How to Install VPN on Roku – Complete Setup

How to install VPN on Roku? Roku streaming sticks and boxes give you access to an almost unlimited library of TV channels. That is if you live in USA. Roku users in Australia, Canada, Germany, France, or even UK don’t have access to a lot of channels. That’s why it is important to setup VPN on Roku to boost your streaming experience. Unlike Apple TV, FireStick, and other streaming devices, the Roku neither allows you to install VPN nor Smart DNS on it. However, there are 3 workarounds that actually allow you to enable a VPN connection on a Roku. All of them are explained in detail in this guide.

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Best VPN for Roku

Below you can find our list of best Roku VPNs in 2017. ExpressVPN tops the list due to the fact it offers DNS codes that can be directly configured on your your router. They also support unblocking American Netflix.

Last Updated Today  

Rank	VPN Provider	Link
		30-Day Money-back Guarantee Unlimited Bandwidth Apps For All Your Devices 24/7 Live Support Visit ExpressVPN
		Visit BulletVPN
		Visit NordVPN
4		Visit Surfshark

How to Install VPN on Roku

Due to the fact non of the Roku models have a VPN client, you cannot directly install a VPN app on it. Neither can you configure Smart DNS proxies on a Roku. Nonetheless, there are 3 alternatives ways you can use to bypass these limitations.

1. Setup VPN on your router.
2. Setup VPN on your PC/Mac and use it as a WiFi Hotspot.
3. Use a VPN service that offers Smart DNS proxy service.

How to Setup VPN on Roku via Router

If you setup VPN on your router, all the devices you connect to that router, including your Roku, will share its VPN connection. Keep in mind that not all routers are VPN-ready. You will need a DD-WRT or Tomato based router to install VPN. Take a look at this guide.

Using this method means you have to purchase a new router. However, in the long run, a VPN router will save you both effort and money. Not to mention the fact that setting up virtual routers on PC or Mac might cause you a headache or two.

How to Install VPN on Roku – Virtual Router Method

In this case, you basically download and install the VPN app on your PC or Mac. You then connect to a VPN server through the app. Finally you have to turn your PC/Mac into a virtual router and connect your Roku to it.

How to Share Mac VPN Connection with Roku

1. On your Mac, go to the System Preferences menu, then click on Sharing.
2. In the Sharing menu, select Internet Sharing from the left panel. The Internet Sharing options will appear on the right side of the screen. Set the following settings:
   • Share your connection from: [the L2TP VPN connection you just created]
   • To computers using: check the box for Wi-Fi
3. Select Wi-Fi Options and enter the following details:
   • Network Name: [choose a network name]
   • Channel: [leave as default]
   • Security: WPA2 Personal
   • Password: [choose a password]
   • Verify: [re-enter your password]
4. Then click OK.
5. On the Sharing menu, check the box next to Internet Sharing. You will see a prompt asking you to turn on Internet sharing.
6. Click Start.
7. When Internet Sharing has been activated, a green light will appear next to the text: “Internet Sharing: On”.
8. Now, turn on your Roku.
9. From the Roku Home screen, select Settings > Network > Wireless (Wi-Fi) > Set up new Wi-Fi connection.
10. Connect to the WiFi network you have created on your Mac.

How to Share PC VPN Connection with Roku

Follow the steps below before launching the VPN connection on your PC.

1. On your PC, type Windows + S to launch the search bar,
2. Then type cmd to bring up Command Prompt. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Type the following:netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=NETWORKNAME key=PASSWORD
4. Name your virtual router by setting the following values:
   • ssid=[choose a name for your network]
   • key=[choose a password for your network]
5. Hit Enter.
6. You will then see the following message:
   • The hosted network mode has been set to allow.
   • The SSID of the hosted network has been successfully changed.
   • The user key passphrase of the hosted network has been successfully changed.
7. To start your virtual router, type the following in the command prompt:
   • netsh wlan start hostednetwork
8. Hit Enter.
9. If the virtual router starts successfully, you will see a message that says, “The hosted network started.”
10. Now go to “Open Network and Sharing Center” by right-clicking your WiFi icon from the right bottom corner of your screen.
11. Go to “Change adapter settings”.
12. Right-click on the VPN connection you’ve created previously and go to “Properties”.
13. Go to “Sharing” tab.
    • Check on the checkbox next to “Allow Other Network User to connect through this computer’s Internet connection”.
    • Check on the checkbox next to “Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection”.
    • Under “Home Network Connection” select the connection you’ve just created.
14. Click OK.
15. Now, turn on your Roku.
16. From the Roku Home screen, select Settings > Network > Wireless (Wi-Fi) > Set up new Wi-Fi connection.
17. Connect to the WiFi network you have created on your Windows PC.

How to Install VPN on Roku – Smart DNS Proxy Alternative Method

If all of the steps above seem to complicated for you, you can use Smart DNS proxies instead. In this case, you can directly configure Smart DNS on your router without the need to change settings on PC or Mac. You just have to make sure that the VPN service you are using actually offers its users a Smart DNS proxy service. A good example would be ExpressVPN. Alternatively, you can try out Unlocator. They aren’t a VPN service per se, but a Smart DNS proxy service that offers a free 7-day trial.

While most routers allow you to change DNS settings, some of them do not. In general, Linksys, TP-Link, Cisco, Asus, D-Link routers all support manual DNS configuration. If you own a modem supported to you by your ISP, you will probably not be able to change DNS on it.

In that case, you can purchase a secondary router that allows you to change DNS. Then, connect that secondary router’s WAN port to your modem’s LAN port using an Ethernet cable.

Finally, connect the Roku to the secondary router.

How to Create an American Roku Account

In order to get American apps on your Roku, you have to create an American Roku account. You can then install HBO GO, Showtime, NBC Sports, ESPN, ABC Go, and all other American channels on your Roku. Follow the guide below after you have setup VPN or Smart DNS on your PC, Mac, or router. In case you already have a US Roku account, there’s no need to create a new one.

1. First, connect to an American VPN server.
2. Head over to  https://my.roku.com/index and choose ‘Create account’.
3. Next, fill in the required information and then click ‘Continue’.
4.  Choose a Pin and click ‘Continue’.
5. On the next page, you have to payment options: Paypal or Credit Card.
6. Choose Paypal if you already own a Paypal account since your Paypal country does not affect your Roku account.
   • Use a valid US address to create your American Roku account. You can use California as your state and 90210 as your zip code.
7. If you choose Credit card as your payment option, you have to use your own street address that is associated with your credit card.
   • Then, you need to convert the postal code into a valid zip code.
   • Keep note of the City associated with the new zip as it is required for the Roku account setup.
   • To create a valid zip code, take the digits from your postcode. The postal code M1Z4L3 becomes 143. Add zeros to the end if you have less than 5 digits in your postal code. So the 143 becomes ZIP 14300.
8. Now that you have finalized your Roku account, reset your Roku streaming device to factory settings.
   • From the Roku home screen, select settings > factory reset, and follow the on-screen instructions.
9. Finally, use the newly created American Roku account on your Roku device.

How to Create UK Roku Account

In order to get UK apps on your Roku, you have to create an British Roku account. This will allow you to add BBC iPlayer, Now TV, Channel 4, My5, and ITV to your Roku. Follow the guide below after you have setup VPN or Smart DNS on your PC, Mac, or router.

1. First, connect to an UK VPN server.
2. Head over to  https://my.roku.com/index and choose ‘Create account’.
3. Next, fill in the required information and then click ‘Continue’.
4.  Choose a Pin and click ‘Continue’.
5. On the next page, you have to payment options: Paypal or Credit Card.
6. Choose Paypal if you already own a Paypal account since your Paypal country does not affect your Roku account.
7. Use a fake UK address when signing up and use the postcode W11 2BQ
8. Now that you have finalized your Roku account, reset your Roku streaming device to factory settings.
   • From the Roku home screen, select settings > factory reset, and follow the on-screen instructions.
9. Finally, use the newly created UK Roku account on your Roku device.

How to Install VPN on Roku – Conclusion

From setting up VPN, to creating a US Roku account, getting access to American channels on a Roku takes a bit of effort. Rest assured, it will all be worth it in the end. In case you run into any issues while installing VPN on Roku, leave a comment below and I will do my best to help you out.