Netflix is probably the most popular streaming service on planet Earth right now. It provides access to many of the latest and most sought-after TV shows, films, and documentaries. With a Netflix subscription, you’ll be able to watch all of the above. But there’s a caveat: Netflix offers content it produces itself as well as content owned by other rights holders. And those ownership rights can be exclusive or territorial. Hence, the licenses Netflix purchases to broadcast that content also limit the jurisdictions in which it can broadcast it.
Even if you have a valid Netflix subscription, you cannot watch content that isn’t available in your region. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. You can get around these location restrictions using a VPN to watch Netflix.
Bear in mind that Netflix is actively blocking VPN connections to its service. So you can’t just pick any VPN and access Netflix. Also, not all VPN providers support Netflix or other streaming sites. But many of them, like GooseVPN, do. You’ll have a few things to check but nothing too complicated. It’s all pretty simple, and we’ll guide you through all the steps.
If you’re having trouble accessing different Netflix regions while using GooseVPN, rest assured that we’ll be fixing that. This post explains how to get Netflix working with GooseVPN.
Why isn’t GooseVPN letting me access Netflix?
Netflix’s agreement with rights holders compels it to geo-fence the content it broadcasts. If a series is exclusive to the Italian market, Netflix can only broadcast it in Italy and you must be located in Italy to access it. This isn’t specific to Netflix. Similar terms bind most legal streaming services.
Note that while some Netflix content will be available internationally, it’s usually limited to the series Netflix produced itself. If you want full access, keep reading.
The trick is to connect to a VPN server located in the country where the content you want to watch is available. Once connected to a GooseVPN server in the proper region, your “real” ISP-assigned IP address is changed to an IP address native to that country. From then on, whenever you access a site or service over the internet, your device’s traffic will appear to be coming from that country. And if all goes well, you’ll be able to watch Netflix from wherever you are.
Keep in mind that accessing streaming sites over VPN will likely involve at least some trial and error. If you’re having trouble accessing Netflix over GooseVPN, it’s probably for one of the reasons below:
- The GooseVPN server you’re connected to is located outside the region where the content you want to watch is available. Unless you connect to a VPN server located in the region where your desired content is available, you will not be able to access the Netflix content from that region.
- Netflix already knows your IP address belongs to a VPN server, and it blocked your connection.
- Netflix could have dropped a cookie in your app or browser. Cookies can reveal your actual location to streaming services. If your device contains one of these cookies, it’s likely Netflix blocked your connection based on the information it gleaned from the cookie.
- You could be leaking DNS, which would expose your ISP’s DNS servers’ IP address(es). ISPs usually assign their in-house DNS servers to their customers by default. And those DNS IP addresses will be native to your actual location and won’t play nice with Netflix. Your DNS servers should be native to the region where the content you want to access is available, or your connection will be blocked.
But these issues can easily be fixed.
How to fix GooseVPN not working with Netflix
- You need to make sure you’ve connected to a GooseVPN server in the right region. If you’ve double-checked and know you’re connected to a server in the proper jurisdiction, you should try a different server (based in the same region). The IP address of the first server you tried was probably identified as a VPN server by Netflix and blocked.
- Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
- Try enabling private/incognito mode in your browser, or try a different web browser altogether.
- You can run a DNS leak test to ensure you’re not leaking DNS. Follow the link to learn how to do this – it’s easy.
- Restart your device.
- Restart the GooseVPN app.
- You can also try a different VPN provider, such as the highly recommended NordVPN.
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How to sign into Netflix with GooseVPN
Once you’re connected to a working GooseVPN VPN server in the proper region, signing in and using Netflix is very easy.
- If it still needs to be done, sign up for a GooseVPN account. It has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no real risk.
- Download and install the GooseVPN app for your device.
- Sign in to the GooseVPN app and connect to a VPN server in the proper region.
- Go to the Netflix website or open the app – it should work now.
- If it doesn’t, follow the steps above.
GooseVPN & Netflix FAQ
Are there any free VPN services that work with Netflix?
If you look hard enough, then you’ll find some, but they’ll be few and far between. But even if you do find a free VPN that works, most free VPNs tend to have minuscule server networks. Big chunks of their users will all be on the same VPN server. And when a large amount of traffic comes from the same IP address, internet services legitimately assume that a VPN (or a proxy server) is in use. And so that increases the odds of their IP address getting blocked. Most free VPNs have poor speeds and questionable security practices, so we usually don’t recommend them.
How does Netflix know I'm using a VPN?
Netflix can infer you’re using a VPN as soon as it sees your IP address. When you go out on the internet, you’re assigned an IP address, regardless of whether you use a VPN or not. That’s how VPNs spoof your location: by changing your IP address.
VPN server IP address lists are readily available for anyone to download. And it’s fair to assume most streaming services use these as deny lists. Netflix’s terms of service make it fair game for it to deny connections from IP addresses known to belong to VPN servers. So it would be a pretty safe bet to assume it uses these lists in its daily activities.
Will using a VPN slow down my connection?
Yes, it will. When you connect to a VPN, the server represents an extra hop your traffic needs to make to reach its destination. The VPN server sits between your device and the internet, making the trip from your device to its destination longer. That means more latency and slower speeds. And there’s nothing you can really do about that.
On top of that, when on VPN, all your traffic has to be encrypted and decrypted. So a slowdown is going to be inevitable. A reputable VPN provider can limit the slowdown to the point where you may not even notice it. So make sure to choose a good VPN provider that can limit your speed hit.
Can I install GooseVPN on my router instead of using the app?
Router support isn’t ubiquitous in the VPN industry; not every VPN provider supports routers. But GooseVPN does. It supports a long list of routers and provides instructions on configuring them.
Setting up a VPN connection on your router gives you two big advantages:
- You can connect to the VPN without using a dedicated app. All you need to do is connect to the router, and your traffic will be tunneled through the VPN.
- You can bypass your VPN provider’s limit on simultaneous connections (GooseVPN allows unlimited simultaneous connections, but still…). Once the VPN is configured on the router, you can connect as many devices as you like to the router, and it will only count as a single connection from your provider’s perspective.
Take a look at our guide on VPN routers if you’d like more information on the subject.
Is it legal to use a VPN to watch Netflix?
Yes, it’s absolutely legal. There’s nothing illegal about connecting to a VPN to access the internet. But while it may be legal, that doesn’t mean it will work. Netflix’s terms of service state that its content should only be accessed from the countries for which that content was licensed. And they also ban VPN use on the service. So if Netflix suspects you of trying to access Netflix over a VPN, it will block your connection. Netflix won’t ban your account for trying to connect over VPN. But it will block your connection from the VPN server.
Does GooseVPN keep any logs?
While GooseVPN isn’t the most well-known VPN provider, it nonetheless has a good privacy policy. It explicitly states that it doesn’t collect any data connected to your online activities (sites visited, files downloaded, DNS requests). So we’re good on that front. What it does collect is the following:
- Email address used for sign-up
- Total bandwidth used per account
That isn’t very intrusive. GooseVPN is a no-logging VPN provider.
Will my ISP know if I'm using a VPN?
Yes, your ISP will know about your VPN use. And you can’t do much about that because everything is happening over its network. Your ISP will be aware of the following:
- That you’re using a VPN
- The VPN provider
- The port and VPN protocol you’re using
- Your connection times
- Your consumed bandwidth
But that’s not to say there aren’t any privacy benefits to using a VPN. Your ISP won’t see the following:
- The websites you visit
- The videos you stream
- The files you download
- Your DNS requests (as long as you’re not leaking DNS).
