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Letâs say youâre browsing the web with a VPN. Youâre protecting privacy, so youâre confident hackers and advertisers canât track you. Then you try to go to a site, and it just wonât load.
This can throw a wrench into productivity when working. Or it can ruin your mood when trying to have fun online.
If you want to bypass those infuriating errors that say, âThe page you are looking for canât be found,â we can help. Hereâs what to do when a VPN stops site access.
Why you canât access certain content with a VPN
You canât access certain apps or websites when your VPN is on for a few reasons. First, you may be dealing with connectivity issues. Perhaps the VPN youâre using is having server issues.
Some sites go out of their way to block connections from VPN servers. The site owners arenât trying to make your life harder. They block VPNs to cover their backsides. (Legally, not literally.)
Many websites block VPNs because they donât want to break their contracts. Simply put, many VPN users want to bypass geo-blocking features.
Say you want to watch content that isnât available in the U.S. If your favorite show is available in the U.K., you can connect to a server there so your internet can access that show. Tap or click here to unlock international Netflix to access more movies and shows.
Streaming sites donât like this. It lands them in hot water with the production companies they team up with. Hereâs why:
- Streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu have long and complicated contracts with production companies.
- Those contracts may involve location limits as part of licensing contracts. Production companies often have stipulations like, âYou can stream this show, but only in Canada since we donât want it in the U.S.â
- Certain websites/services, like PayPal, Venmo and CashApp, identify users for legal purposes through their IP addresses. This is used to resolve problems such as fraud.
Streaming sites donât want to violate the clauses in their contracts. They want to cover themselves and avoid legal trouble. Thus, they block VPNs.
RELATED: Watch free movies online from these streaming services
Letâs look into some other possibilities. Perhaps a site youâre visiting has outdated security certificates, which a VPN may interpret as malicious.
Donât disable your VPN; you need it for safety and privacy protection. If youâre dealing with issues like this, there are a few fixes you can try first.
How to work around VPN blocks
Tech issues are a common culprit. Here are a few tech tips to try:
- Switch servers: Maybe youâre connected to an international server the site doesnât like. Before you do anything else, you should switch between various servers. The issue may be as simple as the site not wanting traffic from that country.
- Turn off threat detection: Only do this if youâre sure the site youâre trying to connect to is trustworthy. Go into your VPN and turn off cybersecurity features designed to stop you from accessing dangerous sites.
- Add exceptions: Sometimes, false alarms cause errors. For example, maybe the domain owner didnât upgrade its certificates. This can raise red flags for your VPN, which then blocks the site.
- Restart your device: Maybe your computer needs a restart. Tech issues running in the background can block sites. Resetting your device can fix the issue.
- Clear your browser cache: Maybe some cookies are getting in the way. You can also update your browser â a good practice regardless.
- Switch to a different browser: If youâre using Google Chrome, give Edge or Firefox a try. Sometimes, websites and browsers donât get along well.
- Use an incognito window: Itâs worth a try. Tap or click here for ways incognito mode can save you.
Maybe the VPN youâre using isnât the best. We can help with that.
Our top VPN pick
Now that you know how to work around VPN blocks letâs see if you need to upgrade. When looking for VPNs, youâll find many options. Our pick is our sponsor ExpressVPN. Kim trusts it and so should you.
Aside from helping you bypass geo-blocks, VPNs protect your privacy. Big Tech companies want your data. They can match your internet activity to your identity or location using your public IP address.
With ExpressVPN, no one sees your IP address. No one.
Protect your privacy. Get three months free when you sign up for one year at ExpressVPN.com/Kim.