These VPNs unblock Netflix at school and work
Netflix is available almost everywhere, you can access their service in over 190 countries worldwide.
Unfortunately, many workplaces, schools, universities and colleges block Netflix on their WiFi networks. In fact, because Netflix is such a bandwidth hog, even public WiFi hotspots are beginning to restrict access to Netflix.
If you are having trouble unblocking Netflix at school, work or anywhere else keep reading to find out how to access it.
What do you need?
Unblocking Netflix at school or work is extremely easy, all you need is a cheap online service called a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A VPN is an online tool that allows you to evade internet blocks and restrictions. With a VPN, you can easily bypass the blocks placed by network administrators to watch your favorite Netflix shows, as well as being able to access other websites.
For more information, check out our beginner's guide to VPNs.
How to get Netflix to work at School
To watch Netflix at school or work simply follow these simple steps below:
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Choose a VPN that works with Netflix.
Please note: Many VPNs are blocked by Netflix, which is why it is important to stick to very specific services.
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Subscribe to the VPN service.
We recommend that you sign up for ExpressVPN as they are fast which is essential for streaming in HD, have servers all over the world, and they are reliable.
There are other VPN services out there that can unblock Netflix, take a look at our VPN for Netflix page for a list of the best.
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Download the VPN software and install it on your device.
To help, we have some device specific installation guides available for:
- Install VPN on Windows
- Install VPN on Mac
- Install VPN on Linux
- Install VPN on iOS
- Install VPN on Android
- Install VPN on Fire TV Stick
Log in to the VPN using your credentials.
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Connect to a VPN server either in your country - or in another country that has Netflix.
Did you know? You can access additional Netflix content by connecting to a server in another country!
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Open Netflix and start streaming shows - despite still being in a location where it is blocked!
Having issues? Check out our Netflix VPN troubleshooting guide for common fixes.
Not all VPNs unblock Netflix
It's important that you know not all VPN services unblock Netflix. In fact, only a small number of VPNs are able to bypass the Netflix VPN ban. For a list of services that are guaranteed to unblock Netflix, see our Netflix VPN guide.
How does a VPN unblock Netflix?
Connecting to a VPN establishes an encrypted connection between you and the provider’s server. This can be thought of as a tunnel that hides your online activity from network administrators and allows you to bypass filters imposed by firewalls, unblocking restricted websites like Netflix.
Remember, while any reputable VPN can promise privacy from anyone monitoring internet traffic, only specific VPNs will be able to get past Netflix’s proxy detection, so choose your provider wisely.
Can I unblock Netflix for free?
Probably not. Although some free VPN services do exist, they are usually restrictive in terms of connection speeds and download limits. This makes them unsuitable for streaming shows on Netflix. In addition, an extremely limited number of VPNs actually work with Netflix, and most free services fall into this category.
But, where there's a will there's a way. If you are looking to bypass the restrictions of your internet connection for free, some VPN services offer money-back guarantees or free trials. ExpressVPN, which is one of the best services on the market, offers risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our free VPN for Netflix hack for more information.
Having issues?
VPN providers are in a constant cat-and-mouse game with Netflix and the VPN services that can access Netflix is constantly evolving. If you are running into issues try some of the methods below, or check out our Netflix VPN troubleshooting guide for additional fixes.
Connect to another VPN server
If you have signed up to one of the VPNs in this guide and you cannot access Netflix, this might be because you need to connect to a specific server.
Netflix regularly blocks VPN IP addresses, which is why most VPNs have given up trying to unblock it. The few providers that do only unblock specific catalogs. Thus, you will need to check with your VPN to find out which server you need to use.
Hide your VPN traffic
If you are already connecting to the correct VPN server for Netflix but you are still experiencing issues, it is possible that your local network administrator is blocking VPN traffic. If this is the case, we recommend that you use try using the VPNs obfuscation feature.
This is a technology designed to let you bypass these kinds of administrator blocks. If you continue to experience problems, it will be worth contacting your provider's support as many offer help via comprehensive live chat and email services. For more information check out our guide to hiding VPN traffic.
Another option is to try using a Netflix VPN that provides Shadowsocks, as this is known to have worked for some users. Shadowsocks is an alternative method of creating a tunnel to a proxy server (HTTP proxy) that a few VPNs provide. It is worth noting that Shadowsocks is not the same as SOCKS5. The only Netflix VPN that currently provides Shadowsocks that we know of is PrivateVPN.