Network blocks and geo-restrictions often make it hard to access Pinterest. In this guide, we explain how to unblock Pinterest at work, in school, or in countries that block platforms like Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
A VPN for Pinterest hides your IP address and routes your traffic through VPN servers in another region. This lets you bypass censorship and network blocks to unlock Pinterest from anywhere.
Our top picks include a kill switch, simultaneous connections, and dedicated IP options. These features ensure you can use Pinterest without being tracked, even in countries with strict censorship. They offer fast speeds for streaming and gaming and are fully tested to access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and many other international TV streaming services.
What are the best VPNs for Pinterest?
In a rush to get the best VPN for Pinterest? We have included our list of the best, fully tested VPNs below:
Best VPNs to unblock Pinterest anywhere:
- NordVPN: — The best VPN overall for Pinterest
- Surfshark: — Best budget VPN for Pinterest
- Total VPN: — Best VPN bundle for Pinterest (includes an antivirus)
- ProtonVPN: — Perfect if you also want to torrent
- ExpressVPN: — Best for users who want a premium VPN
- IPVanish: — Best for users who want more US server locations
- PureVPN: — Excellent for users connecting from restrictive countries
- CyberGhost: — Ideal for beginners who want an easy VPN
- Private Internet Access: — Ideal for users who want more customization
How to set up a VPN for Pinterest
We understand that VPNs can seem confusing for beginners. To help you out, we’ve included all the steps needed to set up a VPN and use Pinterest privately from anywhere.
How to unblock Pinterest with a VPN:
- Choose a VPN that works with Pinterest. Our top recommendation is NordVPN, as it is both fast and highly secure. Alternatively, Surfshark and Total VPN represent incredible value for money
- Subscribe to the VPN. Follow our links to subscribe. We have secured an exclusive discount for each VPN, which you can get by clicking the link.
- Download the VPN software. The best Pinterest VPNs have apps for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Fire TV Stick, tvOS (Apple TV), and other popular platforms. This ensures you can access Pinterest on any device.
- Install the VPN software. Depending on your location or network, you may need a VPN every time you open Pinterest. You can install the VPN on any smartphone, tablet, or computer you use to access your Pinterest account.
- Connect to a VPN server in a country where Pinterest is available. Thanks to your VPN, you can browse, save pins, and use Pinterest normally at school, at work, or in a country where Pinterest is blocked.
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Pinterest not working? Use our troubleshooting tips
The VPNs we have recommended are fully tested. This means they all work to unblock Pinterest abroad. If you are using a different VPN, then we can’t promise it will work. This means you may need to switch providers.
Already subscribed to a fully tested Pinterest VPN? If you experience any problems using your VPN, follow the steps below to get it working!
VPN won’t load Pinterest? Try these fixes:
- Use a browser. The Pinterest mobile app sometimes relies on location services that can override your VPN settings. Try accessing Pinterest through Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari instead.
- Try a different VPN server. Our recommended VPNs include servers optimized for browsing and social media. Ask your provider’s live chat team which servers work best for unblocking Pinterest.
- Sign out and back into Pinterest. Connect your VPN, sign out of Pinterest, and then sign back in while the VPN is active. This forces Pinterest to recognize your new virtual location.
- Reboot your device. If you recently installed your VPN, restart your device to load the VPN drivers correctly. This often fixes connection issues that stop Pinterest from loading.
- Change the VPN protocol. Switch to a modern tunneling protocol like WireGuard, OpenVPN, NordLynx (NordVPN), or Hydra (Total VPN) for better stability and faster speeds when browsing Pinterest.
- Clear cookies and cache. Old location data stored in your browser can block Pinterest. Clear your cookies and cache, then reload Pinterest with your VPN active.
- Reinstall the VPN app. If you’ve used the same VPN for a long time, uninstall and reinstall the app to refresh settings and drivers. Make sure you download the latest version from the official VPN website.
Can I unblock Pinterest at school or work?
Yes. The VPNs we recommend make it easy to bypass network blocks in any location. This ensures you can unblock Pinterest at work, in school, or on public wifi.
A VPN is a privacy service that encrypts your internet connection. When you use a VPN, you appear to be outside the work or school wifi. This gives you the freedom to use the internet just as you would at home.
Millions of people use VPNs every day. However, not all services offer the speeds, privacy features, and server locations needed to reliably unblock Pinterest.
Our recommended VPNs have been tested to bypass network blocks on Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and many others. This ensures you can access the services that matter to you, whether you’re at work, in school, on public wifi, or visiting a country with strict blocks.
What are the most common Pinterest error messages?
Below is a quick list of the most common Pinterest error messages. If you encounter one of these messages, you may want to test a VPN.
- Something went wrong
- Oops! Try again later
- Failed to load Pin
- Pin ownership issue
- Invalid URL provided
- Can’t log in to Pinterest
- An unknown error occurred
- Account suspended
- Duplicate keywords found
- Missing image or description
- Conversation could not be created
- User is not authorized to view the requested entity
- Action blocked due to suspicious activity
Why is Pinterest blocked in some countries?
Pinterest is sometimes blocked in countries with heavy internet censorship. This includes places where social media platforms are commonly blocked or limited, such as China, parts of the Middle East, and regions with strict filtering laws. The reason for blocking Pinterest is usually cultural, political, or an effort to curb access to content considered religiously incompatible with local norms. In some countries, Western social media is also restricted to limit exposure to dissenting political opinions and ideologies.
If you travel to a country that blocks Pinterest, it is vital to use a VPN with strong encryption and obfuscation. This will let you access Pinterest privately, without worrying that anyone will find out. Remember: using a free VPN could expose your activities, allowing local networks, ISPs, and government agencies to see that you are bypassing censorship rules to use Pinterest.
Which countries block Pinterest?
The good news is that Pinterest is not widely targeted for censorship. Compared to YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok, Pinterest is rarely blocked at the national level. When it is restricted, it usually relates to:
- Political censorship (China, Iran, Syria)
- Sanctions affecting business tools
- Local wifi bans
That said, Pinterest has sometimes faced blocks or severe limitations in countries with low internet-freedom scores and aggressive filtering policies. This includes China, where most Western social media is restricted, as well as parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, which often enforce internet blocks based on strict cultural or political controls.
Some governments block Pinterest to limit exposure to outside ideas, while others restrict it as part of broader bans on Western social networks. If you travel to a country that blocks Pinterest, you will need to use a trusted VPN with obfuscation to bypass blocks safely and without detection.
Here is a full list of countries that have faced blocks on Pinterest in the past:
- China: Pinterest has been fully blocked since 2017 due to the country’s strict internet censorship (the Great Firewall).
- North Korea: Pinterest is completely banned, as are most foreign social media platforms.
- Iran: Pinterest is not accessible due to nationwide censorship of Western social media.
- Syria: Access is restricted or blocked due to broad government controls over internet content.
- Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk (Ukraine): Pinterest business accounts are not available, and access may be restricted due to US and EU sanctions.
- Russia: Pinterest business accounts are not available, and access may be restricted due to US and EU sanctions.
- Cuba: Pinterest business accounts are not available due to sanctions and restrictions.
- Middle East: Some blocks have previously been experienced in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Middle Eastern countries. These restrictions are usually temporary.
- Local network blocks: In many countries (including the UK, India, the United States, Europe, and many others), Pinterest may be blocked in schools, workplaces, or on certain public wifi networks. A VPN can easily bypass these blocks.
How to get Pinterest unblocked without a VPN
If you are short on cash, you may be wondering if there’s a way to unblock Pinterest for free. The reality is that although there are a few different workarounds, a VPN is still the best option. A few leading VPN brands offer a basic free VPN plan you can test to access Pinterest from abroad. For example, you can try Proton VPN, Hotspot Shield, and EvenVPN (ExpressVPN’s new free tier) to unlock Pinterest abroad or at work.
Just bear in mind that free VPNs are much slower and more limited than a paid plan. When using the free version of a reliable VPN, you will run into usage limits, fewer features, fewer server locations, and other restrictions designed to encourage you to upgrade. Free VPN plans also won’t work for streaming, so beware of these limitations.
Want other ways to unblock Pinterest without a VPN? We’ve listed every safe option below.
Remember: A VPN is the best way to unblock Pinterest without being tracked by local networks, ISPs, or government agencies. If you want to use Pinterest privately, we recommend using a trusted VPN.
1. Proxy websites
A proxy is a service that lets you conceal your real location. When you connect to a regular proxy service, it changes your IP address. However, it does not offer strong encryption. This means local networks, ISPs, government agencies, and anyone monitoring your traffic will still know you’re visiting Pinterest. To use Pinterest privately, it is vital to stick to using a VPN.
2. Proxy extensions
A proxy extension works the same way as a proxy website. It lets you connect to a proxy server directly inside your browser. You can find proxy extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and other popular browsers. These might work to access Pinterest on vacation or at work. However, they do not provide the encryption you get with a VPN, which means local networks and ISPs will still see that you’re using Pinterest.
3. Tor network
The Onion Browser (Tor) is a useful tool for people who want to access the web anonymously and privately. Although most people use the Tor Browser to access the Deep Web, you can also use it to visit the surface web privately. When you use Tor to visit a website like Pinterest, your connection is encrypted and routed through three volunteer nodes. This makes it extremely hard for anyone to track your activities.
Unfortunately, there are drawbacks. Although Tor allows you to unlock Pinterest and use it privately, it is much slower than a VPN. The Tor Network relies on volunteer nodes that are often much slower than the Tier 1 servers used by VPNs. As a result, using Tor to unblock Pinterest can lead to slow page loads and issues with any video content.
Can I use a free VPN to unblock Pinterest?
Yes. A few leading VPN providers offer a basic free plan that should work to access Pinterest. However, it is important to remember that the free plans offered by reputable providers often have limitations. The best VPNs only offer a free plan to:
- Ensure people living in restrictive countries have access to privacy and freedom of access
- Allow people to test the VPN and get some limited use
- Give people access to privacy in times of need.
Premium VPNs understand that while it is ethically upstanding to offer a free VPN for privacy and security reasons, it is good business practice to restrict access to popular streaming platforms and social media for paying users only.
This is why trusted VPNs with a free plan usually require you to upgrade to use Pinterest, Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, etc. The good news? As long as you stick to a reputable free VPN plan, you are free to test the VPN to unlock Pinterest at work or abroad.
Please note: There are dozens of free VPNs advertised on Google Play, and these are nearly all dangerous. Studies have revealed that more than 90% of the free VPNs circulating online lack encryption, store logs, sell user data, suffer from leaks, and even hide spyware in their apps.
Using these free VPNs is extremely dangerous, so you must always pick a free VPN extremely carefully.
Unblocking Pinterest FAQs
Why can’t I access Pinterest? (Why Is Pinterest Blocked?)
Pinterest is often blocked by school networks, work wifi, or local ISPs to restrict social media use. Some countries also censor Pinterest entirely. A VPN helps you bypass these blocks and access Pinterest from any location.
Is it legal to use a VPN for Pinterest?
Yes. Using a VPN to access Pinterest is legal in most countries. A VPN simply encrypts your connection and changes your IP address. That said, using a VPN to bypass censorship is illegal in some countries, so check local laws before bypassing any government censorship. We are not attorneys, and nothing in this guide should be taken as legal advice.
Can I access Pinterest from anywhere in the world?
Yes. A reliable Pinterest VPN lets you access Pinterest from any country, even in regions where social media is restricted. Connect to a VPN server in a country where Pinterest is available to browse normally.
What other sites can I access with a VPN?
The VPNs we recommend have vast networks of servers worldwide. This allows you to access accounts and services from all around the globe. In our tests, the best Pinterest VPNs also worked to access Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Snapchat, YouTube, Netflix, and many other blocked or region-locked websites.
Does Pinterest work with a proxy?
Most proxies have already been blocked by Pinterest, which is why we generally recommend sticking to reputable VPNs. In addition, proxies do not offer robust privacy, which means your Pinterest use could still be monitored.