Those who want to access their Netflix account in school, at work, or on vacation, may have purchased a Proton VPN subscription to do so. This is perfectly reasonable – Comparitech’s VPN experts tested Proton VPN thoroughly and found that it’s able to access multiple Netflix regions, including the US, Italy, Germany, Australia, Canada, and France.
However, no VPN is infallible. In this article, we look at the reasons Proton VPN might not be working with Netflix, and provide a range of solutions to quickly get you reconnected.
How does Proton VPN work to watch Netflix?
A VPN is an online privacy service that allows internet users to protect themselves against surveillance and tracking. It works by encrypting your traffic to prevent local network admins, Internet Service Providers, government agencies, hackers, and eavesdroppers from being able to track you online or carry out data theft.
A VPN also conceals your IP address from the websites you visit, which prevents those sites from tracking you each time you return to their site or visit specific pages. A lucky by-product of how a VPN works is that you can pretend to be in a different location and get access to geo-restricted content from your favorite streaming services.
For example, when you connect to a VPN server in the US, you will get an American IP address. This makes it seem like you are back home in the US when you travel abroad, which means you can watch shows that are exclusive to Netflix US. By connecting to a VPN server in another country – you can get an IP address there. This lets you watch that regional Netflix library, and any exclusive titles available there.
Not all VPNs work with Netflix. Netflix works hard to block VPNs and prevent people from accessing different regional catalogs. The good news is that Proton VPN has been tested, and is one of the few VPNs that have multiple server locations that work to stream Netflix. It’s also a good option for other streaming platforms such as BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video.
Why isn’t Proton VPN working with Netflix?
If you have a Proton VPN subscription you don’t need to worry – we can help you to get it working.
Before we look at the methods you can use to get Proton working with Netflix, let’s check out some of the reasons why Proton VPN might not be working:
- The Proton VPN server you are using has been blacklisted by Netflix.
- Netflix has stored a cookie in your browser that is giving away your real location.
- You are not connected to a Proton VPN server that is optimized for streaming.
- You are using an outdated version of the Proton VPN app and need to update it.
- Your mobile device is telling Netflix your GPS location; preventing Proton VPN from working.
- The country you are connected to is not supported.
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Proton VPN – Troubleshooting tips for Netflix
Below, we will explain how to fix Proton VPN with Netflix. These tips and tricks should have you watching Netflix again in no time.
Here’s how to get Proton VPN working with Netflix:
- Restart your browser. It is possible that you simply haven’t restarted your browser recently. This can sometimes cause conflicts, so we recommend restarting your computer, and restarting your browser to give it a refresh.
- Clear the cache and cookies in your browser. Previously-lodged trackers can give away your real location. This can prevent Proton VPN from working correctly, so be sure to clear them and relaunch your browser.
- Reinstall or update your version of Proton VPN. If you have been a Proton subscriber for some time, it is possible that your version of the app is out-of-date. Proton VPN could have updated its server list since the last time you installed the app, so it is worth checking for a new version.
- Try a different server. Proton VPN works with Netflix US, but it also has multiple US VPN servers and they don’t all work to watch Netflix. For this reason, it is worth testing a free different server. Alternatively, contact Proton’s live chat support to find out which server location is optimized for Netflix.
- Try a different country. Proton VPN does not work with every Netflix region. If you are connected to a VPN server that is not supported, you may not be able to stream using your Netflix account. Try a different country, instead. We recommend trying the US, Italy, Germany, Australia, Canada, and France. These all worked during our tests.
- Turn off GPS. By switching off location services you can prevent Netflix from detecting your real location. Try turning off GPS on your mobile device or in your browser if you’re using a desktop or laptop computer.
How to securely access Netflix with Proton VPN
If you are on the fence about purchasing a VPN subscription with Proton VPN – or you have a subscription but don’t yet know how to access Netflix with it – you can use our quick guide to learn everything you need to know.
Here’s how to use Proton VPN with Netflix:
- Begin by registering for ProtonVPN (if you haven’t already).
- Download the Proton VPN app for your device. Proton VPN has apps for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- Connect to a ProtonVPN server in a country where Netflix is available.
- The Netflix catalog should now update automatically thanks to Proton VPN. Try streaming a show that is usually unavailable.
Please bear in mind that if you have not yet subscribed to a VPN for Netflix, we tend to recommend NordVPN over Proton! NordVPN has faster speeds, an extensive server network with access to more Netflix regions, and better features than Proton VPN. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which makes it easy to test-drive without making a commitment.
Can I use a free Proton VPN subscription to watch Netflix?
No. Although Proton VPN has free server locations available in the United States, the Netherlands, and Japan, these will not work to watch Netflix or any other popular streaming services. Proton VPN provides a few free servers to let people gain online privacy and security.
Those free servers also allow people to access educational resources, news, and online services like social media that have been censored or blocked. This makes Proton VPN an excellent resource in countries with a lot of censorship, or in places where citizens require privacy for political reasons.
Although Proton is generous to provide a basic VPN service for consumers who can’t afford a premium VPN subscription, it does not consider accessing Netflix to be an essential service. For this reason, it does not provide access to Netflix on any of its free servers. Instead, it restricts Netflix access to its premium accounts. This encourages people to upgrade to a premium plan.
Will Proton VPN affect my streaming speeds on Netflix?
Possibly. When you connect to a VPN your traffic must be encrypted and routed to the remote server location that you picked. This creates additional latency, which will slow down your internet connection slightly. As a result, you may find that the VPN causes buffering or a decrease in video quality when you watch Netflix.
The good news is that Proton VPN has very fast servers. As a result, you should not notice a perceptible drop in speeds. As long as your internet connection is relatively good to begin with, Proton VPN should allow you to continue using Netflix in exactly the same way as usual.
If, on the other hand, you are using a very slow wi-fi network – or are paying your ISP or mobile provider for a very slow internet connection – it is possible that your VPN will slow down your internet too much. This can make it hard to watch Netflix while connected to ProtonVPN.
