Etsy not working with VPN: 10 fixes (quick guide)

As one of the most popular crafts marketplaces around, Etsy needs no introduction. But access is restricted in some countries, so you might need a VPN to disguise your location. If your VPN isn’t working with Etsy, read on.

If you want to buy and sell through Etsy while travelling, you don’t want to deal with errors. And if the VPN you’re using at this moment is struggling, there’s a chance Etsy has blacklisted your server. See our fixes below.

Which VPNs work with Etsy?

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 my VPN not working with Etsy?

You have found this article because your VPN is not working with Etsy, a buying and selling service that’s usually only available for people in select countries. If you’re trying to use the website or app from a restricted territory, your connection could be blocked. But a reliable VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN) can help you access Etsy from anywhere in the world.

If your current VPN isn’t hiding your real location, Etsy could interfere with the server you’re using. Bad VPNs take a long time to replace their broken servers, which means you have no way of accessing region-locked content.

Try these Etsy fixes

1. Check your VPN is up to date

If your VPN doesn’t unlock the Etsy Marketplace when you leave your home country, check you’re using the most recent version.

To update your VPN from a computer, load up the VPN and then choose Settings. You should be able to find an Update option in there. Clicking Update will usually take you to the VPN provider’s website, where you can learn more about what’s new.

If you’re using Android, open the Play Store, tap your profile and then choose Manage apps and device. Select Update. From an iPhone, open the App Store and tap your profile in the top-right corner of the screen.

2. Swap to a different server

VPN servers can die occasionally. If Etsy isn’t loading up for you, the issue may lie with your VPN server, so swapping to an alternative could be the answer. The best VPNs for Etsy provide numerous servers within each country.

3. Message Customer Support

The most popular VPNs employ teams to address technical issues. If you’re having trouble using Etsy abroad, reach out to them for assistance.

Access your VPN provider’s website and head to the Support or Contact Us pages. Some VPNs even provide a 24/7 live chat service for their members, which is great if you’re reaching out late in the day.

4. Reset your VPN

Restart your PC or phone and then launch your VPN again. If that doesn’t resolve the issue with Etsy, completely uninstall and reinstall your VPN. Open both your VPN and Etsy to see what the results are.

5. Check your internet connection

To do this, disconnect from your wi-fi entirely and reconnect. Once your connection is back, try your VPN once more and consider restarting your internet router for a full reset – there’s a button on the back.

Even more Etsy fixes:

Check to see if you’ve been hit by a DNS leak. This implies your regular IP address and location can be seen by websites and apps, even when using a VPN. Test the effectiveness of your VPN using the IP Address Lookup tool – this way, you can check if your IP address changes when you activate your VPN and visit Etsy. If there’s no change, it shows your VPN is not functioning properly.

If you’re using Etsy on a phone, clear your cache and cookies. From an iPhone, choose Settings > General > iPhone storage, then choose the Etsy app. Select Offload app. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Etsy > Storage > Clear cache.

If you’re trying to use Etsy on desktop, clear cache and cookies. On Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Re-enter your VPN username and password. Double-check your details. If you can’t remember them, choose the ‘Forgot’ option on your VPN provider’s website. A reset link will get sent to your email inbox.

Check the VPN servers are online. If you can’t connect to a server, your provider might be experiencing an outage.

Best VPNs for Etsy

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)

To access all of Etsy’s features from any country in the world, use ExpressVPN today. It’s really easy to use, very fast and perfect for unlocking region-restricted content. With ExpressVPN installed, all you need to do is connect to a server in a supported country and you can easily use Etsy from anywhere.

ExpressVPN hides your real IP address, which makes it impossible for websites to see that you’re browsing from outside a specific area. With servers available in over 90 countries, ExpressVPN users enjoy global coverage. ExpressVPN is compatible with loads of devices, including Macs, Android smartphones and tablets and iOS devices.

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 is an excellent choice if you want a VPN that works with Etsy. It uses encryption technology to keep cybercriminals far away from you, also featuring public wi-fi security to protect your device from viruses.

With Ivacy, you can use Etsy from anywhere in the world without anyone knowing. That’s thanks to Ivacy’s strict no-logs policy, which stops your personal information from being sold to other companies.

Ivacy is one of the most popular VPNs that works with Etsy. If you try it today, you get instant access to over 3,000 VPN servers worldwide. A subscription is valid for up to 10 devices at once, making it ideal for families.

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)

NordVPN is another exceptional VPN that lets you use Etsy abroad. It has servers worldwide, protected by military-grade encryption. Plus, NordVPN’s technology keeps you safe on public wi-fi without damaging your network speeds.

The servers are highly secure and you can connect without handing over your personal information – NordVPN doesn’t spy on you. You can also try the CyberSec tool, which blocks dangerous websites and lowers the chance of your device being infected with malware.

With NordVPN, you can use Etsy anywhere in minutes. Just connect to a suitable VPN server and go from there. Note that NordVPN offers a 24/7 live chat service to assist you.

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 one of our top recommendations for Etsy. With optimised servers designed to reduce load times, it’s easy to use and provides a great experience.

One of the best features of PureVPN is the encryption of data, which ensures complete anonymity while blogging. Plus, there’s a 24-hour support team available to answer any questions you might have. Even if you’re not currently based in a supported country, PureVPN makes it easy to bypass geo-locked apps.

With over 6,500 servers in more than 75 countries worldwide, PureVPN provides ample opportunities for unlocking social networks. If you’re not completely satisfied after trying it out, the brand offers a 31-day money-back guarantee.

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 use a VPN with Etsy: step-by-step guide

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 your device, download and open the ExpressVPN app and select a server in a supported country – the UK or US, for example.
4. Once you’re connected, head to the Etsy website.
5. Log in to your Etsy account and enjoy.

As per our affiliate policy, we might earn affiliate commission when you select a retailer link. Prices and information correct at time of publication.