NordVPN for Streaming | Full Breakdown & Honest Review

You want to see the best movies available, just as I did before I used NordVPN. Every country has different restrictions for streaming, but is NordVPN good enough to bypass them all? I’ve been using NordVPN for quite a while now, and I’ve done a lot of testing to see whether it’s actually good for streaming. I tested the speed, the best countries to connect with, and whether it really bypasses every restriction.

Still not sure why you should use a VPN for streaming at all? I explain this in my article on everything you need to know about streaming with a VPN.

Overview

• NordVPN Compatibility with Streaming Services
• Is NordVPN Fast Enough for Streaming?
• Features and Benefits of Streaming with NordVPN
• Which VPN Location Should You Use for Streaming?
• Is NordVPN Compatible With all Streaming Devices?
• How to Set Up NordVPN for Streaming | Step by Step Guide
• Misconceptions About Streaming With NordVPN
• Troubleshooting Common Streaming Issues
• Questions People Often Ask Me

Key Takeaways

• Easy to set up and use

• Available on all major devices and platforms

• Works with almost all streaming services

• There are thousands of server locations available

• You can stream 4K and Buffer Free

• NordVPN can’t see what you’re watching

Nathan.P

Writer & Owner

NordVPN Compatibility with Streaming Services

One thing I did find important when I chose to use NordVPN for streaming is that it’s compatible with more than just one streaming service. Because although it’s not illegal to use a VPN for streaming, some streaming services are stricter with the use of a VPN than others.

Luckily, NordVPN is compatible with more than enough different streaming providers, and I tested them all to find out if there were any weak spots with NordVPN. And the results might surprise you.

What Can You Stream With NordVPN?

Since NordVPN has such good servers, you can watch pretty much everything you want. But in my experience, some things work better than others. Therefore, I tested the six most commonly used streaming providers so you know what to expect when you use NordVPN to see new content. And as a quick spoiler, there is so much content available that it would be impossible for you to see it all.

Netflix

Netflix is one of the most popular streaming providers out there, but also the strictest when it comes to blocking a VPN. Luckily, streaming Netflix was no problem with NordVPN. While I was testing, I did not have any notifications that I should not use a VPN, and I got access to all the available libraries. I could see the libraries from the following countries:

• United States: Has the biggest selection with lots of exclusive movies and series.
• United Kingdom: Is know for having some UK only titles like Peep Show, Doctor Who, and The Inbetweeners.
• Canada: Unique mix of movies from the US, UK, and some of their own exclusive content.
• Japan: Big collection of anime movies like Naruto, Attack on Titan, and Japanese originals.
• Australia: Like Canada, a mix between US, UK, and regional series like Wentworth.
• Germany: Offers some special German originals like Dark.
• France: Has exclusive movies from France like Lupin and Marseille.
• South Korea: Lots of K-drama like Crash Landing on You.
• Brazil: Has some exclusive content for their country.
• India: Offers Bollywood movies and series exclusive to their region.

In my tests, I didn’t notice any problems with connecting or the speed of the loading. But in my research, I found there are some people who experience the VPN not working because Netflix notices the use of a VPN. If this happens to you, I would advise just changing the server location, or choosing specifically the obfuscated servers. This will solve your problem, and you will be able to enjoy your favorite movie.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is also quite strict about blocking the use of a VPN, but on my MacBook Pro and on an Android mobile it was pretty easy to change countries without getting the message that I was using a VPN. But when I tested it on my iOS iPhone, I had to try another server before it worked. Once I got access, I was able to access the following content libraries:

• United States: Just like Netflix, the US gives you the biggest amount of content like The Boys, Jack Ryan, and Reacher.
• United Kingdom: Has some unique originals from the UK like All or Nothing, Arsenal, and other BBC-related content.
• Germany: Does give you some early releases of certain movies and has German content like Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo.
• Japan: Offers the most anime content, as you would expect.
• India: Has Bollywood movies like Mirzapur and Paatal Lok.
• Canada: A mix of US and regional content.

Amazon Prime Video offers a few fewer libraries to choose from than Netflix, but still enough countries to see some unique content. Just try out the servers until you find one that works, and you can start streaming.

Disney+

NordVPN worked seamlessly for me during the testing, I did not have any problem getting access and everything worked just like it should. Disney+ is less strict when it comes to blocking VPNs, and it has fewer different types of content than Amazon Prime Video or Netflix. Disney+ does, for instance, not have a Japanese library, so if this is the type of content you want to stream, you should try Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.

• United States: Gives you early releases with movies from Marvel and Star Wars content.
• United Kingdom: Offers more adult content like The Walking Dead, Atlanta, or American Horror Story.
• Canada: Lots of the same content as the US but sometimes with different release dates.
• Australia: Almost the same content as the UK, the only difference is some extra local content.
• India (Disney+ Hotstar): Completely unique library with Bollywood movies restricted to India.

When I got access to the server in India, I noticed this is not just an extra library you could access. It’s a completely different website for India to stream Disney+ content. You would also need a separate subscription if you want to see the content from India. For that reason, I would advise just using Netflix or Amazon Prime if you really want to access Indian content.

HBO Max / Max

HBO Max, also known as Max, blocks a lot of IP addresses from different VPN providers, but with NordVPN, I could still succeed in getting access to the content. However, I did notice it took more effort to access the different libraries on my Android and iOS phones. On my MacBook, on the other hand, I didn’t have any issues. With NordVPN you can stream the following content:

• United States: Access to the complete HBO catalog and Discovery+, here you can see Warner Bros movies, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, and CNN documentaries.
• Spain: Offers a partial catalog of HBO Max with later releases.
• Netherlands: Comparable to Spain, it also has late releases and not the complete catalog.
• Brazil: Here you can find lots of local content plus some HBO originals.

When I look at HBO Max, I always use the servers from the United States. This is because Spain and the Netherlands do not offer more or new content. Therefore, I would also recommend you use the United States or Brazil if you’re looking for local content.

Hulu

Hulu is a streaming provider with content from the United States. Here are thousands of different movies and series available. When I tried to connect to Hulu, not all servers worked seamlessly. With some of them, I got the following notification: “It looks like you’re using an anonymous proxy or VPN.” But despite this, I found enough servers that worked well. The servers I found to work best were New York, Dallas, and Seattle.

• United States: Offers shows from TV networks like NBC, ABC, Fox, FX, etc. Additionally, you can see Hulu originals like The Handmaid’s Tale, Only Murders in the Building, or stream movies from Disney, Searchlight, and way more. You can also watch live content, but this requires having the premium subscription.

One thing worth mentioning is that when I created my account, I needed an American payment method or gift card to create the Hulu account. I solved this by buying a gift card on MyGiftCardSupply. When you buy a gift card, you get the code sent to your email, and you can register at Hulu using the gift card as the payment method.

BBC iPlayer

A streaming server only usable from the uk is bbc iplayer. and it’s a free service to use, as long as A streaming server only usable from the UK is BBC iPlayer, and it’s a free service to use as long as you have an account. But in my experience, creating an account was not like you would normally do it. To create an account, they need to see that you’re using a UK IP address (this worked very well with NordVPN), and you also need to fill in a UK postcode. I used SW1A 1AA for my account, and this worked just fine. Content you can see on BBC iPlayer includes:

• Live British TV.
• British series and drama like Peaky Blinders, Doctor Who and Sherlock.
• Documentaries like Planet Earth, Louis Theroux and Panorama.
• Sports broadcasts like Wimbledon, Premier League and Formula 1.

If you want to stream BBC iPlayer in your browser, you can just log in and start streaming. But you can also watch it on your phone in their app. This requires you to change your app store location to the UK. Once you’ve done this, you can download their app.

Does NordVPN Work for Content Restricted To a Specific Country?

I already touched on this subject slightly with some of the most popular streaming providers, but does it work for every piece of content in every country? Well, the answer is yes. As long as you have an account somewhere (if that’s necessary), you can stream their content by setting the VPN to the right country. I’ve tested this with Channel 5 from the UK, Globoplay from Brazil, FranceTV from (obviously) France, and ARD Mediathek from Germany, and they all worked.

In the screenshots down below, you can see the difference between when I was not connected to the UK to watch Channel 5 and when I was connected to the UK. This shows how unlimited the access is that you can get with NordVPN and streaming. It doesn’t matter what you want to watch, just put NordVPN on the right server and you’re ready to stream.

Tip: If you don’t know how to change your location, you can check out my article on changing locations with a VPN.

Is NordVPN Fast Enough for Streaming?

Yes, NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs with their NordLynx protocol. In case you are watching 4K while streaming, I would advise aiming for at least 25 Mbps and a reaction time below 100 ms. The upload speed, on the other hand, is less relevant for normal streaming.

With these tests, I used an iOS MacBook and a phone. I tested over 150 servers in different countries to get the most accurate results possible. I also tested the difference between the NordLynx and OpenVPN protocols. Down below, I will show one of the test results and the average score I got from testing all servers.

Test Results Desktop | Nordlynx Protocol

• Device: MacBook Pro (iOS)
• Connection type: WiFi
• Servers tested: 150 worldwide
  (Tested across different continents to measure global performance)
• Time of testing: During peak hours
• Average download speed: 65.72 Mbps
• Average upload speed: 10.03 Mbps
• Average latency (ping): 15.00 ms
• Streaming quality: 4K and Full HD worked without any buffering

Test Results Desktop | OpenVPN Protocol

• Device: MacBook Pro (iOS)
• Connection type: WiFi
• Servers tested: 150 worldwide
  (Tested across different continents to measure global performance)
• Time of testing: During peak hours
• Average download speed: 61.25 Mbps
• Average upload speed: 10.13 Mbps
• Average latency (ping): 16.00 ms
• Streaming quality: 4K and Full HD worked without any buffering

Test Results Mobile | Nordlynx Protocol

• Device: iPhone
• Connection type: WiFi
• Servers tested: 150 worldwide
• (Tested across different continents to measure global performance)
• Time of testing: During peak hours
• Average download speed: 63.4 Mbps
• Average upload speed: 10.79 Mbps
• Average latency (ping): 25.7 ms
• Streaming quality: 4K and Full HD worked without any buffering

Test Results Mobile | OpenVPN Protocol

• Device: iPhone
• Connection type: WiFi
• Servers tested: 150 worldwide
• (Tested across different continents to measure global performance)
• Time of testing: During peak hours
• Average download speed: 50.41 Mbps
• Average upload speed: 10.95 Mbps
• Average latency (ping): 22.6 ms
• Streaming quality: 4K and Full HD worked without any buffering

Features and Benefits of Streaming with NordVPN

NordVPN isn’t one of the best VPNs without a reason. Besides the fact that it’s a really safe VPN, it’s also optimized for a smooth streaming experience. It didn’t matter how many streaming providers I tried in my investigation, there was always a way to get access. And I’ve already been using NordVPN since 2019, and have never had any real problems when it came to not getting access to a streaming provider.

Large Server Network

One of the reasons I haven’t had any major issues with streaming is because of the number of servers NordVPN has. When I had one server that didn’t work, there were multiple others to try. They have over 7,400 servers in 118 countries, which gives you plenty of room to try different ones. They even have servers that hide your VPN connection from the service you’re trying to access, but I’ll talk about my experience with those in a bit.

Dedicated IP (optional)

I personally use a dedicated IP (not while testing NordVPN) because it’s a perfect feature to lower the chance of not getting access to a streaming service. You can buy a dedicated IP as an optional add-on, but it does give you an IP address that nobody else uses. Therefore, you also have an even more stable connection.

One of the reasons some servers become unstable or get blocked by streaming providers is because they can see how many people are watching from the same IP address. If this number is higher than normal, they assume it’s a VPN server.

Obfuscated Servers

Like I said before, they have special servers to hide your VPN usage. This is perfect in case there are very strict rules in your country for using a VPN, but also when you’re trying to bypass geolocation for a specific movie.

The only thing I could think of as a downside of the obfuscated servers is the fact that they “only” have 106 of them. It doesn’t happen very often that I want to use an obfuscated server in a country where they don’t offer one, but it’s definitely something I hope they expand on in the future.

Split Tunneling

Split tunneling is a function I often use, but not when I want to bypass a geo-location (though you can use it for that). The split tunneling feature is available in the browser extension from NordVPN and gives you the ability to choose which apps or websites should go through the VPN and which shouldn’t. I mostly use this when I want to keep my standard NordVPN connection set to another country than where I live, but still want to watch my local Netflix.

SmartPlay

SmartPlay is an extra feature you don’t visibly see, as it’s built into every NordVPN app, but it definitely is a helpful feature. It helps you stay more anonymous without the risk of leaking your real location. Without the SmartPlay function, your DNS server will always stay the same unless you change it manually. This can become complicated and cause errors. Therefore, SmartPlay does this automatically, so the DNS server changes according to the country you choose to connect to.

Unlimited Bandwidth

This feature is something I find very helpful, it allows you to stream as much content as you want without the quality getting lower or the speed being reduced. I’ve experienced with some other VPNs in the past that they had a bandwidth limit each month, and when I exceeded this limit, the connection began to falter and the quality became really bad.

When you are watching a 4K movie, you use on average around 7 to 15 GB per hour. This could mean you could only watch one movie a month. Luckily, NordVPN does not have this. You can stream as much as you want without the quality or speed getting lower.

NordVPN Features Summary Table

Which VPN Location Should You Use for Streaming?

The best location to put NordVPN on completely depends on what you want to watch. I personally use the United States the most, simply because they have the most content. But if you want to watch anime, I would not advise you to use the United States.

To see what content is available for each country and streaming provider, you can take another look at the part about What Can You Stream With NordVPN? As long as you know what sort of content you want to watch, it doesn’t really matter where you connect to. And if I may give you a handy tip, if you don’t know what you want to stream, just connect to a random country with your favorite streaming service and see if you find any different movies you might like.

Country Content Summary Table

To make it easy for you to choose the right country depending on the shows and movies you want to watch, I made a table so you have a clear overview of which country you should connect to.

Is NordVPN Compatible With all Streaming Devices?

NordVPN is compatible with almost every device you can think of. Some devices not directly, but there is always a way to stream with NordVPN. I personally stream the most on my laptop, but I’ve tried all sorts of different ways. After explaining which devices are compatible, I will talk you through how you can install and start using NordVPN on one of these devices. So, let’s get started.

Can You Use NordVPN On a Smart TV?

Yes, you can use NordVPN on your TV, but there are differences in how to do this. I have an Android TV, and this allows me to download the native app through the app store. Once downloaded, I can log in to my account and start streaming. But if you have a TV that does not support the native NordVPN app, you need to do it a little differently.

The most common solutions are to install NordVPN on your router, use a Firestick, or cast the movie from your phone. I will explain later how you can do this. In case you’re wondering if your TV has the native app or if you need one of the other solutions, you can look at the table I made down below with the most common TVs.

Is it Available For All Smartphones And Tablets?

Yes, NordVPN is available for all smartphones and tablets, and that’s probably the device most people use it on. But there is one exception for how you should download the app, and that is if you use a Huawei. Instead of downloading the app from the Play Store or Apple App Store, you need to download it from NordVPN’s website.

Tip: Use split tunneling to save battery and stream longer. You can enable this in the settings of your app, but unfortunately not for iPhone users. Apple does not give NordVPN access to allow split tunneling.

Does NordVPN Has a App For Laptops & Desktops?

Yes, as long as you have macOS, Windows, or a Chromebook, it’s no problem. The only exception is if your Chromebook does not support the Play Store. If that is the case, you would need to use the Google extension or manually set up a VPN configuration. So it’s not so much about the brand you have, but about the system it’s running on.

Is NordVPN Compatible With Routers?

Yes, but not all routers are prepared for this. It might be necessary for you to buy a new router, like an Asus router (with AsusWRT), FlashRouters, or some models from Netgear. These routers are prepared for the use of a VPN, and the FlashRouter is even specifically prepared for NordVPN.

So if you need to buy a new router, I would recommend having a look at the FlashRouter. Installing NordVPN on your router has many advantages because all your devices on the network will be protected. But if you’re not very technical, it can be a little more challenging to set it up.

Can You Stream With NordVPN On a Gaming Console?

Yes, but not directly through a native app. The easiest way is to connect the gaming console to a router that is connected with NordVPN. Once your router is connected with NordVPN, and your gaming console is connected to the router, the VPN will do its job and your gaming console will use the VPN to stay private or to change geo locations.

Compatibility Summary Table

How to Set Up NordVPN for Streaming | Step by Step Guide

I can imagine it being overwhelming and difficult to know what you need to do in order to download NordVPN and start streaming. But that’s why I am going to explain how you can take the first steps toward an enjoyable night with your favorite movies. So, let’s get started and take it step by step.

Get The Best NordVPN Deal

1. The first and most obvious step to set up NordVPN is to get yourself a subscription. You can find the best deals at the moment right here.
2. Once you choose the subscription, you will be able to create an account with your email address and a secure password.
3. Then you can proceed to the payment process. NordVPN offers many different ways to pay, even with crypto.
4. Once you have paid and created your account, it’s time to download NordVPN on the device of your choice.

How To Start Using NordVPN On Smart TV’s?

Do you remember what the best way is for your smart TV to use a VPN? If not, take a look back here again to see which option is best for your smart TV. If your TV fits in the second row without the ability to download the native app, you can choose one of the other three options I’m giving you.

Native App Downloaden

I find this the easiest way of using NordVPN on your TV, so if this is a possibility, I would recommend following these steps:

1. Go to the home page of your TV and open the Play Store.
2. Type “NordVPN” in the search bar and click download once you find the app.
3. Once installed, go back to the home page and open the NordVPN app.
4. Log in with your account details and allow access to your network.
5. Choose the country you want to connect to.
6. Close the app and start streaming your favorite shows!

Use A Streaming Stick

A streaming stick is a small device you can use to make your TV “smarter” by giving it the ability to download NordVPN on the streaming stick. You can buy one of these on Amazon, for example. Once you have a streaming stick, you can follow the following steps:

1. Plug the streaming stick into the HDMI port and go to the homepage of the streaming stick.
2. Open the Amazon Appstore and search for NordVPN.
3. Install the app and log in once the download is finished.
4. Choose the server location you want to connect to.
5. Open your streaming provider and start streaming!

Casting From Your Smartphone

This is something your TV has to support, but most smart TVs already do. You can play the video on your phone and have it play on the TV screen. Let me explain how you can do this.

1. Follow the steps for downloading and using the NordVPN app on your smartphone here.
2. Once connected, open the streaming provider on your phone and choose a movie.
3. Now click on the cast icon in the top right of the screen (there is a small arrow in the icon).
4. Choose the TV to connect to.
5. The movie will now be displayed on your TV screen.

Use An HDMI Cable From Your Laptop

This way of watching a movie on your TV might be a little old school, but I remember using it a lot back in the day. And it just always works. Even if your TV is not a smart TV, as long as it has an HDMI portal, you’re good.

1. Follow the steps for downloading and using the NordVPN app on your computer here.
2. Once connected to the right server, connect your laptop to the TV with an HDMI cable.
3. If you do not see your laptop screen on the TV yet, check in the TV settings if you have selected the correct HDMI port.
4. Now start your movie on your laptop and enjoy!

Download The NordVPN App On Your Smartphone

Even if you’re not a real technician, this is still going to be easy for you, because you probably already install other apps on your phone. So let’s get started to get you streaming as fast as possible.

1. Open Google Play Store or App Store, depending on whether you use Apple or Android.
2. Search for NordVPN and click install.
3. Open NordVPN and log in with your account.
4. Click Quick Connect or select a country of your choice.
5. Open your streaming provider’s app and start streaming.

Install NordVPN On Your Laptop Or Desktop

Together with the smartphone download, I found this to be the easiest device to download NordVPN on. And in my case, it’s also the device I stream the most on.

There are two ways of streaming on your laptop or desktop. You can download the normal app and stream in the app of the streaming provider, or only download the browser extension and watch your movie in the browser. Both ways work well, but I personally find the first option the best. So let’s get this download going.

Download The NordVPN App

1. Go to the official website of NordVPN and log in to your account.
2. Click on download and choose the right operating system for your laptop or desktop.
3. Now install the app and open it to log in.
4. Click quick connect or choose a server manually.
5. Start your streaming app like Netflix and begin streaming.

Add The Browser Extension

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store or the Firefox add-ons.
2. Search for NordVPN and install the extension.
3. Click on the NordVPN icon in your browser (top right).
4. Log in with your account.
5. Choose a server location to connect to.
6. Go to your favorite streaming provider in the browser and enjoy your movie.

NordVPN Router Installation

This download requires a little technical knowledge, but if you make sure to follow my steps, I’m sure you will get through the installation. The most important part is to make sure your router is truly compatible. To see which routers NordVPN does not support, you can have a look on their website. If your router is compatible, we can start the installation.

Configure NordVPN On a Compatible Router

1. Go to the admin page of your router (by typing your router IP address in the browser).
2. Log in to the dashboard with your router username and password.
3. Go to the menu called VPN, then VPN Client, and click on Add Profile.
4. Now choose OpenVPN as the type.
5. Fill in your email and password from your NordVPN account.
6. Upload the .ovpn file you can download from your NordVPN account.
7. Click on Apply and activate the VPN.
8. You are now protected on every device connected to this router.

Use NordVPN’s Pre Installed Router

A second option, if you want to make it easier for yourself, is to buy a pre-installed router with NordVPN. This way, you know for sure you have a good router, and you don’t have to upload any files anymore.

1. Start up the new router and connect it to your old router or modem using an Ethernet cable.
2. Wait until the router light turns steady, indicating an internet connection.
3. Now connect your device to the new router (which has its own name like nordvpn_router).
4. Open the router dashboard by typing the IP address in your browser and log in with your account.
5. Here you can change the geolocation settings of the router and turn it on or off.
6. Once it says the VPN is active, you know you did a good job and everything is working!

Connect Your Game Console With Your New Router

Once you have completed the installation of the router, connecting your game console is easy. The only thing you have to do is change the Wi-Fi connection from your old router to the new one with NordVPN protection. Once you do this, your whole game console will be connected through the VPN.

Misconceptions About Streaming With NordVPN

Because I am a professional expert in testing and using a VPN, I get a lot of questions from people who apparently do not know what a VPN is for and how it works. There are endless misconceptions out there that I get asked about every week. But I will discuss the most popular ones with you, just in case you also think one of these things is true, because they’re not. So let me explain.

It Is illegal To Use NordVPN For Streaming

No, this is not illegal, although lots of people seem to believe this. Chances are they’ve seen the notification before from a streaming provider saying they should not use a VPN to bypass their geo-restrictions. But this is just a message from the provider with small consequences in the worst case, and in most cases, there is no problem at all.

It’s just against their terms of use, but it is not illegal. Just as it’s also not illegal in most countries to do this, a VPN is only illegal if you use it to stream something that is actually illegal itself. Otherwise, there is no problem. If you want to know in which countries a VPN is illegal, you can take a look at my article about this.

NordVPN Is Only For Piracy or illegal Content

NordVPN has millions of users. And it’s not all for piracy or illegal things. NordVPN is used for a broad spectrum of purposes, from streaming to protecting your internet connection against hackers, or to stay more private and anonymous in general.

But a lot of people automatically associate staying anonymous with illegal activities. And of course, there will probably be somebody somewhere who uses a VPN for something illegal. But speaking for myself, I have been using NordVPN for a long time and I do not use it for anything illegal.

NordVPN Always Lowers Your Streaming Quality

As you could have seen in my speed tests earlier in this article, NordVPN is perfectly capable of streaming high-quality movies at high speed. But the fact that people think otherwise is understandable and has a clear reason.

Back in the days, VPN protocols were not as fast as they are now, and lots of people used free VPNs, which were obviously very slow and low quality. But with NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol, you can stream high quality as long as your baseline internet speed is good. You can expect a drop in speed of about 5 to max 15%, which is nothing compared to what you need for high-speed streaming. I myself have never had any problems with it, and I have been using NordVPN since 2019.

You Have No Privacy While Streaming With NordVPN

I can’t wrap my head around the idea of people thinking you don’t have privacy while streaming with a VPN, at least not when you stream with NordVPN. I could understand it with some other VPNs since they are not worthy of your trust, but NordVPN does not keep any logs about user activity, and this has been proven multiple times. If you’re interested in this, I would recommend you take a look at my article about whether NordVPN is safe. I also discuss the no-logs policy there.

The only privacy you don’t have (but wouldn’t have without a VPN either) is the fact that the streaming provider can see what you watch. But at least with a VPN, your ISP or other malicious people can’t see what you’re watching.

Troubleshooting Common Streaming Issues

Although NordVPN is a really good VPN provider, and I have not had many problems with them, issues can still happen. This could be with the app, overall connection, or you keep getting recognized by the streaming server for using a VPN. Let me explain how you can solve this problem if it happens to you, because most of the time it’s an easy and obvious fix.

The VPN Keeps Getting Detected By The Streaming Providers

Since using a VPN is against most streaming providers’ terms of use, they invest a lot of money in tools to recognize VPN use. And sometimes, they succeed. But if this happens with NordVPN, there are enough options to still bypass it.

• Switch servers: Sometimes the IP address of a server is put on a blacklist, so it can help to just change the server within the same country.
• Use obfuscated servers: While using obfuscated servers, I have never had the problem of not getting around geo restrictions. This is a very good solution if a normal server does not work.
• Delete old cookies: If you used the streaming service before with another location, it could be that they still hold on to this location with cookies. You can go into the browser settings and delete cookies, or in the case of an app, just restarting it will delete the cookies as well.
• Change protocol: If none of the above works, I would recommend changing the protocol you use. This could be NordLynx, OpenVPN UDP or OpenVPN TCP.pn tcp.

I could not imagine it not working after you’ve gone through all these steps, but in case it still doesn’t help, it could be a good idea to contact NordVPN customer service. In my experience, they are very helpful and can immediately recommend which server to use for a specific bypass.

Your Connection Speed Is Slow And The Movie Keeps Buffering

I experienced once that my connection speed was not fast enough to stream a 4K movie. After changing some settings to find out what the problem was, it turned out my own internet connection was not fast enough. So it wasn’t a problem caused by NordVPN.

That would be my first advice: check if your own internet is fast enough before changing anything in the NordVPN app. After you’ve checked this and it turns out to be fast enough, you can go through the following points to see if any of them are the solution for you.

• Change server: This seems like an obvious step, but it’s an important one. It could be that the server you use is overloaded, and simply changing it could solve your problem.
• Use the right protocol: NordVPN has different protocols, of which NordLynx is the fastest. Make sure this is the protocol you use while streaming. You can simply change this in the settings.
• Disconnect other devices: If you use many devices on your network, it could help to turn some of them off. I remember having my whole family over at Christmas, and since I have a VPN on my router, all the traffic from everybody’s devices went through my network. Therefore, the TV was not able to stream a 4K movie without some hassle. But once some people turned their Wi-Fi off, it solved the problem and we were able to enjoy our Christmas movie without problems.
• Restart your modem/router and VPN app: This seems like a simple and unnecessary step, but it can really make a difference. When you restart the app or the router, they get a quick reset. This can greatly improve their performance.

The NordVPN App Doesn’t Work At All

This does not happen very often, but if it does, there are some easy fixes you can try to get the app working again.

• Check for any updates: NordVPN releases updates quite regularly, so it’s important to stay up to date to make sure you have the newest version of NordVPN.
• Your device is too old: This is not often the case, but if you use a device with a very old operating system, the latest version of NordVPN might not support it.
• You use antivirus software: Some antivirus or firewall software tends to block the VPN connection. Check this by turning off the antivirus and reopening NordVPN.

Questions People Often Ask Me