VPN not working with Roku: 8 ways to FIX it fast

If you’re aiming to unlock region-restricted content on your Roku, a reliable VPN is essential. But what happens if your current VPN app stops working? Our handy guide explains what to do if your VPN is not working with Roku.

When your router fails to hide your location, streaming apps on Roku will interfere with the server you’re using. 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 Roku?

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Why is my VPN not working with Roku?

If a streaming service sees that you’re trying to watch shows from outside of a supported country, your connection could be blocked without warning. However, the best VPNs for Roku can connect to your internet router and partner up with your Roku.

Your current VPN is broken that’s probably because it’s not hiding the location of your router. The VPN servers you have available to you through your current VPN could well be blacklisted by the service you’re trying to stream from.

In summary, common Roku issues:

• A streaming service has blacklisted your go-to VPN server.
• You have a bad internet connection that slows down your VPN.
• Your VPN is revealing your IP address to a service that has region-based locks in place.

Roku fixes

1. Check your VPN is updated

If your VPN doesn’t unlock apps through Roku, check you’re using the most recent version.

To update your VPN from a computer, load up the VPN and then choose Settings. 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 a different server

VPN servers can die every so often. If Roku 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.

3. Message Support

The most popular VPNs have teams that solve technical issues. If you’re having trouble using Roku while connected to a VPN, reach out to them for assistance.

4. Reset your VPN

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

5. Check your internet

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.

More Roku fixes:

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.

Are your details public due to a DNS leak? An ineffective VPN fails to mask your IP address and location while using Roku. 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.

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.

➡️ Download our free VPN troubleshooting tips poster ⬅️

Best VPNs for Roku

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 from any service while using a Roku gadget, 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 in a supported region and you can easily watch TV from anywhere.

ExpressVPN conceals your actual IP address, making it difficult for apps to detect that you are 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 aside from Roku, 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 for Roku users looking for a dependable VPN to stream. 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 geo-restricted apps on Roku 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.

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 Roku. 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.

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 Roku. 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.

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 As per our affiliate policy, we might earn affiliate commission when you select a retailer link. Prices and information correct at time of publication.