What Is a VPN Blocker? And How To Bypass Them

Facing a VPN blocker can be aggravating. They can disrupt access to resources, impact your privacy and security, and make accessing geo-restricted content and services harder.

Knowing how to get around virtual private network (VPN) blockers can be invaluable. In this guide, we’ll explain what they are, how they work, and how to bypass them with the best VPN solutions.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. What Is a VPN Blocker?
3. Why Do Companies Block VPNs?
4. How Can You Get Around a VPN Blocker?
5. What VPNs Are Best for Streaming?
6. The Bottom Line
7. VPN Blocker FAQs
8. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. What Is a VPN Blocker?
3. Why Do Companies Block VPNs?
Show Full Guide
4. How Can You Get Around a VPN Blocker?
5. What VPNs Are Best for Streaming?
6. The Bottom Line
7. VPN Blocker FAQs
8. References

Key Takeaways

• VPN blockers are software used to detect and block traffic coming through a VPN.
• Companies use VPN blockers to enforce geo-restrictions, prevent fraud, and maintain data security.
• VPN blockers commonly use techniques such as IP blocking, port blocking, and deep packet inspection to detect and block VPNs.
• You can bypass VPN blockers using stealth VPNs, switching servers, using dedicated IPs, port forwarding, and changing VPN protocols.
• For optimal streaming, select a VPN that offers high speeds, a wide server network, and features to counteract VPN blocks.

What Is a VPN Blocker?

VPN blockers are particularly common among streaming services that need to enforce regional content licensing. Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and the BBC are all websites that use VPN blockers to some extent.

A VPN blocker may use one or more methods to detect and block traffic coming through a VPN. These include:

• IP blocking – Maintaining a list of known VPN server IPs and preventing access to anyone connecting from these addresses.
• Port blocking – Shutting down ports that VPN protocols use to block the associated traffic.
• Deep packet inspection (DPI) – Thoroughly examining data packets for characteristics indicative of VPN use.

These techniques can make it challenging for users to access content that’s restricted in their region or maintain their privacy online.

Why Do Companies Block VPNs?

Companies employ VPN blockers for several reasons, including to:

• Enforce geo-restrictions – Companies restrict content to specific geographical areas to comply with licensing and copyright laws.
• Prevent fraud – To reduce the risk of fraudulent activity, companies may block VPNs that mask malicious users’ locations and identities.
• Maintain data security – Businesses often restrict VPN access to prevent data breaches – specifically from unrecognized or unauthorized sources.
• Ensure regulatory compliance – Some regions have strict internet usage laws, and many companies block VPNs to comply with these regulations.

How Can You Get Around a VPN Blocker?

Bypassing VPN blockers requires the right tools and a little knowledge. Here are some tactics you can employ:

• Use a stealth VPN – Some VPNs offer stealth modes that disguise your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic, making it harder for DPI techniques to detect.
• Switch VPN servers – Regularly changing the server you’re connected to can help you evade IP blocks, as new IPs may not be recognized as part of the VPN’s network.
• Opt for a dedicated IP – A dedicated IP address is unique to you and so has a lower likelihood of being blocked as it isn’t shared with other VPN users.
• Port forwarding – Adjust the ports your VPN uses. If the default VPN ports are blocked, switch to open ones, such as port 443, which is used for HTTPS traffic.
• Try a different VPN protocol – Some VPN protocols are harder to detect than others. If one is blocked, switching to another might solve the problem.

What VPNs Are Best for Streaming?

Good VPNs for streaming offer fast connection speeds to avoid buffering, a global server network to access international content, and stealth features to sidestep VPN blocks.

Some of our favorite VPNs that meet these criteria are:

• PureVPN – with its network of over 6,500 servers.
• ExpressVPN – for its impressive anti-blocking features.
• NordVPN – for its stealth abilities and global server network.

For a more detailed roundup, check out our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.

The Bottom Line

VPN blockers are specialized software employed by websites to identify and block traffic from VPN connections – often to enforce geographical content limitations.

They can make accessing content challenging. However, you can typically get around them by using a stealth VPN, a dedicated IP address, or a different VPN server.

If you primarily use VPNs for streaming, choose a VPN service with an extensive network and stealth features. For more general, uninterrupted VPN use, check out our VPN app recommendations, paying particular attention to those that can help you circumvent VPN blocks.

VPN Blocker FAQs

Richard Sutherland

Technology Expert

Richard Sutherland

Technology Expert

Richard brings more than two decades of computer science, business operations, and full-stack development experience to Techopedia. A Computer Science graduate and former Samsung IT support manager, Richard has taught courses in Java, PHP and Perl, and created code for the public and private sectors. A prolific B2B and B2C tech writer, Richard has worked for Samsung, TechRadar Pro, and more.

All Articles by Richard Sutherland