Spectrum TV isn’t working with my VPN: 9 ways to FIX it

Spectrum TV lets you watch live TV and on-demand shows, but access is limited outside the US. If your VPN isn’t working with Spectrum TV, consult our list of easy fixes to regain access.

Assuming the VPN you’re using now is struggling, there’s a chance Spectrum TV has blacklisted the server you’re trying to use. By identifying the reason, you can get back to enjoying the shows you love. Keep scrolling for the details.

Which VPNs work with Spectrum TV?

Why you can trust GadgetMouse: Our content is written by a team of humans and we refuse to use AI. Plus, we own (and use) every VPN that we write about. For more details, see our editorial policy.

Why is Spectrum TV not working?

If Spectrum TV identifies that you’re trying to stream content from outside of America, your connection will be blocked. However, a reliable VPN can still help you stream TV shows from anywhere in the world, even if you’re traveling.

Your VPN isn’t working with Spectrum TV and that’s probably because it’s not hiding your real location. The VPN servers you have available to you through your current VPN may be blacklisted by the Spectrum TV website.

Spectrum TV fixes

1. Update your VPN

If you can’t stream TV from a site that limits access based on location, make sure your VPN is up-to-date.

• From a computer, go to VPN Settings. Look for the Update option, which will likely redirect you to the VPN provider’s website.
• From an Android, update your VPN using the Play Store. Start by tapping on your profile icon in the corner and then select Manage apps and devices.
• From an iPhone, open the App Store and tap on your user profile. From there, you can check for and install any available updates. Check the update notes if you want to know what changed.

2. Swap server

We recommend unhooking from your current server and trying another in the US. Steps vary depending on the VPN you’re using. If you’re using ExpressVPN, you can select the three dots to access a list of alternative servers within the same country.

3. Message Customer Support

The VPNs we’ve recommended further down the page have customer support teams that can help with technical issues. If Spectrum TV isn’t working with your VPN, don’t hesitate to reach out so you can fix streams.

4. Reset your VPN

If switching servers didn’t work, completely uninstall your VPN, then reinstall the software. After the reinstallation, open both your VPN and Spectrum and try again. You can also go a step further and completely restart your device.

5. Speed test your internet

Disconnect from your wi-fi, reconnect and then try your VPN one more time. If that doesn’t help, you can perform a thorough reset by restarting your router. A hard reset like this can speed up Spectrum TV streams.

You can also assess your internet connection by running a free internet speed test, such as Ookla. This test will allow you to compare the results with your Internet Service Provider’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise.

More Spectrum TV fixes:

Clear cache and cookies. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. If you’re using an Apple computer with Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Make sure you aren’t the victim of a DNS leak. Ineffective VPNs fail to conceal your actual IP address and location while accessing Spectrum TV. To verify this, disable your VPN and navigate to the IP Address Lookup tool. Record your usual IP address, then activate your VPN, rerun the test, and observe whether those details change. If there is no obvious difference, your VPN isn’t operating correctly.

Re-enter username and password. Check if you’ve entered your VPN login details correctly. Incorrect credentials could be the reason Spectrum TV isn’t working.

Check VPN servers. If you can’t connect to a server, your provider might be to blame. The best providers (we like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Ivacy and PureVPN) are transparent about this.

Check firewall. On Windows, open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

➡️ Download our free VPN troubleshooting tips poster ⬅️

Best VPNs for Spectrum TV

ExpressVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.53 per month
• 6-month subscription: £8.12 per month
• 1-year subscription + 3 months free: £5.42 per month (49% off)

🌎 Number of servers	160
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	5
⏱️ Our speed test results	-8.7% download, -5.5% upload (London)

If you want to enjoy TV shows on Spectrum TV from anywhere in the world, consider creating a membership with ExpressVPN. It’s easy to use, speedy and works well if you’re looking to access Spectrum TV outside the US. To watch Spectrum TV in any country, all you need to do is open up ExpressVPN, connect to a server based in America and go from there.

This VPN keeps your real IP address hidden, so Spectrum TV won’t know you’re accessing content from outside of the US. Every ExpressVPN member has access to servers in over 90 countries around the world. ExpressVPN works on a range of different devices including Mac, PC, Android or iOS smartphone.

Pros: Smartphone app lets you connect in seconds, 'favourite' most-used VPN servers for quick access, performed remarkably well in our chat support speed test

Cons: Rival VPNs are cheaper, can't use many devices at once

Try ExpressVPN today

Ivacy

• 1-month subscription: £8.62 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3 per month (65% off)
• 5-year subscription + FREE password manager: 80p per month (90% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,700
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

Ivacy works well with Spectrum TV and it’s a reliable option if you don’t want to spend loads on a VPN to watch Spectrum TV in any country. This service is built to support 256-bit encryption, which helps keep cybercriminals away, and on top of that you get public wi-fi security that protects your gadgets against malware if you’re connecting to a hotspot in a public area.

You can use Ivacy to access geo-restricted websites such as Spectrum TV without anybody knowing about it. That’s thanks to Ivacy’s strict no-logs policy, which stops your valuable personal data from being sold to sinister third parties. A top pick if Spectrum TV isn’t working with your VPN.

Pros: Connection is steady when using multiple devices, notifications mention if Ivacy is disabled, server locations split by country and city

Cons: We think the ExpressVPN mobile app is faster, below-average results in our chat support speed test

Try Ivacy today

NordVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.49 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3.99 per month (40% off)
• 2-year subscription: £2.79 per month (58% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,200+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	6
⏱️ Our speed test results	-14% download, -7% upload (London)

Here’s another VPN that lets you watch TV shows on Spectrum TV outside of the US. NordVPN has servers across the globe and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption. And with Nord’s enhanced encryption technology, you can even stay safe on public wi-fi networks without speeds being affected.

NordVPN’s servers are mega secure and you can connect without handing over your personal data. This trusted VPN doesn’t keep an eye on how you’re using the service, so privacy is guaranteed. You can also try NordVPN’s CyberSec feature, which blocks suspicious-looking websites and lowers the risk of your device being infected with malware.

Pros: Built-in internet kill switch works well, profile page on app includes 'Security score' with privacy tips, takes less than a minute to reach a live chat agent (based on our tests)

Cons: Other VPNs tested are cheaper, some streaming services require multiple resets to work

Try NordVPN today

PureVPN

• 1-month subscription: $10.95 per month (12% off)
• 1-year subscription: $3.74 per month (70% off)
• 2-year subscription + 4 extra months: $1.96 per month (84% off)

🌎 Number of servers	6,500+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

PureVPN is a great VPN that allows you to bypass geo-locked websites and services so you can enjoy Spectrum TV shows without a fuss.

Aside from Spectrum TV, PureVPN also works with ITV Hub, Hulu and Amazon Prime. There are over 6,000 super-secure PureVPN servers based in over 70 different countries.

Pros: Surprisingly affordable considering features, lots of UK and US-based servers, generous with simultaneous devices

Cons: Takes a couple of minutes to reach live chat agents (based on our tests), performs better on iOS compared to Android (in our experience)

Try PureVPN today

How to watch Spectrum TV with a VPN

Watching Spectrum TV on Windows

1. Pick one of our suggested VPNs – we’ll use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in.
3. From Windows, open ExpressVPN and select a server in the US.
4. Once you’re connected, head to the Spectrum TV website.
5. Log in to your Spectrum TV account.

Spectrum TV on Mac

1. Pick one of our chosen VPNs and create an account – ExpressVPN, for example.
2. After making an ExpressVPN account, sign in with your username and password.
3. From Mac, open ExpressVPN and select a server located in the US.
4. When you’re connected, visit the Spectrum TV website.
5. Log in to your Spectrum TV account.

Watching Spectrum TV on iPhone

1. Head to the Apple App Store from your iPhone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the Spectrum TV app to your device – it’s on the Apple App Store.
4. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account, and then connect to a server based in the US.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the Spectrum TV app and log in to your account.

Watching Spectrum TV on Android

1. Head to the Google Play Store from your Android tablet or smartphone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the Spectrum TV app to your device – it’s on the Google Play Store.
4. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account, and then connect to a server based in the US.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the Spectrum TV app and log in to your account.

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