BBC iPlayer not working with VPN: 11 QUICK fixes

BBC iPlayer is a very popular UK streaming service, but it’s geo-restricted – that means you might have trouble using it abroad. A VPN helps you disguise your location, but what if it fails? Read our troubleshooting guide for advice on how to fix BBC iPlayer not working with your VPN.

If your current VPN isn’t working correctly, the BBC might have blocked the UK-based server you’re trying to use. See our list of potential fixes.

Which VPNs work with BBC iPlayer?

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Why is BBC iPlayer not working with my VPN?

Here’s the simple answer: BBC iPlayer isn’t unlocking because you’re trying to use the website from a restricted territory (outside of the UK) and the website knows it. A superior VPN can help you solve that problem.

How does BBC iPlayer detect my VPN?

If your VPN isn’t very good and doesn’t hide your location 100% of the time, the BBC will blacklist the server you’re using, which means your VPN is useless. Bad VPNs take a long time to replace blacklisted servers, which means you have no way of gaining access to films and TV shows streaming on the iPlayer website.

On the other hand, the best VPNs for iPlayer do a brilliant job of replacing blacklisted servers. That means that even if the BBC disables a server, a replacement will be up sooner rather than later.

To summarise, common iPlayer problems include:

• BBC iPlayer is blacklisting your VPN servers, which means you can’t spoof your location and watch from abroad
• Your internet connection is weak, which means your VPN can’t do its job
• Browser cookies are revealing your location when you should be hidden behind a spoofed location
• Your VPN is flawed and revealing your IP address to BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer fixes

1. Start by updating your VPN

• If you’re on a computer, start by launching your VPN and go to Settings. Look for the Update button, which sends you to the VPN provider’s website for more details.
• If you’re on Android, update your VPN through the Play Store app. Start by tapping on your profile picture and select Manage apps. You can choose to update individual apps or update all of them in one go.
• For iPhone users, open the App Store and, in the corner, tap your user profile. Now, you can easily check for and install any available updates.

2. Use a different server

Even the best VPNs deal with server outages every so often. If you think this could be the issue, switch to a different VPN server based in the UK (for iPlayer) and check if performance improves.

The exact steps for this can differ depending on the VPN service you’re using. For instance, if you’re using ExpressVPN, you can usually select the three dots icon to access a list of alternative servers within the same country.

3. Contact VPN support

Our recommended providers manage teams that deal with problems you’re having. If you can’t watch iPlayer shows from outside the UK, message them.

4. Check your internet connection

Disconnect from your wi-fi, reconnect and try your VPN again. You can also try a full network reset by restarting your router, which is usually done using a button on the back. You might need a pin to press it down.

Study your download speed using an internet speed tool, like this one from Ookla. The test lets you compare download speeds with your ISP’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed.’

5. Restart your VPN

If switching servers doesn’t have an effect, uninstall and then reinstall your VPN. Then, open your VPN and BBC iPlayer to see if the issue has been resolved.

More iPlayer VPN solutions:

• Try clearing cache and cookies. In Chrome, you need to go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, just head to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.
• Type your VPN username and password again. Check you’ve entered your VPN login details correctly. Sometimes the obvious tips are the problem-solvers.
• Check to see if you’ve been hit by a DNS leak. A DNS (domain name system) leak means your usual IP address and location is visible to websites and apps, even if you have a VPN running. We suggest you try the IP Address Lookup tool to see if your IP address changes when you activate your VPN and visit iPlayer. If not, that’s a sure sign your VPN is broken.
• Check your VPN’s UK servers. If you can’t connect to a server that works with iPlayer, your provider might be at fault. Top-rated VPNs (we like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Ivacy and PureVPN) are quick to fix broken servers.
• Check your firewall. On Windows, open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall. With those changes in place, run BBC iPlayer one more time.
• Are you using the right browser? Ensure that your web browser is compatible with your VPN. If you’ve updated your VPN, don’t forget to update your browser as well. On Chrome, access Settings > About Chrome.

Best VPNs for BBC iPlayer

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 the VPN you’re using at the moment refuses to work with BBC iPlayer, consider switching to ExpressVPN. We’ll happily recommend this VPN time and time again – it’s easy to use, speedy and works well if you’re looking to access iPlayer outside the UK.

ExpressVPN does a very good job of replacing its blacklisted servers when needed. That means that, even if iPlayer temporarily disables incoming connections, the VPN will have a replacement server up and running in no time. To access your account, all you need to do is open up ExpressVPN, connect to a server based in the UK and go from there.

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

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 to consider if BBC iPlayer fails to play with your VPN. NordVPN has servers dotted across the globe and all of them are protected using military-grade encryption. With NordVPN’s enhanced encryption technology, you can even stay safe on public wi-fi networks without speeds being affected.

NordVPN’s servers are super secure and you can connect without handing over your valuable personal data. This trusted VPN never keeps track of how you’re using the service and which websites you’re visiting, so privacy is guaranteed. You can try NordVPN’s CyberSec feature, which blocks suspicious-looking websites and therefore reduces the risk of your device being infected with data-grabbing 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

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 the iPlayer website and it’s a solid option if you don’t want to spend lots of money on a VPN. It’s built to support 256-bit encryption, which keeps cybercriminals at bay, plus you get public wi-fi security that protects against malware if you’re connecting to a hotspot in a public area.

Crucially, you can use Ivacy to access geo-restricted websites such as BBC iPlayer without anybody knowing about it. That’s thanks to Ivacy’s strict no-logs policy, which prevents your valuable personal data from being sold to sinister third parties.

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

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

If your current VPN doesn’t work with the iPlayer website, move over to a better service. PureVPN is a great example as it’s powerful enough to bypass geo-locked websites and services so you can enjoy BBC shows without a fuss. You’ll be able to log in to your iPlayer account even if you’ve roamed outside of the UK.

Aside from iPlayer, 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

Common questions: using a VPN to watch iPlayer

How to watch BBC iPlayer on Windows

1. Pick one of our recommended VPNs and sign up – let’s use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in using your username and password.
3. From your Windows device, open ExpressVPN and select a server located in the UK.
4. Once you’re connected to that server, head to the BBC iPlayer website.

Watch BBC iPlayer on Mac

1. Pick one of our recommended VPNs and create your account – we’ll use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in using your username and password.
3. From your Mac, open ExpressVPN and select a server located in the UK.
4. Once connected, head to the BBC iPlayer website.

How to watch BBC iPlayer on iPhone

1. Head to the Apple App Store from your iPhone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the BBC iPlayer 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 UK.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the BBC iPlayer app and log in to your account.

Watch BBC iPlayer 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 BBC iPlayer 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 UK.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the BBC iPlayer app and log in to your account.

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