Why you can’t access some sites while you’re on a VPN and what to do

Let’s say you’re browsing the web with a VPN. You’re protecting privacy, so you’re confident hackers and advertisers can’t track you. Then you try to go to a site, and it just won’t load.

This can throw a wrench into productivity when working. Or it can ruin your mood when trying to have fun online.

If you want to bypass those infuriating errors that say, “The page you are looking for can’t be found,” we can help. Here’s what to do when a VPN stops site access.

Why you can’t access certain content with a VPN

You can’t access certain apps or websites when your VPN is on for a few reasons. First, you may be dealing with connectivity issues. Perhaps the VPN you’re using is having server issues.

Some sites go out of their way to block connections from VPN servers. The site owners aren’t trying to make your life harder. They block VPNs to cover their backsides. (Legally, not literally.)

Many websites block VPNs because they don’t want to break their contracts. Simply put, many VPN users want to bypass geo-blocking features.

Say you want to watch content that isn’t available in the U.S. If your favorite show is available in the U.K., you can connect to a server there so your internet can access that show. Tap or click here to unlock international Netflix to access more movies and shows.

Streaming services don't want you to work around VPN blocks. We can help you unlock international movies and shows blocked in your home country.
Using a VPN gives you more options for family movie nights. | Photo © Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com

Streaming sites don’t like this. It lands them in hot water with the production companies they team up with. Here’s why:

  • Streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu have long and complicated contracts with production companies.
  • Those contracts may involve location limits as part of licensing contracts. Production companies often have stipulations like, “You can stream this show, but only in Canada since we don’t want it in the U.S.”
  • Certain websites/services, like PayPal, Venmo and CashApp, identify users for legal purposes through their IP addresses. This is used to resolve problems such as fraud.

Streaming sites don’t want to violate the clauses in their contracts. They want to cover themselves and avoid legal trouble. Thus, they block VPNs.

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IT professionals can seem like angels in human form in times of need. With a few clicks of a mouse, they eliminate issues that had you perplexed. But not all tech issues are as hopeless as they may seem.

Some computer issues have simple fixes you can try on your own. Tap or click here for five easy solutions to common tech problems. If you bother an IT worker with one of these simple issues, they might roll their eyes and tell their friends about your “user error.”

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One of the most amazing results of our high-tech world is the way our lives are all interconnected. Now that we all use many of the same tools, like smartphones and computers, there are a ton of commonalities we can bond over. Take, for example, that one obnoxious inevitability we all deal with: tech issues.

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