You can watch Crackle outside the US: here’s how (walkthrough)

Crackle is exclusive to the US, so if you’re trying to stream from elsewhere you’ll run into trouble. A VPN will help by letting you disguise your location so you can keep watching. On this page, we take you through the process so you can watch Crackle outside the US.

Each of our recommended VPNs will unlock Crackle by giving your device a temporary IP address from the US – that means Crackle will think you’re in America even when you’re not.

Which VPNs work with Crackle?

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.

In three steps: using a VPN to watch Crackle abroad

At a glance: To use Crackle outside the US, download a trusted VPN, sign in to your account, connect to a server based in the US and then reload the website or app.

1. Download a recommended VPN

To stream region-restricted TV shows while traveling outside the US, you need a trusted VPN. By choosing wisely, you’ll get instant access to a tool that’s both easy to use and secure – it won’t share your personal details with third parties or your ISP (internet service provider).

2. Sign in to your VPN

Once you’ve created your VPN account, sign in with your email/username and password. It’s good practice to make your password unique to your VPN account, so don’t use the same one that you use for other services.

3. Connect to a server for Crackle

As Crackle is designed with an American audience in mind, you need to connect to a VPN server based in the US.

To do this using ExpressVPN, open the app, tap the three dots icon and use the search box to enter a US location. We’ve used New Jersey in our example. Then, click the power icon to connect and wait for the green light.

In the screenshot above, we’ve loaded up the Crackle website by connecting to a New Jersey VPN server. This means that, although we’re based in the US, the Crackle website thinks we’re streaming from abroad.

How to fix Crackle errors

If the Crackle website works out that you’re trying to access it from a restricted region, your connection will be blocked every time. An error message on the Crackle website explains: “Thanks for visiting. Unfortunately, we’re not currently available in this region.”

Poor VPNs don’t do a very good job of hiding your location, which means Crackle prevents you from streaming content. Other providers such as MGM+ and Spectrum TV use a similar system. See our list of troubleshooting tips below so you can regain access to Crackle:

Update your VPN

First of all, make sure you’re running the latest version as recent issues will have been patched. You need to take a trip to your VPN settings before you can use the streaming site again.

From your PC, open the VPN and then the Settings or Options menu. Some VPNs that I’ve tested will display a message telling you about updates. See an example here:

Clicking Update will take you to the VPN provider’s website, where you can learn more about what’s new in the latest build.

If you’re using an Android smartphone or tablet, you need to open the Google Play store, tap your user profile in the top-right corner of the screen and then Manage apps and device. Finally, choose Update or Update all.

On an iPhone or iPad, open the Apple App Store and tap your user profile in the top-right corner of the screen.

Use a different VPN server to connect to Crackle

VPN servers can sometimes become unavailable or slower than usual. That’s no good if you’re trying to enjoy your favourite shows through Crackle.

However, the best VPNs for Crackle offer multiple servers for each country. ExpressVPN has a UK Docklands server as well as alternatives in East London. We suggest you go between them and see which one works best.

Try disconnecting from the current server that you’re using. ExpressVPN users can select the three dots icon to see a list of alternative servers in the same country. You can also favourite the server (use the Star icon) that works best for you.

Contact a VPN support team

Our recommended VPN providers all manage support teams. For times when the Crackle site isn’t functioning with your VPN, reach out to an expert for step-by-step guidance.

From a computer, head to your VPN provider’s website and find the Support or Contact us pages. Some VPNs offer a live chat service for members.

Reset your VPN

The classic ‘off and on again’ trick often works with computer issues and I’ve found that the same goes with VPNs. Whether you’re on a PC, smartphone or tablet, restart your device and open your VPN again.

If that doesn’t work, delete and reinstall your VPN. Load up your VPN and Crackle and see if performance has improved.

Check if your internet connection is strong enough

The problem might be with your own internet connection rather than your VPN.

Disconnect from your wi-fi network and then reconnect, before running your VPN again. You can also go a step further and restart your internet router if you need to. Note that speeds of up to 10Mbps should be enough, but you might prefer over 20Mbps if you’re streaming or gaming.

Run a free download speed tool and compare the results alongside your ISP’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise. Contact your ISP if your connection is unstable outside of VPN use.

More Crackle fixes to try:

Have you cleared cache and cookies from your internet browser? On Google Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Have you entered your VPN username and password correctly? Double-check your login credentials. If you can’t remember your details, choose the ‘Forgot’ option on your VPN provider’s website so you get a reset link sent to your inbox.

Are the VPN servers active? If Crackle breaks, your provider might be experiencing an outage. The best providers are transparent about this and actively update their server status online.

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 Crackle. If not, that’s a sure sign your VPN is broken.

Is your firewall blocking your VPN or Crackle? If you’re experiencing issues on desktop, make sure your VPN is mentioned in the ‘Allow’ list. On Windows, head to open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

Does your web browser need updating? Your current web browser version might be incompatible with your browser-based VPN. Assuming you’ve updated your VPN, make sure you update your browser as well. On Chrome, for example, you would go to Settings > About Chrome.

Are you overworking your VPN? If you’re streaming, gaming and using social media at the same time, your VPN might struggle to keep up. We suggest you close a couple of apps to test if doing so has a noticeable impact.

Download our free VPN troubleshooting tips poster.

Best VPNs for Crackle

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, to switch to ExpressVPN. We’ll happily recommend this newbie-friendly VPN over and over again – it’s easy to use, speedy and works brilliantly if you’re looking to access Crackle from abroad. It’s a solid pick for watching Hollywood classics.

ExpressVPN does a great job of replacing its blacklisted servers. That means that, even if Crackle temporarily disables incoming connections from ExpressVPN, the VPN will have a replacement server up and running ASAP. To access your account, all you need to do is open up ExpressVPN, connect to a US-based server 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

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 a great choice if you want to enjoy Crackle shows while you’re travelling outside the US. This is one of the most popular, affordable VPNs around, thanks in part to its battle against blacklisted servers. The cheapest Ivacy subscription will only set you back $2.45 per month.

This trusted VPN will effectively hide your real location so you can use all of Crackle’s features, even if you’ve roamed outside the US. Use our exclusive link below and you get instant access to over 1,000 VPNs servers across the world. A single membership to Ivacy also means you can protect up to 10 gadgets at a time.

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 for your shortlist if you want to use Crackle abroad. NordVPN has servers all over the world and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption. That means they’re extremely secure and you can connect without handing over your personal data to companies that shouldn’t own it.

If you run into trouble while getting to grips with NordVPN, you can make use of the live chat feature for a helping hand.

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

If your current VPN doesn’t work with Crackle, it’s time to treat yourself to a better alternative. PureVPN is a great example, being powerful enough to unlock geo-locked websites so you can enjoy them without a hassle. You’ll be able to log in to your Crackle account even if you’re in a country where it doesn’t usually work.

PureVPN also works with ITV Hub, Hulu and Amazon Prime. There are around 2,000 secure PureVPN servers based in over 130 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

FAQs: Using Crackle outside America

Can I use Crackle outside America?

Yes, you can use Crackle outside of the US as long as you have a secure, reliable VPN at your disposal. VPNs are built to disguise your location, tricking Crackle into thinking you’re based in the US even if you’re not.

Without a VPN, you’ll see this message: “Sorry, we are only streaming in the United States and its territories for now.”

You should also note that Crackle’s content library might change based on your location due to licensing agreements.

Can I use a free VPN with Crackle?

If your VPN isn’t letting you stream TV shows through Crackle, you might think about a free VPN. However, we recommend that you stay away for the following reasons:

Some free VPNs aren’t safe. Because you don’t pay a monthly fee, free VPNs will often sell your personal data just to make a profit.

Free VPNs can be slow. They might take a long time to connect to a server that works with your bookie, and your connection could drop without warning.

You might not get many servers. The best VPNs have servers all over the world, which means you can instantly unlock TV streams and movies. However, free VPNs only cover a small number of countries.

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