Lemino doesn’t work with VPN: how to FIX it (updated)

Lemino is a Japanese VOD service home to anime and popular dramas, but it’s region-locked – so you can only use it in certain countries. A VPN should be able to disguise your location and let you stream, but what if it breaks? See what to do if Lemino isn’t working with your VPN.

If your VPN doesn’t work with Lemino at the moment, the website might have blocked the Japanese VPN server you’re using to hide your whereabouts. Our list of fixes below will help you.

Which VPNs work with Lemino?

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 Lemino not working with my VPN?

If you can’t use Lemino abroad, it means the website knows you aren’t based in Japan. A superior VPN can solve that problem by disguising your location, or you can try troubleshooting your software instead.

Lots of other streaming services work in a similar way. For example, Abema and TVer are both limited to viewers in Japan unless you have a VPN with Japanese servers.

Why does my VPN get detected?

If your VPN isn’t secure, Lemino blacklists servers that you use, which means you can’t watch content on the website. However, the best VPNs for Lemino replace their broken servers fast.

Common Lemino issues:

• Lemino is blocking the Japanese IP address assigned by your VPN server.
• Your internet connection is weak, which means your VPN can’t do its job.
• Cookies are revealing your true location outside Japan to the Lemino website.

Lemino fixes

1. Run an update for your VPN

For computer users, open your VPN and go to Settings. Look for Update and find details on what’s new in the latest edition.

From an Android smartphone or tablet, you can update your VPN using Google’s Play Store. Select your profile picture and then Manage apps.

If you’re using an iPhone, open Apple’s App Store and tap your user profile. Install any available updates.

2. Experiment with a different server

We suggest switching to a different VPN server based in Japan. Once connected, check if performance improves.

How to jump between servers varies depending on the VPN you’re using. For instance, if you’re using ExpressVPN, you can select the three dots icon to access a list of alternative servers within the same country.

3. Contact VPN support

Top VPN brands manage teams that deal with technical issues you’re experiencing. If you can’t watch Lemino shows while outside Japan, message them.

4. Run an internet speed test

To start with, disconnect from your wi-fi, reconnect and try your VPN again.

If that doesn’t work, note 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 VPN servers doesn’t unlock Lemino outside Japan, uninstall and then reinstall your VPN. Then, open your VPN and see if the issue has been resolved.

More Lemino solutions:

Try clearing cache and cookies. From Google Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari (the browser that Apple gadgets use), it’s Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Type VPN username and password again. You might have made an error, so check you’ve entered your VPN login details the right way.

Are you impacted by a DNS leak? DNS leaks share your true IP address and location to websites and apps, even if you have a VPN running. We suggest you try our IP Address Lookup tool to see if your IP address changes when you activate your VPN and visit Lemino. If not, your VPN is broken.

Check your VPN’s servers. If you can’t connect to a Japanese server that works with Lemino, your provider might be at fault. Top-rated VPNs (we like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Ivacy and PureVPN) are quick to fix broken servers.

Best VPNs for Lemino

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)

Switch to ExpressVPN if you’re struggling to use Lemino abroad. This software is easy to use and works well if you’re aiming to stream TV shows and movies. ExpressVPN does a top job of replacing its broken servers. To access your account, all you need to do is open up ExpressVPN and connect to a server in Japan.

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)

Another VPN for your shortlist if you can’t stream from Lemino. NordVPN has servers across the globe (including some in Japan) and they’re encrypted – that means you can stay safe on public wi-fi networks. The servers on offer are super secure and you can connect without handing over personal data.

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 can unlock Lemino and we appreciate the affordable subscription options. The brand stands by a 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 Lemino, you need to swap to a better service. PureVPN is powerful enough to bypass geo-locked websites and services. You’ll be able to log in to your Lemino account even if you’ve roamed outside Japan. There are thousands of super-secure PureVPN servers to jump between.

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 watch Lemino abroad

At a glance: To use Lemino while travelling, download a VPN, sign in to your account and connect to a server in Japan. Next, reload the website or app.

Step 1. Install a VPN on your device

To stream content that’s geo-locked to a Japanese audience, you need a trusted VPN. By choosing wisely, you’ll get instant access to a tool that’s both easy to use and secure.

Step 2. Sign in to your VPN

Once you’ve created your VPN account, sign in with your email/username and password.

Step 3. Connect to a server for Lemino

As Lemino is designed for an Asian audience, you need to connect to a VPN server based in Japan to access it.

Using ExpressVPN, open the app, tap the three dots icon and use the search box to enter a Japanese location. Then, click the power icon to connect and wait for the green light.

Common questions

Can I use a free VPN for Lemino?

We don’t recommend them. Free VPNs for Lemino might sell your data for money since they do not charge a regular, monthly fee. Connecting to a VPN server in Japan could take a long time and your connection could drop without warning. Top, paid-for VPNs have servers all over the world, letting you access websites and apps.

Why does Lemino stop loading?

If you have a bad internet connection, there’s a high chance Lemino will keep pausing to buffer the next couple of seconds of video. This is bad, particularly if you’re right in the middle of an episode. You can try turning your router off and on again. And if that fails, connect to a different VPN server.

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

Watch Lemino 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 Japan.
4. Once connected, head to the Lemino website.

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