NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for Hulu (and everything else).
However, you might encounter times when it doesn't work with Hulu, usually due to technical issues. In most cases, these are easily fixed. In this quick guide, we’ll show you how to regain access.
If NordVPN still isn’t working with Hulu after you’ve tried every technical fix, you might need an alternative VPN. So, we’ll also show you the best NordVPN alternatives for Hulu.
How to stream Hulu with NordVPN
But first, let’s make sure your NordVPN app is correctly configured for Hulu.
NordVPN has apps for most devices people use to watch Hulu, including some smart TV brands. The process is generally the same for all of them.
Here’s how to do it:
- Sign up for NordVPN. If you’re a new user, you can use its 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free trial run.
- Download the app to your Hulu device.
- Connect to a server in the US.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies (deletes any historical location data). Clear the Hulu app as well.
- Sign in to Hulu and get back to your favorite shows!
If you still can’t connect to Hulu, try switching to a different server within the US. If that doesn’t work, keep reading for more solutions.
How well does NordVPN work with Hulu?
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for Hulu, and usually works better than most VPNs on the streaming site.
Throughout our many tests, NordVPN has proven capable of accessing Hulu from countries worldwide to deliver buffer-free streaming.
NordVPN achieves this courtesy of 1,900+ speed-optimized servers across the US. Many of the servers are built for streaming. They combine airtight privacy with fast connections to guarantee your location remains hidden without sacrificing experience.
NordVPN has also built an exclusive VPN protocol – NordLynx – that’s lightweight without compromising encryption or other security standards. In our latest test, NordVPN averaged 55 Mbps – fast enough for streaming in 4K HD.
You can also use NordVPN’s SmartDNS technology to stream on devices that don’t support VPNs, like your game consoles and smart TVs.
Why isn’t NordVPN working with Hulu?
Hulu is a US-only streaming site – you’re not meant to view its content from outside the country, mainly for copyright and licensing reasons.
Hulu invests heavily in blocking all VPN servers to ensure this doesn't happen. Once Hulu detects you’re using a VPN server, it adds that server to a permanent "blocklist.” If you’re based in the US and just using NordVPN for privacy reasons, Hulu will still try to stop you from accessing its content.
However, other technical factors may contribute to NordVPN not working with Hulu. Here are the most common:
1. NordVPN has a software error. This can occur with all software tools and isn’t cause for concern.
Solution: Restart your NordVPN app or your device.
2. Hulu is using old location data on your browser or device. If you’ve tried to log into Hulu from outside the US without a VPN, Hulu may have logged your historical location data from that session, which conflicts with your VPN’s IP address.
Solution: Clear your cache and cookies or use Hulu on your browser’s incognito mode.
3. Hulu has blocked your NordVPN server. Hulu may have detected the NordVPN server you’re connected to and added it to a "block list.”
Solution: Try another NordVPN server in the US.
4. Hulu is using your GPS information to establish your location. Hulu’s mobile apps can access your device’s GPS data (from Google Maps and other apps). This may clash with the location displayed by your NordVPN server.
Solution: You’ll have to stream Hulu on your device’s browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.) using incognito mode or a GPS spoofing app.
Best alternatives to NordVPN for streaming Hulu
If none of the technical fixes above have worked, and NordVPN still isn’t working with Hulu, you may need a new VPN.
We’ve tested countless VPNs to ensure they work with Hulu and only found five that make a good alternative to NordVPN.
Look at them below to see precisely how every VPN performs in streaming, privacy, security, value, and more. Or, go in-depth with our complete VPN reviews.
Surfshark is the best alternative to NordVPN for Hulu. You get fast, reliable connections, advanced security, and unlimited device connections on a low-cost subscription. Surfshark is the best alternative to Netflix for a lot of reasons. It’s fast enough to stream Hulu in 4K HD almost anywhere. Our team is located in a dozen countries, and everyone could watch our favorite Hulu shows buffer-free. Surfshark is packed with advanced privacy tools. You get built-in malware and spam detection, an ad blocker, dark web monitoring, an IP address rotator, and more. Its stealth mode is second only to NordVPN. So you can rest assured you’re safe from tracking, viruses, spyware, and annoyance. You also benefit from 256-bit AES encryption, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, automatic kill-switches that block your internet if your VPN connection is disrupted, and more. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single plan, and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee period. ExpressVPN is one of the world's fastest VPNs, offering everything from industry-leading security to uninterrupted streaming, and much more. When it comes to accessing Hulu, ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol delivers smooth, buffer-free streaming to locations across the globe. We tested it on three continents and never experienced any issues. The same was true for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Twitch, Youtube TV, and every other popular streaming site. ExpressVPN’s dedication to privacy is also very impressive. It uses RAM-only servers that are wiped after every session. You also benefit from some of the most advanced security features in the VPN industry that hide your location, identity, activities, and data whenever you’re online. ExpressVPN is more expensive than most VPNs, but we’re confident you’ll appreciate how fast and secure it is once you try it out. Try ExpressVPN risk-free courtesy of its 30-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost is an easy-to-use VPN that offers streaming-optimized servers in over 90 countries – including the US. CyberGhost has 1,400+ servers in the US alone, many of which have been optimized for streaming. We tested CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized and regular servers. All of them were fast enough to watch Hulu in HD with zero buffering. Regardless of which kind of server you use, you’ll have a good experience. CyberGhost is beginner-friendly. Its apps are easy to set up and configure. It’s almost identical on every device. Once you install it, your settings are pre-configured across every new device on your subscription. CyberGhost offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee to new users. Private Internet Access (PIA) is a hugely customizable VPN with a massive server network that provides total anonymity online. PIA was one of the first VPNs and was originally built for torrenting and P2P. It aims to provide total anonymity and fast download times – features that make it a good choice for streaming. PIA is also one of the most customizable VPNs. You can change any setting based on your preferences. For example, for buffer-free streaming on Hulu, you might reduce your encryption to speed up your connection – thus sacrificing some security. These options are great for advanced users. But if you’re a VPN beginner, we suggest sticking to the default settings. PIA has over 20,000 servers across the globe, including plenty in the US. So, you’ll have lots of options to find one that works with Hulu. PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on every new plan. Proton VPN is one of the most impressive free VPNs. It’s surprisingly fast and doesn’t limit your bandwidth. However, to stream Hulu outside the US, you’ll need the paid plan. Proton VPN’s free plan is impressive. It doesn’t limit bandwidth or bombard you with ads and offers excellent security and privacy. It's faster than most free VPNs. And it has a server location in the US. But it will probably be too slow for Hulu, especially if you want to stream in HD. So, let’s look at the free plan. You get access to many more servers in 67+ other countries (2,800+ in total). While Proton VPN is slower than top VPNs on this list, it uses a VPN Accelerator tool to speed up your connection over long distances. You should get buffer-free streaming from most places. However, considering its limitations (including a lack of advanced privacy tools), Proton VPN’s paid plan is expensive – especially compared to top VPNs like Surfshark and CyberGhost. Try Proton VPN’s free plan or use the paid plan’s 30-day money-back guarantee to see how it compares to top Hulu VPNs. 1. Surfshark
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Do free VPNs work with Hulu?
Most free VPNs don’t work with Netflix because they have tiny server networks that the streamer easily catches. They also lack advanced features like server obfuscation that premium VPNs like NordVPN use to go undetected.
However, free VPNs have more downsides than just server availability. Here are a few of the issues you’re likely to encounter:
1. Limited server locations. You’ll be limited to maybe two or three countries at best.
2. Too slow for Hulu – or anything else. They either can’t deliver fast connections or deliberately throttle your connection, forcing you to upgrade to a paid plan.
3. Annoying ads. They’re annoyingly intrusive and could infect your device with malware.
4. Shady data practices. Free VPNs often sell your data to brokers and advertisers for a fee, compromising your privacy and safety.
5. Hosting malware and hackers. Some free VPNs have been caught allowing malicious actors access to their networks for a small fee.
Many cheap VPNs work with Hulu without compromising your safety or delivering bad service.
How we tested NordVPN and other VPNs with Hulu
We use a long list of strict criteria before recommending any VPN. You can use our criteria to find the best VPN for you. Here’s a brief sample of what we look at:
- Server network: You need a VPN with thousands of servers across the globe to guarantee fast, reliable connections and access to content.
- Connection speeds: We tested every VPN to ensure it delivers fast, reliable, buffer-free HD streaming in numerous locations worldwide.
- Access to content: Make sure your VPN works with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and every other streaming site.
- Security: The best VPNs offer 254-bit AES encryption, advanced VPN protocols, leak protections, automatic kill-switches, and more to keep you safe.
- Privacy: Look for a VPN based in a privacy-friendly location, using RAM-only servers, following strict no-logs policies, and volunteering for third-party audits.
- Value: Premium VPNs don’t have to be expensive. We only recommend premium providers with low-cost plans and money-back guarantees.
- Ease of use: We only recommend beginner-friendly VPNs and simple to configure or troubleshoot.
- Customer support: Premium VPNs offer live, 24/7 support with human agents, comprehensive tutorials, YouTube channels, and more.
Read our complete VPN review process to know every aspect of how a VPN works and which one to choose for Hulu (or anything else).
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Conclusion
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for Hulu, but is caught up in an endless cat-and-mouse game with the streamer.
So, if your NordVPN app isn’t working with Hulu, follow the steps we’ve outlined in case of a technical glitch. If that doesn’t work, try an alternative streaming VPN. The best VPNs all have 30-day money-back guarantees, so there’s no harm in trying them out.