Showmax isn’t working with my VPN: fix it FAST

Launched back in 2015, Showmax is a subscription service with a growing library. If you want to use it anywhere in the world, you need a VPN – but what if it breaks? See our list of fixes below if your VPN isn’t working with Showmax.

If your device isn’t hiding your real location, Showmax will interfere with the server you’re using, making your VPN useless. Bad VPNs take a long time to replace blacklisted servers, which means you have no way of gaining access to region-locked content.

Which VPNs work with Showmax?

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 my VPN not working with Showmax?

You might have landed on this article because your current VPN is not playing nicely with Showmax. If you’re attempting to view Showmax shows from a country that isn’t officially supported, your connection could be unexpectedly blocked. However, a reputable VPN can help you access originals from anywhere in the world.

Your current VPN fails to unlock Showmax and that’s probably because it’s not hiding your location. The VPN servers you have available to you through your current VPN could well be blacklisted by the website you’re trying to stream from.

See also: Countries that offer official support for Showmax

In summary, common Showmax issues:

• The streamer has 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 to Showmax

Showmax fixes

1. Check your VPN is up to date

If your VPN doesn’t work with Showmax content, 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.

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 server

VPN servers can die every so often – it’s fairly normal. If Showmax isn’t letting you stream, 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 server that you’re using with Showmax. 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

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, completely uninstall and reinstall your VPN. Open your VPN and Showmax 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 Showmax 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 Showmax app. Select Offload app. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Showmax > Storage > Clear cache.

Are your details public due to a DNS leak? An ineffective VPN fails to mask your IP address and location while using Showmax. To assess its performance, deactivate the VPN and visit the IP Address Lookup tool to record your IP address. Then, activate your VPN and rerun the test – if your IP and location remain unchanged, you need to swap to a better VPN.

If you’re on Showmax 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 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.

➡️ Download our free VPN troubleshooting tips poster ⬅️

Best VPNs for Showmax

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)

To stream on-demand shows from Showmax, use ExpressVPN today. It’s user-friendly, fast and effective for accessing region-restricted content. With ExpressVPN, all you need to do is connect to a server and you can easily watch Showmax originals from anywhere.

ExpressVPN conceals your actual IP address, making it impossible for websites to see that you’re enjoying content from a non-supported country. With servers available in more than 90 countries, every ExpressVPN user can benefit from global coverage. ExpressVPN is compatible with various devices including Mac, Android, and iOS smartphones.

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 an excellent choice if you want an Showmax-compatible VPN. The service employs 256-bit encryption to ward off cybercriminals, also featuring public wi-fi security to safeguard your devices from malware when connected to hotspots in public areas.

With Ivacy, you can easily access Showmax shows without anyone being the wiser. This is due to Ivacy’s stringent no-logs policy, which prevents your sensitive personal information from being sold to nefarious third parties.

Ivacy is among the most popular VPNs proven to work on Showmax. By trying it out today, you can gain immediate access to over 3,000 VPN servers worldwide. A single Ivacy subscription provides coverage for up to 10 devices at once, making it ideal for a family of streamers.

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)

NordVPN is another exceptional VPN that enables you to view region-locked content on Showmax. It has servers distributed worldwide, safeguarded by military-grade encryption. Furthermore, NordVPN’s advanced encryption technology allows you to stay secure on public Wi-Fi networks without compromising speed.

The servers on offer are highly secure, and you can connect without divulging your personal information. NordVPN doesn’t spy on you, either. Moreover, you can explore the CyberSec feature, which effectively blocks dubious websites and reduces the likelihood of your device being infected with data-stealing malware.

With NordVPN, you can stream Showmax shows from anywhere within minutes. Simply connect to a VPN server and go from there. Plus, NordVPN offers a 24/7 live chat service to assist you whenever necessary.

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 one of our top recommendations for streaming content on Showmax. With optimised servers designed to reduce load times, it’s easy to use and provides a great streaming experience.

One of the best features of PureVPN is the encryption of data, which ensures complete anonymity while streaming. Additionally, there’s a 24-hour support team available to answer any questions you might have. Even if you’re not currently based in a supported country, PureVPN makes it easy to bypass geo-locked apps.

With over 6,500 servers in more than 75 countries worldwide, PureVPN provides ample opportunities for unlocking content on Showmax. Plus, if you’re not completely satisfied after trying it out, the brand offers a 31-day money-back guarantee.

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 use a VPN with Showmax

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 your device, download and open the ExpressVPN app and select a server in a country that officially supports Showmax.
4. Once you’re connected, head to Showmax.
5. Log in to your Showmax account and enjoy.

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