How to watch The CW anywhere you want (2024 method)

The CW is home to TV shows, movies and sports content, but you can only access it from the US. A VPN helps you disguise your location, meaning you can start streaming from anywhere. Our guide explains how to get started and watch The CW anywhere.

Our recommended VPNs will unlock The CW on desktop and mobile by giving your device a temporary IP address from the United States – read on for the details.

Which VPNs work with The CW?

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.

Using a VPN to watch The CW

At a glance: To watch The CW anywhere, download a VPN, sign in to your account, connect to a server based in the States (New Jersey, for example) and then reload the website.

1. Install a VPN to your PC or mobile

To stream region-restricted TV shows on The CW while outside the US, you need a VPN. We’ve highlighted a couple of our favourites on this page, so shop around and see which option works best for your needs.

2. Sign in to your VPN

Once you’ve created your VPN account, sign in with your email and password. It should only take a couple of seconds to register your details.

3. Connect to a server for The CW

As The CW is designed for an American audience, you need to connect to a US VPN server to watch from abroad.

To do this using ExpressVPN, open the app, tap the three dots icon and use the search box to enter a US location. Select the power icon to connect and wait for the green light.

The CW not working with VPN: how to fix it

If the The CW website identifies that you’re trying to stream content from outside of America, your connection will be blocked right away. But the best VPNs for The CW can dodge (or deal with) those blocks.

We’ve rounded up some troubleshooting tips below so you can fix your current VPN.

Update your VPN

On a PC, load up your VPN Settings screen. Look for an Update button, which usually points you to the VPN provider’s website. Try The CW when the update finishes.

On Android smartphone, update your VPN app on the Play Store. Tap your profile icon and select Manage apps and devices.

On iPhone, open the App Store and, in the top-right corner, tap on your user profile. From there, you can easily check for and install any available updates.

Use a different VPN server

VPN servers can be slow at times, so switch to a different VPN server if you’re experiencing lag on The CW.

Restart your VPN

Next, uninstall and reinstall your VPN. Open your VPN and the CW website or mobile app to see if the issue has been resolved.

Ask Customer Support

The VPN services we’ve talked about on this page have dedicated customer support teams that are there to lend a hand with any technical hiccups. Ask the team about known CW issues and how to troubleshoot.

Check your internet connection

First, disconnect from your wi-fi, reconnect and then try your VPN again. If that doesn’t help, you can perform a full reset by restarting your router.

Assess your internet connection using an internet speed tool, such as this one from Ookla. This test will allow you to compare the results with your Internet Service Provider’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed.’

More CW fixes:

• Check your firewall. On Windows, open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall. With your firewall settings adjusted, try streaming a show on the CW website or mobile app.
• 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.
• Check to see if you’ve been hit by a DNS leak. This means your typical IP address and location is visible to websites and apps, even if you’re running a VPN. Try the IP Address Lookup tool to see if your IP address swaps when you activate your VPN and visit The CW. If not, your VPN is broken.
• Clear cache and cookies. From a Google Chrome account, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.
• Enter your VPN username and password again. If you can log in successfully, load up The CW again.
• Check the VPN servers. If you can’t connect, your provider might be suffering. The best providers (we like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Ivacy and PureVPN) are quick to fix blacklisted servers.

For a printer-friendly overview of the tips we’ve discussed above, you can download our free VPN troubleshooting poster.

Best VPNs for The CW

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 shows on The CW 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 The CW outside the US. To watch TV anywhere, 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 The CW 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 The CW and it’s a reliable option if you don’t want to spend loads on a VPN to watch TV. 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 The CW 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.

This is one of the most widely-used VPNs proven to work hand-in-hand with The CW. If you try it today, you’ll have access to over 3,000 VPN servers around the world. One subscription has you covered on up to 10 different devices at once.

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 on The CW 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.

In just a couple of minutes, you can start watching TV abroad using NordVPN. To access the streaming service, just connect to a VPN server based in the US. If you need help at any time, you can call on NordVPN’s 24/7 live chat service.

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 The CW’s TV shows without a fuss.

Aside from The CW, 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

Watch The CW on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android

How to watch The CW 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 CW website.
5. Log in to your The CW account and enjoy.

Watch The CW 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 CW website.
5. Log in to your The CW account.

How to watch The CW on iPhone

1. Head to the Apple App Store from your iPhone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the CW 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 CW app and log in to your account.

Watch The CW 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 CW 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 CW app and log in to your account.

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