Even though most Smart TVs don’t natively support VPN apps, it’s still possible to stream Amazon Prime Video securely. All you have to do is install the VPN on a router or share an encrypted connection from another device. If you’re interested in unblocking streaming sites on your Smart TV, read on. I’ll explore several ways to watch Prime Video on a Smart TV, suggest some suitable VPNs, and help troubleshoot common problems.
How to unblock Prime Video on a Smart TV: the short version
First, you’ll need a VPN that works with Amazon Prime Video. Then, if your TV has access to the Google Play or Apple app stores, just install your VPN’s app directly. Most people, however, will have to install a VPN on a second device like a Fire TV Stick. This is much easier than configuring a router VPN, so I’d recommend it if you have a spare streaming stick lying around. Once connected to the TV, you should be able to access region-locked content from anywhere.
All that’s left is to make sure everything works properly! If you run into problems when trying to watch Prime Video content with a VPN connected, don’t worry. I’ve been testing VPNs for years and in my experience, most streaming issues can be fixed by following these steps:
-
- Make sure your VPN is connected to a server in the US. Some VPNs can access more than just the American catalog, but this isn’t guaranteed.
- Try a few different US server locations in case your chosen server’s IP address has been blocked. If your VPN offers streaming-optimized servers, use them.
- Change to a different VPN protocol. Prime Video may be able to detect OpenVPN traffic but not WireGuard, for instance.
- Verify that DNS and IPv6 leak protection are enabled in your VPN’s settings. This prevents your real IP address and location from becoming visible in certain situations.
- Ensure your VPN is up-to-date and not blocked by your router’s firewall.
- Close the Amazon Prime Video app and delete any saved data. You’ll have to log in again, but this should clear cached location information that may be causing problems.
- Ask your VPN’s customer support team for help. They can tell you which servers work and if the problem is on your end or not.
How to watch Amazon Prime Video with a Smart TV VPN
Unblocking Amazon Prime Video with a VPN is fairly straightforward. The hard part is getting the VPN to work with your Smart TV. Below, I’ll walk you through your options and explain the process from start to finish.
Step one: choosing a VPN that’s right for you
Amazon Prime Video has powerful geo-restriction measures and blocks most VPNs outright. That doesn’t mean you should just pick the first service you see that’s confirmed to work, though. After all, some VPNs can access multiple regional catalogs, while others include Smart DNS tools or servers designed for streaming. To make sure you get a VPN that meets your needs, ask yourself the following questions:
| Question | Reason |
|---|---|
| Does this VPN work with Prime Video? | Unblocking Prime Video is our goal. If the VPN can’t do that, there’s no point considering it. |
| Are there lots of servers to choose from? | Larger networks make it harder for Amazon to block every VPN server. Also reduces the chance of being assigned one that’s overcrowded, which could lower your speeds. |
| Is this VPN fast enough for 4K streaming? | Slow speeds cause problems like stuttering and buffering. In extreme cases, you may be limited to lower resolutions or unable to even start a video. |
| Is this VPN reasonably priced? | Free services usually can’t be relied upon for streaming but plenty of low-cost VPNs work with Amazon Prime Video. |
| Does the VPN offer Smart DNS functionality or router support? | These open up new avenues for streaming Prime Video on Smart TVs, assuming you can’t install your VPN app directly. |
| Can I easily get help if I need it? | Most major VPNs offer 24/7 support over live chat. We’re undertaking a reasonably complex task here, so being able to speak to an expert is extremely valuable. |
Step two: deciding how to use your VPN
There are numerous ways to use a VPN with a Smart TV. However, everyone has different requirements, skill levels, and hardware, and it’s important to account for that. Here are six different ways to set up a VPN on a Smart TV, in order of difficulty:
- Easiest option: Install your VPN app using your TV’s app store. Perfect for devices running Android TV or Google TV, but won’t work on most other operating systems.
- Best method for novices: Install your VPN on an Amazon Fire Stick. This removes the need for any in-depth configuration while still allowing you to watch Prime Video on a Smart TV.
Even if your VPN isn’t available in the Amazon app store, you can sideload it using the Downloader app. - If streaming, not security, is your priority: Some VPN providers include a Smart DNS service that lets you access American streaming apps just by changing your TV’s network settings. However, these don’t encrypt your traffic like a VPN would.
- Quick, low-tech solution: Install a VPN on your computer, allow network sharing, then connect it to your TV using an Ethernet cable.
- If a wireless connection is required: Create a virtual router, share an encrypted connection from another device, then connect the Smart TV to that network.
- Most complex option: Install a VPN on your router. This is more involved but ensures every device on your network benefits from its encryption and unblocking abilities.
Step three: Making sure your VPN works with Amazon Prime Video
By now, you should have a functioning VPN and a device capable of streaming Prime Video. The final step is verifying that you’re actually able to watch your favorite shows. If you haven’t already, try it now: connect to an American server and try playing something.
Hopefully, your content started immediately with no errors. If not, there are several possible solutions, most of which only take a minute or two. The table below explains, step-by-step, how to resolve common problems you might face when streaming Prime Video with a VPN.
| Problem | Cause | How to fix |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon HTTP or proxy error (“Your device is connected to the internet using a VPN or proxy service”) | Amazon has detected your VPN | Switch to another server in the same country in case the one you’re using has been blocked Enable obfuscation, if available Clear the Amazon app’s saved data |
| Prime Video’s unavailable content error(“This video is currently available to watch in your location”) | Amazon thinks you’re trying to access another country’s content | Make sure your VPN is actually connected Clear the Amazon app’s saved data |
| Videos refuse to load or “Playback error” appears | Amazon knows there’s something suspicious about your connection | Disable tracker-blocking tools, obfuscation features, and ad-blockers. Try a few more servers in the same location. Make sure your device’s date and time settings are correct. Clear the Amazon app’s saved data |
| You only see your home country’s Amazon Prime Video content | Your real IP address is visible or Amazon is relying on outdated cookies and cached data | Verify you’re using a VPN server in the US. Enable DNS and IPv6 leak protection in the settings too. Clear Prime Video’s saved data. |
| You’re shown an Amazon error code with a number | Various problems such as being logged in on two devices or Prime Video app needing an update | Update the Prime Video app, log out of Amazon on other devices, and restart your device |
| Amazon shows a VPN error, even when you’re not using one | Amazon may be referencing old cookies or cached data | Double-check that you’re not connected to a VPN. Clear the Prime Video app’s saved data. |
| You can’t watch anything with a Smart DNS service active | Either Amazon has blocked this Smart DNS service or you’ve entered its addresses incorrectly | Verify that you correctly entered both the Primary and Secondary DNS addresses. If so, ask your VPN’s support team for assistance |
Wrapping up
Unless your Smart TV has access to a major app store, you can’t install a VPN as easily as you can on a phone or computer. This makes it more difficult to securely access streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video from the comfort of your couch. It’s not impossible, though, and today we’ve covered half a dozen different ways to achieve this goal.
Here’s the good news: once you’re properly set up, you’re not limited to just Prime Video. You can also check out Netflix’s international catalogs, unblock foreign apps, or set up your own media center using Kodi.
Related:
Watching Amazon Prime Video on a Smart TV: FAQs
Why does Amazon Prime Video block VPNs?
Leading streaming services like Amazon Prime license content for various regions around the world. Shows available in France may not be available elsewhere, and the same is true for other regions. Streaming services try to license content that viewers in each region are likely to enjoy, which is why most streaming services offer some regional exclusives.
The licensing agreements that Amazon Prime enters into limit where it is allowed to broadcast each show. Amazon monitors each visitor’s IP address and serves them the correct catalog of titles based on their current location.
If you go on vacation, for example, your Prime catalog will automatically alter to show you the titles available in the country you are traveling to. This could cause some shows you were watching back home to disappear.
The answer is to use a VPN to regain an IP address back home. You can access your usual Amazon Prime catalog to continue watching your usual shows while traveling.
Amazon Prime is aware that VPNs can be used to get around region locks. To comply with licensing contracts, it uses various means to detect and block as many VPNs as possible, resulting in a low number of VPNs that can stream regional Prime catalogs.
Can I use a free VPN to watch Amazon Prime Video on my Smart TV?
No. Although a few free VPNs are trustworthy, these will not work to unblock regional Amazon Prime catalogs.
There are some quality VPNs (such as ProtonVPN) that provide a basic free plan to advertise their service and to allow people living in oppressive regions to get limited use of a VPN for privacy purposes. While this is great, it is important to remember that these free versions have been set up with various restrictions designed to make people upgrade to a paid plan.
Trustworthy free VPNs have limited server locations, bandwidth restrictions that make them slower than the paid version, and monthly download caps that prevent you from doing data-intensive tasks like streaming. They also block popular streaming services like Amazon Prime and Netflix to encourage people to upgrade to a paid plan.
Besides the limitations you will encounter when using free plans provided by trustworthy VPNs, Dozens of free VPNs available are outright dangerous. Many of the free VPNs circulating on app stores like Google Play have invasive privacy policies that allow them to harvest user data to sell to third parties.
Free VPNs have also been found to lack encryption, log your data, suffer from leaks, have server vulnerabilities, and even conceal spyware in their apps. Which is why you must be extremely careful when deciding to install and use free VPNs. Always do your research and stick to reliable providers that don’t skimp on privacy features.
How can I check if my VPN is leaking my IP address or DNS?
If you suspect that your VPN is leaking your IP address or DNS requests, this could be why the VPN is failing to unblock regional Amazon Prime catalogs.
If your VPN suffers from leaks, then Amazon will be able to detect your real location – even when you use the VPN. To check whether your VPN is leaking, use our guide on how to test if a VPN is working. Follow the link to learn how to run a leak test.
If you detect your real IP address or DNS address when testing, then the VPN is leaking your real location. If this happens, switch to a VPN that doesn’t suffer from leaks.
VPNs that suffer from leaks are failing to protect your privacy, they are allowing local networks and your ISP to track your web visits, and they are failing to change your IP address. This means that leaky VPNs are giving you a false sense of security.
Is it safe to share my VPN connection with a Smart TV?
Yes. Sharing a VPN connection from a laptop, desktop computer, or router is an easy and reliable way to get a VPN connection onto your smart TV. Sharing a VPN connection in this way is reliable if set up correctly. We have guides to set this up on Windows and how to setup on Mac.
Most of our recommended Smart TV VPNs have dedicated apps for Android smart TVs, Fire TV, and even Apple TV. Many models of smart TVs and TV streaming devices (including Chromecast) will be able to install a VPN directly.
Before setting up a VPN-protected hotspot, you can check with your VPN provider to find out whether your device is compatible with the VPN directly.
