offering access to U.S., Italian, and U.K. Netflix content, those are the only three areas where it actively works. Any areas outside of those three are hit or miss.

So, what can a VPNArea user do to gain access to Netflix in more countries and more reliably?

Why Netflix Prevents VPNArena Users From Accessing Its Service

First, let’s discuss the current state of Netflix access from other countries.

While a VPN has always been the best way to access Netflix content from other parts of the globe, things have gotten a bit more complicated in recent years. In 2016, Netflix announced it would be doing its best to stop VPN users from accessing the streaming content from outside their designated regions.

Netflix doesn’t do this just to be a jerk. Nope. In reality, the streaming provider is required to stop these attempts thanks to their content agreements with movie and television studios. Those agreements are region-specific, restricting the content to a certain area of the world.

Unfortunately, this prevents you from viewing the French Netflix content you loved so much once you’re back home in the States.

Many VPN providers have either given up providing access to Netflix in other lands or have limited their Netflix-accessing powers to a few select regions.

How Netflix Can Tell You’re Using a VPN

When a user’s device connects to a VPN server, they are assigned a new IP address, which makes their location appear to be that of the server. For example, they may be located in Denver, Colorado in the United States, but they could appear to be somewhere in the United Kingdom.

All users who are connected to a server will show that server’s IP address as their own, making it appear that they are all located in the same spot as the server. While having a large number of users share the same IP address adds an extra layer of protection to the security a VPN provides, it can be a bad thing when it comes to accessing Netflix.

When multiple Netflix subscribers show up as connecting to the service from the same location, alarm bells go off. It indicates that those viewers may be using a VPN to access the streaming content.

When this happens, Netflix IT folk investigate further. If they confirm that the IP address in question is owned by a VPN provider, they stop it from accessing their streaming servers.

When Netflix stops the IP from accessing its content, the VPN user finds they are no longer enjoying their favorite movies but instead are staring at the error message I mentioned at the beginning of this article.

When users complain to the VPN service’s customer support folk about the lack of Netflix access, those support folks take a look at the situation. When they find that Netflix is stopping a particular IP address, they set up a new address that will once again enable access to the streaming giant.

Well, until Netflix discovers that IP address, and the whole wicked game begins anew.

It takes plenty of moolah to keep playing this virtual game of chess, and for financial reasons, many VPN services are unable to add new IP addresses as quickly as Netflix stops them and simply give up on enabling access altogether.

Other VPN providers, such as VPNArea, hang in there but limit their Netflix-ready servers to a few select locations. (For VPNArea, that’s the U.S., the U.K., and Italy.)

Thankfully, there are VPN providers that are hanging in there and providing access to streaming services in multiple locations around the globe. Let’s take a look at one of these providers.

Best Netflix-Not-Working Workaround

NordVPN

NordVPN continues to offer what is, in my humble opinion, some of the best secure access to Netflix content of any of the VPN providers I have used.

This provider delivers Netflix access in a large number of areas around the globe and quickly creates new IP addresses to re-open access when required. While I have occasionally run into an IP address that no longer works for Netflix, I gained access once again by switching to another server in that region.

NordVPN goes the extra mile for VPN users, providing helpful information for using the Netflix service with their network. The provider offers tips and tricks for using the service, a helpful FAQ, and links to browser extensions for use with Netflix.

In addition, the VPN service offers top-notch support, streaming-optimized connections, wide-ranging global server coverage, app support for all popular computing platforms, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Connection Speed

Now that you have reliable access to Netflix, you don’t want to have to wait “forever” for your favorite shows and films to begin playing.

NordVPN delivers speedy connections. In my most recent testing with a gigabit connection, NordVPN’s download speeds averaged 371 Mbps. Depending on your usual connection speeds, even 4K HDR content should begin streaming with little to no wait.

Multi-Platform Support

Multi-platform support is important for nearly any online activity, but it’s especially vital when you’re considering a VPN provider to use with Netflix.

NordVPN has all of the popular desktop and mobile platforms covered, with native apps on Windows, macOS (with native Apple Silicon support), iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Linux, and Android TV platforms. Browser users will find that it’s easy to access Netflix using NordVPN’s browser extensions for the Chrome, Edge, and Firefox platforms.

Although NordVPN limits each account to five simultaneously connected devices at once, its compatibility with numerous makes and models of routers provides an ideal way of protecting multiple devices via one central connection. Pre-configured routers are available from FlashRouters.com.

Pricing

NordVPN offers reasonable subscription pricing.

At the time of this writing, a standard monthly subscription will cost you $11.99 each month. A one-year subscription will run $4.49 per month (payable in annual installments), and a two-year deal will be $3.69 per month (payable in two-year installments). Be sure to check the NordVPN website at the link below, as pricing can change periodically.

Currently, you can get three free months added to an annual subscription by clicking the link below to visit the NordVPN website.

A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

For more information, visit the NordVPN website.

Customer Support

While I would never wish any bad karma on any of my readers, we all know that stuff happens, especially when you’re talking about connecting to the internet. That’s why it’s important to choose a VPN service that provides top-notch customer service.

NordVPN’s customer service is second to none, offering 24/7 live chat, email support, trouble ticket tracking, and a searchable support library.

I have always received prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable answers to all of my support questions. Plus, the provider’s support library makes for a great way to find answers on my own.

Global Server Coverage

Any VPN provider is only as good as its global server coverage. More server locations equal more content to access. NordVPN has you and the globe covered in this department, too, with 5,400+ servers stationed in 60+ countries around the globe.

Privacy and Security Protection

Privacy protection is another essential consideration when VPN shopping. The provider does not keep any types of logs related to their customers’ online travels. The provider’s willingness to accept subscription payments in the form of Bitcoin adds another layer of protection for your identity.

NordVPN offers two additional privacy features not offered by too many other VPNs. First off, the provider’s owned-and-operated servers keep outside contractors away from your personal info. Also, NordVPN runs all of its servers 100% from RAM, with no data whatsoever being written to an actual hard drive. This ensures that all data on a server is completely wiped whenever it is shut down or rebooted.

As for your online security, while actually using the VPN, NordVPN offers numerous protective connection features, including government-grade encryption, kill switch protection, IP and DNS leak prevention, auto-connect to a VPN server when connecting to an untrusted network, and more.

Additional Features

In addition to industry-standard VPN protection, NordVPN also offers malware protection, tracker and ad protection, custom DNS servers, and a dark web monitor that alerts you if info linked with your email address is exposed on the dark web.

Methodology for Assessing VPNs for Streaming Netflix

When considering a VPN service provider to stream Netflix, there are several important features to keep in mind. Not all VPNs offer the necessary features and performance.

Here are the critical features I use to assess VPN providers and why each one is important:

• Connection speeds: Fast connections are a must for full enjoyment of streaming services, like Netflix. No one wants a lengthy wait while a movie or TV episode buffers or wants to see artifacts while enjoying the movie once it starts streaming. I regularly perform connection speed tests. Each VPN I included on my list provides reliable, fast connection speeds.
• Server network: No matter what online activity you’re engaging in, a large global server network is your friend. This is especially true when you’re streaming Netflix. Also, look for multiple servers in each country, as that helps prevent a single server from being bogged down with too many users.
• Value: The price of a VPN service provider is an important consideration for many users. Always weigh the features of any VPN to its asking price. All of the VPNs on my list offer good value for what they ask.
• Ease of use: Easy-to-use apps make it simpler to connect and start streaming immediately. The VPN provider should also offer native app support for your preferred streaming platform. If a VPN doesn’t offer an app for your device, look for comprehensive router support. Each VPN that I included on my list offers multi-platform support with intuitive apps.
• Security and privacy: While this article is all about using a VPN to access your favorite Netflix content, a VPN also protects your online security and privacy. All of the VPNs on my list offer, at a minimum, government-grade encryption, an automatic kill switch and DNS/IP leak protection, and usually more. The VPNs I recommend never keep any logs related to your online activities.

While the above factors are important considerations when selecting a VPN, my research doesn’t end here. Evaluating the factors listed above is just a small part of my overall VPN testing methodology. This data-driven approach helps me to better understand a VPN’s services, allowing me to recommend VPN providers that are a good fit for my readers’ needs.

VPNArea VPN FAQs

The Best VPN for Netflix

NordVPN is my top pick for the best VPN for use when you’re in the mood for Netflix films or television episodes based in a foreign land. The provider offers consistent access to international Netflix content, reacting promptly when new IP addresses are required.

This provider offers fast connections, comprehensive global server coverage, multiple layers of privacy protections, and excellent customer service.

While I’ll never claim NordVPN has batted a thousand when it comes to Netflix access, they have been quick to bring new IP addresses into the lineup when needed. (Can you tell I just watched Field of Dreams?)

NordVPN continues to provide reliable access to Netflix content from other countries.

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