ExpressVPN is a superb VPN for bypassing Netflix’s geo-restrictions. However, the VPN occasionally stops working because Netflix is always finding new ways to block VPN traffic.
Netflix’s “Pardon the interruption” streaming error message.
If you’re having trouble streaming Netflix with ExpressVPN, try one of my fixes below:
1. Connect to a Compatible Country
Through my testing, I’ve found that ExpressVPN unblocks more Netflix regions than most other VPN services.
However, there are still several countries where it doesn’t work. If you connect to a VPN server in one of these regions, the workarounds listed below, such as clearing the cache, won’t be effective.
Make sure you’re connected to a VPN server in one of the following countries:
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Spain
- Turkey
- UK
- US
2. Connect to a Working Server
Here’s how to change your server location in the ExpressVPN app:
- Open the ExpressVPN app and press the server location button immediately below Connect.
- Search for one of the servers listed below, such as New Jersey - 1 for the US library.
- Select the server location. The app will now connect you to that ExpressVPN server and your IP address will change.
If you’re connected to a server in a compatible country and Netflix still detects the VPN, Netflix has probably blocked that server’s IP address.
Switch to one of the servers below instead. I regularly retest them to confirm they still work.
ExpressVPN servers that work with popular Netflix regions.
| Netflix Library |
ExpressVPN Server |
| Canada |
Toronto |
| Japan |
Tokyo |
| UK |
Docklands |
| US |
New Jersey - 1 |
Once you’re connected to a working ExpressVPN server, refresh your browser if you’re on desktop, or restart the Netflix app on mobile.
ExpressVPN automatically connects you to New York when you choose the United States, and Netflix blocked that server’s IP address back in 2021.
So if US Netflix won’t load, that’s almost always why. Search for New Jersey - 1 and connect to it instead, then refresh your browser or restart the Netflix app.
3. Open an Incognito Window
Here’s how to use incognito mode in Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome. Click the three dots in the top-right corner.
- Click New Incognito Window.
- Visit Netflix.
In a normal browser window, Netflix can store information about your location in cache and cookies. Once those are cleared, Netflix can only judge your location by the VPN server’s IP address.
The quickest way to do this is to open a new incognito window in your web browser, so you can start again with a clean slate. No cache or cookies will be carried over.
Alternatively, delete the cache and cookies in your browser. This takes a few extra steps, though, and means you’ll have to log back in to every web service in that browser (e.g. email and other streaming services).
If you’re using an Android device, clear the Netflix’s app cache and storage in the Settings app. On iPhone, you’ll have to restart your device to clear cache and cookies.
4. Change to the Lightway Protocol
Here’s how to change VPN protocol in the ExpressVPN app:
- On desktop computers, click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top left. On mobile, tap Settings in the bottom right.
- On desktop computers, click Protocol and select Lightway – UDP. On mobile tap Settings > VPN Protocol > Lightway – UDP.
If Netflix isn’t working with ExpressVPN, try changing your VPN protocol. Due to the different encryption and obfuscation methods each protocol uses, some are better at bypassing Netflix’s VPN ban than others.
My tests show that the Lightway protocol is more reliable at bypassing Netflix’s geo-blocks than OpenVPN or IKEv2.
You can activate Lightway in the Windows app settings.
It’s also extremely fast, with minimal speed loss. It can stream content in HD and 4K without buffering, as long as your connection is fast enough.
5. Create Another Netflix Profile
In my experience, creating a new Netflix profile can help you get around the VPN block.
You can have up to five profiles on any Netflix plan, though Extra Member accounts are limited to one.
Here’s how to create a new profile:
- Go to Manage Profiles on your device.
- Desktop: Go to the Manage Profiles page.
- Mobile & tablet: Open the Netflix app, tap My Netflix in the bottom-right corner, and tap your profile name.
-
Streaming device: Navigate to the profile selection screen and select Add Profile+.
- Select Add Profile.
- Name the profile and select Save.
- Switch to the new profile and try playing the title again.
6. Use MediaStreamer
Here’s how to use ExpressVPN MediaStreamer:
- Make sure you’re not connected to a VPN server. Log in to your account on the ExpressVPN website.
- Click DNS Settings on the left-hand side. Click Register my IP address and ensure Automatically register my IP address is enabled.
- Change your device’s DNS server address to the MediaStreamer DNS address. You will now be able to access US or UK Netflix.
If you can’t find an ExpressVPN server that works with US or UK Netflix, try MediaStreamer.
MediaStreamer is ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS proxy. It’s included in your ExpressVPN subscription at no extra cost and is intended to unblock US and UK Netflix on Smart TVs and game consoles, where the VPN app isn’t available.
In the past, I found MediaStreamer more reliable for US Netflix than any regular ExpressVPN server. That hasn’t been the case lately, it’s still worth trying as a last resort.
MediaStreamer works independently of the ExpressVPN app, so you can use it any device that let you change its DNS settings. This includes devices that don’t support VPN apps, like Smart TVs and game consoles.
