How To Bypass the Netflix Password-Sharing Ban with NordVPN

You can bypass the Netflix password-sharing ban by using a dedicated IP address with NordVPN. A dedicated IP provides a consistent IP address regardless of where you and everyone on your Netflix account is located. 

We'll walk you through how to use a dedicated IP address to share your Netflix account to save you money and spare you a headache from Netflix's password-sharing ban.

How to use a dedicated IP to bypass Netflix's password-sharing ban

With a virtual private network (VPN), you can change your IP address to other countries based on the server location. However, many reputable VPN services allow you to purchase a dedicated IP address that belongs only to you.

By setting a dedicated IP address as your “household,” you can use the same location whenever you or anyone you share your account with signs in to Netflix. Because Netflix verifies only your IP address (not your GPS location), a dedicated IP can be an effective workaround for its password-sharing rules.

VPNs hide your real IP behind their own static IP addresses. However, even static IPs can get flagged because streaming services often blacklist known shared VPN servers. 

A dedicated IP avoids this issue because it’s unique to you and far less likely to be blocked.

How to set up and use a dedicated IP address

Below is an example using NordVPN, but the steps will look similar for most VPNs that offer dedicated IPs:

1. If you don’t already have a VPN, then purchase a plan with a dedicated IP add-on.
2. Download and log in to the VPN on whichever device you’ll use to watch Netflix.
3. Select your dedicated IP as your server. In NordVPN, it appears at the top of the server list on the Home tab.
   

   

4. Make sure the VPN is turned on and connected to the dedicated IP.
5. Launch the Netflix app on the same device while connected to the dedicated IP.
6. Consistently sign in from this IP to help Netflix treat it as your “home” location.
7. Give your VPN login to family members so they can also connect to the same dedicated IP and stream Netflix from it.

How does the Netflix password-sharing ban work?

There’s a lot of literature online about Netflix’s decision to ban password-sharing. When it was first announced, people wondered how it would work and how it would be enforced. We now know Netflix requires regular home verification, often every 30 days. 

If you have a family member who “lives with you” but doesn’t reside in your home year-round, you can add an extra member to your account. This is meant to cover kids at college or perhaps a parent or sibling who lives across the country.

To add an extra member, you can't have a Netflix account with ads or one paid for by a third party. The extra member must reside in the same country as you and be invited to your account after you purchase their slot.

While these rules were meant to discourage password sharing or recoup some fees from people who share, they put an extra strain on individuals who were splitting the cost of the service with others. Members found violating these policies may have their accounts suspended or canceled completely.

Does NordVPN unblock Netflix?

In our testing, we found that, yes, NordVPN unblocks American Netflix as well as other countries’ Netflix libraries with its vast VPN server network. The VPN app works if you’re outside the country wanting to watch your local content or if you’re trying to connect to a non-U.S. server to watch geo-restricted content.

NordVPN allows you to stream Netflix with fast VPN connection speeds and no buffering, although this might not always be the case. Nord removed Netflix from its list of officially supported streaming services, likely due to its persistent VPN blocks. This means its support team may not be able to help if you can't unblock Netflix.

7 reasons to use NordVPN with Netflix

Nord can help you access geo-restricted content on Netflix, but it’ll also provide you with a host of other benefits. If you’re accessing Netflix from home, you can beat internet service provider (ISP) throttling by connecting to NordVPN, and if you want to stream while you’re out of the house, security is a top priority! Wherever you are, you’ll want to know how to watch Netflix with a VPN. 

Here are some of the benefits:

1. Keeps your internet traffic safe by shielding it with AES-256-GCM encryption
2. Speeds up home internet by stopping ISP throttling
3. Protects your mobile device and laptop on public Wi-Fi with encrypted traffic
4. Unblocks geo-restricted content on streaming services with SmartPlay
5. Helps stop ads and trackers when accessing Netflix from a browser
6. Incorporates anti-malware and ad blocker solutions into your browsing with Threat Protection
7. Works on multiple platforms and devices like Amazon Firestick, so you and others on your plan can stream different content simultaneously

NordVPN not working with Netflix? Try these 5 easy tips

There’s nothing more frustrating than reading about a cool new technology and then not being able to make it work. If you’re struggling to unblock Netflix with NordVPN, check out the following troubleshooting techniques.

1. Connect to a different server

There are no streaming-optimized servers on NordVPN because of its SmartPlay feature. SmartPlay is a Smart DNS technology, and domain name servers (DNS) are like the phone book of the internet. It converts domain names, like Netflix.com, into IP addresses that the internet can read.

Smart DNS technology switches the DNS to IP addresses that aren’t blocked by streaming sites by encrypting your traffic and hiding your true IP address. Think of it like getting a call from an unknown number. You know the caller is using a phone number to connect, but you just can’t see it.

So, if you can’t connect to Netflix using your current server, try a different one. The SmartPlay feature automatically reconfigures your traffic. 

For best results, try to use a VPN server close to you physically unless you’re accessing geo-blocked content. Considering NordVPN offers 8,400+ servers, you’re likely to find one that works.

NordVPN server count by Netflix library

Netflix library	NordVPN servers
United States	3,027+ servers in 20 locations
Canada	300+ servers in 3 locations
United Kingdom	440+ servers in 4 locations
France	300+ servers in 3 locations
Japan	130+ servers in 2 locations
Australia	190+ servers in 5 locations
Germany	240+ servers in 3 locations
Italy	60+ servers in 3 locations
The Netherlands	225+ servers in 1 location

2. Clear your cache

Cookies and other cached data from websites are stored in your browser’s cache. This data is used to load webpages faster by remembering information like text and images. 

But when something changes, like your location, it can cause the page to not load at all. So if your cache says you’re in Pennsylvania, but your IP address appears to be in London, there’s a chance Netflix won’t load.

Clearing your cache can reset the information Netflix is reading and allow you access. We have an entire guide dedicated to showing you exactly how to clear the cache in your browser, but you can always do a quick internet search if your specific browser isn’t listed on our guide.

3. Change your DNS server

NordVPN provides specific DNS servers for your use when connected to its VPN service. If you want to configure these manually, NordVPN has a page explaining how to configure DNS servers within your specific operating system. 

You can manually set your DNS settings in Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

4. Send in a customer support ticket

If you’ve tried all of this and it’s still not working, reach out to customer support on NordVPN’s website. The support agents are helpful and understand that sometimes technology can be frustrating. 

Chatting with support may take longer than troubleshooting on your own, but they have access to problem-specific tools to help you fix your issue.

5. Try a different VPN

So if you exhausted all the methods above and still couldn’t unblock Netflix, it may be worth it to try a different VPN service. Other VPNs like Surfshark and CyberGhost also offer dedicated IP addresses.

If you’re wondering what other VPN services are good for Netflix, consider these alternatives:

How to use NordVPN with Netflix FAQs

Bottom line

Whether you’re the kind of person who needs episodes of Community streaming to fall asleep or are just catching up on Bridgerton, having unrestricted access to watch Netflix is a must wherever you are in the world. A dedicated IP address can help you get around that pesky password-sharing ban. 

And if you need to unlock geo-restricted content, try one of NordVPN’s 8,400+ servers in 120+ countries. Whatever you need it for, NordVPN has a way.

If, for any reason, NordVPN just doesn’t work or you prefer another service, check out our best VPNs for Netflix guide to find one that’s right for you. Whatever you choose for your VPN needs, we want to wish you happy streaming!