My VPN isn’t working with Twitch: 9 QUICK fixes

Twitch is one of the most popular live-streaming services around, but it remains locked in some countries including China. If your VPN is not working with Twitch, consult our list of easy fixes so you can use it from anywhere.

If your device isn’t hiding your real location while you’re in a restricted area, Twitch will interfere with the server you’re using. Below, we explain how to solve the problem.

Which VPNs work with Twitch?

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 Twitch?

You might have landed on this article because your current VPN fails to unlock Twitch. If you’re attempting to use the website or app from a restricted territory, your connection could be blocked. However, top VPNs for Twitch can help you catch (or host) streams from anywhere in the world.

Your current VPN is failing you 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 swapping to a better VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN), you’ll be able to use Twitch without being interrupted.

In summary, common reasons for Twitch failing to load:

• Your VPN servers might have been blacklisted by the streamer
• Cookies stored in your browser are telling Twitch about your real location and not your spoofed location
• A VPN is leaking your IP address, which causes the website to block traffic

Try these Twitch fixes

1. Update your VPN

In cases where the live-streaming site doesn’t pair with your VPN, make sure you’re running the latest version as issues will have been patched. You need to take a trip to your VPN settings.

From your PC, open the VPN and then the Settings or Options menu. Some VPNs that we’ve been hands-on with will display a message telling you about updates. See an example here:

Choosing the Update option transports you to the VPN provider’s website, where you can learn more about what’s new in the latest build.

If you’re using an Android, open the Google Play store, tap your user profile in the top-right corner of the screen and then Manage apps and device. Finally, choose Update or Update all.

On iPhone or iPad, open the Apple App Store and tap your user profile in the top-right corner of the screen.

2. Use a different VPN server

VPN servers can sometimes become unavailable or slower than usual.

The best VPNs that we’ve been hands-on with offer multiple servers for each country. ExpressVPN has a UK Docklands server as well as alternatives in East London, for example. We suggest you go between them and see which one works best.

Try disconnecting from the server you’re using. ExpressVPN users can select the three dots icon to see a list of alternative servers in the same country. You can also favourite the server (use the Star icon) that works best for you.

3. Contact VPN support

Our recommended providers all manage support teams. For times when the Twitch website or app errors, reach out to an expert for step-by-step guidance.

From a computer, head to your VPN provider’s website and find the Support or Contact us pages. Some VPNs offer a live chat service for members.

4. Reset your VPN

Whether you’re on a PC, smartphone or tablet, restart your device and open your VPN again. If that doesn’t work, delete and reinstall your VPN. Load up your VPN and Twitch and see if performance has improved.

5. Check your internet connection

Disconnect from your wi-fi network and then reconnect. Try and run your VPN once again. You can also go a step further and restart your internet router. Speeds of 5-10Mbps should be enough, but you might prefer over 20Mbps if you’re streaming or gaming.

More Twitch fixes:

Have you cleared cache and cookies from your internet browser? On Google Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Check to see if you’ve been hit by a DNS leak. This implies your regular IP address and location can be seen by websites and apps, even when using a VPN. Test the effectiveness of your VPN using the IP Address Lookup tool – this way, you can check if your IP address changes when you activate your VPN and visit Twitch. If there’s no change, it shows your VPN is not functioning properly.

Have you entered your VPN username and password correctly? Double-check your login credentials. If you can’t remember your details, choose the ‘Forgot’ option on your VPN provider’s website so you get a reset link sent to your inbox.

Are the VPN servers active? If Twitch isn’t working, your provider might be experiencing an outage. The best providers are transparent about this and actively update their server status online.

Is your firewall blocking your VPN or Twitch?

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.

➡️ Download our free VPN troubleshooting tips poster ⬅️

The best VPNs for Twitch

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 catch streams on Twitch from anywhere, use ExpressVPN. 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 your favourite Twitch streamers from anywhere.

ExpressVPN hides your 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 a Twitch-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 Twitch streams abroad without anyone (including your ISP) being aware. 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 Twitch. 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 families.

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 streams on Twitch. 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 browse Twitch streams abroad 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 on Twitch. 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 Twitch. 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 Twitch

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 Twitch – the US, for example.
4. Once you’re connected, head to Twitch.
5. Log in to your Twitch account and enjoy.

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