The Ghostie Guide to Bypassing VPN Blocks

11 MIN READ | Last updated: Jan 10, 2025 | By Aaron Flynn

Content and VPN blocks can cause untold fury — we get it. Just when you think you’ve outsmarted censorship and restrictions, you get one of those “Whoops, sorry!” messages.

VPN detection is getting more powerful, and people are always looking for new ways to bypass them. 

The good news is when you finish reading this guide, you’ll be a VPN bypass expert! You’ll know everything you need to know about how to bypass VPN blocks, why blocks happen, and the different types of blocks. Let’s get started.

How Does a VPN Work?

Virtual private networks (VPNs) encrypt your internet data and create secure tunnels between you and the internet. A VPN masks your IP address and lets you choose a new virtual location. This conceals your real location from websites and services as you’ll appear to be visiting from the location of the VPN server.

This is how VPNs help you bypass surveillance, censorship, and geo-restrictions. Content that’s blocked in one location may be available in another. 

What Is a VPN Block?

A VPN block is a measure taken by some online services or networks to restrict you when you’re using VPNs. 

Some platforms don’t want you to use their services without knowing where you’re connecting from. They use VPN detection systems to see if the IP address you’re using is from a known VPN provider. But why go through the effort? 

Why Do VPNs Get Blocked?

Why do some websites not work with VPNs? You won’t find an all-encompassing answer to this question. The truth is that there are many reasons for VPN blocking. Here are some of the most common.

1. Streaming Restrictions

Streaming-related VPN blocks are among the most common. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer,  and Disney+ use VPN detectors to prevent you from accessing movies or TV shows that aren’t unavailable in your region.

Streaming services license shows by region based on demand. Depending on where you travel, you may not be able to access everything you want. 

2. Government Censorship

Certain countries enforce strict censorship laws and ban the use of VPNs. Often, this kind of online censorship is a feature of controlling authoritarian regimes like China, North Korea, and Iran. 

Think of the Great Firewall of China — the CCP’s strict censorship system. By controlling what information gets through to the masses, they can control general national sentiment. 

You can get in a lot of trouble for using a VPN in countries that explicitly ban them. Always check the laws in your country before using a VPN. 

3. School and Work Restrictions

Schools, universities, and workplaces may use VPN blocks to prevent you from unblocking content. They might restrict content that’s not conducive to productivity. They know people use VPNs to bypass these blocks. So, some take measures a step further and use VPN detection and IP blocking to prevent simple VPN bypasses. 

While it makes sense, it can be maddening to have nothing to do during breaks or free periods. Of course, all students want to know how to bypass school VPN blocks — even though it’s a little cheeky. 

Get CyberGhost VPN

4. Copyright Laws

Pirating content is illegal and can have serious repercussions. That’s why when people pirate content, they use VPNs to mask their IP address. To counteract this, copyright holders might block the use of VPNs on their sites.

5. Fraud Prevention

Using a VPN is the easiest way to hide your location and IP address, right? This perk can be exploited by fraudsters and cybercriminals, which leaves banks at risk. As a fraud prevention measure, banks often block VPN use. For this reason, you might run into technical problems when trying to access your bank with a VPN.

It’s a bit of a double-edged sword because regular customers deserve the extra protection VPNs provide. Choose a good VPN for online banking — one with heavy encryption and tons of servers!

Types of VPN Blocking

1. Port Blocking

Firewalls can block specific ports — including ports used by known VPN protocols. If your internet data “attempts” to travel through a blocked port, the firewall won’t let it pass. 

Solution: Change your VPN protocol or use a different port.

2. IP Blocking

Websites and platforms compile a list of IP addresses known to be from a VPN service. It’s the easiest way to block VPN use. It’s also the simplest VPN block to bypass — just connect to another server from our massive server network.

Solution: Switch to a new server. If you’re trying to access streaming sites, switch to streaming-optimized servers.

3. Deep Packet Inspection

Deep packet inspection (DPI) inspects data packets coming from a computer. You can think of it as being like a customs search checking cars at the border between countries. Instead of checking goods, it checks for certain data types. If the DPI finds data that indicates you’re using a VPN, it might reroute, block, or slow down your traffic.

Solution: Use a VPN that prevents deep packet inspection.

4. QoS Filtering

Quality of Service (QoS) filtering slows unwanted traffic by prioritizing other types of traffic. The “unprioritized” traffic slows down to the point where you’re met with a time-out screen — effectively blocking your internet access.

Solution: Use a VPN with secure tunneling.

How to Bypass VPN Blocks 

Good news: we have some tips on how to bypass VPN blocks to share with you. While we can’t tell you which method will work for you since it depends on the type of block it is, you can try every method until you find what works. Here are the best ways to bypass VPN blocks.

1. Choose a Good VPN Provider

The biggest culprit for VPN blocks is using low-quality or free VPNs. It may be tempting to save a few bucks by opting for a free VPN, but remember —  they’re free for a reason.  

If you want to minimize how often you experience irritating VPN blocks, opt for a VPN that’s robust against VPN detection and deep packet inspection. 

Get CyberGhost VPN

2. Get a Dedicated IP Address

When you use a dedicated IP address, it’s unlikely that services will be able to detect that you’re using a VPN. A unique dedicated IP address almost definitely won’t be recognized as a VPN since you’ll be the only person using it. 

How to Get a Dedicated IP Address?

Dedicated IPs are one of the best ways to prevent VPN blocks. Here’s how to get a dedicated IP address in three simple steps:

1. Get CyberGhost VPN — it’s the best VPN for unblocking.
   
2. Go to your dashboard and select Dedicated IP.

3. Click on Get it now and follow the steps.

3. Switch Servers 

If you’re experiencing a VPN block due to IP blocking, switching VPN servers will probably help the issue. This is why it’s so important to choose a VPN provider with a large server network. When an IP address gets blocked, you’ll still have plenty of others to choose from to solve the issue. 

4. Change Ports

If your VPN block is due to port blocking, you can change which port your VPN traffic goes through. You’ll want to be super careful, though. Keep in mind that if network administrators become aware you’re switching ports, they’ll block each port you use. 

5. Keep Your VPN Updated

You didn’t know you had to update your VPN? Well, you do. VPN companies are constantly updating security patches, IP blocks, and more. In some cases, your VPN provider will notify you if you’re due for an update. 

6. Change Your DNS Settings

When you face VPN blocks, it can help to change your DNS settings. Your device usually defaults to using your ISP’s DNS servers. Opt for a VPN with its own private DNS servers. 

If your VPN provider doesn’t have its own DNS servers, here are some common DNS servers to try:

• • OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
  • Google: 8.8.4.4 and 8.8.8.8
  • CloudFlare: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

7. Use Your Mobile Data

One trick to outsmart a stubborn VPN block is to switch to your mobile data connection. Mobile networks operate differently from internet service providers. Think of it like a secret tunnel that can bypass certain restrictions. 

If your VPN isn’t working as expected on Wi-Fi, switching to your trusty mobile data connection might just do the trick. The only downside is that you’ll have to keep an eye on your data usage if it’s not unlimited. 

8. Change VPN Protocol

Different VPN protocols have different perks and downfalls. While some prioritize speed or compatibility, others prioritize security or being robust against firewalls. OpenVPN tends to be quite robust against firewalls and may be a good option for bypassing VPN blocks. 

You might need to go through a bit of trial and error. If one protocol isn’t working for you, try a different protocol.

Staying Ahead of the Game

VPN blocks are a frustrating obstacle but with the right knowledge and tools, you can overcome them.  With the help of our tips and tricks, you should be well on your way to getting back to streaming TV shows on your work break or keeping your streaming subscriptions while traveling abroad. 

As VPN detection systems sharpen, understanding how to bypass VPN blocks to keep your digital freedom is increasingly necessary. Whether you’re facing government censorship or school and work restrictions, solutions are available and we’re happy to share them with you.

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