It’s worth knowing that many Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are unable to unblock Netflix. In order to comply with its copyright agreements, the streaming platform has implemented multiple anti-VPN measures, one of which is the blacklisting of IP addresses. Fortunately, the best VPNs let you access your usual Netflix library by routing your data through a VPN server in your home country. In this post, we’ll explain why you should consider choosing Hotspot Shield as your VPN, whether it unblocks Netflix from abroad (and which libraries, if any), and why using a free VPN isn’t the answer.
Why do Netflix libraries change? It’s copyright and licensing issues which mean Netflix has to region-lock its libraries. This means that when traveling abroad, you’ll find that you can no longer access your usual Netflix library. What’s more, content can vary pretty wildly from one library to another, making these geographic restrictions all the more frustrating.
Why choose Hotspot Shield?
unblocks netflixTested May 2021
Hotspot Shield has a network of around 1,800 servers in 80 countries. This number of countries is much higher than that of most VPNs. As such, it’s a great choice for unblocking multiple Netflix libraries including Netflix US. Hotspot Shield has servers in over two dozen US cities which means it also unblocks the likes of Amazon Prime Video and Hulu. Thanks to good server speeds and unlimited bandwidth, you can stream Netflix abroad with little to no lag or buffering.
With Hotspot Shield, you’re unlikely to run into too many problems. However, 24/7 support is available via live chat and email should you need it. You’ll also have the option to secure up to five devices at once. If your online privacy is important to you, you’ll appreciate that Hotspot Shield doesn’t keep any identifying logs of users. All of your data is secured with 256-bit AES encryption while there’s also DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and automatic Wi-Fi protection.
You’ll find Hotspot Shield apps for desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS). There’s also an app for Amazon Fire TV as well as a browser extension for Chrome. Manual installation is required for use with compatible wireless routers.
WATCH NETFLIX ABROAD:Hotspot Shield works well with Netflix and some other popular streaming services. It has servers in 80 countries worldwide, provides 24/7 support, and offers a range of important security features. With the 45-day money-back guarantee, you can try Hotspot Shield risk-free.
Read our full Hotspot Shield review.
How to unblock and watch Netflix using Hotspot Shield
First time using a VPN? Unblocking Netflix and streaming it from abroad is quicker and easier than you might think!
Here’s how to unblock Netflix with Hotspot Shield:
- First, sign up for a Hotspot Shield account (use our Hotspot Shield coupon and save 77% on a 3-year subscription).
- Next, you’ll need to download and then install one of Hotspot Shield’s apps on the device on which you plan to stream Netflix.
- Open the VPN app (or Chrome browser extension) and connect to a server in the country of the Netflix library you’d like to unblock.
- Go to Netflix and select your preferred content which should now play without restriction.
- Having trouble? You might want to clear your browser’s cookies or connect to another server. Alternatively, try contacting Hotspot Shield’s customer support.
Important: Netflix is continually improving its technology for detecting and preventing the use of VPNs. As such, you may find that a VPN that usually unblocks Netflix is suddenly blocked. Don’t worry! Such changes are usually temporary. Furthermore, there’s always another VPN that still works with the streaming service. If you have any issues with Hotspot Shield, we recommend NordVPN, a very reliable alternative for streaming.
Which Netflix libraries can Hotspot Shield unblock?
Hotspot Shield is able to unblock several Netflix libraries. Of those we tested, it successfully unblocked libraries including Netflix US and Netflix UK. In these cases, we were able to access Netflix via web browser as well as the mobile app. Keep in mind that Netflix regularly updates its anti-VPN technology so the situation can change at short notice.
If you’re trying to access a different Netflix library (or find that one of those listed in the table below no longer works), you may want to try NordVPN which is the best VPN for Netflix.
| Netflix library | Works via web browser? | Works via mobile app? |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | ✓ | ✓ |
| Canada | ✓ | ✓ |
| South Korea | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spain | ✓ | ✓ |
| United Kingdom | ✓ | ✓ |
| United States | ✓ | ✓ |
Can I use a free VPN to watch Netflix abroad?
Unfortunately, most free VPNs are unable to unblock Netflix. That’s because they have a very limited number of IP addresses available. With so many users using them, these are quickly blocked by Netflix. Furthermore, free VPN servers are usually very slow which means streaming is plagued with issues including buffering and lag. Furthermore, some free VPNs attempt to manage their networks by engaging in bandwidth throttling.
You should also exercise caution with free VPNs due to their lack of security. Some lack basic security features that help secure your data and protect your privacy. We looked at how the most popular free VPNs use your data and found many even log and sell this information. In fact, research from CSIRO found that many free VPNs infect your system with malware. Hotspot Shield protects you with encryption and doesn’t keep identifying logs.
Unblocking Netflix with a VPN: FAQs
Why isn’t Netflix working with my VPN?
If you’ve connected to a server in another country and tried to access that region’s Netflix library, you may find that the content is still blocked. First, try clearing your browser’s cookies to ensure Netflix forgets your previous IP address and accepts that of the VPN. Failing this, try connecting to another server as it may be the IP address you were assigned has been blacklisted by Netflix.
Will a VPN slow my connection down?
It’s not unreasonable to expect slightly slower speeds due to your internet traffic being encrypted and traveling to a VPN server before reaching its final destination (in this case, Netflix). However, the closer a server to your physical location, the faster the speeds are likely to be. In some cases, you may even encounter faster speeds, particularly if you have been suffering from ISP throttling (note that Hotspot Shield offers unlimited bandwidth).
Will a VPN help if Netflix isn’t available where I live?
Netflix is available in almost every country worldwide. However, if it’s not available in your country (such as China) then yes, a VPN can help. All you need to do is connect to a country in which Netflix is available and then sign up. Keep in mind that you’ll need to provide a credit card and billing address for the country in question. To get around this, you can always purchase a Netflix gift card with the relevant currency (for example US dollars for Netflix US).
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