How to Watch Netflix with a VPN – A Step-by-Step Guide

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Unblock Netflix with a VPN: A Quick Guide

Netflix content differs from country to country. American Netflix, for example, has a wider range of movies and shows. Do you want to know how you can change your location to quickly access your desired Netflix library?

There is a simple solution: use a VPN to change your location. With the step-by-step guide below, it is possible to watch everything on Netflix, regardless of where you live.

  1. Subscribe to a good VPN and create an account.
  2. Download the VPN software.
  3. Connect to a VPN server in a country of your choice.
  4. Log in to Netflix and enjoy your new movies and shows.

We recommend NordVPN. This VPN provider achieves high streaming speeds and is very easy to use.

For more detailed information on how to watch Netflix with a VPN, read our full article below.

Note: Many VPN providers are currently experiencing issues and can’t guarantee the ability to unblock Netflix content through their servers. This is due to a recent change in the way Netflix deals with proxies, VPN connections, and VPN-related IP addresses. The providers are working on a solution to help users watch Netflix, but as of now, you might receive a streaming error and not always be able to watch Netflix geo-specific content while using a VPN.

In this article, we explain how you can unblock Netflix content available in another country. For instance, we will show you how you can watch the American Netflix version, with its wide range of films and TV shows, even when you’re not in the US. We illustrate each step with screenshots, so it should be easy to follow.

To unblock Netflix streams, we recommend using a VPN. This software is easy to use and we will take you through it step by step. Within 10 minutes you’ll be watching Netflix abroad!

How To Stream Netflix With a VPN

The streaming service, Netflix, can see what country you are accessing their website from, based on your IP address, and give yourself access to the largest Netflix library available. This IP address is, as it were, is the ‘identity code’ of your internet connection. This IP address allows Netflix to see that I, for example, am in the Netherlands, which is why I’ll get to see the Dutch Netflix offer. Netflix blocks anything other than regional Netflix libraries based on the user’s location.

However, with our solution, you can easily change your IP address. For example, you can choose to connect to a US server and get an American IP address. This will make Netflix think that you are in the US. From that moment on you will be able to watch American Netflix content. You can also use a VPN for other streaming services such as Disney Plus and BBCiPlayer.

Additional benefits of using a reputable VPN provider

A VPN can help you unblock things that aren’t normally available to you but it has even more advantages. First of all, with a VPN all your internet traffic is encrypted and you can safely use public Wi-Fi networks.

In addition, a VPN allows you to access the internet more anonymously. With a VPN, it becomes much more difficult for others to find out which websites you visit or what you download. Perfect for surfing, streaming, and downloading anonymously.

You can also access YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Skype anywhere in the world, even in countries where this is blocked. Have we got your attention yet? Below we show you how to get started with a VPN!

Step 1. Get a VPN Subscription to Watch Netflix

Step 1a. First of all, you need a VPN subscription to watch Netflix from anywhere. We recommend using one with fast, reliable VPN servers and at least a 7-day money-back guarantee to allow you time to test out the service with the full Netflix library.

To help you get started, we have selected a user-friendly and cheap VPN provider with great speeds and servers. Additionally, this service has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it before you decide whether a VPN is right for you.

There are more good VPN providers out there, of course, but for this step-by-step plan, we selected NordVPN. Via the links on our website, you get an extra discount on this premium VPN.

NordVPN
Our pick
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Deal:
Only $3.29 a month for a two-year subscription with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
From
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  • Excellent protection and a large network of servers
  • Nice and pleasing application
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We do not recommend a free VPN for Netflix at this time due to their limitations. Streaming Netflix with a VPN requires fast servers with an impressive uptime rate. These features allow you to have the best Netflix streaming experience by saving you from buffering and dropped connections. This is true of all Netflix libraries, including American Netflix.

Step 1b. If you clicked on the orange button, you will be directed to the provider’s website. Click on the pinkish button to claim your deal and create an account.

Get NordVPN button

Step 1c. In the screenshot below you can see the different subscription plans that are available. Here you can choose a plan that fits your needs. The 2-year subscription is the most affordable, but all the different plans are very suitable for Netflix. Subscriptions that last longer than a month must be paid in one go. Please note that the prices mentioned may vary. Check the current price on the provider’s website.

NordVPN Plans

Step 1d. Once you have chosen your plan and pressed “Continue to Payment”, you will get to a screen where you can select a payment method. This is also the screen where you fill in your email address, so you can finish up setting your account.

After filling in your information and processing the payment, you should get an email with further instructions to finish up setting up your account. Follow these clear instructions and you’re ready for the next steps: installing the VPN and turning it on.

Payment method screen NordVPN

Step 2. Install Your VPN App

Step 2a. You should now have an account set up with NordVPN. It is now time to install NordVPN’s software. First, go to NordVPN’s website and click on “Login”:

NordVPN Login

This should take you to another screen where you have to press “Log in With Nord Account”:

NordVPN login Screen 2

After this, you should reach the actual screen where you fill in your account info to log in:

Login Screen NordVPN

Fill in your account info to log in, this should take you to the dashboard.

Step 2b. To download the appropriate VPN app from the dashboard, go to the left sidebar and click on “Downloads”:

NordVPN account Sidebar Downloads

This should take you to the download page where you will see a blue button that you can click to download NordVPN for the operating system you’re using to access your account:

NordVPN download Software Screen

Clicking this will download the .exe file containing the VPN app:

NordVPN .exe file

Step 2c. Open the installation file and go through the steps in the NordVPN installation wizard:

NordVPN Install Wizard

Step 3. Turn on Your VPN

Step 3a. You have downloaded the VPN and are now ready to use it. You should have a new NordVPN icon on your desktop or between your apps. Click on this icon to start your VPN and log in using your account details. The NordVPN software will look something like this:

NordVPN Software Screenshot

Via the Settings, at the top right, you can change some things, such as the VPN protocol. On the left, you’ll see a VPN server list.

Step 3b. On the left side of the screen, you can now select what kind of server you are looking for. Here you can, for example, choose a server in a specific country. If you want to watch Netflix USA, click on “United States” in the server list or click on the location marker on the map of the software:

NordVPN location marker USA and Server list USA

You should now be connected to a NordVPN server in the United States. If you want to watch shows and movies from a different version of Netflix, you can always click on another server to connect to that server. Be aware though that not every server works with NordVPN. You can see that you’re connected to NordVPN when the location marker on the map is green:

NordVPN USA Server Green Location Marker

Step 4. Head Over to Watch Netflix and Take Advantage of the New Range of Series and Films!

From this moment on you have complete online freedom to watch Netflix content from anywhere. If you are outside the US, for example, you can connect to a US server and gain access to American Netflix content. You can request the Netflix version of almost any country in this way, so you can watch the best Netflix shows and films whenever you want! Netflix also has a fantastic collection of Christmas movies that you can enjoy. Moreover, you can use it to unblock YouTube videos and watch country-specific streaming services. That’s not all – you can also access obscure content using Netflix secret codes!

Enjoy!

Notice: an error message may occasionally appear when you watch Netflix with a VPN. These error messages can have the codes M7111-5059, W8106-154, N8106 154 5059, NQM.434, or C7037-1111, indicating that Netflix has identified a proxy or unblocker. If this happens, just select another VPN server in the location of your choice, return to your Netflix account, and everything will work as before! If you need more help with your Netflix issues, including issues watching Netflix, have a look at these fixes for common VPN problems.

Watching Netflix with a VPN: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question on how to watch Netflix with a VPN? Take a look at our FAQ below. Click on a question to see its answer!

You can use a VPN to connect to a server in a country of your choice. For example, you can choose to connect to a US server and get an American IP address. This will make Netflix think that you are in the US. From that moment on you will be able to see the American Netflix content.

In most countries using a VPN is completely legal.  However, some countries do not accept VPN use. These countries usually have dictatorial regimes or extremely authoritarian leaders. Examples would be China and Iran.

Using a VPN in these places could get you in trouble. When you’re not in any of those countries and don’t partake in criminal activities, there’s no need to be afraid.

The Netflix offer differs per country. In America, for example, the range of series and films is much wider. By connecting to an American server with a VPN, you can pretend to be in America. You can then enjoy the wide range of American Netflix movies and shows.

The use of a VPN also allows you to stream more anonymously. In addition, with a VPN all your internet traffic is encrypted and you can safely use public Wi-Fi networks.

Tech journalist
Tove has been working for VPNoverview since 2017 as a journalist covering cybersecurity and privacy developments. She has broad experience developing rigorous VPN testing procedures and protocols for our VPN review section and has tested dozens of VPNs over the years.