Does Private Internet Access work with Netflix?

A VPN is a must if you want to bypass the notorious geo-blocks and access different Netflix libraries, get a US IP address, and stream from anywhere. However, not all VPNs are able to unblock Netflix and its foreign libraries.

Private Internet Access VPN is compatible with Netflix and unlocks six major Netflix regional libraries. Although it shows the best results in the US region, you can also access UK, Japanese, Italy, Germany, and Canadian libraries.

If you're located outside these regions or traveling abroad, you won’t be able to access these libraries and watch US-exclusive shows like Apocalypse Now Redux or Glass Onion: A Knives Our Mystery, even if you pay the full Netflix subscription price. In this case, you’ll have to rely on a VPN to stream them from anywhere in the world.

In this article, we’ll go through the steps on how to access and stream Netflix content with Private Internet Acess VPN, provide tips if it doesn’t work, and more.

How to watch Netflix with Private Internet Access: a quick guide

Accessing Netflix with Private Internet Access is straightforward. Here’s how to do it in four easy steps:

1. Sign up for a subscription with Private Internet Access.
2. Download the app and install it.
3. Connect to PIA's server in the country with desired content.
4. Open Netflix and start watching your favorite shows!

Stream with Private Internet Access

PIA VPN not working with Netflix: what to do?

Private Internet Access is an excellent choice to stream US Netflix library, however, in other regions, you can sometimes encounter a "Whoops, something went wrong" Netflix error. A few years back, Private Internet Access representatives admitted that Netflix is blocking their IP addresses, but there are some workarounds.

If you notice that Private Internet Access VPN is not working with Netflix, check the tips and tricks below. However, our tests with PIA failed to unlock several libraries, such as Spain, India, and Sweden. We recommend trying out other VPNs from our best Netflix VPNs in the 2024 list if you want to access less popular Netflix libraries.

Here's what you can do if Netflix is blocking Private Internet Access:

1. Double-check your IP

Sometimes, Private Internet Access may fail to change your original IP address, which is called an IP address leak. You can verify whether your IP is masked on pages like whatismyip.com. If it displays your original address, Netflix will identify your real geographical location and limit the content to that region.

Private Internet Access provides three ways how to fix an IP address leak:

• Clear browser cache and cookies.
• Disable WebRTC in your browser.
• Change ports in Private Internet Access app. Visit PIA's helpdesk site or contact support for step-by-step instructions.
• Reconnect to PIA's server and once again verify your IP address.

2. Try connecting to different servers

Netflix has fierce anti-VPN laws and hunts down VPN IP addresses and bans them. Sometimes Netflix bans a whole batch of VPN IPs, and you may encounter errors switching between multiple servers in the same location.

If you can't access Netflix via Private Internet Access VPN, try connecting to a server further away. Remember that all US states have the same Netflix content availability. You can connect to a server in a different state and restart Netflix to verify unblocked content.

Moreover, PIA's US server pool is enormous, and you will have no trouble finding alternative, working servers.

Here are the US server locations: in New York, Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Florida, Texas, Denver, California, Seattle, Las Vegas, Silicon Valley, Phoenix, Trenton, Birmingham, Louisville, Charlotte, Columbia SC, Nashville, Virginia Beach, Charleston, Little Rock, New Orleans, Wichita, Jackson, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Portland Maine, Boston, Concord, Bridgeport, Burlington, Providence, Philadelphia, Billings, Fargo, Portland Oregon, Boise, Indianapolis, Des Moines, Detroit, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Omaha, Milwaukee, Columbus, Sioux Falls, Anchorage, Cheyenne plus Baltimore, Wilmington, Salt Lake City, and Honolulu.

3. Clear your browser's cache

Netflix monitors users' IP addresses to decide their geographical location, but it also uses additional technology to identify them. Netflix openly admits using cookies, web beacons, and resettable device identifiers to enforce its Terms of Service, including geographical restrictions.

Clearing your browser's cache and deleting cookies will remove your identifiable information, including the associated original IP address. Even if you're connected to PIA's server and use its alternative IP address, Netflix can deduce original information by inspecting the browser's cache and cookies.

Don't forget to keep your Netflix credentials close because you will have to log in after clearing your browser.

4. Get a dedicated IP address

VPN services enhance their online privacy protection by sharing servers between multiple users. This way, specific online activities cannot be traced back to one particular user, improving online safety.

However, if multiple users on the same VPN server connect to their Netflix accounts, it will see their shared IP address and, on most occasions, deny access. To solve this issue, you can use PIA's dedicated IP address. Here's how to get it:

1. Select PIA's subscription plan and check the Dedicated IP box.
2. Select the dedicated IP address location.
3. Validate it within the VPN app.

You will have to pay extra for this feature, costing $5/per month. You can check other VPNs with dedicated IP addresses for more flexible options.

5. Flush your DNS cache

Sometimes your device may operate the original DNS server instead of Private Internet Access DNS, and Netflix will use this information to determine your geographical location. Follow these steps to flush your DNS on Windows and then reconnect to the Private Internet Access server and reload the Netflix app or website:

1. Press the Windows key + R together to open the run box.
2. Type cmd to open the command prompt.
3. Type ipconfig/flushdns and press enter.

Can I watch Netflix for free with a Private Internet Access free trial?

Even though there's a PIA free trial on their website, it's a 30-day no-questions money-back guarantee, which is just as good in the end. However, Netflix does not offer a free trial or money-back guarantee, so there's no way to try out the service for free.

Luckily, you can still use a VPN to get Netflix cheaper. You can use Private Internet Access to connect to a location where Netflix subscription costs less, and at least you will benefit in this way.

What Private Internet Access server to use for Netflix?

Private Internet Access is a secure and reliable VPN that has gone through an independent audit to prove its no-logs claim. But where it truly outshines the competition is the gigantic server network.

Private Internet Access VPN has 30000+ servers in 91 countries, which is one of the biggest numbers among the best VPN providers in the market. Of course, some servers are virtual, but that does not diminish their achievements in building this vast network.

Regarding Private Internet Access Netflix US performance, the Washington DC server worked flawlessly. We also encountered no troubles using Italy streaming optimized server. What was that? That's right, Private Internet Access implemented streaming-optimized servers for better streaming performance.

We tested out US West streaming-optimized server, which worked just as well as Washington DC. However, such servers in Finland or Sweden failed to unlock their Netflix libraries. You will find these specialty servers marked on PIA's app. Here's the list of Netflix libraries this VPN unblock:

Why choose Private Internet Access for Netflix?

Even though Private Internet Access does not unlock that many Netflix libraries, there's a good reason why it has a tight-knit, dedicated community. Here are a few more reasons for you to try this VPN out:

• Vast server pool. Private Internet Access has a huge server fleet of 30000+ servers in 2.03 countries. This will ensure servers won’t be overcrowded and streaming on Netflix will be lag-free.
• Streaming optimized servers. Because Netflix steps the extra mile to block VPN users, servers dedicated to streaming performance are a significant advantage.
• Multi-device compatibility. Private Internet Access has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android – so you can use it on your preferred device.
• Cybersecurity features. Private Internet Access offers a functional kill switch, WireGuard protocol, split-tunneling, and Adblock.
• Genuine no-logs policy. Private Internet Access chose one of the Big Four accounting firms to audit their services, and the results proved they do not log any online user activities. The tests checked the Private Internet Access server infrastructure and any vulnerabilities that could expose online user activities.

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