BBC iPlayer is home to popular shows including Call the Midwife, Doctor Who, EastEnders, and Peaky Blinders. Better still, it’s completely free to watch. The caveat is that BBC iPlayer is only available in the UK. Fortunately, you can watch BBC iPlayer online from anywhere with a VPN – but what if your VPN doesn’t work with BBC iPlayer? Then you’ll come across an error message that says “BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues.”
Total VPN worked well with BBC iPlayer in our most recent unblocking tests. That’s not to say that occasional issues can’t arise. Even the best VPNs are in a cat-and-mouse game, constantly looking to add new IP addresses as popular streaming platforms blacklist known VPN IP addresses. Below, we cover the possible reasons why Total VPN isn’t working with BBC iPlayer, take you through potential fixes, and list some of the other best VPNs for BBC iPlayer.
Why isn’t Total VPN working with BBC iPlayer?
It’s undoubtedly frustrating when you want to watch UK TV like BBC iPlayer but are prevented from doing so just because you’ve traveled abroad. It’s a common issue with streaming services, and it’s due to copyright and licensing restrictions.
Why isn’t Total VPN working with BBC iPlayer, however? After all, a VPN is supposed to help you spoof your location and sidestep frustrating geo-blocking such as this. Total VPN may be one of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer, but that doesn’t make it a foolproof solution.
Here are some reasons why Total VPN isn’t working with BBC iPlayer:
- The VPN IP address you’ve been assigned has been blacklisted by BBC iPlayer
- BBC iPlayer still remembers your actual location due to a cookie stored in your browser
- You’ve accidentally connected to a server in a location outside the UK
- If you’re on a mobile device, and your GPS is giving your true location away
If Total VPN isn’t working with BBC iPlayer, it’s likely for one of the above reasons. The good news is that it’s usually a quick and easy fix.
How to fix Total VPN not working with BBC iPlayer
You don’t have to be tech-savvy or have experience using a VPN to fix Total VPN not working with BBC iPlayer. Following the simple step-by-step instructions below should fix most issues and let you stream BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.
Here’s how to fix Total VPN not working with BBC iPlayer:
- First thing’s first, make sure you’re using the latest version of Total VPN.
- Clear your browser’s cache and cookies, or consider trying a different browser.
- Switch to a desktop, which, unlike a mobile, doesn’t make use of GPS location data.
- Contact Total VPN’s customer support to ask which server is best to use.
- Read our troubleshooting guide for VPNs not working with BBC iPlayer.
- Failing this, consider one of the other best VPNs for BBC iPlayer listed below.
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How to access BBC iPlayer with Total VPN
Perhaps you’re unsure as to how to go about unblocking BBC iPlayer with the help of Total VPN, especially if you’re a first-time VPN user. Don’t worry, it’s very straightforward to do.
Here’s how to use Total VPN to access BBC iPlayer from anywhere:
- Sign up with Total VPN if you don’t already have an account.
- Download and install the Total VPN app on the device on which you want to stream BBC iPlayer – desktop will pose fewer problems than mobile.
- Log in to the Total VPN app and connect to a server in the UK. This is how you get a UK IP address for accessing BBC iPlayer from abroad.
- Visit BBC iPlayer and select your preferred content for streaming. If you come across a geo-related streaming error, clear your cookies and refresh your browser.
- Still blocked? Connect to a different server and clear your cookies once again. You might have to try a few servers to find one that works with BBC iPlayer.
Which VPNs still work with BBC iPlayer?
Although you may be having trouble using Total VPN with BBC iPlayer today, it could easily be working again tomorrow. This is the case for all VPNs, which have to contend with streaming platforms that actively seek to block VPN IP addresses and prevent users from bypassing geographic restrictions.
That said, we found these VPNs to be the best for streaming BBC iPlayer:
- NordVPN: Our top choice for streaming BBC iPlayer. Simply an excellent unblocker, fast, and a bundle of extras including malware protection. No-logs and with 24/7 support.
- Surfshark: Best budget VPN for BBC iPlayer Lightweight and with antivirus protection. High-speed servers for use with Netflix. Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- IPVanish: Some of the fastest speeds of any VPN for lag-free streaming of BBC iPlayer. Unlimited simultaneous connections and new features such as cloud storage.
- Proton VPN: Top-tier privacy protection thanks to a strict no-logs policy and option of anonymous payment. One of the largest VPN server networks and impressive speeds.
- ExpressVPN: Strong all-rounder for watching BBC iPlayer. User-friendly apps and excellent 24/7 support. Comes with quality extras including a password manager.
- CyberGhost: Huge server network and even specialized streaming services, including for BBC iPlayer. Operates an independently audited no-logs policy.
- PureVPN: Provides streaming-optimized servers, a global server network, and easy-to-use apps at an affordable price. Good speeds for streaming iPlayer.
Want to know more about these VPNs? Take a look at our list of the best VPNs for BBC iPlayer.
Total VPN with BBC iPlayer: FAQ
Can I use a free VPN to watch BBC iPlayer?
It’s unlikely you’ll find a free VPN that works with BBC iPlayer. Not all free VPNs actually offer servers in the UK. Even those that do will have limited IP addresses that have likely been blacklisted by BBC iPlayer. Another common issue with free VPNs is that they throttle user bandwidth. This is far from ideal for streaming because it results in lag and buffer-filled streams and makes it almost impossible to stream in high resolution.
Many free VPNs lack sufficient encryption to keep user data secure. In fact, some actively keep identifying logs that they then sell to third parties. If you encounter any issues when using a free VPN, you probably won’t have the benefit of customer support. Feature-wise, free VPNs don’t tend to have extras, so you won’t have the advantage of an ad blocker, antivirus protection, or password manager as with the best VPNs.
Is it legal to watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN?
Yes, it’s legal to watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN. A VPN is a legitimate way to securely access streaming services such as BBC iPlayer. Furthermore, there have been no reports of UK residents facing legal issues for using a VPN with BBC iPlayer. Having said that, it does go against the BBC’s Terms of Use and your account could be suspended or terminated as a result. The good news is that the BBC doesn’t follow up on this.
Where you do have to be careful is with regard to BBC iPlayer’s requirement that you have a valid UK TV license to watch its content. This is regardless of whether you’re streaming live or on-demand. UK residents who watch BBC iPlayer without paying for a TV license are breaking the law and run the risk of being fined as a consequence.
Note: We are not lawyers and nothing in this article should be taken as legal advice.
Why does BBC iPlayer block VPNs?
Like most streaming services, BBC iPlayer is keen to protect copyright and licensing agreements. It doesn’t hold global streaming rights for all of the content on its platform. It’s therefore easier for it to enforce geo-blocking anywhere outside the UK. VPNs are an effective way of bypassing these restrictions, which is something BBC iPlayer doesn’t want. Thus it takes steps to stop VPN unblocking by blacklisting known VPN IP addresses.
Will Total VPN slow my connection when streaming?
Most VPNs will slow your connection to a degree. That’s because they’re encrypting your data and routing it via their server before forwarding it to the intended destination (in this case, BBC iPlayer). You benefit from the security and privacy provided by using a VPN, as well as the fact that you can spoof your location and get around geo-blocking.
Total VPN impressed in our most recent speed tests, averaging 178 Mbps. This makes it more than fast enough for streaming BBC iPlayer in high resolution, all without having to worry about annoying performance problems like lag and buffering.
What can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
BBC iPlayer is the BBC’s free streaming service and is home to a huge range of TV shows, movies, and original content. These include:
- Comedy: Here We Go, Not Going Out, Such Brave Girls, Mrs Brown’s Boys, My Family
- Documentaries: Louis Theroux: The Settlers, Earth, To Catch a Stalker, Heston: My Life with Bipolar, Murder 24/7
- Drama: Mayfair Witches, Unforgivable, Marriage, The Gold, Call the Midwife
- Entertainment and reality: The Great British Sewing Bee, Dragon’s Den, Race Across the World, Gladiators, Glow-Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star
- Films: Avengers: Infinity War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, The Wolf of Wall Street, Miami Vice
