We are reader supported and sometimes earn a commission if you buy through a link on our site.

VPN Not Working With Sling TV? Here is How To Fix it (2024 Edition)

Is your VPN just not cutting it when it comes to delivering Sling TV streams to your favorite device? In this article, I’ll tell you how to fix that little problem.

At a Glance

Sling TV is a popular online streaming service available to viewers in the United States and Puerto Rico. The streaming service allows viewers to access their favorite channels without the need for an extended contract with their local cable provider.

While the service has quickly become popular among cordcutters, those same viewers have quickly become aware that they lose access to their favorite channels once they leave the U.S. or Puerto Rico.

In the past, it was relatively easy to get around this virtual roadblock by using a VPN – almost any VPN.

But recently, many Sling TV viewers outside of U.S. borders have found that their VPN no longer provides reliable access to the streaming service.

Sling TV and other streaming sites do their best to block VPN users from accessing their content libraries. Streamers place VPN-provided IP addresses on a blacklist, then use that blacklist as a reference as to which IP addresses should be blocked from accessing their servers.

This means there is an ongoing game of Red Rover going on, where VPN providers do their best to break through the virtual roadblocks that streaming sites set up.

Although many VPN providers no longer compete in this “game,” we’re lucky that some VPNs are still willing to fight the good fight.

Is Your VPN Not Working With Sling TV? Try this...

Switch to NordVPN ​​(which, in testing, has proven to be the best VPN for unblocking Sling TV).

​I’ve tested numerous VPNs, and NordVPN proved to be the best at reliably unblocking Sling TV and other streaming services. The provider delivers blazingly fast connections with no data caps, making it perfect for HD binges without the buffering.

NordVPN​ offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ​it risk-free.

Why Sling TV Blocks VPN Providers

Early on in the streaming and VPN industries, it was easy for nearly any VPN to provide access to streaming services in other countries.

Unfortunately, streamers soon began to catch on to some of their users’ VPN tricks and began actively blocking VPN-supplied IP addresses from accessing their content.

Streamers don’t do this simply to complicate your life. They are required to block access to their content from viewers outside their designated areas because of the contracts they sign with television and movie companies.

This means that Sling TV is legally required to do its best to ensure that viewers outside of the U.S. and Puerto Rico are unable to access their streams.

How Sling TV Blocks VPN Users From Accessing Their Content

First, let’s take a look at how a VPN helps you access geo-blocked content in other countries.

When you run a VPN app and connect to a VPN server, the VPN temporarily assigns a fresh IP address to your device. This IP address belongs to the country where the VPN server is located.

This makes it appear as if you and your device are connecting to the internet inside the new country. This means you can be located in Paris, France but appear to the rest of the internet to be connecting from Atlanta, Georgia in the United States.

When you connect to a VPN server, you are usually sharing your new IP address with multiple other VPN users. You’re all using what is called a shared IP address.

In this case, the VPN server acts much like your home WiFi router does, presenting a single IP address to the internet, while routing data requests and responses to the multiple devices sharing the IP address.

Using a shared IP address has certain advantages and disadvantages.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of a shared IP is that it offers added anonymity. When multiple users are sharing an IP address, it makes it tough to pin a particular online antic on a single user.

As for its disadvantages, if multiple users on the same IP address are all trying to connect to a streaming site, it’s a good indication to the streaming site that everyone on that address is using a VPN, spurring them to block access to that IP address.

Once those users discover they’re blocked, they may complain to the VPN provider’s customer support folk. This will likely spur the provider’s tech personnel to check into the issue, see that the IP address is indeed being blocked, and restore access with new servers and fresh IP addresses.

Of course, eventually, the streaming site discovers the new IP addresses, blocks them, and the game begins anew.

This whole routine has led some VPN services to pull back on maintaining access to popular streaming services. Luckily, not all VPN providers have forfeited and are still in there swinging.

Best Blocked Sling TV Workaround: NordVPN

NordVPN Mar 2024

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

Website:  www.NordVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

If you want to keep the lines open to Sling TV from foreign spots around the globe, I suggest you take a closer look at NordVPN. In addition to Sling TV, NordVPN offers international access to Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+ and many others.

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

1. Connection Speeds

Most popular streaming services offer their content and channels in 1080p HD. Meanwhile, the number of streaming services that offer 4K content has also grown steadily. This makes a fast connection an important feature to look for when considering which VPN is the right one for you.

A fast connection prevents you from needing to wait an extended period of time for your video to buffer. A fast connection also puts an end to those frustrating times when a video stops in the middle of the episode to buffer some more. Users stuck with slow connections will be faced with plenty of buffering and may be forced to play back video in a lower resolution.

NordVPN offers blazingly-fast download speeds, some of the fastest in the VPN industry. Plus, the provider never spoils the show with data caps or bandwidth throttling.

2. Global Server Coverage

This article may focus on accessing Sling TV from outside of the U.S., but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the advantages that a VPN service provides with a large global server network. The larger global server network that is available, the wider variety of geo-blocked content that you will have access to.

The NordVPN global server network numbers currently sit at 5,500+ servers, stationed in almost 60 countries, the U.S. included.

While this is not the largest global server network in the industry, it is still more than large enough to provide access to content in most countries around the globe.

This means you’ll have access to geo-blocked streaming sites, gaming sites, financial services, and other sites and services that you might not normally have access to from your area.

3. Online Security & Privacy Protection

Our computers, mobile devices, smart TVs and most other devices are always connected to the internet. This means users are always in danger of hackers attacking or monitoring their online activities.

Your online travels are also subject to being monitored by your own Internet Service Provider, the government and other third parties that really shouldn’t have access to your online travels.

NordVPN protects your online activities from being monitored by outsiders thanks to its government-grade 256-bit AES encryption, automatic kill switch protection and IP/DNS leak prevention.

The provider also uses its own homegrown NordLynx connection protocol, which is based on the WireGuard protocol. NordLynx is optimized for performance and extra security.

Your personal information is kept private thanks to the provider’s strict no-server-logs-ever policy (which Price Waterhouse Cooper has audited). It also allows customers to pay for their subscriptions with the privacy-protecting Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

All NordVPN server operations are run directly from RAM, with no data ever being written to a physical hard disk. This ensures that all data is completely erased when the server is rebooted.

To add another layer of privacy, NordVPN is currently working to move all of its server operations to completely self-owned and -operated server farms. This keeps third-party contractors away from your personal data.

4. Multi-Platform App Support

Sling TV is available on numerous device platforms. This allows you to watch your favorite TV channels anywhere, anytime. So, native app support is an important feature to keep in mind while shopping for the right VPN provider.

NordVPN offers native apps for the macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Amazon Fire, Android TV and Android platforms. It also offers extensions for the Chrome and Firefox browser platforms.

NordVPN’s SmartDNS service allows PlayStation (4 and 5), Xbox (One and Series S & Series X), Apple TV, Roku and smart TV owners to access geo-controlled content. (Be warned: A DNS service does not encrypt your internet connection like a VPN does.)

Up to 6 devices can be simultaneously connected to the NordVPN network. The provider also works with multiple router makes and models. NordVPN-ready routers are available from FlashRouters.

5. Customer Support

While I hope none of my readers have issues with their VPN service, there is a good chance that you might have a support-related question from time to time.

NordVPN support is always available in the form of 24/7 live support chat, an email support option and a searchable support library.

NordVPN customer support agents have always provided fast and well-informed replies to my questions. Their support library is also an easy-to-use source of information.

6. Pricing

NordVPN is an excellent value, offering champagne service at a beer bottle price. The provider’s 2-year option is an especially good value.

A 30-day money-back guarantee provides plenty of time to give NordVPN a good try.

NordVPN Coupon
Up to 69% off + 3 months FREE
Get Deal ›
Coupon applied automatically

Conclusion

If you’re looking for reliable access to Sling TV from around the globe, I strongly suggest giving NordVPN a try.

The provider delivers fast and well-protected connections, knowledgeable customer support, comprehensive global server coverage, top-notch app support and high-level online security and privacy protections.

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

Roundup - best VPNs for speed

Position Our Score Verdict
1.
4.5/5
Verdict: Our top rated VPN
Get NordVPN »
2.
4.5/5
Verdict: Best budget option
Get Surfshark »
3.
4.0/5
Verdict: Great privacy options
Get ExpressVPN »
4.
4.0/5
Verdict: Highly versatile
Get CyberGhost »
5.
3.0/5
Verdict: Up to 10 devices
Get PrivateVPN »

PRIVACY ALERT: Websites you visit can see these details about you:

The following information is available to any site you visit:

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

This information can be used to target ads and monitor your internet usage.

By using a VPN you can hide these details and protect your privacy.

I recommend NordVPN - the top provider in my testing. It offers outstanding privacy features and there is currently a discounted rate available through this link.

Visit NordVPN

Leave a Comment