If you’re wondering Why BBC iPlayer not working with VPN, read on. This guide covers all of the probable causes of this problem, as well as solutions.
BBC iPlayer is a video-on-demand (VOD) streaming service from BBC which lets you watch popular movies and shows like Interior Design Masters, Killing Eve, Happy Valley Season 3, The Apprentice, The Warship: Tour of Duty, Death In Paradise, Witness and much more.
You may also watch horror movies online by using the BBC iPlayer free trial.
You can access and watch BBC iPlayer only in the UK due to geo-restrictions and license agreements. However, not all VPNs are capable of circumventing BBC iPlayer’s stringent limitations. ExpressVPN is the most reliable VPN service that will unblock BBC iPlayer outside UK and anywhere else in the globe.
BBC iPlayer is compatible with most devices; if you ever attempt to access it outside the UK without using a VPN service, you will encounter this “Error Message” mentioned below:
“BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it’s due to rights issues. In the UK? Here’s some advice.”
Continue reading to discover the most common reasons why a VPN fails to access BBC iPlayer outside of the UK:
Why VPN doesn’t work with BBC iPlayer? [Reasons]
The BBC iPlayer, which is one of the most prominent broadcasters in the United Kingdom, has invested a significant amount of money, time, and effort in an attempt to discourage customers who are based in other regions from accessing its online TV streaming service.
This means that using a VPN to get access to content on BBC iPlayer may at times be difficult.
Let’s go through the possible reasons why BBC iPlayer not working with VPN:
- A VPN provides you with different servers to unblock geo-restricted streaming services; BBC iPlayer would have blacklisted those servers.
- Your VPN is not capable of masking your original location. Thus, your IP address and the location of the device do not match. Only masking your IPv4 and leaving IPv6 unprotected.
- Your actual IP address is exposed and detected by BBC iPlayer.
- BBC iPlayer has stored cookies on the device that you are using for accessing iPlayer and this notifies the BBC service that you are not from UK and mark you as an outsider.
- The VPN you are using is not enough capable to bypass BBC iPlayer’s geo-blocks.
- BBC iPlayer has invested in its content restriction technologies and is best at determining virtual servers.
How to Quick Fix VPN problems with BBC iPlayer?
You may watch content from BBC iPlayer no matter where you are if you follow the instructions that are given below to fix the problems that were described in the article.
You are required to use BBC iPlayer at the end of each stage to validate that the process was successful. If the problem persists, you may go on to the next step.
If you’re having trouble accessing BBC iPlayer with your VPN, try one of the solutions listed below: It’s possible that this will fix the problem with your BBC iPlayer not working with VPN:
- Delete all cookies and cached data from your internet Browser or try a new one. (Chrome from Google, Firefox from Mozilla, Safari from Apple, or any other browser).
- Contact the customer support team of your VPN and inquire about the service’s capacity to unblock popular streaming services.
- Turn on “leak prevention” in the settings of your VPN to prevent BBC iPlayer from determining your real location.
- Instead of streaming it on your mobile device, you should watch BBC iPlayer on your own computer (PC or Mac) or any other desktop operating system. Your GPS position and IP address won’t be able to cross-reference each other if you do this.
- If none of these solutions works with your VPN, then you will need to look into using a different VPN provider. Let’s look at the VPN mentioned in this article.
BBC iPlayer Still not Working? – Check the Troubleshooting tips
This is frustrating when you wish to stream FA Cup 2023, Scottish Championship on BBC iPlayer or any other sport and get an error while accessing the BBC iPlayer outside of the UK.
Below we have mentioned quick solutions to try on solving the issue of BBC iPlayer not working with VPN:
Switch Servers
If you are unable to unblock or access BBC iPlayer while connected to a VPN server, you must change to a different VPN server that allows you to use a new IP address.
If switching VPN servers does not work, you should contact VPN customer service and ask them to resolve the problem.
Clear Your Tracking Cookies
The issue arises when your VPN fails to employ a “URL trimmer” function or any other trustworthy protocol, allowing BBC iPlayer’s client-server to track your IP address using IPV6 meta-data.
You may delete the cache memory as well as the meta-data saved in your browser. It may remove your local IP address’s history from the BBC iPlayer server, enabling you to continue streaming uninterrupted.
Restart Your Browser
Before doing anything further, make sure that all of the tabs on your internet browser are closed and then exit the browser itself.
Check to see whether you can access BBC iPlayer when you have re-launched the browser. If you’re unable to find a solution to the problem at hand, go on to the next one.
Enable Leak Protection
Enable the DNS leak prevention option provided by your VPN. You should give the BBC iPlayer another go and try to access it.
You also have the option to activate the automatic Kill Switch that comes with the VPN. This will hide your online activities and keep your digital footprints secure.
Switch Time Zones
By following the time zone used throughout the UK, you may demonstrate that you are a British citizen. Simply search for “time settings” in your smartphone’s settings menu. Consider changing your time zone.
You have the option of using Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0) or British Summer Time (UTC + 1).
Switch Devices
It is conceivable that your Smart TV may well not support BBC iPlayer streaming. It’s likely that this is due to the weak SmartDNS technology included with your VPN.
Install your VPN on an HTML5-capable device, such as a desktop computer, iPhone, Android phone, laptop computer, or even an iPad.
Get a Dedicated IP Address
Premium VPNs do generate a distinct IP address that belongs in the United Kingdom. You won’t have any problem streaming any content from the BBC iPlayer this way.
To access BBC iPlayer from any location, make sure the VPN you use has “Dynamic Multi-hop” capabilities. This allows you to establish a completely dedicated IP address.
Which VPNs still work with BBC iPlayer?
The following VPNs are those that have been tested and found to be reliable for unblocking BBC iPlayer and operating with it. Hopefully one of them will fix your problem.
Following are three VPNs that, according to our testing of more than 50 different VPNs currently available on the market, have a high level of compatibility with BBC iPlayer and may assist in resolving issues. Let’s check out:
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is considered to be the best VPN service for getting around geo-restrictions on BBC iPlayer and accessing it from locations other than the United Kingdom. Over 3000+ servers located in 105 countries make up the ExpressVPN wider server network.
It provides MediaStreamer features to its users so that you can connect it to devices which do not support VPN.
It offers 92.26 Mbps download speed and 89.45 Mbps upload speed on the test of a 100 Mbps connection. This speed will let you access Dragons Den, Gold and many other shows of BBC iPlayer without facing any buffer.
It provides buffer-free streaming thanks to its 5 dedicated servers located in the UK, which you may use. Docklands, London, Wembley, Midlands, and East London are the names of the respective servers in question.
Docklands and East London servers are the most recommended servers; however London server has some connectivity issues so you should not use it. You may watch BBC iPlayer movies, and BBC iPlayer shows by using our recommended servers. You can get ExpressVPN at a price of GB£ 5.32/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free.
Surfshark
Users may access BBC iPlayer from places outside the UK with a subscription to Surfshark for the inexpensive monthly charge of GB£ 1.99/mo (US$ 2.49/mo) - Save up to 77% with exclusive 2-year plan + 30-day money-back guarantee (a savings of 83% on a 2-year subscription).
It offers a Smart DNS feature along with multiple other advanced features. Surfshark provided us with an upload speed of 54.22 Mbps and a download speed of 88.78 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection.
It offers 3200+ servers in 100+ countries including 4 UK servers located in Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London. London and Manchester servers are recommended because of their fast connectivity, but you should avoid the Glasgow server because of its high traffic.
This is made possible by the fact that Surfshark is an inexpensive and user-friendly VPN. Customers of streaming services who are searching for low-cost unblocking alternatives have given Surfshark a lot of positive feedback in recent years.
One of Surfshark’s best features is that it let access to unlimited users on a single account subscription simultaneously. Since not all VPNs allow for this functionality, it’s a significant plus.
NordVPN
NordVPN has such a wide server network that accessing BBC iPlayer will not be an issue. The VPN has over 6000+ ultra fast servers in 61 countries, including 440+ servers located in UK.
The London server is recommended, but you should not use the Manchester server because of its low connectivity and slow speed. NordVPN provided us with a download speed of 87.78 Mbps and an upload speed of 42.22 Mbps.
You can get NordVPN at a price of GB£ 3.18/mo (US$ 3.99/mo) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend along with advanced features like Smart DNS, OpenVPN, DoubleVPN and many more.
Which VPNs don’t work with BBC iPlayer?
The BBC has increased its capacity to detect and restrict VPNs by using more advanced monitoring, active screening, and other VPN-specific approaches.
There are currently a substantial number of VPNs that do not perform well. Here are the names of the VPNs listed below:
- Norton VPN
- Hotspot Shield
- TunnelBear
- VyprVPN
- HideMyAss
- IPVanish
- Windscribe
- Buffered
Why Doesn’t My VPN Work with BBC iPlayer?
“Why is BBC iPlayer not working with VPN?” you must be bewildered. Your VPN provider’s name may show on this list of VPNs that have been blocked by BBC iPlayer. The BBC iPlayer may detect VPNs for a variety of reasons, most of which are connected to your real location, including the following:
- Your VPN is not concealing your genuine IP address. Some VPNs conceal just your IPv4 address, while others reveal your IPv6 address.
- Your VPN provider uses servers that may betray your genuine location. Some VPNs utilize virtual servers to save money rather than investing in physical servers in each location.
- Your smartphone displays the precise GPS location of your current location. This is an obvious contradiction to your declared virtual location in the United Kingdom.
- Cookies have been installed on your device and are supplying BBC iPlayer with information about your current location.
- BBC iPlayer has put the servers you use for your VPN on a blacklist. This problem is more frequent if your VPN has a restricted server network. When a VPN has a large server network, BBC iPlayer finds it much more difficult to stop VPNs.
- Your VPN lacks the power required to keep up with the frequently changing geo-blocks issued by BBC iPlayer.
We highly recommend ExpressVPN to watch BBC iPlayer without danger. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, offers lightning-fast connection speeds, and a vast network, including numerous servers in the United Kingdom that have access to BBC iPlayer.
FAQs – BBC iPlayer isn’t working
How does BBC iPlayer detect my VPN?
Are there any free VPNs that work with iPlayer?
Is it legal to watch iPlayer with a VPN?
Wrapping UP!
The approaches described in this article are sufficient to resolve the majority of the concerns that prohibit you from using a VPN to access BBC iPlayer and resolve the problem of BBC iPlayer not working with VPN.
It is important to keep in mind that the BBC iPlayer has some of the most restrictive geo-restrictions of almost any streaming platform. As a consequence of this, not every VPN is powerful enough to allow users to access reality show or any content from the BBC iPlayer outside of the UK.
If none of these potential fixes worked for you, it is possible that you need to switch to a new VPN such as ExpressVPN: We consider it to be the best option for continuously streaming content from the BBC iPlayer.
If you are dissatisfied with the content or service, you may cancel your BBC iPlayer subscription at any time.