One of the benefits of using VPNs is their ability to bypass the Netflix VPN block. However, that perk is reserved for a small range of VPNs, who constantly battle with Netflix to unblock its libraries across the world. With that said, if PureVPN isn’t working with Netflix in your case, know that a little push will go a long way. And yes – we’re here to instruct you how that’s done.
Make sure to read this article carefully, as we’ll explain 7 troubleshooting steps to take when PureVPN doesn’t work with Netflix, letting you bypass that VPN block once again.
1. Update to the Latest Version of PureVPN
Before we go any further into helping you resolve issues with unblocking Netflix with PureVPN, know that you must use the latest version of this VPN available. In other words, we recommend using PureVPN’s native client for your device’s operating system (instead of setting it up manually), which needs to be freshly updated.
The best way to update PureVPN is to re-install the app, especially if you’ve been having issues with it. So, you’ll want to do the following.
- Navigate to PureVPN’s website.
- Then, go to My Account > Members Login (in the top-right corner).
- Provide your username/email and password, and then log in.
- Now, pick ‘Apps‘ on the left-hand side (under ‘Downloads‘).
- The website should now recognize your device’s operating system.
- Download the latest version of PureVPN from your online dashboard.
- And then, re-install PureVPN (without removing it from your device first).
- Once done, re-connect and try to access Netflix once again.
2. Switch to Another VPN Protocol
Just recently, PureVPN dropped supported for obsolete protocols such as PPTP, L2TP, and SSTP. That means that you now have access to three protocols via PureVPN’s app: OpenVPN, IKEv2, and IPsec. If PureVPN isn’t working with Netflix, you’ll want to try OpenVPN first (and then go with IPsec and IKEv2, which are less likely to work).
In different words, you need to learn how to switch to another VPN protocol. So, pick your platform just below to reveal the steps you need to follow.
Windows
- Select the cogwheel icon in the bottom-left corner of PureVPN’s UI.
- Now, pick the ‘Protocol‘ tab (at the top).
- Turn off the ‘Automatic Protocol Selection‘ feature.
- Pick the desired VPN protocol and return to PureVPN’s home screen.
- Re-connect to a server and try accessing Netflix.
Mac
- Navigate to PureVPN > Preferences (once you open the app).
- Select the ‘Protocol‘ tab.
- Disable the ‘Automatic Protocol Selection‘ feature.
- Choose a new VPN protocol and return to PureVPN’s home screen.
- Access Netflix once you re-connect to a VPN server.
Linux
Since June 2021, PureVPN supports only the OpenVPN protocol on Linux. However, you can try switching to a different variant of OpenVPN to unblock Netflix.
- Launch the Terminal.
- To switch to TCP, use this command: purevpn -protocol tcp.
- To switch to UDP, use this command: purevpn – protocol auto.
- To check the currently active protocol, use this command: purevpn -protocol.
- Connect to any server and then try to access Netflix.
Android
- Tap on the hamburger button in the top-left corner.
- Select ‘Settings‘ on the left-hand side.
- Navigate to Advanced > Connection Protocol.
- Disable the ‘Automatic‘ option.
- Pick your desired protocol.
- Return to PureVPN’s home screen and connect to a server.
- Launch the Netflix app and see if PureVPN works.
iOS and iPadOS
- Tap on the hamburger button in the top-left corner.
- Select ‘Settings‘ on the left.
- Go to Advanced > Connection Protocol.
- If enabled, disable the ‘Automatic‘ switch at the top.
- Pick a new protocol by tapping on its name.
- Return to PureVPN’s home screen and connect to a server.
- Launch the Netflix app and access the streaming service.
3. Switch to Another VPN Server
In the past, PureVPN used to offer specialized servers for media streaming. However, it has recently changed its interface in an effort to simplify it. With that said, when PureVPN doesn’t work with Netflix, you’re forced to switch between servers manually. And as you already know, that is done via PureVPN’s interface.
Keep in mind that PureVPN unblocks the US version of Netflix primarily. And also, this VPN offers a large number of servers scattered across the United States. Based on our experience, we had plenty of luck using PureVPN’s ‘New York’ server for unblocking Netflix.
4. Clear Your Web Browser’s Cache
In case you’ve been using your Web browser to access Netflix, your browser’s cache could be the reason why PureVPN doesn’t work with Netflix. Since the media streaming service has access to those locally stored files, it can see that you’re using a VPN, which is how it can block your access.
With that said, a possible solution would be to clear your browser’s cache files. Then, they renew next time you try to access Netflix, make sure to connect to a PureVPN server first. To learn more, here’s how to delete cache files in Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, and Safari.
5. Check If PureVPN Leaks Any Data
By default, PureVPN should be capable of creating a powerful VPN tunnel (since it offers a range of capable protocols coupled with a high level of encryption). With that said, know that you can unblock Netflix using PureVPN only if there’s absolutely no data leaking out of your VPN tunnel, which would reveal your actual location.
Our recommendation is to run a series of tests to check for leaks related to IP, DNS, WebRTC, and more. These are mostly automated tests that you can run online, which means that you don’t need any technical knowledge. To learn more, here’s how to check if your VPN app works properly (by checking for data leaks).
6. Check for a Possible Software Conflict
Another reason why PureVPN isn’t working with Netflix can be due to a software conflict. More precisely, this is often the case with cyber-security tools, such as antivirus apps, firewalls, and similar. Those applications and block VPNs since they re-route your Web data, falsely identifying them as malicious.
So, if you have any kind of cyber-security software on your device, we recommend disabling it temporarily. Then, try to connect to PureVPN and access Netflix. If everything works as it should visit your cyber-security application’s settings and “whitelist” PureVPN.
7. Try Another VPN (for Unblocking Netflix)
Lastly, know that even though PureVPN works with Netflix just fine, it might not be the most polished option out there. So, if you’d like to explore more options, check our dedicated guide to the best VPNs for (unblocking and streaming) Netflix.
To help you expand your list of options, even more, we also recommend checking the best VPNs for media streaming (especially if you use multiple streaming services, as you’ll want to ensure that all of them work correctly).
Those would be the troubleshooting steps to take when PureVPN isn’t working with Netflix. If you have any questions for us, please let us know via the comments section below. And lastly, thank you for reading!