YouTube provides everything from entertainment to education, making it a resource that almost everyone depends on. Whether you’re using it to watch your favorite content creator, a movie clip, or a tutorial, there’s nothing more frustrating than getting the “Video unavailable” error message.
Videos can be blocked by YouTube or the content owner for a number of reasons. In this article, you’ll learn why they’re blocked, how to bypass restrictions, and how CyberGhost VPN can help you stream more freely.
Quick Guide: How to Watch Blocked YouTube Videos
- Get CyberGhost VPN and install it on your device.
- Connect to a server where the video is available.
- Watch videos without restrictions!
Why Are Some YouTube Videos Blocked?
There are several reasons you may encounter a block on a YouTube video. Understanding why can help you bypass them and gain access to the content.
- Regional Blocks: The content owner can put regional restrictions on their videos, making them unavailable in certain countries. This is sometimes due to licensing rights.
- Copyright Restrictions: Both copyright owners and YouTube check for copyright infringement. Any videos that contain unauthorized copyrighted content can get flagged and blocked.
- National Censoring: Some countries ban the entire YouTube platform, while others only ban certain content and topics. You may run into video blocks if you’re trying to watch from one of these countries.
- Age Restrictions: If a video contains vulgar language, dangerous activities, violence, nudity, or regulated substances, YouTube blocks it for underage viewers. You can bypass this block by logging into your account if you are over 18.
- YouTube Regulations: YouTube scans videos for inappropriate content that doesn’t adhere to its policies. Any video containing inappropriate content, such as hate speech or sexually explicit content, will be blocked. If YouTube has blocked a video for this reason, there’s no way around the block unless the uploader edits out the inappropriate content and reuploads it.
5 Ways to Watch a Blocked YouTube Video
1. Use a VPN
You can use a VPN to get a new IP address and virtual location, allowing you to access the internet as if you were in a different place – this allows you to bypass regional blocks and national censorship. If you’re traveling abroad and run into region-specific copyright restrictions, a VPN can also help you regain access to the content you watch at home.
A VPN keeps your data secure while unblocking content for you. It uses powerful encryption to hide your activity, stopping anyone who might want to snoop on your data, like cybercriminals, your ISP, and the government. That means no one will know what YouTube content you’ve unblocked or anything else you do online while using a VPN.
To watch restricted YouTube videos with a VPN, just connect to a VPN server location where the YouTube content is available. You can use a region restriction tool, like WatanNetwork, to determine which server to connect to.
CyberGhost has a huge server network with 100 servers around the globe, so you’ll easily find one where you need it.
2. Watch With a Proxy
Similar to a VPN, a proxy allows you to connect to a server in a different location and hide your IP address in the process. This allows you to bypass certain firewalls and restrictions, including YouTube’s blocks.
While proxies can allow you to access blocked content quickly, it’s important to note that most don’t encrypt your data like a VPN. Some proxies even sell your data to third parties and display ads on your browser. Proxies can also be slow and unreliable, so you may deal with buffering and lagging video when using this option.
To use this method, you’ll need to find a reputable proxy site, open it in a browser, and enter the YouTube URL you want to watch into the proxy’s search bar. If your chosen proxy allows you to choose a server location, select one where the video is available, then select browse (also sometimes labeled “go”) and enjoy your video.
3. Try a Browser Extension
Browser extensions add functionality to your browser, like translating other languages or checking your spelling. There are many extensions just for YouTube, and while each is different, some can improve playback, block ads, and even bypass regional restrictions, often via proxy or free VPN.
It’s always best to do your own research, but some popular browser extensions that can unblock YouTube content include Magic Actions for YouTube and uBlock Origin. Most YouTube browser extensions don’t offer security or privacy features like a paid VPN. If you’re concerned about third parties tracking your activity, you should avoid this option.
Once you’ve chosen an extension, install it on your browser and look for its icon at the top of your browser, near the address bar. Click it to activate the extension, then select a server or location if using a proxy or VPN extension. Finally, navigate to YouTube and watch as usual.
4. Edit the URL
While this option will only work on simple, URL-based filters, it’s a quick and easy trick that can occasionally help you overcome keyword or domain-specific blocks. It won’t work for any creator or distributor set region restrictions.
Here’s how to do it:
- Instead of using “www.youtube.com,” try altering the URL to “m.youtube.com” or “youtube.com.” If the block only applies to the “www” version of the URL, you’ll be able to bypass it.
- Avoid searching on YouTube for the video you want to view, and instead, enter its direct link. Some restrictions block the main YouTube website, but not the URLs of specific videos.
5. Use the Google Translate Trick
Google Translate can act as a proxy server, providing you with a clickable link that can overcome video blocks. This hack isn’t always reliable but can be worth trying for one-off needs. If you’re looking for a more dependable and secure solution, you’re better off with a VPN.
To try this method, open Google Translate in a browser. Set the source language in the first box to any language aside from English, then set the result language to English. Enter your video’s link in the box on the left.
Google will automatically provide a clickable link in the result box on the right. When you click the link, Google Translate fetches the content for you and loads it within the Google Translate site. If the hack can overcome your video’s particular restriction, you can enjoy your content!
How to Watch Blocked YouTube Videos on Any Device
A VPN is the easiest, most reliable way to access blocked YouTube videos. The process is the same whether you’re on your phone, a Chromebook, or another device.
- Set up a VPN on your device. You can either download it directly from the VPN website in a browser or via the app store. CyberGhost VPN is compatible with most common streaming devices, from phones to tablets to smart TVs. You can easily download our native apps for each of your devices and watch YouTube however you like.
- Select a VPN server. Connect to a server location where your content is available. For example, if you’re traveling abroad and can usually access this video at home, just select a server back in your home country. If you aren’t sure, you can find a reputable region restriction checker and enter the video’s URL in the search bar to determine where the video is available.
- Enjoy your video! Navigate to YouTube and watch the unblocked content.
Why You Should Use a VPN to Watch YouTube
You can find everything from full-length movies to tech tutorials on YouTube, making it a go-to resource for almost every need. Unfortunately, many videos are only available in select countries. That means you may lose access to certain content when you travel abroad, or you may not be able to access it at all just because you’re located in a country that blocks it.
A VPN acts as your ticket to internet freedom. You can connect to a VPN server in another region, get a new virtual location, and gain access to any video. Similarly, you may run into network restrictions at work or school. Connecting to a VPN server allows you to bypass these blocks and watch YouTube wherever you go.
Your internet activity is valuable. Everyone from cybersleuths to ad companies to your government may want to monitor your activity, including what you watch on YouTube. A VPN encrypts your data and hides your IP address, making it difficult for any outsiders to monitor your activity, track you online, or collect your data.
In some cases, VPN encryption can even help you get better video quality. If you’ve ever noticed that your internet slows when you stream, your internet service provider is probably throttling your speeds. Encryption hides your activity from your ISP, stopping it from selectively slowing your connection. That means a more reliable connection, less buffering, and better video playback.
Why CyberGhost Is The #1 VPN for YouTube
With servers in 100 countries around the globe, CyberGhost VPN makes it easy to find a server where you need it so you can watch YouTube videos that are blocked in your location. Our expansive network includes streaming-optimized servers just for YouTube. We check them regularly to make sure you always get reliable access to the site.
You’ll need a fast VPN to stream videos in HD or UHD, which is why every CyberGhost server is optimized for ultra-fast VPN speeds. We even have 10-Gbps servers in busy locations to prevent overcrowding. With no data caps, you can stream as long as you want with no limitations.
CyberGhost has native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android TV, and more, so you can watch YouTube on all your preferred devices. Want to keep all the devices in your home safe? You can connect up to seven devices with a single CyberGhost subscription.
Test it out yourself, risk-free, with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
FAQ
The easiest way to watch blocked videos is by using a VPN to change your virtual location. First, use a YouTube region restriction checker to see where the video is available. Then, download a VPN to your device and connect to a server in a region where the content is available. Open or refresh the YouTube page, and enjoy your content!
It depends on why it’s unavailable. If the video creator or YouTube has removed the video from the platform, there’s no way to watch it unless the creator reuploads it. If the video is unavailable in your area due to regional or governmental restrictions, you can use a VPN to change your location and access the video.
If the entire platform is blocked, you’re likely dealing with network or government restrictions. You can bypass these blocks using a VPN, which hides your activity using encryption and allows you to access the internet as if you were somewhere else. Just sign up for a VPN and connect to a server in a location where YouTube is available, then open the site and watch as usual.
If you’re traveling abroad and find a YouTube video you can normally access is blocked in your destination, you can access the content by connecting to a VPN server in your home country. Once connected, open or refresh YouTube and watch as you would back home.
This error can sometimes appear due to a glitch, which you can quickly solve by refreshing your browser or clearing your cache. It can also happen if you have browser extensions running. If you turn off extensions and the video is still unavailable, try CyberGhost VPN. We have servers optimized for YouTube. They provide reliable access to the site and can quickly unblock videos.
Yes, depending on the reason it’s blocked. If YouTube has taken the video down because it breaks regulations, you can’t watch it unless the creator edits and reuploads it. However, if a video you can usually watch is blocked because you’ve traveled to a country where it’s unavailable, you can connect to a VPN server in your home country to unblock it and stream like usual.
If your government restricts YouTube content, you can unblock the platform easily with CyberGhost VPN. We have streaming-optimized servers for YouTube that give you reliable access from anywhere.
If you’ve traveled to another country and can’t access your usual YouTube content, you can bypass country restrictions by connecting to a VPN server in your home country. CyberGhost VPN has servers in 100 countries, so you can easily find a server where you need one and regain access to your favorite content.
Can I use a VPN to watch content that’s not available in my country?
Some VPN users may use a server in another country, where certain content is available, to watch from their own country. While we cannot see what you are doing online due to our no-logs policy, this goes against our terms of service and is not acceptable.
CyberGhost VPN puts your privacy first and we don’t track our users’ activity. That said, you should always comply with relevant laws, including copyright.
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