Are you planning on getting an ExpressVPN subscription to unlock geo-blocked content on Netflix? Perhaps there’s a popular TV series that you’re interested in but it’s not locally available in your region? In any case, you would want to make sure that ExpressVPN and Netflix actually work and learn what you can do should you run into any problems. Read on, and we’ll help you do just that.
Does Express VPN Unblock Netflix?
The short answer is yes, but users should expect to do a bit of work to get it working. One thing that people should know about Netflix and other popular video streaming services is that they’re always cracking down on VPN service providers that are trying to bypass their content restrictions. As a result, VPN servers that were once able to unlock blocked content from specific regions can get blacklisted by Netflix over time. This prompted many VPN companies to take down the “Netflix unblocking” feature from their sales page all together.
Fortunately, ExpressVPN is one of the few VPN companies in the market that has the resources to keep up with Netflix’s content restrictions. They operate thousands of VPN servers across 94 countries and more than 160 server locations. If one of their VPN servers gets blocked by Netflix, they have hundreds of others to do the job, and they’re always adding more.
How to Use ExpressVPN for Netflix
At this point, you might be wondering how do you go about using ExpressVPN to watch your favorite shows on Netflix from anywhere in the world? Well first, you’ll need to sign up for an account through the ExpressVPN website.
As you can see above, prices start at $12.95 per month or $8.32 per month if you sign up for a 1-year plan (35 percent off). They accept credit cards, Paypal, Bitcoin, and a few other payment methods like Alipay, UnionPay, and Yandex. Complete the registration process and you should have the activation code that you’ll need to gain access to the ExpressVPN network.
The next step is to download the ExpressVPN software for your device. As you can see above, they support all major platforms and internet-capable devices. Just choose the system that you’re on to download the compatible VPN app and install it on your device.
Open the ExpressVPN software and you’ll be used to key in your activation code. Complete the setup process to get ExpressVPN running on your device and ready for your Netflix binge-watching sessions.
How to Use ExpressVPN to Unblock Netflix
Now that we have a good understanding of how ExpressVPN works and how to get it running on your device, the next step is using it to unlock geo-blocked content on Netflix. Fortunately, It’s not as complicated as it sounds and something that anyone can do with a few simple steps:
1. Determine the correct region and select the server location
The first step is to determine which server region your desired movie or TV show is accessible from. For example, if you’re a huge anime fan looking to binge-watch the latest episodes of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba” which is not available to Netflix users in the US, then you will need a VPN server from Japan.
2. Select the server location
Assuming that you already have the ExpressVPN app installed and running on your device, all you need to do is click on the button that says “Server Location” and choose your desired server on their list of VPN locations.
3. Connect the VPN
4. Log in to Netflix
Log in to your Netflix account and enjoy your unblocked content.
List of the Best Servers to Watch Netflix
ExpressVPN operates more than 160 server locations from 94 countries around the world. Unfortunately, not all of them work with Netflix. If you’re having trouble finding one that does, then we recommend the following servers:
- Los Angeles 3 (US)
- San Jose (US)
- Tampa (US)
- London (UK)
- East London (UK)
- Wembley (UK)
- Montreal (CA)
- Toronto (CA)
- Tokyo 1 (JP)
Why Does ExpressVPN Not Always Work With Netflix?
Now you might be wondering—why does ExpressVPN not always work with Netflix? Well, the answer is relatively simple, and it’s not just to spite users. They do it to keep content creators off their backs.
If there’s a movie or TV series that you can’t access locally (without using a VPN), then it’s because the creators have not granted Netflix a license or permission to show their work to viewers from a specific region. This is where VPN services like ExpressVPN, are extremely useful.
By routing a users’ data connection to an external VPN server that’s located in a region where the desired content is locally available, ExpressVPN enables Netflix users to watch movies or TV shows that are normally inaccessible to them.
That said, Netflix can pick up on this over time by keeping track of the IP addresses used to access their video streaming services. If they’ve determined that there are hundreds of users using the same IP address, then they add that server to their blocked list.
As you might imagine, this results in an ongoing “cat and mouse” game, in which only a few VPN services are well-equipped to keep up. Fortunately, ExpressVPN is one such VPN service.
What to Do If ExpressVPN Is Not Working with Netflix— Troubleshooting Steps
Now, what if you followed our steps to use ExpressVPN to connect to Netflix, and you are still unable to unlock your desired content? Well, the important thing is to remain calm and not become overly upset about the matter.
As mentioned, ExpressVPN is fighting an ongoing battle to keep up with Netflix’s content restrictions. However, all is not lost. There are a few things you can do:
- Select a different server from the same region
If a VPN server you’ve used stops working, then it’s likely because Netflix has detected that the IP address being used is via a VPN and has blocked the server altogether. You can try another VPN server from the same region and see if that resolves the problem.
2. Contact customer support via LiveChat
If you’re having trouble finding a server that works, then you might want to get in touch with ExpressVPN support via Live Chat or email. They will be able to recommend a server from the desired region that currently works on Netflix.
3. Clear cache and cookies
While you’re waiting for their support staff to respond, you might also want to try clearing the cache and cookies, particularly if you’re watching Netflix through a web browser. This is because Netflix occasionally updates its website to implement changes or add a specific feature. Old browser data may hinder these changes resulting in errors. Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies will prevent such a problem.
The process of clearing old browser data differs depending on what web browser you are using.
In the case of Google Chrome:
- Click on the menu button on the upper right (next to your profile) and click on “Settings.”
- On the settings page, click on “Advanced” on the left menu and select “Privacy and Security.”
Click on Clear browsing data then set the time range to “Last 24 Hours” then put a checkmark on “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”
4. Click on Clear data.
Summary
There you have it—everything that you need to know about using ExpressVPN to unblock geo-blocked content on Netflix. As you may have already realized, the latter indeed works, and ExpressVPN is one of the few VPNs out there that specialize in the matter. That said, some users will occasionally run into problems, so it’s important to glean some insights on ExpressVPNs ongoing battle against Netflix’s content restrictions and what you can do should it ever happen to you. Only then can you expect to make the most out of what ExpressVPN has to offer.
