VPN Not Working With Peacock? Here is How To Fix It (2025 Edition)

At a Glance

NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service is a United States-based streaming service offering content from the NBC networks, the Universal movie library, original programming, WWE events and much more.

Unfortunately, Peacock is available only from inside the U.S. Happily, there is a tool that Peacock subscribers can use to view the service’s content, no matter where they’re at. That tool is called a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Do All VPNs Work With Peacock?

However, some VPN users are finding that their VPN’s Peacock access is spotty at best, and are getting their feathers ruffled when it comes to viewing reruns of “The Office” or bingeing “Girls5eva.” These users would do well to investigate other VPN options.

Peacock, like other popular streaming services, is bound by the contracts it signs with television and film studios. The contracts restrict viewing of the content to a certain country or region. In the case of Peacock, all of its programming is restricted to viewers based inside U.S. borders.

This means that Peacock and other streamers have become increasingly vigilant for users attempting to view Peacock shows or movies from outside the U.S. by using a VPN. If streamers see an IP address known to belong to a VPN service attempting to connect to their service, they block that IP address from connecting.

When this happens, a reliable VPN service will immediately set up new IP addresses to restore access to Peacock. Of course, Peacock then eventually blocks those IP addresses, and the game begins anew.

While this has caused many VPNs to sit out this game of virtual whack-a-mole, there are still quality VPNs that are “proud as a peacock” and work to keep your access open.

Why Peacock Blocks VPN Providers

In the early days of the streaming and VPN industries, it was a relatively simple matter to find a VPN that could unblock geo-blocked content, like streaming services.

However, it wasn’t long before the streamers caught on to the VPN trick, and they soon began actively blocking VPN-provided connections from accessing their content libraries.

It should be noted that streaming sites don’t block VPN users simply to be difficult. Instead, the contracts they sign with television and movie producers require them to make the contracted-for content available only in designated areas of the globe. This is why “The Big Lebowski” may be available on Netflix in the U.S., but not in other countries.

How Peacock Blocks VPN Users From Accessing Their Content

When you connect your device to a VPN server, that server temporarily assigns the device a new IP address that is allocated for use by devices in the country where the server is located.

That means you could be located in the middle of the United Kingdom, but the IP address the rest of the internet will see your device using is based in Chicago, IL in the United States.

In most cases, when you connect to a VPN server, you are sharing that server with numerous other VPN users. This means you are sharing the IP address with the other users. A VPN server acts like your home router, presenting a single IP address to the internet, while managing the requests and responses for the users connected to it.

While shared IP addresses have their advantages, they also have their disadvantages.

As far as advantages go, a shared IP address helps protect a VPN user’s anonymity. By sharing an IP address, no particular online activity can be traced directly back to an individual user.

On the disadvantage side of things, when multiple users use the same IP address and are connecting to a streaming service like Peacock, the service may notice that a load of viewers are coming in on the same IP and will investigate.

If the IP address in question is found to belong to a VPN service, the streaming site will block that IP address from accessing its content.

When an IP address is blocked and users can no longer connect to their favorite movies and shows, those users might complain to the VPN’s customer service department. The VPN’s tech folks then check out the situation, and if they find that the IP address is indeed blocked, they’ll set up new IP addresses to restore access to the streamer’s library.

While this temporarily restores access to the streaming service, chances are good that the streaming service will eventually notice the new VPN-created IP addresses and block them. The VPN provider sets up new IP addresses, the streamer blocks those, and…I think you get it.

This online game of hide-and-seek has led some VPN providers to simply give up and not bother providing access to streamers. Luckily for all of us, there are some hardy VPN providers that are hanging in there.

Methodology for Assessing VPNs for Peacock

Not all VPNs provide reliable access to geo-blocked services like what Peacock and other streaming services offer.

I compared the following VPN features to determine which provider works best for reliable access to Peacock:

• Connection Speed: If you’re going to truly enjoy HD or 4K streaming, you’ll want to find a VPN that provides fast downloads with no data cap or bandwidth throttling restrictions. NordVPN provided some of the best speeds in my most recent connection tests.
• Server Network: Peacock, other streaming services, gaming services, and more restrict access to their content to designated areas. This means that if you’re looking to access Peacock, you’ll want your VPN to have plenty of servers based in the United States. This is because the more servers there are, the less of a load that will be placed on a single server, meaning you should see better performance.
• Value: A VPN’s value can be determined by comparing the features it offers to the price it charges. If a VPN’s services are out of balance with its asking price, drop that provider from consideration. All of the providers I recommend (NordVPN in this article) offer excellent value.
• Ease of Use: If you’re a first-time VPN user, you’re likely looking for a provider that offers easy-to-use apps on a large number of device platforms. NordVPN offers simple apps for most popular devices, while also offering excellent router support.
• Security and Privacy: A reliable VPN will keep your online activities undercover, safe from being monitored or logged. Quality VPNs will offer banking-level encryption, a kill switch, and various other security and privacy protections. Providers score bonus points for malware and virus protections, and ad blocking. The provider should never save any logs connected to your activities. NordVPN offers all of this.
• Streaming: If you’re looking for a VPN to unblock geo-blocked streaming services like Peacock, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other streamers, then choose a VPN that makes unblocking video streaming services a priority, like NordVPN.

Evaluating the factors listed above are just part of my comprehensive VPN testing methodology. My data-driven approach helps me to better understand the VPNs and their services, so I can recommend only those that are a good fit for your needs.

Best Blocked-Peacock Workaround: NordVPN

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If you’re an American traveling abroad or an American expat looking for a taste of your favorite shows and movies, NordVPN is the best choice for your VPN needs. In addition to Peacock, NordVPN offers access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and many other streamers.

You can also check out a full review of NordVPN and read how we test VPN providers.

1. Connection Speeds

Most streaming services offer their shows and films in 1080p HD or higher. The number of streamers offering 4K content is growing all of the time. Both HD and 4K streams require fast download speeds to stream without extended buffering or pauses to catch up in mid-stream.

This makes it important to find a VPN provider that provides fast, no-data-caps connections.

NordVPN delivers blazing download speeds, some of the fastest I saw in recent testing. This provider never spoils your viewing pleasure with data caps or bandwidth throttling. (Your

2. Global Server Coverage

While you’re obviously reading this article because you’re looking for a reliable VPN to access Peacock streams based in the U.S., I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention all of the advantages a VPN with a large global server network can provide.

The larger a VPN’s global server coverage, the better access it will provide to geo-blocked content around the globe.

At the time of this article, NordVPN has close to 5,600+ servers stationed in 60 countries around the globe.

While NordVPN certainly doesn’t boast the largest server network in the VPN industry, it provides reliable access to geo-blocked content in countries where it has located its servers.

3. Online Security & Privacy Protection

Whenever you’re connected to the internet, you’re likely being watched by hackers, maybe the government, and definitely your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Since it’s an always-connected world, it’s important to find a VPN that provides comprehensive online security and privacy.

NordVPN hides your online travels from nosy third parties by using government-grade 256-bit AES encryption, an automatic kill switch, and IP/DNS leak prevention. The provider’s proprietary NordLynx connection protocol (based on the open-source WireGuard protocol) is optimized for improved performance and security.

The provider offers excellent privacy protections by following a strict no-server-logs policy and by accepting Bitcoin in return for its services.

NordVPN is also moving all of its server operations to fully owned-and-operated server farms, keeping third-party contractors away from users’ personal information.

Last but not least, NordVPN runs all server operations 100% directly from RAM, writing no data of any kind to a physical hard disk. This means that all data is totally and securely wiped whenever a server is rebooted.

4. Multi-Platform App Support

Peacock is available on most popular devices. This includes computers, mobile devices, smart TVs, streaming boxes, and other connected devices. This makes native app support an important consideration for any VPN you’re considering subscribing to.

NordVPN’s comprehensive app support includes options for the macOS (boasting M1/M2 Mac support), Windows, Linux, iOS, Amazon Fire, Android TV and Android device platforms. Chrome, Edge and Firefox browser extensions are also available.

Owners of PlayStation (4 and 5), Xbox (One and Series S & Series X), Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs and other devices that can’t use a VPN to access geo-controlled content can take advantage of NordVPN’s SmartDNS service. (Reminder: A DNS service does not encrypt your internet connection like a VPN.)

Up to 6 devices can simultaneously connect to NordVPN servers. The provider also boasts compatibility with multiple makes and models of routers. NordVPN-ready routers are available from FlashRouters.

5. Customer Support

While I hope none of my readers have any issues with their VPN service, chances are good that you may still have the occasional question that you’d like to direct to your provider’s customer support personnel.

NordVPN offers around-the-clock customer support, with 24/7 live support chat, email support and searchable support library.

In my experience, NordVPN customer support agents provide fast and knowledgeable answers, and the provider’s support library is also a reliable source of knowledge.

6. Pricing

NordVPN provides champagne services at if not a beer-bottle price, at least at a domestic sparkling wine price, making it an excellent value. The provider’s 2-year option provides an especially excellent value.

A 30-day money-back guarantee takes the risk out of giving NordVPN a good try.

Conclusion

Peacock viewers in search of a reliable way to access their favorite shows, movies and sporting events from outside of the U.S. will appreciate NordVPN.

NordVPN delivers all of the download speeds you need for smooth streaming, while also doing a top-notch job of providing online security and privacy. The provider’s comprehensive app support, customer support and other features make the provider an excellent way to keep the lines to Peacock open.

For more information or to subscribe, visit the NordVPN website.