If you’re a Netflix addict, you will find that the same library of movies won’t be available to you if you travel or relocate to another country. Theoretically speaking, you could bypass this by using a VPN that allows you to obtain a country-specific IP. In practice, however, this is easier said than done, since Netflix has some quite sophisticated VPN-detection algorithms in place.
Today, we’ll be looking at what these are and how to use a VPN to get around them to enjoy all your favorite shows you’ve grown to know and love.
What happens when Netflix detects you’re using a VPN?
If you were to visit Netflix through a VPN, you’d be able to access the website without problems. However, should you try to watch a video, a system error notification may get thrown your way. The error doesn’t have anything to do with the inner workings of their server; it’s just that they’ve detected you’re using a VPN.
The problem with shared IP addresses
Unless you’re paying a premium price, it’s likely that your VPN provider uses a shared pool of IP addresses. Each time you connect to it, one of them is assigned to you. When you disconnect, another user gets the same IP address, and so on.
While this is great for staying anonymous, it’s a drawback when trying to connect to Netflix. That’s because it makes it easy to see which IP address is transmitting an unusually high amount of data. After determining this, all Netflix has to do is ban that specific IP address.
How to bypass VPN blocks
While there are many ways how to bypass a VPN block, the easiest one of them all is installing a VPN that isn’t blocked by Netflix. Whether you’re using a virtual private network for Android or desktop PC, the very best providers out there make an effort to rotate their pool of IPs. That way, none of them are likely to land on Netflix’s blacklist.
Another way is to shell out a bit more and get a VPN that gives you a dedicated IP address. This option is the best if you want to ensure that your IP won’t get blacklisted – after all, you’re going to be the only one using it.
Differences between accessing Netflix through a browser or a dedicated app
When you’re using a smart device, you have the option of accessing Netflix through your browser. Alternatively, you can use a dedicated Netflix app. Why should this concern you? If you want to glide by undetected, there’s a notable difference.
One of the tactics Netflix uses to detect a VPN is checking whether your IP address matches with your DNS address. If you’re accessing Netflix through a browser, you won’t have any problems, since the VPN provider can simply route the traffic through the DNS server provided.
If you’re behind a VPN for Android and you’re trying access Netflix through a dedicated app, you may encounter a problem. In this case, the DNS address may not match your IP address, which means that Netflix will be more likely to detect that you’re using a VPN. To avoid this, it’s best to stick to the website version, unless you’re using a VPN that is known to have found a way around the issue.
If you were to visit Netflix through a VPN, you’d be able to access the website without problems. However, should you try to watch a video, a system error notification may get thrown your way. The error doesn’t have anything to do with the inner workings of their server; it’s just that they’ve detected you’re using a VPN.
Did you know it’s possible to set up VPN on your router?
Doing this will effectively resolve the problem outlined above, so you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite Netflix content in any way you like. In any case, setting up a VPN on your router will ensure that all bits and pieces of traffic that get sent to the web will be encrypted. In other words, you’ll even be able to use a dedicated Netflix app on your Android phone, which is what a lot of users prefer.
While the process of installing VPN on your router may be a bit technically demanding, there’s no reason to worry. In fact, most VPN providers go to great lengths to make it easier on you. So you can count on them to provide details on how to do so straight from their official website. Otherwise, there are many different tutorials that you can find online.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’re now equipped with all the knowledge you need to enjoy Netflix in its full capacity with a VPN. Here’s to your enjoyment!
Editor-in-Chief | Seat42F, a leading source of entertainment news, information, television and movie resources.