NOW TV not working with VPN: FIX it in 5 steps (walkthrough)

NOW TV has become one of the most-used streamers in the UK, but it’s still locked in some countries. A VPN should let you watch anywhere, but what if it breaks? Here, we explain what to do if NOW TV isn’t working with your VPN.

If you want to watch the latest shows on NOW TV while travelling, you need to know how to fix your VPN if it goes down. On this page, we’ve shared common fixes to help you troubleshoot.

Which VPNs work with NOW TV?

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Why is NOW TV not working with my VPN?

When NOW TV identifies that you’re trying to stream content from outside of a supported country, your connection will get blocked. However, the best VPNs for NOW TV can still help you stream TV networks from anywhere in the world, even if you’re traveling around.

If your VPN isn’t hiding your real location from NOW TV, the website will interfere with the server you’re using, making your VPN useless.

In summary, common NOW TV issues include:

• The streaming website and smartphone app have blacklisted your go-to VPN server
• You have a bad internet connection that slows down your VPN
• Cookies saved in your browser are revealing your real location, instead of the location you’re trying to spoof
• Your VPN is revealing your IP address to NOW TV

NOW TV fixes

1. Check your VPN is up to date

If your VPN doesn’t unlock NOW TV when you leave the UK, check you’re using the most recent version.

To update your VPN from a computer, load up the VPN and then choose Settings. You should be able to find an Update option in there. Clicking Update will usually take you to the VPN provider’s website, where you can learn more about what’s new.

If you’re using Android, open the Play Store, tap your profile and then choose Manage apps and device. Select Update. From an iPhone, open the App Store and tap your profile in the top-right corner of the screen.

2. Try using a different VPN server

VPN servers can die every so often – it’s fairly normal. If the NOW TV site isn’t playing ball, the issue may lie with your VPN server, so swapping to an alternative could be the answer. Top VPNs provide numerous servers within each country.

Try disconnecting from the UK-based server that you’re using with NOW TV. Precise steps will vary, but ExpressVPN users can select the three dots icon to see a list of alternative servers in the same country.

3. Message Customer Support

The most popular VPNs employ teams to address technical issues. If you’re having trouble using NOW TV while abroad, reach out to them for assistance.

Access your VPN provider’s website and head to the Support or Contact Us pages. Some VPNs even provide a 24/7 live chat service for their members, which is great if you’re reaching out late in the day.

4. Reset your VPN

Restart your PC or phone and then launch your VPN again. If that doesn’t resolve the issue with NOW TV, completely uninstall and reinstall your VPN. Open both your VPN and NOW TV to see what the results are.

5. Check your internet connection

To do this, disconnect from your wi-fi entirely and reconnect. Once your connection is back, try your VPN once more and consider restarting your internet router for a full reset – you’ll spot a button on the back.

You should also run a free internet speed tool and compare results alongside your ISP’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise. Contact your ISP if your connection is unstable outside of VPN use.

More NOW TV fixes:

If you’re on a phone, clear your cache and cookies. From an iPhone, you need to choose Settings > General > iPhone storage, then choose the NOW TV app. Select Offload app. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > NOW TV > Storage > Clear cache.

If you’re using NOW TV on desktop, clear your cache and cookies. On Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Re-enter your VPN username and password. Double-check your credentials. If you can’t remember your details, choose the ‘Forgot’ option on your VPN provider’s website.

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 NOW TV. If not, your VPN is broken.

Check the VPN servers are online. If you can’t connect to a server, your provider might be experiencing an outage.

Check that your firewall allows VPN use. 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.

Are you using the latest version of your web browser?

Your current web browser version might be incompatible with your browser-based VPN. If you’ve already updated your VPN, make sure you update your browser as well. On Chrome, you would go to Settings > About Chrome.

Are you tiring out your VPN?

When 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.

Best VPNs for NOW TV

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 streaming video from NOW TV, create a membership with ExpressVPN. We think it’s easy to use, plus it works really well if you’re trying to enjoy region-locked goodies. To watch TV anywhere, all you need to do is open up ExpressVPN, connect to a server in a supported region and go from there.

Meanwhile, this VPN keeps your real IP address private, so websites won’t know you’re accessing content from outside of a supported country. 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 if you’re a NOW TV fan and it’s a reliable option if you don’t want to spend lots of money on a VPN to watch TV. This service supports 256-bit encryption, which helps keep cybercriminals away. On top of that, you also get public wi-fi security that protects your gadgets against malware if you’re connecting to a hotspot in a public area.

Wherever you are in the world, you can use Ivacy to access geo-restricted websites like NOW TV without anybody knowing about it. That’s thanks to Ivacy’s very 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

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 region-locked content. NordVPN has servers all over the world and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption. With Nord’s enhanced encryption technology, you can even stay safe on public wi-fi networks without speeds being affected.

NordVPN’s servers are secure and you can connect without handing over personal data. This VPN doesn’t watch how you’re using the service, so privacy is guaranteed. You can also try the CyberSec feature, which blocks suspicious-looking websites and lowers 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

Using NOW TV on PC and mobile

How to watch NOW TV 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 UK.
4. Once you’re connected, head to the NOW TV website.
5. Log in to your NOW TV account.

Watch NOW TV 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 UK.
4. When you’re connected, visit the NOW TV website.
5. Log in to your NOW TV account.

How to watch NOW TV on iPhone

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

Watch NOW TV 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 NOW TV 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 NOW TV app and log in to your account.

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