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How to Use NordVPN with Netflix & Fix It Not Working
Simon Migliano
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. Read full bio
NordVPN works well for Netflix. It unblocks the Netflix libraries of the US, UK, Japan, and 14 other regions, with fast streaming speeds on a range of devices including Firestick and Apple TV. If NordVPN stops working with Netflix, try connecting to a different NordVPN server in the same country or clear your browser cache.
Netflix catalogs differ based on your geographical location. If you access the streaming service from the US, you’ll get the American library. In the UK, you’ll see Netflix UK.
Since Netflix started blocking VPN traffic in 2016, it has become increasingly difficult to find VPNs that beat the Netflix ban.
We regularly test 61 VPNs with international Netflix libraries. Only a handful consistently work, and one of these services is NordVPN.
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How to Watch Netflix with NordVPN
In the video below, we show you how to use NordVPN to watch Netflix:
We were able to unblock multiple Netflix libraries using NordVPN.
Alternatively, you can read the step-by-step instructions below.
Download and install the app on your device: NordVPN has apps for desktop, mobile, and streaming devices. You can also use its Smart DNS tool on Smart TVs and games consoles.
Connect to a VPN server in the Netflix region you want to unblock: For example, connect to a VPN server located in the US to access the American Netflix library.
Open Netflix and log into your account.
Select a video title and start streaming.
These steps explain how to access the American Netflix library from abroad, but you can follow the same process to unblock any one of the 17 Netflix catalogs that NordVPN unblocks.
Your Netflix subscription works in every country. You can use your existing account to watch content typically unavailable in your location.
If you encounter viewing problems, such as the Netflix proxy error, see our simple fixes to get NordVPN working again.
Which NordVPN Servers Currently Unblock Netflix?
Here is a list of NordVPN servers we recently tested that work with the specified Netflix region:
Country
Server IDs
Canada
#1221, #1557, #1191
Japan
#562, #658, #566
UK
#2271, #2333, #1810
US
#6613, #8363, #5510
How to Fix NordVPN Not Working with Netflix
NordVPN is one of the few VPNs to unblock several Netflix regions. However, the streaming platform is always finding new ways to block VPN traffic.
Netflix’s streaming blocks are becoming so effective that they can affect NordVPN’s excellent content unblocking capabilities.
Netflix’s ‘Pardon the interruption’ streaming error message.
We’ve listed below simple workarounds to help you if your VPN isn’t working with Netflix. They’ll help you bypass the m7111-5059 Netflix proxy error and stream geo-blocked content.
1. Connect to a Different Server
Netflix identifies IP addresses that belong to VPN servers and blocks them. NordVPN overcomes this by operating a huge server network that is extremely difficult to block in its entirety.
However, individual servers can still make their way onto the blocklist, though. If the VPN IP address you’re using has been detected, try disconnecting from the VPN and then re-connecting to a different server.
As you’ll be assigned a new IP address, this should solve the problem. However, you might have to try it a few times to find a server that works.
Thankfully, NordVPN’s server network is so large that you won’t even have to change location to do this. The service offers multiple VPN servers in each country.
EXPERT ADVICE: Connect to NordVPN servers which have the largest number next to them. These are the latest servers, therefore, they have the least chance of being blocked by Netflix.
2. Change Your DNS Servers
Another useful tactic is to make sure you’re using NordVPN’s DNS Servers. To do this:
Close the Netflix app if you’re on mobile, or clear the browser’s cache if you’re on desktop.
Restart the NordVPN application.
Manually configure your device to use the following DNS server addresses: 103.86.96.100 and 103.86.99.100. The NordVPN website explains how to do this on a number of different platforms.
Open the NordVPN application and connect to a server.
Navigate to Netflix and start streaming.
3. Disable Threat Protection
While NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature effectively blocks malware and ads, it can also interfere with accessing streaming services.
We were unable to unblock Netflix, and other platforms like Hulu, while Threat Protection was enabled.
To disable Threat Protection, click or tap the shield icon in your NordVPN app and toggle it off.
Threat Protection prevented us from signing in to the Netflix.
4. Contact NordVPN’s Customer Support Team
If all else fails, contact the NordVPN Customer Support Team.
NordVPN’s live chat service is one of the best we’ve tested. It’s available 24/7 and the agents are often helpful and prompt in their replies.
NordVPN’s live chat provided us with several fixes for unblocking Netflix.
5. Use a VPN that Reliably Unblocks Netflix
Since the August 2021 Netflix VPN ban, most VPNs no longer work with Netflix. We’ve even encountered NordVPN stop working from time to time.
If our other troubleshooting steps don’t work, it means that Netflix has blocked all of NordVPN’s servers, and you’ll have to get another VPN.
We’ve found that ExpressVPN is still the best Netflix VPN, and the only VPN that can always stream US Netflix. It also unblocks the India library, which NordVPN can’t access.
Unlike NordVPN, ExpressVPN unblocks Netflix India.
How Good Is NordVPN for Netflix?
Pros
Cons
Unblocks US Netflix and 16 foreign Netflix regions
Can’t access Netflix in South Korea, India, and the Netherlands
Automatically connects you to a working server for Netflix
No dedicated router app
Fast connection speeds using NordLynx for HD & 4K streaming
VPN apps for Fire TV, Android TV & Apple TV
24/7 live chat support
Great value at $3.29 per month
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for streaming Netflix, thanks to its ability to easily bypass geo-restrictions.
Our regular reviews of NordVPN confirm it’s able to reliably unblock most of the popular Netflix libraries.
In the section below, we’ll take a closer look at the features that make NordVPN such a good VPN for Netflix.
NordVPN Works with 17 Netflix Regions
We tested NordVPN in every Netflix region around the world and found that it unblocks the following 17 international catalogs:
For instance, the VPN works with Netflix Japan, US, and UK – three of the most popular libraries among Netflix subscribers. Though it failed to access Netflix in India, South Korea, and the Netherlands.
NordVPN's SmartPlay Feature
SmartPlay is a hybrid of VPN and Smart DNS technologies that is automatically built into the NordVPN service.
Similar to a VPN, Smart DNS tricks websites into thinking your physical location is elsewhere to hide your true location and unblock region-restricted content.
To do this, a Smart DNS tool changes the DNS server your traffic is routed through.
Usually, the main drawbacks of Smart DNS tools are that they don’t encrypt web traffic, and can require some technical know-how to set up.
However, by combining Smart DNS with VPN software, and integrating it automatically, NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature avoids these drawbacks.
Fast Download Speeds
It’s essential that a VPN maintains fast connection speeds when streaming Netflix. Otherwise, you’ll be forced to watch low-quality video and endure a lot of buffering.
These are impressive speeds for a long-distance VPN connection, and our tests show that NordVPN consistently performs well on other international connections:
Country
City
Speed
Speed Loss
Australia
Sydney
84Mbps
16%
Germany
Berlin
92Mbps
8%
Japan
Tokyo
89Mbps
11%
USA (West)
Los Angeles
91Mbps
9%
These speeds make NordVPN an excellent choice for Netflix. Even with a modest home connection, you should be able to stream buffer-free and in Ultra HD.
EXPERT ADVICE: For the fastest speeds, use the NordLynx protocol and connect to a VPN server as close to your physical location as possible.
Extensive Server Coverage
NordVPN provides VPN servers in 111 countries, more than any other VPN except HMA and Proton VPN. This wide server coverage increases the number of regional Netflix libraries you can access by spoofing your online location.
Similarly, NordVPN has a total server count of 6,328 servers, which makes it much easier to bypass Netflix’s VPN blocks.
Netflix works by identifying IP addresses that belong to VPN servers and placing them on a block list. As such, you can cycle through NordVPN’s numerous servers until you find one that works.
NordVPN provides multiple VPN servers in each location it supports.
In the rare instances NordVPN didn’t work with Netflix, we found that it almost always worked on the next VPN server we tried. This is unlike VPN.AC which didn’t work with any European Netflix libraries and only provided 4.5 servers per location for us to try.