BBC iPlayer offers viewers some of the best British-made TV shows and movies out there, but it’s only available within the UK.
When you’re traveling abroad, you can use a VPN to hide your IP address and make it look like you’re watching back home. That said, if you use the wrong one, you might still run into the issue of BBC iPlayer not working with your VPN.
In this blog, we’ll give you a range of tips and tricks to remedy this issue. Plus, we’ll show you how to use CyberGhost VPN to access BBC iPlayer securely anytime, anywhere.
How to Watch BBC iPlayer with a VPN
CyberGhost VPN works seamlessly with BBC iPlayer. Get error-free access in 3 easy steps:
- Get CyberGhost VPN.
- Download the app onto your device and connect to the streaming-optimized server for BBC iPlayer.
- Stream all of your British favorites.
Why BBC iPlayer Blocks VPNs
Licensing agreements mean that BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. The BBC only has the right to broadcast the content it purchases to people in the UK, which is why you’ll see the content not available in your location error message if you try to watch from outside the country.
To ensure that it doesn’t break the terms of its agreements, the BBC also blocks VPNs. It does this by identifying IP addresses associated with VPNs and preventing users with these IP addresses from accessing the platform.
This means that you may get hit with the BBC iPlayer error code 02066 message – which indicates that it’s detected you’re connecting through a VPN – if you use an incompatible VPN.
Why Is BBC iPlayer Not Working with My VPN? 5 Common Causes
Using a VPN that isn’t optimized to perform with the streaming platform is the most likely reason why your VPN isn’t working with BBC iPlayer. This and other issues could mean that the BBC detects your VPN usage and blocks your access to iPlayer.
Blocklisted VPN Servers
This is the most common reason why your VPN might not be working with BBC iPlayer. Streaming platforms such as BBC iPlayer block known VPN IP addresses. In order to work with the service, VPNs have to stay one step ahead by refreshing their IP addresses on a regular basis. Most VPNs don’t do this, which is why they don’t work with the platform.
Non-UK IP Address
You might be connected to a server that’s located outside of the UK. This could be because your VPN provider doesn’t have servers in the UK, your VPN has automatically connected to a server closer to your actual location, or simply because you mistakenly selected the wrong one.
Mismatched IP Address and GPS Location
When you’re watching BBC iPlayer via the app – on a smartphone or tablet, for instance – it might use your device’s GPS to detect whether there’s a mismatch between your actual location and the location indicated by your IP address. If there is, iPlayer could take this as a sign that you’re using a VPN and block you from accessing its content.
Cookies Revealing Your Location
Almost every website you visit uses cookies to track your activity across the internet. Most of them also store (cache) some data in your browser so that their pages can load faster on your next visit. Your location is one piece of information that’s stored and, if BBC iPlayer detects this, you could be blocked from accessing its content.
IP and DNS Leaks
When you use an unreliable VPN, your DNS query could be accidentally routed outside of the encrypted VPN tunnel. This will make your true location visible to iPlayer, which is why BBC iPlayer doesn’t work with these VPNs if you’re outside the UK.
How to Fix BBC iPlayer Not Working with Your VPN: 8 Easy Methods
You know why you’re seeing a BBC iPlayer error code, but how do you solve this problem when you just want to watch some EastEnders while you’re abroad? Here are eight quick fixes you can try:
1. Use CyberGhost VPN
The easiest way to fix BBC iPlayer not working with your VPN is to get CyberGhost VPN. It has streaming-optimized servers configured specifically to work with BBC iPlayer.
We regularly update these servers with fresh IP addresses to ensure you get seamless access to the platform. This means you’ll always be able to access BBC iPlayer, whether you’re watching on your couch at home or in your hotel room while on holiday abroad.
2. Connect to a Different Server
If you’re connected to a VPN server that has been identified and blocklisted by BBC iPlayer, the service will prevent you from accessing content. To remedy this, try connecting to a different VPN server in the UK.
VPNs often automatically connect you to their nearest server location, so it’s also worth double-checking that you are connected to a server in the UK. If you’re not sure which server is best, speak to your VPN’s customer support team.
3. Clear Your Cache and Cookies
Your browser’s cookies and cache may store information about your browsing sessions. This can include location data that might indicate you’re outside the UK. Even with a VPN, BBC iPlayer might read this data and block your access.
To ensure the BBC doesn’t get any mixed signals about where you are, erase your browsing history and cookies. You can do this through the settings menu on your browser. This will prevent the BBC from picking up discrepancies between your VPN’s UK IP address and stored location data.
4. Try a Different Browser or Device
Some VPNs are more compatible with some devices than others. If you’re struggling to watch on your smart TV or streaming media adapter, try streaming on your laptop instead. Accessing BBC iPlayer through a browser rather than the app or via a different browser than the one you normally use may also help.
CyberGhost has native VPN apps for Android/GoogleTV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, iOS, Android, and other popular streaming devices. Our apps are simple to download and intuitive to use.
5. Adjust Your Device’s Location Settings
Adjusting your device’s location settings helps to ensure that it aligns with your VPN’s server location. This can prevent BBC iPlayer from detecting discrepancies between the two and blocking your access because of this.
You can manually adjust your device’s location settings and app permissions. Alternatively, you can use a GPS location spoofer to make your GPS location and IP address consistent.
6. Enable Your VPN’s Leak Protection Feature
Your device might inadvertently send DNS requests through your ISP instead of the VPN tunnel. This would reveal your true location to BBC iPlayer, which could cause the service to block your access and add the IP address of the VPN server you’re using to a blocklist.
DNS leak protection ensures that all DNS queries are securely routed through your VPN so your real location is never accidentally revealed. If your VPN doesn’t have DNS leak protection, switch to one that does.
7. Update Your VPN
The BBC is always monitoring IP addresses and making updates to its VPN blockers. An outdated VPN might still be using IP addresses that BBC iPlayer has blocklisted, which could lead to access issues.
Additionally, a good VPN will issue regular updates via its app. When you update your VPN, you may benefit from bug fixes and other improvements that will help you access BBC iPlayer more reliably.
8. Restart Your Device
Have you tried turning your device off and back on again? It might take a quick device reset for some of these fixes to take effect.
Restarting your device can eliminate any residual data that might be causing conflicts, creating a more stable environment for your VPN to operate in. Rebooting also ensures that you establish a fresh link to BBC iPlayer and reduces the likelihood of any connection hiccups.
Why CyberGhost Is the Best VPN for BBC iPlayer
Whether you’re trying to stay in step with Strictly Come Dancing while you’re on holiday abroad or just want to watch an episode of Dr Who during your break at work or school, it’s easy to stream BBC iPlayer with CyberGhost VPN.
Our massive, super-fast network includes servers in the UK specifically for BBC iPlayer. In addition to secure, reliable access to the platform, you’re also guaranteed to get a speedy connection for top-notch streaming performance.
You can download CyberGhost VPN onto streaming devices, including Android/Google TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, laptops, smartphones, and more. You can connect up to 7 devices simultaneously with one subscription and stream BBC iPlayer securely at home and on the go.
Next time you head off on holiday, try CyberGhost VPN. It’s risk-free with our 45-day money-back guarantee and you’ll get access to 24/7 customer support to help you make the most of BBC iPlayer with your VPN.
FAQ
BBC iPlayer monitors IP addresses and blocks traffic from any IPs linked to VPN services. Many VPNs don’t work with iPlayer because they can’t keep up with the detection software. At CyberGhost, we constantly monitor our servers to ensure that our VPN works with BBC iPlayer.
It is safe to use a VPN with BBC iPlayer. In fact, a VPN is recommended to secure your connection – especially if you’re streaming on public Wi-Fi. Buy CyberGhost VPN and get robust encryption that keeps your personal data secure so you can watch BBC iPlayer safely on any network.
BBC iPlayer determines your location based on your IP address. Sometimes, the IP your ISP assigns you might be new and not yet registered in the UK. If you’re connected to a VPN server outside the UK, or BBC iPlayer detects you’re using a VPN, the streaming service will assume you’re not in the UK and restrict your access.
The BBC gets some of its funding from the UK TV Licence fee, so viewers are expected to pay the annual fee and confirm that they hold a TV Licence if they want to stream content on BBC iPlayer. This is the case regardless of whether or not you’re using a VPN.
Licensing restrictions mean that BBC iPlayer is only available in the UK. When you want to watch BBC iPlayer while traveling in the US, get CyberGhost VPN and connect to a server back in the UK to enjoy uninterrupted access to the platform.
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