Netflix doesn’t dispense the same service to users in every country. Because of the copyright agreements that allow the platform to stay online, streaming legal content, it can only show its best and most extensive catalog to US users. But if you’re within the US, NordVPN will unlock the geo-restriction for you, thus giving you access to the service’s most extensive library.
Although Netflix frequently blocks proxies and VPN services, NordVPN is one such tool that still resists its harsh bans. This VPN offers numerous features that support seamless content unblocking and streaming. In this article, we will explore how good NordVPN is while unblocking Netflix.
Netflix and NordVPN: How it works
Using NordVPN to unblock the US Netflix catalog is a straightforward process. Just follow these steps:
- Go to NordVPN’s website and subscribe. Remember your login credentials.
- Find, download, and install the NordVPN app for the device of your preference.
- Launch the app.
- Log in using your account’s credentials.
- Choose a VPN server located in the US.
- Visit Netflix. You will now see the entire US catalog available for you to browse and watch!
Why is Netflix US popular?
The video streaming industry is exploding today, with every studio developing a new platform to broadcast its content online directly to the user. And that’s not mentioning the streamers that do live TV, sporting events, and other types of content. So, the video streaming marketplace is overcrowded, and the problem is most options offer a single product. For example, Disney+ is the place for Disney titles and Star Wars content, but nothing more.
Such an environment makes Netflix stand out because it has the broadest genre availability. Moreover, because it has something for everybody, it doesn’t try to fulfill the needs of a single niche. That is why Netflix is almost everybody’s favorite video streaming service, especially if you can have the US catalog.
Being a Netflix user away from the US
Netflix has users from everywhere around the globe. So, your present location is important because if you’re not in the US, you’ll likely pay more for your subscription for less service.
Let’s face it: US-based Netflix users get the best things this video platform offers. However, this scenario can change quickly with NordVPN’s help.
NordVPN will change your virtual physical location. So, for example, if you are in Argentina and connect to the VPN network through a US-based server, you will be inside the US for the internet. Hence, Netflix will also find you in the US and offer you the coveted US catalog.
The same goes for every country. So, if what you want instead is the UK’s catalog or the one in Spain, you can also have them by picking a server located in that country whose catalog you wish to unlock. NordVPN can do that easily.
Additionally, it will enhance your digital security, privacy, and anonymity. It also has many extra features that are helpful for any online task. Soon, you’ll wonder why you didn’t subscribe to it years ago, independent of the Netflix factor.
Other VPN vendors can do this for you, but NordVPN is the best. If you adopt a VPN to improve your Netflix experience, you’ll come up with a few good questions that need informed answers. We understand that, so we will address those questions and give you the best solutions we’ve found so far. But here’s a spoiler: all roads lead to NordVPN. You will find all the information you need by reading the rest of this text, so stay tuned and keep reading!
NordVPN and Netflix not working: Solutions to common problems
Using NordVPN to stream Netflix videos from the US platform is a painless experience. However, glitches can appear here and there. Fortunately, they are easy to solve in a heartbeat.
So, if your Netflix is not working with your NordVPN account, here is what you can try to fix your situation.
1. Change your server
Netflix hates NordVPN. Any VPN, for that matter, the better a VPN is, the more Netflix despises it. That’s because Netflix knows what premium VPNs can do for their users (NordVPN, above all), and they don’t like it. Consequently, Netflix spends a lot of effort neutralizing as many VPN servers as possible. It’s unavoidable that it will get it right now and then.
So, there’s always a slim chance that Netflix was able to locate your current NordVPN server as the enemy and block it. That is not a problem. The NordVPN network has thousands of servers, so all you need to do is connect to a different server within the same country, and you’ll be in. Choosing a new server takes a couple of clicks only, so there’s no need to sweat it.
2. Clean the device/browser cache
If your caché is filled with the outdated residues of the past month (even years), it can produce an error because it retains information about your original location.
So make sure you delete your browser’s cache and cookies before you try bypassing the Netflix geo-blocks.
3. Turn off NordVPN’s CyberSec feature
NordVPN’s CyberSec is an additional feature that protects you from malware, intrusive ads, PUAs, and other things you don’t want on your device. And depending on what else is on your device, it could interfere with the Netflix connection.
CyberSec routes your traffic through DNS servers, which can sometimes pass as VPN servers, which triggers the failure. So turn it off when you’re on Netflix –and turn it on again once you’re done; this is not a feature you want to miss.
4. Reach out to NordVPN’s customer support
One of the reasons we like NordVPN so much is its customer support. It’s online 24/7, friendly, competent, and will quickly help you with any issue.
NordVPN is not working on Windows, macOS, or Linux — The solutions
Many NordVPN desktop users have had issues with their operating systems when trying to make the VPN work with Netflix. Here’s what you can do if you’re having a problem:
- Close your NordVPN client app.
- Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
- Reset your device’s DNS server from the default to 103.86.99.100 and 103.86.96.100.
- Restart your device.
- Relaunch the NordVPN client and pick a server in the network.
- Go back to Netflix and try again.
NordVPN isn’t working on Android or iOS devices – The solutions
Having your favorite TV shows and movies on the go with your tablets and phones is cool, but you could have an issue. If you do, then do the following things:
- Uninstall the NordVPN app from your device.
- Restart the system.
- Install the NordVPN app once again.
- Log in. If the app had any glitches, the re-install would fix them.
- Change your DNS settings from the defaults to 103.86.96.100 and 103.86.99.100.
- Launch NordVPN, and pick a server.
- Point your browser towards Netflix again. It should work now.
What makes NordVPN the best VPN for Netflix?
The VPN market is overcrowded these days. Edward Snowden drove the general public’s interest in privacy and digital security through the roof, and the VPN market reacted accordingly. They’ve been having a picnic.
So why is NordVPN the service we’re showing you as the best possible option you can have if you are on Netflix? There are several reasons. Let’s see them.
1. Streaming-friendly features
Several VPNs in the market offer fantastic security features. But as they choose safety and privacy over performance, their speeds are nothing to write about. NordVPN is a particular vendor because it gives you the best of every possible world. The security features are at the industry’s top. At the same time, the network speeds are high enough to support HD video streams in real-time. That is possible because NordVPN adopted the WireGuard VPN tunneling protocol, the most advanced one.
WireGuard is light and highly efficient, allowing impressive speeds without losing security or privacy. However, WireGuard hasn’t challenged OpenVPN as the golden standard in VPN protocols because it’s a work in progress that still has some issues to solve. NordVPN figured those issues out, solved them, and incorporated WireGuard into its VPN network as NordLynx.
The server network includes more than 5,500 servers in sixty countries. There are nearly two thousand servers in the US alone, so you’ll always find an available server to unblock Netflix.
The VPN will choose the best server based on location to ensure you always get the smoothest possible experience with Netflix.
NordVPN stands out from the rest in the VPN verse because it has everything. It even supports high-speed torrents, but you must choose a specialized torrenting server in the network.
2. Cheap pricing plans
NordVPN is not the cheapest VPN in the market, but it’s reasonably priced and affordable. Very few VPNs can offer you a service that is barely similar to NordVPN’s, so even if you have to spend an extra monthly buck to have a NordVPN account, it will be well-spent. Think about it as an investment in digital security that ensures access to digital entertainment.
Prices vary according to your plan’s length. So, the monthly plan costs 11.99 US monthly, while the yearly plan’s fee is 4.99 USD, and the bi-yearly price comes down to 3.29 USD monthly. So, if you choose a more extended plan, you’ll have the best VPN on the internet for the cost of peanuts.
3. Fast connection speeds
Speeds are vital if you intend to use your internet service to watch Netflix, even more so in HD.
Using a VPN is always going to slow things down. All your traffic is encrypted and rerouted. That takes a bit of time. However, one of the best features of NordVPN is that the loss of speed is barely noticeable for users. You have to measure it carefully if you want to be sure there’s one.
With NordVPN, we retained 84% of our baseline speed for uploads and 89% for uploads. That is great. Many VPNs’ numbers in this regard are below 30% sometimes.
NordVPN’s speeds are more than suitable for a smooth video streaming experience with very little or no buffering.
4. Top-notch security
NordVPN’s technology includes SmartPlay, a proxy service suited for bypassing geo-restrictions. In addition, SmartPlay removes some of the friction in the data rerouting process through remote servers, thus increasing speeds and reliability.
Another interesting security feature is the Double VPN option. If you enable this, your data will go through two VPN servers. Each one adds a level of encryption and IP spoofing to your data. Just know that your speeds will suffer if you want this paranoid-level security.
The VPN has a kill switch that ensures your device goes completely offline if your link to the secure tunnel breaks down. The idea is never to permit even a packet of data to leave your computer unencrypted or carry your IP number.
Last but not least, a single NordVPN account is suitable for six concurrent connections.
5. Risk-free trial with a money-back guarantee
This feature will be if we haven’t persuaded you that NordVPN is worth the price.
You can try NordVPN for 30 days without any limitations. If you feel the VPN didn’t meet your standards after the trial period expires, you’ll get a full refund, no questions asked.
6. Diversified cross-platform compatibility
NordVPN is compatible with a long list of popular devices:
- Android
- iOS
- Firestick
- Xbox
- PlayStation
- Nintendo Switch
- Raspberry Pi
- Chromebook
- Chromecast
- Kindle Fire
If your preferred device for watching streaming videos is not on the list, then your taste in gadgets is a bit exotic. However, you can still use the said device with NordVPN by installing your NordVPN client directly into your home router. It will ensure that every device at your home goes through a VPN. If you decide this is your cup of tea, NordVPN customer service will guide you through the router VPN installation process and even provide some pre-configured files.
The Netflix Ultra HD video streaming speed test: can NordVPN pass it?
According to Netflix, if you want to steam your videos in Ultra HD definition (4k), you need 25 Mbps in your bandwidth. So, can NordVPN manage it? Every server in the network will give you a different result, depending on demand and physical distance. We tried several servers on every continent, and our results are on the table.
City | Avg. Download Speed | Avg. Speed Loss |
---|---|---|
Barcelona | 118Mbps | 13% |
Berlin | 83Mbps | 12% |
Drenthe | 131Mbps | 20% |
London | 169Mbps | 10% |
Montreal | 120Mbps | 19% |
Mumbai | 72Mbps | 12% |
New York | 74Mbps | 21% |
Paris | 115Mbps | 15% |
Singapore | 63Mbps | 33% |
Sydney | 56Mbps | 40% |
Tokyo | 108Mbps | 13% |
Venice | 128Mbps | 11% |
So, the worst we could do was with a Sydney server in Australia and Singapore. The speeds were 56 and 63 Mbps, respectively. So even if you pick the worst possible server, NordVPN will still give you twice as much speed as you need to stream a 4k video.
Netflix catalogs that NordVPN can unblock
This will be a short section because NordVPN managed to unblock every local Netflix catalog for us. The Dutch and Spanish websites took a couple of attempts instead of just working from the first go, but they still worked.
So NordVPN can unblock every local Netflix website, including Australia, Japan, Spain, India, Italy, Netherlands, France, Germany, Canada, the UK, and the all-important US website.
Other exciting features with NordVPN and Netflix
Pairing NordVPN and Netflix makes for a fantastic user experience regarding functionality. We found the following facts to be accurate,
- The probability of achieving a US Netflix connection within fewer than three seconds is 90%.
- Every server we tried for UK Netflix worked instantly, although the speeds fluctuated.
- Every server we tried for the Canadian website worked instantly.
- The chances of unblocking the German Netflix website in under three seconds is 80%.
- The probability of unblocking the French Netflix website is 15%. So it may take a few attempts to do this, but you’ll get there. Also, this may change the next time NordVPN rotates its server IP addresses, so it’s not written in stone.
- The probability of unblocking the Italian Netflix website is 75%.
- The probability of unblocking the Dutch Netflix website is 80%.
- The chances of achieving a good, reliable connection to the Spanish Netflix website are one in two.
- The Indian Netflix website is a tough nut to crack, even with NordVPN. We needed fifteen attempts before we could hit it, but we did. The Indian website has done an excellent job locating NordVPN’s network addresses. However, like in previous cases, the VPN will rotate the IP addresses sooner or later, and the result could improve markedly then.
- The probability of unblocking the Japanese Netflix websites is 70%
Alternatives to NordVPN
If, after reading all this, you still don’t think that NordVPN is the way to go with Netflix, then there’s nothing else we can do to persuade you, so that we will give you some alternatives.
In truth, NordVPN is not the only VPN vendor that can unblock Netflix for you (in the US or otherwise). But it’s the one that does it best.
The one thing you need to know about Netflix and VPNs is that not every VPN provider can unblock it. It takes a premium service to perform this task correctly; very few services can manage it. Since the VPN market is flooded with mediocre networks, you must save time and energy. So if you want a NordVPN alternative, stick to the best VPNs.
The two best alternatives to NordVPN are Surfshark and ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN is probably the biggest name in the VPN world. It’s been ahead of the rest for years, so it’s built a considerable reputation justified by top-notch service.
Surfshark is a relatively new VPN that has turned the market upside down by offering a fantastic service at a meager price.
Either VPN will also work with Netflix. Surfshark will save you a few dollars yearly, but ExpressVPN is more expensive than NordVPN. Nevertheless, it offers an excellent service, so it’s well-spent money. However, since you can get a comparable service with NordVPN for a lower price, it’s hard to make a case for ExpressVPN.
FAQs
Netflix is always working hard to neutralize every VPN in the market; sometimes, it gets it right. So a server that unblocked the site successfully for you for a period may stop working.
In this case, you just need to try a different server. Remember, there are nearly two thousand US-based servers in the NordVPN network, so you will always have plenty of choices.
SmartPlay is a technology developed by NordVPN, and it’s the critical feature that allows its servers to bypass Netflix’s geo-restrictions. While any good VPN will spoof your IP address to make it look like you’re elsewhere in the world, NordVPN’s SmartPlay does the usual thing and adds a new layer of reliability to the process.
Yes, you can. You need to find and install the NordVPN app in the Amazon App Store, but that’s it.
Yes, you can because NordVPN has a dedicated app for Smart TVs. So, all you need to do is install it and start using it as with any other device.