While the YouTube streaming service is available in nearly every country around the world, its TV streaming service, YouTube TV, is only available in the US. If you travel abroad on vacation (outside the US), you’ll come across an error message such as the following:
“It looks like you’re outside of the United States. YouTube TV is only available in the US.”
To access your YouTube TV account and continue using your subscription as normal from overseas, you need a Virtual Private Network (VPN) such as Hotspot Shield.
With a VPN, you can connect to a server in your home country (in this case the US) and change your IP address. It then appears as if you’re browsing from home rather than abroad. Unfortunately, not every VPN is equally capable of bypassing geographic restrictions. What’s more, you may even encounter the occasional issue even with the best VPNs. Don’t worry! If Hotspot Shield isn’t working with YouTube TV, there are a few things you can try.
Why isn’t Hotspot Shield working with YouTube TV?
First off, it’s worth knowing that YouTube TV carries content (such as TV shows and movies) that is subject to licensing restrictions. To avoid potential disputes, YouTube TV ensures that its service is blocked outside the US.
While a quality VPN such as Hotspot Shield can help you unblock geo-restricted platforms and their content, issues can still arise. If you’re having trouble, it’s probably due to one of the following reasons:
- You’re not currently connected to a server in the US. Remember, you’ll need a US IP address in order to access YouTube TV.
- The US IP address you’ve been assigned has been blacklisted by YouTube TV and fails to work with it as a result.
- YouTube TV still remembers your previous IP address (and location) due to cookies stored on your streaming device.
The good news is that in the case of Hotspot Shield not working with YouTube TV, it can usually be fixed.
Here’s how to fix Hotspot Shield not working with YouTube TV:
- Clear your browser’s cache and cookies. This helps YouTube TV forget your previous IP address and acknowledge the new one IP address from Hotspot Shield.
- Refresh your browser and access YouTube TV. You should now be able to stream content. If not, it’s worth trying a different server (be sure to clear your cookies before each new attempt).
- The above should help you access YouTube TV with Hotspot Shield. If not, it’s worth contacting Hotspot Shield’s customer support and asking which server works best.
How to sign in to YouTube TV with Hotspot Shield
You shouldn’t have too much trouble signing in to YouTube TV while connected to Hotspot Shield. From signing up with the VPN to signing in to the TV streaming service, the process shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
Here’s how you can sign in to YouTube TV using Hotspot Shield:
- Sign up with Hotspot Shield. It’s risk-free because it includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Download and install Hotspot Shield on your streaming device. You can use it on up to five devices simultaneously.
- Log in to the Hotspot Shield app and connect to a server located in the US. You’ll be assigned a US IP address.
- Access YouTube TV and select your preferred channel. You should be able to stream it without further restriction.
- Blocked? Take a look at our suggestions for fixing the issue further above in this post. For example, clearing your cookies.
TRY THE TOP VPN FOR YOUTUBE TV RISK-FREE
NordVPN is offering a fully-featured risk-free 30-day trial if you sign up at this page. You can use the VPN rated #1 YouTube TV with no restrictions for a month—great if you want to binge your favorite content or are going on a short trip.
There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't right for you and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
Hotspot Shield with YouTube TV: FAQs
What can I watch on YouTube TV?
With a YouTube TV subscription, you have access to over 100 TV channels. These include:
- ABC
- CBS
- Comedy Central
- ESPN
- FOX
- NBC
- Nickelodeon
- NFL Network
- Paramount Network
- TNT
You’ll be able to stream the newest seasons of TV shows such as:
- Bachelor in Paradise (ABC)
- Bar Rescue (Paramount Network)
- Blue Bloods (CBS)
- Monarch (FOX)
- Snowpiercer (TNT)
- South Park (Comedy Central)
- Station 19 (ABC)
- The Masked Singer (FOX)
- The Simpsons (FOX)
- Yellowstone (Paramount Network)
How does YouTube TV know if I’m using a VPN?
It’s relatively easy for YouTube TV, or indeed any streaming platform, to know when a VPN is being used. VPNs such as Hotspot Shield use shared IP addresses. When you connect to a server, you’re assigned the same IP address as other users on that server. If multiple users are accessing YouTube TV via the same IP address, YouTube TV spots this pattern and blacklists the IP address in question.
Are there any free VPNs that work with YouTube TV?
There are very few (if any) free VPNs that work with YouTube TV. Free VPNs tend to offer very few servers. The few IP addresses to go around are shared by many users and are quickly blacklisted by platforms such as YouTube TV. Besides, the heavy server load coupled with the bandwidth throttling of free VPNs makes for a streaming experience that is far less than ideal. We also have concerns regarding the lack of security of free VPNs and their ability to protect your privacy (many free VPNs keep logs that may be sold or stolen).
