Many VPN users encounter issues when trying to stream content from BBC iPlayer.
However, there are steps you can take to resolve this problem and regain access to your favorite shows and movies.
In this quick guide, we’ll show you the most common fixes for issues that prevent you from accessing BBC iPlayer using IPVanish. And if those don’t work, we’ll give you the best alternative VPNs to switch to.
How to stream BBC iPlayer with IPVanish
First, let’s ensure your IPVanish app is configured correctly for BBC iPlayer.
IPVanish has apps for many devices that work with BBC iPlayer, including several smart TV models.
The setup process is generally the same for all of them:
- Sign up for IPvanish. You’ll get a 30-day money-back guarantee to try it risk-free.
- Download the app onto your BBC iPlayer device.
- Connect to a server in the UK.
- Clear your browser or BBC iPlayer app cache and cookies.
- Open the BBC iPlayer app or sign in on your browser.
That’s it!
Clearing your cache and cookies is essential in case BBC iPlayer has stored your location in a previous session.
If you still can’t access BBC iPlayer now, try connecting to a different UK server. If IPVanish is completely blocked, keep reading to find alternative VPNs that work with BBC iPlayer.
How well does IPVanish work with BBC iPlayer?
Generally, IPVanish works well with BBC iPlayer, because of its large network of servers in the UK, many of which are optimized for streaming.
IPVanish offers a SOCKS5 proxy and a full VPN service with encryption. The proxy ensures fast connections, while the VPN secures your data, making it ideal for streaming BBC iPlayer privately and reliably, even over public WiFi.
However, like any technology, IPVanish can experience some issues. Let’s explore the most common technical reasons why it’s not working with BBC iPlayer.
Why does IPVanish not work with BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer is a UK-only streaming site. Due to its broadcast licenses, it is not supposed to be watched outside the country, even if you are a UK citizen.
So, it actively blocks anyone outside the UK from accessing its content.
BBC iPlayer also invests heavily in detecting and blocking VPN servers, because many people use VPNs to access its content outside the UK. Even if you’re in the UK and using IPVanish to improve your online privacy, BBC iPlayer will still block you.
The best BBC iPlayer VPNs are constantly finding ways around these blocks, but it's not easy. They're in an ongoing battle of wits with the streaming service.
However, software limitations and technical glitches in IPvanish can contribute to it not working with BBC iPlayer. Here are the most common reasons why these happen, and their solutions:
1. BBC iPlayer is reading old location data from your browser or device. Your old location will conflict with your VPN servers – causing an error on the BBC iPlayer app.
Solution: Clear your cache and cookies, and restart BBC iPlayer.
2. BBC iPlayer has identified and blocked your IPVanish server. It won’t accept connection requests from that server’s IP address. IPVanish has many UK servers, and you can switch to another easily in the app.
Solution: Switch to another server in the UK.
3. BBC iPlayer is using GPS to establish your location. Mobile apps often log your location by reading other apps using GPS – like Google Maps. There is no way for IPVanish to hide this data.
Solution: Access BBC iPlayer on your mobile device’s browser or use a GPS spoofing app.
The best alternative VPNs for streaming BBC iPlayer
If you’ve tried everything, and IPVanish still won’t work with BBC iPlayer, you may need to try a different VPN.
We’ve tested countless VPNs against BBC iPlayer and every other popular streaming site (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, etc.) and found just five that we recommend.
Take a quick look at them below, or read our complete VPN reviews, to see exactly how each VPN performs in terms of streaming, privacy, security, value, and more.
ExpressVPN is our top-rated VPN for its industry-leading security features, fast connections, and exceptional value. It is a great choice for streaming BBC iPlayer and just about anything else. ExpressVPN maintains an extensive server network spanning over 90 countries – including many in the UK. We tested these servers from various global locations and experienced consistently fast, reliable connections. In terms of privacy, ExpressVPN excels by utilizing RAM-only. These are automatically wiped clean at the end of each VPN session so your data is never stored longer than necessary. Additionally, these servers can be swiftly disconnected in case ExpressVPN is ever raided! It also offers automatic kill-switches, military-grade encryption, and zero-knowledge DNS tools to ensure your location, identity, activities, and data remain concealed. While ExpressVPN is slightly pricier than most VPNs, it justifies the cost – especially if you’re in regions often overlooked by its competitors, such as Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, and need fast connections. New ExpressVPN users get a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Surfshark is the most affordable VPN for BBC iPlayer. It’s secure, fast, low-cost, and you get unlimited device connections. It also offers advanced privacy. We consider Surfshark the best budget-friendly VPN for several reasons. Firstly, it allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously under one plan, making it perfect for sharing with your entire family, regardless of how many devices they use. Secondly, it offers a range of advanced privacy tools that many pricier competitors overlook. These tools include an integrated ad blocker, malware and spam protection, dark web monitoring, an IP address rotator, and more. Its stealth mode employs excellent obfuscation technology, going beyond just providing access to BBC iPlayer content by also ensuring your protection from tracking, viruses, spyware, and other online nuisances. Finally, Surfshark's speed is sufficient for streaming BBC iPlayer content in 4K HD from anywhere. Our team, scattered across different continents, was able to watch BBC iPlayer shows buffer-free. For new users, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. NordVPN is a high-quality VPN that offers incredibly fast streaming for BBC iPlayer, reliable connections worldwide, excellent privacy, and much more. NordVPN is a top-performing VPN for BBC iPlayer, thanks to its massive UK server network that delivers buffer-free 4K HD streaming with stable connections. It is also incredibly secure, using industry-best tools like automatic kill-switches, DNS/IPv6 leak protections, and 256-bit AES encryption (the same standard used by banks, governments, militaries, and spy agencies) to hide your data, location, and identity. Its exclusive NordLynx VPN protocol is the best of its kind, boosting speeds across its network without reducing encryption or other security standards. You can use NordVPN to watch BBC iPlayer on any platform, including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, and some smart TVs. Its SmartDNS tool allows you to stream on devices that don’t natively support VPNs, like game consoles. If IPVanish stops working with BBC iPlayer, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost is a user-friendly and affordable VPN that doesn’t compromise performance, speed, or security. Your access to beloved BBC iPlayer shows will remain uninterrupted. CyberGhost has 700+ servers across the UK – and over 9,500 in 90+ countries worldwide. While its streaming-focused servers provide optimal performance, any server within its network should grant you access to BBC iPlayer. Our testing revealed uninterrupted access to BBC iPlayer from various locations around the world. CyberGhost is also the most beginner-friendly VPN on this list. After installing it on your first device, all your settings are pre-configured across every new install. The interface is consistent across every operating system, making it easy to install on multiple devices within minutes. Just because it's easy to use doesn’t mean CyberGhost compromises on security or privacy. It uses cutting-edge VPN software to hide your data, location, identity, and internet activities from potential surveillance and tracking. You can test CyberGhost using its generous 45-day money-back guarantee. PrivateVPN is a smaller VPN that can still access BBC iPlayer from abroad and deliver reliable, fast connections. PrivateVPN's servers are equipped with the same robust security features found in larger VPNs on this list: military-grade encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, kill-switches, and more. Its smaller size does not equate to compromised safety. We tested its features and found them to work seamlessly every time. In our tests, PrivateVPN successfully bypassed geographic restrictions on various streaming platforms. This included the BBC iPlayer website, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu – alongside a bunch of other sites that restrict access based on location. Streaming quality remained dependable enough for uninterrupted HD viewing. PrivateVPN also offers excellent value, supporting connections for up to 10 devices on a single plan. While customer service might be a bit slower than larger competitors, we eventually received satisfactory responses to all inquiries. Every PrivateVPN package includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. 1. ExpressVPN
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How we tested IPVanish and others with BBC iPlayer
Over many years of publishing reviews, we have developed strict criteria for testing VPNs. For this guide, we focused on the compatibility of each alternative to IPVanish with BBC iPlayer, connection speeds, and other factors.
Here’s a sample of our ranking factors:
- Server network: We only recommend VPNs with thousands of servers spread throughout countries across the globe.
- Connection speeds: We check if every VPN is fast enough for HD streaming, even if you connect to far-away servers.
- Access to content: The top VPNs work with BBC iPlayer and other popular streamers, including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu.
- Security: Our favorite VPNs use the latest cybersecurity tools to keep you safe, including 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and automatic kill-switches.
- Privacy: We looked for VPNs that hide your location and identity through a mix of IP address masking, anti-tracking tools, ad blockers, and similar software.
- Value: The best VPNs offer simple, affordable plans, and generous money-back guarantees.
- Ease of use: Just because VPNs are a complicated technology, they don’t have to be difficult to use. Our favorite VPNs are all very beginner-friendly.
- Customer support: Look for VPNs that offer 24/7 live support with human agents, video tutorials and troubleshooting, and other support channels.
You can use our VPN testing guide to assess which VPN is the best for you when choosing a VPN for BBC iPlayer and any other use.
Do free VPNs work with BBC iPlayer?
Most free VPNs don’t work with BBC iPlayer because the streamer easily detects their limited UK servers and they lack stealth technology that hides them from VPN detection tools.
However, these are just two of the many reasons you should avoid free VPNs. There are many more, including:
1. Limited server locations. Most have servers in two to three countries that quickly get crowded with other free users and are detected by streamers.
2. Too slow for BBC iPlayer. They either can’t deliver fast connections or throttle you, so you eventually upgrade to a paid plan.
3. Bombard you with ads. They’re intrusive, irritating, and could be carrying malware.
4. Sell your information to advertisers and data brokers. Your privacy will be compromised, and you might get malware and trackers installed on your device.
There are many fantastic and affordable VPNS that work with BBC iPlayer without compromising your safety or delivering a bad experience.
Save yourself a lot of headaches and avoid free VPNs altogether.
IPVanish not working with BBC iPlayer FAQs
Conclusion
The battle between VPNs and streaming services will never end. Streaming services are constantly developing new methods to restrict VPN use, and VPNs are constantly trying to bypass them.
If IPVanish isn’t working on your BBC iPlayer device, try the quick fixes suggested in this guide. If you still can’t access your favorite shows, you might need an alternative BBC iPlayer VPN, like ExpressVPN or Surfshark.
Alternatively, you can read our other VPN reviews to find out which is right for you.