TunnelBear Not Working With Netflix? Here's What to Do

If you’re new to VPNs and you’re looking for something easy, smooth, and affordable (or even free), then TunnelBear is a great VPN to start with. It’s not perfect, though, and one of its main imperfections is that it doesn’t work too well with Netflix.

We’ve been testing TunnelBear’s servers with Netflix and other streaming platforms such as Hulu and HBO Max from time to time, precisely to see how well this VPN works for streaming each year. While TunnelBear does work with Netflix in some countries like the US, Germany, or Canada, its servers aren’t really reliable enough for long-term use.

I’ve prepared a short guide on how to get the most out of TunnelBear when it comes to Netflix in particular, how to get it to work with the platform, and what to do if you’re not satisfied with the experience.

Troubleshooting: What to Do if TunnelBear Isn’t Working With Netflix

If you’ve just gotten TunnelBear and you can’t get it to work with Netflix, or if you’ve been using it for a while but it has suddenly stopped working with the platform, there are a few things you can try before moving on to another VPN.

The main reason you may be facing problems is that Netflix is especially harsh on VPNs. The platform has very strict VPN blocks, and it’s quite good at identifying and blocking VPN servers.

TunnelBear is not the best at dealing with Netflix’s counter-measures but there are a few simple tricks you can try even if you’re not too tech-savvy.

1. Disconnect and reconnect the VPN - As with any other software, turning TunnelBear off and then on again can be surprisingly effective at solving most issues.
2. Use an Incognito browser window - It sounds simple, but even with the best VPNs on the market, this is a very effective extra step you can take to get Netflix working.
3. Change the VPN’s protocols - Changing a VPN’s encryption protocols can sound daunting and complicated, but it’s actually very simple. Every good VPN has multiple protocols to choose from, each with different security measures to keep your data from leaking. TunnelBear offers two main choices — OpenVPN and IKEv2 — and switching between them can solve your Netflix connectivity issues. To do that, just go to the app’s settings, select Protocols, and switch them up.
4. Switch to a different VPN server - TunnelBear offers 8,000 servers in 47 countries, so it’s possible to access Netflix in HD from anywhere. In the event that one particular server encounters issues, simply switching to a different server location within the same country can often resolve the problem seamlessly.
5. Update the VPN - VPNs are regularly updated to fix app issues and security vulnerabilities, so make sure you’re using the latest version of the app.
6. Check if your data is leaking in any way - Performing a data leak test is a good way to see if your IP/DNS addresses are not being properly masked by the VPN. This is a privacy concern, as it can expose your personal data, including your location. Aside from your browser, your data can leak through other ways, such as your WiFi extender, for example.

Even with all the possible fixes I’ve listed above, TunnelBear often just doesn’t work with Netflix. When we tested it, it worked with Netflix US, UK, Canada, Germany, Brazil, India, Japan, Mexico, and a few others. However, it failed to work with Netflix Australia and France. For more reliability, it’s better to just switch to a different and better VPN.

Many premium providers have a much easier time dealing with Netflix than TunnelBear. My preferred choice at the moment is ExpressVPN. Not only does this VPN work much better with Netflix, but it’s also generally better for streaming with its much faster speeds and its MediaStreamer feature. ExpressVPN also has a 30-day money-back guarantee* if you want to try it out risk-free.

The Advantages of Watching Netflix With TunnelBear

TunnelBear remains a viable option for watching Netflix in HD. However, the free version isn’t suitable for streaming due to its limited bandwidth.

Here’s what TunnelBear does well for Netflix:

• Strong encryption. Helps you get around connection issues like ISP throttling (when your internet provider intentionally dampens your speed if it detects that you’re streaming). Encryption hides your online activity, so your Netflix viewing can’t be monitored by your ISP.
• Works in nearly 20 Netflix regions. According to our testing, it works with Netflix US, UK, Canada, Brazil, India, Singapore, Mexico, New Zealand, and multiple EU countries.
• Decent speeds on local servers. Performance is acceptable for HD streaming when connected to nearby servers.
• User-friendly app. Simple design makes it easy for beginners to connect and start streaming.
• Support for other streaming services. Not limited to Netflix alone.

That said, TunnelBear does have limitations. While HD streaming is usually possible, 4K or Ultra HD typically isn’t realistic because the VPN just isn’t very fast, which can be frustrating if you pay extra for Netflix Premium.

If speed matters more to you, ExpressVPN performs better overall. It works with more Netflix regions and delivers much faster speeds. Its Lightway protocol is particularly well-suited for UHD streaming, and the MediaStreamer feature lets you watch Netflix on devices that don’t normally support VPN apps, such as gaming consoles.

Add its larger and more stable server network, stronger overall performance, and 30-day money-back guarantee, and ExpressVPN stands out as a more reliable option if you want a smoother Netflix experience.

How TunnelBear’s Vigilant Mode Affects Netflix Streaming

Vigilant Mode is TunnelBear’s kill switch. If the VPN connection drops, it blocks your internet right away. This prevents your real IP from showing.

That’s good for privacy. But during streaming, it can cause problems.

If the connection flickers for a moment, Netflix will stop instantly. Your show may freeze, buffer, or throw an error. You might have to refresh the page or reopen the app.

If this keeps happening, try turning Vigilant Mode off in the settings and test again. This can make your stream more stable.

Just remember: with it off, your IP could briefly show if the VPN disconnects. It’s a trade-off between privacy and smoother playback.

Is TunnelBear’s Free Plan Enough for Netflix Binge-Watching?

TunnelBear’s free plan comes with 2GB of data per month. That’s very little for streaming.

One hour of Netflix in HD can use around 3GB. Even standard quality uses more than 1GB per hour. That means the free plan may not even last through a single episode.

You might manage a short show in low quality. But binge-watching? Not realistic.

The free version works better for light browsing or quick tests. If you plan to stream regularly, you’ll need the paid plan.

FAQs

What’s the best VPN for Netflix?

My top pick at the moment is ExpressVPN. I will continue to perform regular checks and tests, but the fast server speeds, reliable server network, and the MediaStreamer feature just put ExpressVPN ahead of its competition. For streaming platforms such as Netflix, there just aren’t many other options that can even come close to ExpressVPN in most regards.

Can I use a free VPN to watch Netflix?

There are some free VPNs you can try with Netflix, as well as some decent providers with free versions, such as TunnelBear. Overall, however, free VPNs just tend not to work with Netflix. They usually have tiny networks, so you might not be able to find an uncongested server that can safely access Netflix. Besides, even if you occasionally manage to connect to the streaming platform, the speeds you’d get from most free VPNs aren’t good enough for HD streaming anyway.

A much better option is to go for a premium provider such as ExpressVPN. Thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can enjoy a premium and risk-free service for Netflix for quite some time.

Which VPN is the fastest?

The race for the “fastest VPN” title is quite competitive, and the winner changes often. At the moment, however, I’d recommend ExpressVPN if you’re looking for speed thanks to this provider’s new Lightway protocol. Great for streaming, this VPN gave me a buffer-free and HD video experience in all my testing.

Can I get an IP address from a particular country?

A VPN can provide an IP address from a particular country by routing the internet connection through a server in that location. Most VPN providers have servers across multiple countries worldwide. When a user connects to a server in their desired country, an IP address from that country's IP pool is assigned. This makes it possible to securely access Netflix from anywhere.

To Sum It Up

If you’ve already got TunnelBear, there are a few things you can try to make it work with Netflix. That said, connections to Netflix are unreliable, and even Tunnelbear says it doesn’t focus much energy on streaming, so who knows how long it will work for Netflix.

The simpler solution is to just switch to a premium provider such as ExpressVPN. It’s easy to install and use, offers strong security features, and is fast — so it can provide HD access to Netflix from anywhere.