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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Avast VPN Not Working With Netflix? Here's What To Do

Kristina Perunicic Updated on 15th November 2023 Managing Editor

I recently decided to try Avast’s SecureLine VPN with streaming platforms such as Netflix. I had tried it before but while it had good security and privacy tools, it didn’t work too well for streaming - it used to give the frustrating message:

"Whoops, something went wrong... Streaming Error. You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again. For more help, visit netflix.com/proxy. For additional assistance in resolving this issue, please visit our Help Center. Error Code: M7111-5059"

Netflix error message

Unfortunately, it still doesn’t work. SecureLine VPN doesn’t keep its servers safe from the platform’s blocklisting tools. This means that you can see the annoying proxy error even if you use local servers for secure streaming.

So, if you’re looking for private and secure Netflix streaming sessions, a much better option is to try a different VPN instead. My recommendation is ExpressVPN — it has military-grade encryption and excellent speeds for buffer-free HD streaming.

What’s more, you can try ExpressVPN without risk thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch Netflix Securely >>

Quick Guide: How to Securely Watch Netflix With ExpressVPN in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Subscribe to ExpressVPN.
  2. Download the app, install it on your device, and connect to a local server.
  3. Go to Netflix and start watching your favorite shows securely.
Important: My team and I do not endorse copyright infringement. ExpressVPN adheres to a strict no-logging policy, meaning it doesn’t track your online behavior. Consequently, it's up to you to use the VPN in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Why Can’t the Avast SecureLine VPN Work With Netflix?

SecureLine is good at many things, but it’s just not good enough at the two things a VPN needs to deal with Netflix’s firewalls and blocks:

  • Good defensive tools to keep the VPN’s servers and IPs safe from Netflix’s blocks.
  • A vast enough server network so that the user can always have more servers to fall back on even if one or two get blocked.

Avast’s SecureLine simply doesn’t provide any of these features. Netflix is the harshest streaming platform when it comes to blocking VPNs, and there are very few providers that work reliably with it.

Most others don’t even try too hard to make servers work well with Netflix because they know it’d be too much of an investment. Avast’s SecureLine seems to fall in this category. It’s not good for private and secure Netlfix sessions without encountering proxy errors.

Remember that using a VPN to bypass geoblocks may violate Netflix’s terms and conditions and could potentially be viewed as copyright infringement. However, you can use a VPN to prevent Netflix from tracking your online activity and protect your personal data from hackers and snoops, especially on public WiFi networks.

ExpressVPN is my current recommendation for secure Netflix sessions. While in the US, I tested its US servers and encountered no proxy eros when watching my Netflix US subscription. If you’re hesitant about trying a new service right now, ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, and all its desktop and mobile apps are very easy to install.

How Does ExpressVPN Work With Netlfix?

ExpressVPN stands out as a reliable partner for streaming your local Netflix library without interruptions. The key to its effectiveness lies in its reliable network of servers, which are optimized to minimize the notorious proxy errors often encountered during streaming sessions. This means smoother, buffer-free Netflix sessions, even when network traffic is at its peak.

Moreover, ExpressVPN places a strong emphasis on securing your connection. When you're streaming Netflix, your online activity and identity are shielded from prying eyes. This encryption not only fortifies your privacy against tracking from Netflix itself but also keeps other potential snoops at bay.

Note: Theoretically, you could use a VPN to obtain a foreign IP address to watch a Netflix library from another country. However, this may violate Netflix’s terms and conditions and could potentially be viewed as copyright infringement.

ExpressVPN’s Other Benefits

One of the main reasons why ExpressVPN is so good for streaming is its lightning-fast server speeds. These are crucial for streaming as the VPN’s speeds dictate how fast your internet is going to be and how good of a video resolution you’re going to enjoy. Something else I really like is the MediaStreamer feature. This neat tool allows the user to watch Netflix even on devices that don’t typically support VPNs such as Apple TV or LG TV.

The 30-day money-back guarantee, 24/7 customer support, and the great privacy and security features of ExpressVPN just make it an even better choice.

FAQs on Watching Netflix With ExpressVPN

What’s the best VPN for Netflix?

My preferred choice is ExpressVPN. It has reliable servers to avoid proxy errors while streaming the local Netflix library and great server speeds for crystal-clear video quality. There’s also the MediaStreamer feature, which allows me to enjoy Netflix on my AppleTV, and lots of additional perks and features.

Can I use a free VPN to watch Netflix?

There are some free VPNs you can try with Netflix but I can’t think of any I’d honestly recommend. Free VPNs may work with some streaming platforms but Netflix is much too tough on VPNs for them. Add the slow server speeds and the best you can hope for is temporary access to a patchy 240p video.

The much better option is to subscribe to a premium provider such as ExpressVPN and to use its 30-day money-back guarantee period as a “free VPN” of sorts.

Securely Watch Netflix With ExpressVPN in Minutes

ExpressVPN has always been a great VPN choice, but the recent addition of the Lightway protocol may have propelled this provider to the top when it comes to Netflix and other streaming platforms. The lightning-fast server speeds enabled by Lightway, plus the convenience of the MediaStreamer feature, put ExpressVPN head and shoulders above the rest.

It had no proxy errors while accessing my local Netflix US library from the US. Plus, this VPN is highly secure, so you can stream privately without Netflix tracking your online activity.

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We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

About the Author

Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.

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