Hulu doesn’t work with VPN: try our 5 FIXES

Hulu has on-demand TV shows and films, but it’s only available in the US. You can enjoy Hulu abroad using a VPN, but what if it breaks? Our troubleshooting guide explains what to do if Hulu doesn’t work with your VPN.

In our jargon-busting guide, we explain how Hulu has potentially blacklisted your VPN servers. Take a look at our list of common VPN fixes.

Which VPNs work with Hulu?

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 doesn’t Hulu work with my VPN?

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

How does Hulu detect my VPN?

If your VPN isn’t very good and doesn’t hide your location 100% of the time, Hulu 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 Hulu website.

On the other hand, the best VPNs for Hulu are quick to deal with blacklisted servers. That means that even if Hulu disables a server, a replacement will be up sooner rather than later.

To sum it up, common reasons for Hulu not working include:

• The streaming website or app has blocked your VPN servers
• A dodgy internet connection is to blame for streaming issues
• Browser cookies are disclosing your real location instead of the one you’re trying to spoof
• Your VPN is revealing your IP address

Hulu fixes

1. Update your VPN

If your VPN isn’t unlocking Hulu while you’re outside America, check you’re using an up-to-date version.

On a computer, start by launching your VPN and go to Settings. You’ll find an Update button, which redirects you to the VPN provider’s website. Try Hulu when the update is complete.

On Android, update your VPN through the Play Store. Start by tapping on your profile icon in the corner and then select Manage apps and devices. You’ll find the option to update individual apps or update all of them.

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.

2. 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 Hulu issues and how to troubleshoot.

3. 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 Hulu.

4. Restart your VPN

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

5. 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 Hulu fixes:

• 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 Hulu 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.
• 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 Hulu 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.
• Make sure you aren’t the victim of a DNS leak. If you’re using a broken VPN, it doesn’t disguise your real IP address and location when you visit Hulu. To check it’s working, turn it off and head to the IP Address Lookup tool. Make a note of your typical IP address, activate your VPN, run the test again and see if those details change. If you don’t see a difference, your VPN isn’t working.

Best VPNs for Hulu

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)

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 Hulu outside the US.

This VPN keeps your real IP address hidden around the clock, so websites won’t know you’re accessing content from abroad. 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.

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 that lets you enjoy Hulu outside America. 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.

Connecting to a server using NordVPN is simple stuff. To watch Hulu abroad, pick a country that you’d like to connect through (in this case, the US) or hit the Quick Connect button and get connected to the best server for you. If you need help at any time, you can use 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

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 Hulu 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.

This is one of the most popular VPNs proven to work with Hulu. You’ll have access to over 3,000 VPN servers across the globe. A single subscription has you covered on up to 10 different devices at once. To sweeten the deal, Ivacy’s internet kill switch will keep you hidden even if your connection drops without warning.

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

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 Hulu shows without a fuss. You’ll be able to log in to your Hulu account even if you’ve roamed outside of the US.

Aside from Hulu, 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

Watching BBC iPlayer on Windows, Mac and mobile

How to watch Hulu 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 US.
4. Once you’re connected to that server, head to the Hulu website.

Watch Hulu 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 US.
4. Once connected, head to the Hulu website.

How to watch Hulu on iPhone

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

Watch Hulu 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 Hulu 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 Hulu app and log in to your account.

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