ITV hub not working with VPN

ITVX (formerly known as ITV Hub) only works in the UK, which can be all kinds of frustrating if you’re traveling or working abroad but want to keep up with your favorite shows. Luckily it’s easy enough to bypass these regional restrictions, you just need to use a VPN to change your IP address to a UK one, and you’ll be able to stream ITVX from anywhere.

Unfortunately, not every VPN will work with ITVX, as it, like most streaming sites, works hard to detect and block VPNs to stop international viewers from gaining access. But don’t worry, there are some VPNs that do still work consistently with ITVX in 2024. In this post, we’ll list those providers as well as offering you solutions to common problems you might encounter when trying to access ITVX from abroad.

Why isn’t my VPN working with ITVX?

ITV Hub’s VPN detection skills have gotten quite good in recent years. This makes sense — it is, after all, run by one of the biggest broadcasters in the UK. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why your VPN connection might not be working with ITVX, and it’s not always easy to tell which is causing your specific problem.

Here are some of the most common reasons why ITV is preventing you from watching anything:

  • ITV has previously realized that you’re outside of the UK and has saved a cookie or cache data to your device, noting this information
  • The VPN server you’re using has been blacklisted by ITV
  • ITVX is detecting traffic patterns that correspond to VPN usage
  • Your IP address location and GPS location are different
  • The VPN you’re using is leaking your real IP address (and, therefore, your real location)
  • Your chosen server is simply unable to get around ITVX’s geo-restrictions
  • You’re connected to a virtual server, and ITV can tell that its real location is outside of the UK

If you’re suffering from any of these reasons, don’t worry. Keep reading for the solutions.

How to resolve VPN issues when streaming ITVX

There are a few steps we can take to try and fix any VPN issues you might be facing. It’s important to try ITVX after each step since this will help us figure out exactly what was causing the problem in the first place.

  1. First, clear your browser’s cookies and cache. This will prevent ITVX from relying on old location data and force it to find your location again.
  2. Check your VPN settings to make sure that IPv6 and DNS leak protection are enabled. You can also disable IPv6 altogether.
  3. Try switching to a different VPN protocol or enabling a stealth mode (if available).
  4. Change to a different server (those in London are usually a good choice).
  5. Not working on mobile? See if your VPN works on a desktop PC. If so, it’s likely that ITV has noticed a discrepancy between your phone’s GPS location and the country pointed to by your IP address.
  6. If nothing else has worked, contact your VPN provider directly to see if there are specific servers optimized for unblocking ITVX. Staff may even be able to tell you outright if the service is blocking your VPN.
  7. If your VPN no longer supports ITVX you will need to switch to a more reliable provider (we’ve found NordVPN works really well).

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How to unblock ITVX from abroad using a VPN

New to VPNs and not sure how to get started? It’s easier than you might think to unblock ITVX and other streaming services from abroad.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to streaming ITVX from anywhere:

  1. First of all, you’ll have to choose a suitable VPN. We recommend NordVPN, although Surfshark and ExpressVPN are two speedy and secure alternatives.
  2. Download and install the VPN app. Don’t worry if you like to watch on multiple devices since most VPNs let you connect around five at once.
  3. Visit the ITV website and create a free account. You’ll be asked to enter a British postal code, but there’s no real verification process, so any valid UK postcode will work.
  4. Connect to a British VPN server, this will give you the UK IP address you need to access ITVX from abroad.
  5. Finally, try playing a video on ITVX. If you run into any problems, just consult the troubleshooting guide above.

Still struggling to watch UK TV abroad? Check out this video for some more tips!

Which VPNs still work with ITVX?

VPNs that work reliably to bypass ITV Hub’s geo-restrictions are few and far between. That said, there are a few that can still unblock this service. Here are the VPNs we’ve found most reliable for ITV:

  1. NordVPN: Our first choice for ITVX. Boasts high speeds, a great security toolkit, and also works with BBC iPlayer and Netflix UK. Comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
    TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for itv hub.
  2. Surfshark: The best way to stream ITV on a budget. A fast, zero-logs VPN with no connection limit. Unblocks all of your favorite UK streaming services, including ITVX, BBC I Player, and All4.
  3. ExpressVPN: A well-respected service with impressive speeds and an excellent security offering. Ideal for any day-to-day task, whether it’s streaming, browsing, or torrenting.
  4. CyberGhost: Quick, reliable, and easy to use. Has over 700 UK servers, including some that are optimized for streaming. Includes a wide array of pre-configured security tools.
  5. PrivateVPN: This service puts your privacy first but doesn’t compromise on speed or unblocking the ability to do so. Keeps no logs and unblocks ITVX with ease.
  6. Atlas VPN: This speedy, reliable VPN has British streaming servers that unblock BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Netflix UK from anywhere. Has a strong set of security tools too.

Methodology: How we found the best VPNs for ITVX

Unfortunately, you can’t just choose the first VPN you see and expect it to work well with ITVX. This platform has a ton of resources at its disposal and a vested interest in detecting VPN usage. Besides, even if a particular service can stream ITV, it might fall short in other areas. That’s why we looked for providers that excelled in all of the following categories:

  • Server availability: Simply put, if your VPN doesn’t have British servers, it won’t be able to access ITVX. We also look into whether there are multiple locations in the UK, since the closer your chosen server is, the faster and more stable your VPN connection will be.
  • Streaming: Yes, the VPNs we recommend must work with ITVX. However, most people don’t just use one streaming platform. That’s why we test them against services like BBC iPlayer, All4, and Netflix UK as well. After all, if you’re constantly having to turn your VPN off to watch TV, you may well forget to turn it back on
  • Performance: Live streaming requires a reasonably quick connection. Our team regularly runs speed tests to see which VPNs are currently the fastest. Notably, because we average the results of nine tests, our testing ensures that VPNs with unreliable speeds tend to be ranked lower.
  • Security and privacy: To make sure your data is properly secured, we look for powerful encryption, protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy (ideally one that’s been verified by outside auditors). Of course, additional tools such as a stealth mode or tracker-blocking are always very welcome
  • Ease of use: You shouldn’t need a networking degree to protect yourself online. We prioritize VPNs with newcomer-friendly designs, apps for all major platforms, and quality-of-life features like 24/7 live chat or a total lack of connection limits
  • Pricing: We’ve been researching VPNs for years, meaning it’s immediately obvious when one tries to charge more than is really justified. Naturally, these don’t make the cut. What’s more, we’ll let you know about any deals, discounts, 30-day money-back guarantee, or free trials so that the cost remains as low as possible

Believe it or not, this is just one small part of our testing strategy. We have a complete breakdown of our VPN testing methodology for those who want to know more.

Live streaming ITV: FAQs

Can I stream ITVX with a free VPN?

Is it technically possible to unblock ITVX with a free VPN? Yes. In practice, though, this isn’t likely to work. To begin with, ITVX has VPN-detection systems that plenty of paid VPNs can’t beat. Additionally, free VPNs tend to be very slow, and even if yours isn’t, you’ll likely have to contend with poor-quality video and buffering.

Next, there are security issues to consider. We’ve seen plenty of free VPNs mislead users about how secure they really are, with some not even bothering to encrypt your data at all. Of course, this assumes you don’t inadvertently install a Trojan designed to take advantage of people who put their privacy first. In short, you won’t be able to rely on a free service for speed, security, or streaming, so why bother using them at all?

Is it legal to watch ITVX from outside of the UK?

Using a VPN is legal in most countries, however, doing so does go against ITV’s terms of service. Still, you’re not going to be banned simply for trying to use the platform with a VPN active (although even if you were, ITV is free to use, so there’d be nothing stopping you from creating a new account). The worst that’s likely to happen is you’ll see an error when trying to play videos.

What can I watch on ITVX?

ITVX lets you stream six channels live. These are:

  • ITV
  • ITV2
  • CITV
  • ITVBe
  • ITV3
  • ITV4

Naturally, users also have access to a huge on-demand catalog featuring recently-aired episodes of the networks’ biggest shows. Here are just a few of the titles currently available:

  • Emmerdale
  • Coronation Street
  • Love Island
  • Loose Women
  • This Morning
  • The Chase
  • Dinner Date
  • Lorraine

How can I tell if my VPN has been blocked by ITVX?

There are a few ways to tell if your VPN has been blocked by ITVX. The most common way to check is to play a stream, and if you receive an error message saying the content is not available in your country, then you know that the VPN server has been blocked. Alternatively, your VPN may have been detected and blocked if you’re unable to connect or if the connection is slow or unreliable. The solution is to switch servers until you find one that works, or alternatively try a different VPN.

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