BBC iPlayer Not Working With a VPN – Quick Fix (2024)

BBC iPlayer is one of the best streaming platforms based in the UK. It offers one of the best content collections. But the not-so-good part is that this platform is geographically restricted due to which it only functions in the UK. So, if you are anywhere outside the UK, you will require a VPN to unblock and watch on BBC iPlayer.

Many users have reported that even after using a VPN, they face difficulty watching on BBC iPlayer outside the UK. This is a common issue and may be caused due to various different reasons. Each of these causes can be easily identified and a quick fix can easily help with them.

The best way to avoid any issue is to make use of a good VPN, like ExpressVPN, in the first place. Let’s learn more about easy fixes to BBC iPlayer not working with a VPN.

Steps to properly use a VPN with BBC iPlayer

Step 1: Subscribe to a VPN server. Since this is the most important step, make sure that you are considering all important factors like encryption and security features. We recommend ExpressVPN for the best VPN experience.

Step 2: Choose a VPN service plan that best suits you and proceed to download the VPN app of your chosen VPN on your device. After the download finish, install the VPN app.

Step 3: Open the VPN app and set up your VPN account. Input all the necessary information and proceed to log in to your subscribed plan.

Step 4: Once you are logged in to the VPN app, you will see a number of VPN options scattered across various countries. You have to connect to a VPN server which is located in the UK. (This will provide you with an uninterrupted access to BBC iPlayer and other UK-base services and content).

Step 5: Go to BBC iPlayer and log in to your BBC iPlayer user account. If you do not have an account on BBC iPlayer, you can simply sign up for free and it will not take more than a couple minutes at maximum.

You should now be able to watch your favorite shows, movies and more on BBC iPlayer from anywhere around the world.

Why is VPN not working with BBC iPlayer

Many users have reported issues with their VPN not functioning well with BBC iPlayer. If you are one of them, you do not have to worry as this is no major issue. Here, we will identity various causes why that may happen and then will provide an easy quick fix to address each cause:

1. BBC iPlayer find out that you are using a VPN

Top-notch premium streaming services like BBC iPlayer have a strong surveillance system which can filter out and block those connection which it detects are using a VPN. This usually happens when you do not use a strong VPN service. All strong VPN services, like ExpressVPN, are capable of evading the eyes of BBC iPlayer.

2. VPN server’s IP address is blacklisted

Any platform can detect the use of a VPN if it find out that too many devices are connected with the same IP address. It, therefore, blocks those IP address that it is suspicious of. So, if you use a VPN server that has too many devices connected to it, the entire IP address is likely to get blacklisted.

3. Weak unblocking technology

If the VPN that you are using does not have a strong unblocking and geographical restriction bypassing technology, you will not be able to bypass the strong blocks of BBC iPlayer outside the UK. So, it is important to get a VPN with strong unblocking technology.

4. Connected to wrong VPN server

You have to make sure that you are connecting to the right VPN server, that is, a VPN server located in the country where the service that you are trying to access is functional, in this case, as BBC iPlayer is functional in the UK, you have to connect to a VPN server in the UK.

5. GPS location does not match the IP address

You may be blocked from accessing BBC iPlayer with a VPN because the service finds out that your GPS location does not match the location that your IP address is showing. So, in such a case, the service finds out that you are using a VPN and therefore blocks your access.

6. Browser cookies are revealing your true location

Sometimes, the reason why you are unable to use a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK is because the browser you are using is revealing your true location with the cookies that you have approved. So, sometimes the problem is as small as the cookies.

7. IP address and DNS leakage

This is one of the primary reasons why a VPN connection gets blocked. That is, if your VPN leaves loopholes in the connection and leaks IP address and DNS, then your use of VPN can easily be detected. Using a good VPN, like ExpressVPN, will ensure failproof connection.

Easy fix to VPN not working with BBC iPlayer

1. Connect your VPN to some other server

As services block your access if they find out that you are using a VPN. In such cases, you will be required to connect your VPN to some other server so that your device gets a new IP address in order to access BBC iPlayer.

2. Change the location of your streaming device

If getting a fake IP address with the help of a VPN is not solving your problem then you need to change the location of your device and then make use of a VPN service. First, you need to change your device’s location to the UK and then connect your VPN with a server of the UK to get an IP address of the UK for your device.

3. Get a suitable IP address for your device

Streaming services like BBC iPlayer block IP addresses which they identify are given by a VPN. This is why you need to choose a VPN which has a lot of server options that are not blocked so that you can always find a suitable IP address to get access to BBC iPlayer.

4. Reboot your mobile phone or other device you are using

BBC iPlayer’s strong mechanism of detection is the reason why some of the common fixes might not work. Therefore, the first thing you should try is rebooting your device and then connecting your VPN service again followed by reloading BBC iPlayer to try getting access.

5. Regularly clear cache and cookies

No matter which browser you use, they all save some cache and cookies which might contain information which can tell your true location. This will lead to your access getting blocked by the service. So, make sure you clear cache and cookies regularly to avoid any such problem.

6. Make sure there are no DNS or IP leaks

DNS and IP addresses can tell a lot of details about you, including your location. You need to make sure there are no DNS or IP leaks because if it happens some information about you will be out, which includes BBC iPlayer finding out your true location and thus your access will be blocked as you are in a geographically restricted location.

7. Switch to another browser

Sometimes even clearing cache and cookies regularly will not fix your problem. When this happens, you should switch to some other browser to continue enjoying streaming on BBC iPlayer.

8. Use some other VPN service

If nothing works then it is an indication that the VPN you are using is not best for BBC iPlayer and you need to get a better VPN service. So, search for a reliable and strong VPN service which is capable of dealing with geographical restrictions imposed on BBC iPlayer. We strongly recommend ExpressVPN for hazardless VPN experience.

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