ThreeNow isn’t working with my VPN: 5 EASY fixes

ThreeNow (previously 3Now) is only available in New Zealand. You can access it abroad using a VPN, but what if it suddenly locks you out? In our troubleshooting guide, we explain what to do if your VPN isn’t working with ThreeNow.

If your current VPN is failing, you won’t be able to use your ThreeNow account outside of New Zealand. Explore our list of common fixes to solve the problem.

Which VPNs work with ThreeNow?

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 ThreeNow not working with my VPN?

If the ThreeNow website discovers that you’re using the service from an area outside of New Zealand, you’ll likely be blocked right away. Certain countries will limit access to ThreeNow due to licensing laws, or because there are laws in that country that wag their finger at VPN use.

How does ThreeNow detect my VPN?

If your VPN isn’t very good and doesn’t hide your real location 100% of the time, ThreeNow will blacklist the server you’re using, which means your VPN is useless. Bad VPNs take a long time to replace those dodgy, blacklisted servers, which means you have no way of gaining access to shows streaming on ThreeNow’s website.

The best VPNs for ThreeNow will have a replacement will be up sooner rather than later. The VPNs we’ve highlighted in this guide do a great job of fixing their blacklisted servers.

In summary, common ThreeNow issues include:

• The TV streaming service has blacklisted your VPN servers
• You have a bad network connection preventing you from streaming
• Cookies are revealing your actual location instead of the location you’re trying to mimic
• Your VPN is revealing your IP address

ThreeNow fixes

1. Update your VPN

If you’re running into error messages while trying to use ThreeNow, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re using the most recent version of your VPN. Here’s a simple guide on how to update it:

• For those using a computer, begin by launching your VPN and then go to Settings. Typically, you’ll find an Update button, which redirects you to the VPN provider’s website. There, you can get all the details on the latest updates and improvements.
• If you’re on Android, update your VPN by heading to 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.
• For iPhone users, the process is fairly straightforward. 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. Use a different VPN server

Sometimes, VPN servers can be a bit sluggish and might stop working as expected. If you’re having trouble accessing ThreeNow, it’s a good idea to consider switching to a different VPN server.

Start by disconnecting from your current server. The exact steps for this can differ depending on the VPN service you’re using. For instance, if you’re using ExpressVPN, you can usually select the three dots icon to access a list of alternative servers within the same country.

3. Get help from Customer Support

The VPN services we’ve recommended on this page usually have dedicated customer support teams to assist with technical issues. If you’re experiencing difficulties with ThreeNow, don’t hesitate to reach out to them for help.

4. Restart your VPN

If switching servers didn’t fix the problem, completely uninstall your VPN, then reinstall it. After the reinstallation, open both your VPN and ThreeNow 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 more thorough reset by restarting your router. You’ll typically find a button on the back of the gadget.

You can also assess your internet connection by running a free internet speed test, such as Ookla. This test will allow you to compare the results with your Internet Service Provider’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise.

More ThreeNow fixes:

Clear cache and cookies. In Chrome, navigate to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. If you’re using an Apple computer with Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

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 ThreeNow. 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.

Re-enter your VPN username and password. It may seem obvious, but check if you’ve entered your VPN login details correctly. Incorrect credentials could be the reason ThreeNow isn’t unlocking.

Check the VPN servers. If you can’t connect to a server, your provider might be to blame. The best providers (we like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Ivacy and PureVPN) are transparent about this.

Check your firewall allows VPNs. On Windows, open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

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.

Are you tiring out your VPN? If you’re streaming, gaming, and using social media simultaneously, your VPN might struggle to keep up. Try closing a few apps to see if it improves your VPN performance.

Best VPNs for ThreeNow

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)

ExpressVPN does a cracking job of replacing its blacklisted servers. That means that, even if ThreeNow temporarily disables incoming connections from ExpressVPN, the VPN will have a replacement server up and running in no time. To access your account, all you need to do is open up ExpressVPN, connect to a server based in New Zealand and go from there.

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 ThreeNow while you’re travelling outside of New Zealand. NordVPN has servers positioned across the globe and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption. In fact, with NordVPN’s enhanced encryption technology, you can even stay safe on public wi-fi networks without slowing down.

NordVPN’s servers are super secure and you can connect to any of them without handing over your personal data. This trusted VPN will never keep a track of how you’re using the service and which websites you’re visiting, which means privacy is guaranteed. You can also enable NordVPN’s CyberSec feature, which automatically blocks suspicious-looking websites and therefore reduces 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

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 ThreeNow 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 helps keep cybercriminals at bay, plus you get public wi-fi security that means you can protect against malware if you’re connecting to a hotspot in a public area.

Crucially, you can use Ivacy to access geo-restricted websites such as ThreeNow without anybody knowing about it. That’s thanks to Ivacy’s 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 ThreeNow, treat yourself to a better service. PureVPN is a great example, powerful enough to bypass geo-locked websites and services so you can enjoy ThreeNow shows without a fuss. You’ll be able to log in to your ThreeNow account even if you’ve roamed outside of New Zealand.

Aside from ThreeNow, 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

FAQs: Using ThreeNow with a VPN

How to watch ThreeNow 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 New Zealand.
4. Once you’re connected to that server, head to the ThreeNow website.

Watch ThreeNow 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 New Zealand.
4. Once connected, head to the ThreeNow website.

How to watch ThreeNow on iPhone

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

Watch ThreeNow 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 ThreeNow 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 New Zealand.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the ThreeNow app and log in to your account.

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