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How to Use ExpressVPN with Netflix & Fix It Not Working

Updated Jan 17, 2024

Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more.

Fact-checked by Callum TennentAdditional Research by Luke Williams

Our Verdict

The easiest way to use ExpressVPN with Netflix is to connect to the USA - New Jersey - 1 server location. This will give you a US IP address that Netflix isn't blocking.

An illustrated representation of a user using ExpressVPN to bypass the Netflix VPN error message

By using ExpressVPN with Netflix, you can change your IP address and stream 18 Netflix libraries from any region in the world.

The VPN service also offers a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee that lets you try ExpressVPN risk-free for up to 30 days.

In this guide we’ll explain how to use ExpressVPN with Netflix, and how to customize the VPN to maximize streaming speeds and Netflix access.

We’ll also detail workarounds if ExpressVPN stops working with Netflix, and share troubleshooting tips to fix ExpressVPN’s Netflix access on specific devices.

ExpressVPN Key Netflix Statistics:

Netflix VPN ranking: #1 out of 65 VPNs reviewed
Netflix regions unblocked: 18
Works with US Netflix? Yes
Best Netflix servers: New Jersey (USA), Vancouver (CA), Yokohama (JP), Strasbourg (FR) & Frankfurt-3 (GER)

Why Trust Us?

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How to Watch Netflix with ExpressVPN

Below are four simple steps on how to use ExpressVPN to watch Netflix:

Sign up to ExpressVPN.
Download the app for your device. ExpressVPN has apps for all popular platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Fire TV. Use ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS solution on games consoles and Smart TVs.
Connect to a server in the country of the Netflix library you want to access. For example, connect to a Japan ExpressVPN server to stream Netflix Japan.
Open the Netflix app or website. The local Netflix library should now appear.

If you encounter an error message, or you can only see Netflix originals, ExpressVPN is not working with Netflix. View our workarounds to fix this.

Video: Using ExpressVPN to Watch Netflix

Watch our video below on how to use ExpressVPN with Netflix. By connecting to the San Francisco server location, we watched New Girl, which is exclusive to American Netflix.

How to Fix ExpressVPN Not Working with Netflix

1. Connect to a Working ExpressVPN Server

Chance of Success: Very High
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 Minute

Here’s how to change server location in the ExpressVPN app:

Open the ExpressVPN app and press the ‘Location’ button.
Search for one of the servers listed in the table below, such as USA - New Jersey - 1.
Tap the server location. You will now be connected to an ExpressVPN server that works with Netflix.

Most of the time, ExpressVPN has stopped working with Netflix because the streaming platform has blocked the IP address of the VPN server.

For example, ExpressVPN automatically connects you to New York when you select the United States. It’s a very popular server location, and Netflix has blocked the IP address since August 2021.

To beat these IP address blocks, connect to one of the ExpressVPN servers listed below. We keep testing these servers to confirm they still work with Netflix.

Netflix Library	ExpressVPN Server
Australia	Sydney – 2
Canada	Vancouver
France	Strasbourg
Germany	Frankfurt – 3
Japan	Yokohama
UK	Wembley
US	USA - 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.

Testing ExpressVPN with Netflix on macOS

We used ExpressVPN’s server ‘New Jersey – 1’ to stream US Netflix.

2. Use MediaStreamer

Chance of Success: High
Difficulty: Hard
Time: 20 Minutes

Here’s how to use ExpressVPN MediaStreamer:

Make sure you’re not connected to a VPN server. Log into 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 address to the MediaStreamer DNS address. You will now be able to access US Netflix.

If you can’t find an ExpressVPN server that works with US Netflix, use MediaStreamer. MediaStreamer is ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS proxy, which is included with your ExpressVPN subscription at no additional cost.

MediaStreamer bypasses Netflix’s geo-blocks by replacing the DNS address from your ISP with an ExpressVPN DNS server located in the US. This is harder for Netflix to detect than a regular VPN connection.

Since the most recent Netflix VPN ban, our research has found that MediaStreamer is more reliable at accessing US Netflix than any regular ExpressVPN server.

That said, unlike a VPN connection, using MediaStreamer won’t hide your IP address, nor will it encrypt web traffic.

MediaStreamer worked with US Netflix more often than any VPN server.

MediaStreamer works independently of the ExpressVPN application, therefore you can use it on every internet-connected device you own. This includes devices that don’t support VPN apps, like Smart TVs and games consoles.

Disappointingly, MediaStreamer only works with US Netflix. However, as this is the most popular library, we don’t think it’s a dealbreaker.

3. Clear Cache & Browser Cookies

Chance of Success: Medium
Difficulty: Medium
Time: 5 Minutes

Here’s how to clear browser cookies and cache in Google Chrome:

Open Google Chrome. Click the three dots in the top right corner.
Click More Tools > Clear Browsing Data. In the Time Range drop-down menu, select All Time.
Check Browsing History, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files. Click Clear data.
Relaunch Google Chrome and visit Netflix.

Netflix stores temporary information about your location whenever you access its service. These files are called cookies and cache.

Even if you’re connected to a VPN server in a different country, Netflix uses these to figure out your true location. If these locations don’t match, it’ll block you from accessing its content.

By deleting these files, Netflix can only calculate your location using the IP address of your VPN server. You’ll then be able to stream content from your chosen Netflix region.

If you’re using a different browser, you can still follow the steps above. The process for removing cookies and cache is similar on all popular web browsers.

How to clear cookies and cache files in Google Chrome

Clearing cookies and cache files in Google Chrome.

Note: This method only works on desktop computers. If you’re using Android, clear Netflix’s cache and cookie files from within the Settings app. On iPhone, you will have to restart your device.

4. Change to the Lightway Protocol

Chance of Success: Low
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 Minute

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 Options 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.

We recommend you connect to the Lightway (UDP) protocol. Our tests have found this protocol to be more reliable at bypassing Netflix’s geo-blocks than other ExpressVPN protocols, like OpenVPN and IKEv2.

Lightway is also ExpressVPN’s fastest protocol. It’ll stream content in HD and 4K without any buffering or lag.

Changing to the Lightway protocol in the ExpressVPN app

Lightway works with Netflix more often than OpenVPN and IKEv2.

Some ExpressVPN servers also support L2TP/IPSec and PPTP, but these protocols are not secure. We don’t recommend them for any non-streaming activities. However, if you only want to restore Netflix access, they provide additional options to try.

5. Contact ExpressVPN Support

Chance of Success: Medium
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 5 Minutes

Here’s how to contact ExpressVPN’s customer support team:

Go to the ExpressVPN website. Click Need help? Chat with us! in the bottom right of the screen.
Type your question. You will then be asked to provide the email address associated with your account.
An agent will respond to your query within a few minutes.

If none of the above troubleshooting methods work, contact ExpressVPN’s customer support.

ExpressVPN’s support team can provide you with an up-to-date list of exactly which servers can unblock Netflix.

In the video below, you can see us contact ExpressVPN’s support team when our server was blocked from accessing US Netflix. We were told to connect to the Atlanta server, which worked instantly.

ExpressVPN's live chat support helped us unblock US Netflix.

In our experience, ExpressVPN’s customer support is the best on the market. They’ll recommend a working server, and also check for problems with your internet connection, if your VPN keeps disconnecting.

ExpressVPN’s support agents are available 24/7 through live chat and email. No matter the time of the day, a representative can help restore Netflix access.

ExpressVPN Not Working with Netflix (Device Issues)

Netflix detects and blocks VPNs differently on each device. The best way to fix ExpressVPN with Netflix varies depending on the device you’re using.

Here’s how to fix ExpressVPN with Netflix on the most popular streaming devices:

Amazon Fire TV

Netflix can identify and block all VPNs, including ExpressVPN, more effectively on Fire TV Stick than any other device.

In our testing, we found that only 50% of the ExpressVPN servers that worked in a web browser also worked on Fire TV. When using an incompatible server, we were shown this tvq-pb-101 (1.10.5059) error message:

You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy.

To fix ExpressVPN with Netflix on Fire TV Stick, contact ExpressVPN’s customer support team and ask for a working server. The support agents have access to an up-to-date list of servers that are optimized for Fire TV Stick streaming.

Then, connect to the recommended server and clear Netflix cache files. To do this on Fire TV, open Settings. Click Applications, then Manage Installed Applications. Scroll down and select Netflix. Click Clear Cache, then Clear Data.

ExpressVPN Fire TV Stick App Home Screen

The home screen of ExpressVPN’s Firestick app.

For more information on how to get ExpressVPN working properly on your Firestick, plus setup and troubleshooting info, see our guide to using ExpressVPN with Fire TV.

Smart TV & Games Consoles

If ExpressVPN stops working with Netflix on your Smart TV or games console, it means there’s a problem with MediaStreamer.

In most cases, this will be because the IP address you registered on the ExpressVPN website is out of date. You’ll need to re-register your IP address whenever your ISP changes your IP address, which will happen every two weeks or so.

To fix this, make sure you’re not connected to a VPN server and log in to the ExpressVPN website. Click My Account. On the left hand side, select DNS Settings. Then, click Register my IP address and enable Automatically register my IP address.

Updating our IP address with ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer.

The steps above should get ExpressVPN working with Netflix. If it doesn’t, try disabling IPv6 on your router. As well, ensure your streaming device is connected directly to your main internet router and not to a WiFi extender. In the past, we’ve found these steps help to fix issues with MediaStreamer.

iPhone & Android

On mobile devices, ExpressVPN cannot force the device to use its DNS servers. As a result, Netflix can check whether the IP address of your VPN server matches that of your DNS server.

This is why accessing geo-blocked Netflix libraries on iPhone and Android is more difficult than on Windows and Mac. When ExpressVPN stops working with Netflix on these devices, you’ll only be able to see Netflix originals.

To work around this block, contact ExpressVPN’s customer support and ask for a server that works on mobile. Then, connect to this server and clear cache by restarting your device. You will now be able to stream Netflix.

Windows & macOS

When ExpressVPN stops working with Netflix on desktop, you’ll likely encounter the Netflix proxy error m7111-5059.

Netflix’s ‘Pardon the interruption’ streaming error message.

Unblocking Netflix in a desktop web browser is easier than on every other device, though. As a result, the troubleshooting steps are much simpler, and you won’t need to do them as often.

To fix ExpressVPN not working with Netflix on Windows and Mac, simply connect to a working server. Then, refresh the page.

If this doesn’t fix the issue, change to the Lightway protocol and clear your browser cache.

Is ExpressVPN Good for Netflix?

We’ve tested 65 VPNs services with Netflix. We found that ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN for Netflix and the best VPN for streaming.

The VPN service unblocks Netflix in 18 countries, including the US and Japan. The VPN delivers extremely fast international connections, and you can install it on a wide range of devices.

ExpressVPN's apps for Windows and macOS

In the section below, we detail what makes ExpressVPN a superb option for Netflix.

Reliably Streams 18 Netflix Libraries

Since the August 2021 Netflix VPN ban, our tests have found that ExpressVPN works with Netflix more often than any other VPN service.

It doesn’t work 100% of the time, though. If ExpressVPN isn’t working with Netflix for you, read our workarounds at the top of this page.

Here’s a full list of the Netflix libraries that ExpressVPN unblocks:

Australia
Brazil
Canada
France
Germany
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Italy
Japan
Netherlands
Poland
Singapore
South Korea
Spain
Turkey
UK
US

A computer screen shows Netflix's UK homepage, alongside an ExpressVPN window indicating a London, UK server connection.

ExpressVPN works in 18 Netflix regions, including the UK.

With that said, some VPNs work with even more Netflix libraries than ExpressVPN. Our research found that Windscribe can access 32.

But as ExpressVPN works with Netflix Canada, US, UK, and Japan, you’ll be able to access almost every title you want using it.

Fast Speeds for HD Streaming

ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs you can get and is our top recommendation for Netflix streaming. A VPN needs to be fast to stream Netflix content in HD without buffering or lag.

Here are the download speeds that Netflix requires:

3Mbps for Standard Definition (SD) quality
5Mbps for High Definition (HD) quality
25Mbps for Ultra High Definition quality (4K)

We measured our average download speed with and without using ExpressVPN. The results were well above the speed requirements for HD and 4K streaming.

When connecting to a local US server on our 100Mbps connection, we recorded download speeds of 97Mbps and an average international speed of 85Mbps.

You can see our full results from ExpressVPN’s speed tests in the table below:

Server Location	Download Speed	Stream Quality
No VPN	100Mbps	4K/Ultra HD (UHD)
Canada	95Mbps	4K/Ultra HD (UHD)
UK	93Mbps	4K/Ultra HD (UHD)
Germany	87Mbps	4K/Ultra HD (UHD)
Japan	83Mbps	4K/Ultra HD (UHD)
Australia	83Mbps	4K/Ultra HD (UHD)

EXPERT TIP: ExpressVPN has its own speed test tool built in to help you find the fastest servers for streaming. To use this, press the hamburger menu (≡), then click Speed Test. Click Run Test and wait for it to finish. Connect to the fastest server in your desired Netflix region.

Compatible with Every Streaming Device

You can install ExpressVPN use it with Netflix on every device.

The VPN service has apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. There is also a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox.

ExpressVPN works on your TV, too. There’s an easy-to-use app for the Amazon Fire TV Stick and Android TV. All apps come with the fast Lightway protocol and AES-256 encryption.

ExpressVPN unblocks Netflix on every device, including iOS.

If you’re using a Smart TV or a games console, you can set up the MediaStreamer Smart DNS service. It’s not a full VPN, so it won’t encrypt your traffic or protect your privacy.

However, MediaStreamer is enough to change Netflix regions without using a full VPN. Most other VPNs, including Surfshark and CyberGhost, don’t offer a Smart DNS proxy that works with Netflix.

You can install ExpressVPN on your router, too. This protects all your devices, including your TV, with a full VPN service.

Large Server Network

A large server network lets you easily change servers and get a new IP address if one is blocked by Netflix.

As we detailed earlier in this guide, this is one of the most effective ways to fix ExpressVPN not working with Netflix.

ExpressVPN’s server network is one of the largest we’ve seen. There are 3,000 servers to choose from, spread across 106 countries and 160 cities, including 23 in the US alone.

Here are the number of ExpressVPN servers in each popular Netflix region:

Country	Number of Server Locations
Australia	5
Canada	4
Germany	4
India	3
Japan	3
UK	4
US	23

The other benefit of a larger server network is you’re less likely to experience slowdowns and poor streaming quality due to server congestion. Instead, users are spread out over a wider range of servers and speeds remain fast.

The ExpressVPN app doesn’t show information about server load, though. Other top Netflix VPNs, like Proton VPN, let you check server load within the app. You can then connect to a server that’s more likely to work with Netflix and have faster speeds.