ExpressVPN Not Working? Try These Fixes

Having problems with ExpressVPN while streaming from Netflix, Hulu, Sky Go, BBC iPlayer, or Amazon Prime? Perhaps ExpressVPN isn’t working for you in your current country of residence such as China, Russia, North Korea, or UAE. One of the biggest reasons why a lot of people sign up with a VPN service is to be able to access geo-restricted services such as Netflix. 

ExpressVPN Not Working? Try These Fixes

Such streaming services tend to be blocked in a wide range of countries, and this is because of the licensing arrangements that govern how a lot of their content is to be distributed. This means the type of content you’re able to access is mainly determined by your geographical location. Traveling to a different country, therefore, means only accessing the type of regional content that Netflix or any other service has availed for viewers from that area. Such a library may include content that you wouldn’t be familiar with, especially if you’re in a different country for holiday or business.

Does ExpressVPN Work with Netflix?

ExpressVPN users have been able to unblock Netflix for a long time, but sometimes, even their servers get tracked down and blocked by the service. This is because they’re known to keep an eye out for and blacklist any IP addresses that are linked to VPNs. Their list also gets constantly updated. This means every time you connect using a different server, you risk getting the IP address you’re using earmarked for blocking. Working around such a problem is possible, but it’ll force you to take a numbers-based approach.

You’ll have to sign up with a provider that has the capacity to deploy a large list of IP addresses every so often. By doing so, you’ll be able to keep up with the rate at which Netflix or any other service finds out they’re linked to a VPN service and decides to block them.

Keep in mind that you will run into issues when using VPN to unblock streaming channels like Netflix and Amazon Prime, regardless of which VPN service provider you are using. We recommend giving the VPN provider some time to fix the matter before you start looking for alternatives. At the moment, we can confirm that ExpressVPN works with American Netflix, Netflix UK, as well as Netflix Canada.

ExpressVPN Not Working – 7 Fixes

In case you’re running into issues with ExpressVPN, you can try one of these 7 workarounds.

Contact ExpressVPN Customer Support

Users are bound to run into potential problems, even when using the most reliable online services. VPN providers are no different. What sets a good VPN like ExpressVPN apart is their 24/7 customer service. In case you cannot get ExpressVPN to work, it’s always best to contact their customer service. They are highly responsive and provide fixes to almost all VPN problems.

Visit ExpressVPN Troubleshooting Center

ExpressVPN have published a surprisingly detailed knowledgebase that contains answers to various questions and problem users might have. You can visit ExpressVPN’s troubleshooting page and type in the query you need more info about in the search box at the top of the page. In case there are possible solutions to your issue, you will be instantly provided with links to related pages.

Update Your ExpressVPN Application

ExpressVPN continuously makes improvements to their VPN client on PC, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon FireStick. In case you’re having trouble signing into your ExpressVPN app or your connection a particular VPN server is timing out, make sure you have the latest ExpressVPN app version installed. 

Simultaneously Connected Devices

While ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN service providers around, their simultaneous connections policy is somewhat undermining. You can only connect 3 devices simultaneously to ExpressVPN servers. In case you are running into connections issues, make sure you have not crossed the 3- device limit.

Connect to a Different VPN Server 

ExpressVPN provides their users with an extensive list of VPN servers. In case a particular VPN server isn’t working with your favorite streaming channel, you can always connect to a different VPN server from within the ExpressVPN application.

My Device Doesn’t Support VPN

Not all devices are VPN-compatible. While you can directly install VPN on an Amazon FireStick, Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Linux, and PC, gaming consoles such as the PS4 or Xbox One do not support VPN. Apple TV, Roku, and most Smart TVs aren’t VPN compatible. To get around this problem, ExpressVPN has developed the MediaStreamer. MediaStreamer basically is a Smart DNS proxy which can be directly configured on most streaming devices.

Block Google DNS on Your Router

Some streaming services such as Netflix on Roku as well as all apps on Chromecast use Google DNS. This means that you might not get around certain geo-restrictions even when you setup ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS proxies on your device. To get around this issue, you need to block Google DNS on your router by configuring certain static routes.

Try an ExpressVPN Alternative

If you fail to fix the issue using any of the workarounds we’ve suggested above, you can always switch to a different VPN service provider. We have recently published a detailed review of best alternatives for ExpressVPN.

Best ExpressVPN Alternatives for Netflix

The VPN services we’re including in this list have all been extensively tested and found to reliably provide access to not only Netflix but other streaming channels as well such as Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer and the like. Have a look below at some of the best VPNs for Netflix. Be sure to go through their individual review guides to see what you stand to gain after signing up.

1. BulletVPN

BulletVPN starts off our list as a capable provider that currently offers around 47 powerful servers based in around 29 countries, and with many of them located in the US. This alone points to its ability to provide a long list of servers that you can connect to and access Netflix regardless of wherever you may. The video quality is also quite high. Its network of servers allows for 1080p streaming that is sure to bring you a crisp and clear picture. BulletVPN also allows you to bypass China’s Great Firewall and stream the kind of content you’d like to watch even from other parts of the world.

BulletVPN is also a great alternative for those looking for online security. To start with, the service is based in Estonia. This is a country that’s not subject to any data retention laws. The service, therefore, has a reliable zero logging policy and should allow you to privately continue with your business online.

BulletVPN also offers top-tier protection through their 256-bit encryption. Users will also get to choose from whatever VPN protocol they’d like implemented from their list. Customer service is also a major focus for BulletVPN. They put in the effort to offer their support to as wide a range of customers as possible. Customer care is offered in English, French, German & Danish. Their response time is also not something you’d complain about. Here’s our BulletVPN review for anyone wishing to learn about the service.

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is another powerful VPN service for users that enjoy having options. The provider started out in Panama over ten years ago. This has allowed them to tailor their services well according to the needs of the market. The service has an impressive 4000 servers within its network, meaning users should be able to access whatever country based Netflix service they would want to. The service is also able to access content and websites based in China, as well as allow streaming of US-based services like Netflix US from there.

NordVPN is also has a high capacity for multiple connections, and it allows up to 6 simultaneous connections under one account. The service also provides a range of different servers that you can choose from to facilitate your activities online. You get to choose from servers that are optimized for anti-DDOS, Tor over VPN, Video Streaming and also dedicated IP. Also included in the NordVPN package is DNS leak protection. You even get to benefit from an Internet Kill Switch that shuts down your Internet connection whenever your VPN gets compromised. The service offers proxy extensions that you can use on your Firefox or Chrome browser. You’ll get to know exactly what this provider is ready to offer after reading through our well laid out NordVPN review.

3. VyprVPN

VyprVPN gets a good edge over most other providers by virtue of owning every one of their 700+ servers, and also going forward to develop proprietary technology that is exclusive to its subscribers. The service is well set up for Netflix streaming, thanks to its Chameleon metadata scrambling technology which is known to prevent any form of bandwidth throttling. This means you’ll be able to stream as much as you’d want in 1080p HD without your ISP bothering you about it. You’ll also have the ability to work around The Great Firewall of China and stream Netflix shows from there.

VyprVPN was established in Switzerland and has numerous versions of its VPN app that are capable of being used on devices running Windows, Mac OS, iOS or Linux as their operating systems. The service also offers OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP and Chameleon as the available protocol choices. VyperVPN’s additional services include Dump Truck, which is an online storage platform that allows for up to 5GB of storage. You also get an encrypted messaging app dubbed Cypher for Android and iOS-based users. There’s plenty of more resourceful information that you can find about this reliable provider through our VyprVPN review.

4. StrongVPN

To be able to access Netflix from anywhere around the world, you will no doubt need a Strong VPN service. StrongVPN brings to the table what most avid Internet users would call a refocussed approach to security, with the service having worked towards upgrading a lot of its apps at the start of 2018. The service is explicitly clear that it unblocks US Netflix, as this is the most popular Netflix site that most viewers wish to be able to stream from. The service has about 650 servers; all well poised to guarantee seamless connection to a variety of popular streaming services.

Strong VPN supports OpenVPN, L2TP, SSTP, IPSec, and IKEv2 for use as preferred VPN protocols. It also allows for P2P file sharing throughout its network. Subscribers have the option to connect up to 5 devices simultaneously. Through its Scramble obfuscation feature users are able to browse through sites and channels from and within China without any obstacles. Despite being based in the US, the service promises not to store any traffic or connection logs. StrongVPN also offers an Internet kill switch which is only integrated with their desktop app. Interested customers ought to read our StrongVPN review to know what’s in store for anyone hoping to use the service.

5. CyberGhost VPN

Seen as an affordable service by most, CyberGhost VPN does have a serious focus towards those looking to it for its streaming capabilities. CyberGhost VPN has a complete “Unblock Streaming” screen that’s centered on unblocking Netflix US, with support for other regional locations to be added soon. The service automatically searches for servers that allow for Netflix streaming, saving you the hustle of having to do so yourself.

Being based in Romania means CyberGhost is outside the jurisdiction where most data restriction laws apply, and this breathes confidence into its zero logging policy. The service has an impressive server count of 1000 plus, all spread out over 60 countries. CyberGhost VPN also has a list of noteworthy added features such as an ad block tool, an automated HTTPS redirect, as well as data compression.

It also has a healthy capacity to accept up to 7 additional devices per connection, as well as a simply described interface that allows subscribers to “Block Online Tracking” and engage “Extra Speed.” The service is adept for streaming in 1080pHD. It also offers reliable customer support. We have a more in-depth CyberGhost VPN Review that details most of what you’d need to know about the service, so if interested, take the time and go through it.

ExpressVPN Not Working – Conclusion

Connecting to, or streaming from Netflix and the likes doesn’t have to be a hassle especially when you get to travel outside your native country and find out the version you’re used to isn’t accessible. Hopefully, the ExpressVPN fixes and alternatives we’ve suggested above allow you to get around any issues you are running into while trying to access your favorite site or app from abroad.