Watch Netflix With NordVPN — Everything You Need to Know

Fortunately, there’s a way to access your home country’s library even abroad — using a virtual private network (VPN). One of the best VPNs for Netflix is NordVPN, which can make Netflix think you’re in whatever country you like, so you can stay up-to-date on all your favorite content, no matter where your travels take you.

The process is easy, and yes, it’s perfectly legal in most countries.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to use NordVPN to watch Netflix and cover common questions and issues that may arise. Grab your popcorn, and let’s get started!

How to watch Netflix with NordVPN

Watching Netflix with NordVPN is a piece of cake. You’ll need subscriptions to both Netflix and NordVPN. Once that’s taken care of, just follow these steps to watch Netflix:

1. Download and install NordVPN, or download the NordVPN mobile app.
2. Open NordVPN and log in.
3. Connect to a server in the country with the Netflix library you want to unblock. For example, if you want to watch Japanese Netflix, choose a server in Japan.
4. Fire up Netflix and start watching!

What devices work with NordVPN?

NordVPN is extremely versatile — you can run it on almost every popular platform. That’s part of what makes NordVPN not just a great VPN for Netflix but one of the best VPNs, period.

NordVPN has apps for:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Android
• iOS
• Chrome
• Firefox
• Edge
• Android TV
• Apple TV
• Fire TV Stick
• Chromecast
• Routers

Do you need a VPN to watch Netflix?

Under most circumstances, you don’t need a VPN to watch Netflix — you can just launch the service and start streaming. However, there’s one particular situation where using a VPN comes in handy: watching content from a different Netflix region.

Basically, due to copyright laws and licensing agreements, each country has its own Netflix content library. Your Netflix account is tied to your geographic region, so you can only view content for the country you’re physically in, and there’s no way to override this manually.

So if, for example, you travel from the U.S. to Australia and want to watch your U.S. content, you’re out of luck.

A workaround is to use a VPN. Most VPNs let you select servers from whichever country you like. When your traffic hits Netflix, it thinks you’re in that country, so you gain access to the content library of your choice.

To go back to our travel example, the VPN lets you watch your U.S. content while in Australia because it makes Netflix think you’re actually in the U.S.

What to do if NordVPN isn’t working with Netflix

Most of the time, you should be able to watch Netflix with NordVPN without any issues. However, Netflix admittedly doesn’t love this, and the streaming provider has become even stricter since instituting the recent password-sharing ban.

That said, you may run into occasional issues — most commonly, Netflix detects that you’re using a VPN and blocks your access. If that happens, try the troubleshooting steps below.

Make sure you have the latest software

Sometimes, software bugs or glitches can cause seemingly random problems, like Netflix streaming issues. Software updates often resolve these issues, so make sure you’re using the latest version of NordVPN.

To check for updates, head to the app store on your device. You can also download the latest version of NordVPN from the website's download page.

Clear cache and cookies

As you work online, your web browser stores copies of the sites you visit to help speed things up. This is called the browser cache. And, of course, it also stores cookies, which help websites remember things about you and your visit to improve the experience.

Sometimes, these can cause unexpected issues — like loading the wrong Netflix content library — and clearing them can give your browser a fresh start. In Chrome, head to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data. Most browsers have the option in a similar place, although the exact directions may differ slightly.

Connect to a different server

Sometimes, a simple VPN server switch is all it takes to resolve Netflix issues. NordVPN often has multiple servers for the same region or country.

If your first choice doesn’t work with Netflix, go down the list and try different options until you find one that does. With 6,800+ servers in 111 countries, you’ve got plenty to choose from.

Change DNS servers

If the above strategies aren’t working, you can try changing the Domain Name System (DNS) server your device connects to.

DNS is essentially the system that translates IP addresses to human-readable web addresses. When you use the NordVPN app, you’re automatically connected to NordVPN’s private DNS servers.

You can also manually connect your device to these servers (or any other that you might want to use). This is useful if you can’t use a NordVPN app or are encountering issues with the app like Netflix not unblocking or websites not loading.

NordVPN provides detailed instructions for changing DNS servers on the most popular operating systems. Choose yours from the list and follow the directions to get connected.

Change VPN protocols

You can also try changing VPN protocols to see if that helps get Netflix working. NordVPN offers a choice of NordLynx (the default, based on WireGuard) and OpenVPN.

The company provides easy-to-follow guides for changing VPN protocols on each major operating system. Choose the appropriate one and follow the instructions.

Contact customer support

Finally, if all else fails, you can always reach out to customer support to get help with your issue. You can find a live chat option in the bottom-right corner of the NordVPN support site, and you can also email customer support.

The full contact information is available on the NordVPN contact page.

Is it legal to watch Netflix with a VPN?

Strictly speaking, yes, it’s legal to watch Netflix with a VPN. However, it is against Netflix’s terms of service to watch content unavailable in the country associated with your account.

Netflix won’t necessarily ban your account — although they could potentially if they wanted to; we’ve never heard of this happening. However, Netflix does block access when it detects you’re using a VPN. In these cases, you have to deactivate the VPN before you can use the service.

Now, there are situations where using a VPN is illegal, namely, in certain countries that restrict their use. Therefore, we always recommend checking local laws to ensure you won’t get into trouble using a VPN in any country you visit.

How to use NordVPN to watch Netflix FAQs

Bottom Line

Netflix’s geo-restricted content can be frustrating for fans who travel frequently. However, a VPN can help you access your favorite shows no matter where you are in the world.

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for Netflix — it’s compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems, and it’s got a huge server selection spread across 111 countries. Watching Netflix with NordVPN is simple. Just follow these four easy steps:

1. Download and install NordVPN on your device.
2. Launch NordVPN and log in.
3. Connect to a server in the country with the Netflix library you want to access.
4. Launch Netflix and enjoy.

It’s that easy! Not only will you get access to the Netflix library of your choice, but you’ll also enjoy a safer, more private online experience.