Key Takeaways: Netflix Proxy Error Fix Quick Steps
- To fix the Netflix proxy error, sign up for a VPN service. We recommend ExpressVPN.
- Install the VPN on your device and log in to the app.
- Connect to a server located in your desired country.
- Start streaming on Netflix without proxy errors.
The Best VPNs for Bypassing the Netflix Proxy Error: At a Glance
- ExpressVPN — The best VPN for fixing the Netflix proxy error
- NordVPN — Fastest VPN with great streaming capabilities
- Surfshark –VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections to fix Netflix proxy error on all devices
- CyberGhost –VPN with automation features
- PrivateVPN — Budget-friendly VPN to fix the Netflix proxy error
A Netflix proxy error occurs when Netflix detects you’re using a VPN or proxy service. The top VPNs make accessing Netflix’s foreign content libraries easier, and Netflix doesn’t like that. Fortunately, some VPNs allow you to avoid the Netflix proxy error so you can stream your favorite content without interruptions.
We talk about the top VPNs to fix Netflix proxy errors in this guide. While discussing these VPNs, we also touch on other features, like speed- and streaming-optimized servers, so you can select the best VPN to fix the Netflix proxy error. You might also want to give our top Netflix VPN guide a read. If you’re short on time, we recommend going with ExpressVPN.
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03/02/2022
Cloudwards.net updated this article’s formatting.
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02/26/2024 Facts checked by Jasna Mishevska
We updated the information about VPN services based on their effectiveness at fixing the Netflix proxy error.
The Netflix Proxy & VPN Ban Explained
Netflix doesn’t offer the same content in all countries because of licensing rights. This means that if Netflix has the rights to allow users to stream an anime show in Japan, it may or may not have those rights for the U.S. When you use a VPN to access geo-restricted content, Netflix will try to stop you, often with the m7111-5059 error code. We explain this in greater detail in our article on the Netflix VPN ban.
What’s interesting is that the Netflix proxy error sometimes occurs even when you’re not trying to access another country’s content but are connected to a VPN. In fact, some users report that they encountered a proxy error even without using a VPN or proxy — this happens when your internet service provider (ISP) is using the same IP addresses as a VPN.
How Does Netflix Block VPNs?
Though Netflix doesn’t reveal the exact process it uses to ban VPNs, tests suggest that it’s a combination of blacklisting IPs and DNS (Domain Name System) filtering.
To blacklist IPs, Netflix looks for IP addresses associated with proxy servers. All public IP addresses are visible and can be linked to a specific country. A VPN masks this public IP address with that of a proxy server’s IP address. Most proxy servers are hosted in data centers, which use different ranges of IP addresses than residential IPs. This allows Netflix to identify non-residential IP addresses and block them.
Netflix also uses DNS filtering — a method that involves identifying a mismatch between the location of the DNS server and the IP address. Most VPNs don’t route DNS traffic, which allows Netflix to detect a mismatch between your IP and the DNS server’s locations. However, the top VPNs also route your DNS traffic, which makes it harder for Netflix to detect VPN usage.
How Do VPNs Get Around the Netflix Blocks?
A VPN routes web traffic via a VPN server in your chosen location. If you want to access Netflix U.S., you can connect to a U.S. server using your VPN.
Top VPNs don’t reveal how exactly they manage to stay under the radar when accessing Netflix, but they likely set up servers that can assign residential IP addresses and frequently renew their IP pools to eliminate blocked IPs and bring in fresh ones. Some VPNs also offer a smart DNS service that allows you to unblock Netflix without encrypting your connection.
How to Fix the Netflix Proxy Error: Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re encountering the Netflix proxy error, here’s a step-by-step guide that will help you resolve the error:
- Download and Install a VPN
Download and install a VPN, but not just any VPN. Select one of the services from our list below. Of course, you’ll need to sign up first — we recommend ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a Server
Choose a server location based on the content you want to stream. If you want to access Netflix U.S., connect to a server located in the U.S.
- Access Netflix
Once you’re connected to a U.S. server, access Netflix like you normally would. You’ll automatically have access to the U.S. content library. If it doesn’t work, try a different server.
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Best VPNs for the Netflix Proxy Error
In addition to a VPN’s ability to fix the Netflix proxy error, factors like speed and server locations are vital. They determine the content libraries you can access and the type of performance to expect.
| VPN: | Netflix Proxy Error Fix | Server Countries | Average Speed* | Best Deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
More than 100 | 92% | $6.66 per month | |
 |
More than 60 | 94% | $3.99 per month | |
 |
More than 100 | 90% | $2.29 per month | |
 |
More than 90 | 81% | $2.37 per month | |
 |
More than 60 | 77% | $2 per month |
1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall
Pros:
- Fast streaming servers
- Offers MediaStreamer
- Secure VPN service
Cons:
- Expensive
ExpressVPN is our top VPN for streaming, and for good reason. The VPN service has thousands of servers in more than 100 countries. This means you can access all popular Netflix libraries, including those in the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Australia, with no problem.
If you’re looking for a premium VPN and don’t mind spending a little extra, consider ExpressVPN’s annual plan, which costs $6.66 per month. Shorter-term plans are also available, including a monthly plan which costs $12.95 per month. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free using its 30-day money-back guarantee, or learn more about the service in our ExpressVPN review.
Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
According to our speed tests, ExpressVPN offers consistently fast speeds. If you want to watch Netflix in 4K, ExpressVPN is a great pick. If you want even higher speeds, consider using MediaStreamer. MediaStreamer can theoretically increase connection speeds since your connection is not encrypted while using it.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN
Pros:
- Fastest VPN
- Obfuscated servers
- Unblocks all streaming apps
Cons:
- macOS lacks split tunneling
NordVPN is a great, low-cost alternative to ExpressVPN that offers similar performance to ExpressVPN but at a lower cost. It unblocks Netflix and other platforms like Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer and Hulu, and you can stream high-quality content on six devices simultaneously with NordVPN.
You can get NordVPN’s two-year plan for $3.99 per month. Annual and monthly plans cost $5.79 and $13.79 per month, respectively. The VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the service before committing for the long term. You can learn more about NordVPN in our NordVPN review.
Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
NordVPN is the fastest VPN on the market. The VPN manages to deliver excellent speeds even on some faraway servers. For example, our speed dropped by 21% when connected to an Australian server — a significant drop but impressive considering the distance.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. Surfshark
Pros:
- Excellent speeds
- Feature-rich app
- Unblocks all streaming sites
Cons:
- High latency
Surfshark has servers in more than 100 countries, so whether your favorite show streams on Netflix U.S., France or Japan, you’ll always find a server that can get you in. The app has a smart DNS feature — if you need to connect to a server far away from your location and don’t need encryption because you’re on your home network, Surfshark’s smart DNS feature can help improve streaming performance.
The VPN’s best deal (the two-year plan) costs $2.29 per month. If you don’t want to commit for the long term, consider the annual plan, which costs $3.49 per month, or the monthly plan, which costs $10.99 per month. Like all other VPNs on the list, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s zero risk in trying the service. Learn more about Surfshark in our Surfshark review.
Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
Surfshark is fast enough to stream content in high quality on almost any server. The latency tends to rise quickly with server distance, but that’s a problem for gamers and not when you want to binge-watch Netflix content.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
4. CyberGhost
Pros:
- Streaming-optimized servers
- Servers in over 90 countries
- 45-day money-back return
Cons:
- Slow download speeds
CyberGhost unblocks most of the popular streaming sites. In fact, CyberGhost has dedicated, streaming-optimized servers for platforms like Netflix in 20 countries, including the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany and Australia. During our tests, both types of servers — regular and streaming-optimized — managed to unblock Netflix.
CyberGhost gives you access to servers in more than 90 countries and almost all streaming sites. CyberGhost offers a generous 45-day money-back guarantee on all plans except the monthly plan, whereas all the other VPNs on this list offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Head over to our CyberGhost review to learn more about the service.
Notes From the Lab: CyberGhost Speed Test Results
Upload Speed (Higher is better)
Latency (Lower is better)
CyberGhost isn’t the fastest VPN around, but it’s fast enough to help you stream content in standard quality. On average, CyberGhost reduced connection speeds by 50% during our tests. It performed the best when connected to U.S., U.K. and Singapore servers.
- Unlimited GB
- 7
- Yes
5. PrivateVPN
Pros:
- Stealth VPN for obfuscation
- Great customer support
- Servers in over 60 countries
Cons:
- Lacks extra features
PrivateVPN is the cheapest service on this list. It’s a great, low-cost VPN for resolving error code m7111-5059. The VPN has servers in more than 60 countries. Though the server network is not as widespread as that of most services on this list, it includes all the popular choices, like the U.S., the U.K. and Canada. The VPN has a Stealth VPN feature that helps obfuscate your connection and conceal VPN usage when streaming Netflix content.
The best deal (the three-year plan) costs $2 per month. Shorter-term plans include the three-month plan and the monthly plan, which cost $6 and $9.90 per month, respectively. All plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. We go into more detail about the service’s feature set in our PrivateVPN review.
Notes From the Lab: PrivateVPN Speed Test Results
| Location | Ping ms |
Download Mbps |
Upload Mbps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unprotected | 4.3 | 202.73 | 109.46 |
| Argentina – Buenos Aires |
635 |
14.73 |
9.02 |
| Australia – Perth |
61.67 |
153.22 |
90.84 |
| Greece – Athens |
240.67 |
21.81 |
39.09 |
| Nigeria – Lagos |
521.33 |
6.93 |
7.2 |
| South Korea – Seoul |
87.33 |
83.31 |
81.04 |
| UAE – Dubai |
180.33 |
130.91 |
84.71 |
| US – Los Angeles |
252.33 |
128.36 |
26.93 |
| Average |
283 |
77.04 |
48.4 |
PrivateVPN doesn’t impress with its connection speeds. Even on nearby servers, speeds dropped by 25%. You can still stream content in standard quality without any buffering, but you might experience some lagging when streaming in high definition.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
Other VPNs We Tested
The VPNs we discuss above offer everything you’d need to fix the proxy error, whether you’re looking for a powerful or budget-friendly VPN. However, you might want to consider some of the choices listed below as well.
Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN is a great pick if you’re looking for a VPN that offers unlimited bandwidth, unlimited simultaneous connections, a seven-day free trial (via the Google Play Store) and decent speeds. It’s an average performer across the board, but it can access all the popular streaming platforms, including Netflix U.S. We discuss the VPN’s features and capabilities at length in our Atlas VPN review.
IPVanish
This VPN can help you fix the proxy error on Netflix and stream content without interruptions. Though not much else impresses us about IPVanish, it’s a great streaming VPN, as we explain in our IPVanish review. The connection speeds didn’t drop noticeably on U.S. servers, which means you won’t experience any bothersome buffering when connected to a server close to your physical location.
Can I Use a Free VPN for the Netflix Proxy Error?
Yes, you can use a free VPN to fix the Netflix proxy error. We don’t recommend using free VPNs because most of them are insecure and slow — especially the ones on our worst VPNs list. There are a few exceptions, most of which are premium VPNs that offer a free version as a preview.
Proton VPN is a great choice if you’re looking to fix the Netflix proxy error with a free VPN. New free Proton VPN accounts get access to servers in five countries — the U.S., the Netherlands, Japan, Romania and Poland — but you can’t choose the location; Proton VPN selects one at random.
Older accounts still have access only to three locations (the U.S., the Netherlands and Japan) and allow you to select the server location. We go into more detail about this VPN provider in our Proton VPN review. We also have a detailed guide on the best free VPNs for Netflix if you want to explore more options.
How to Choose a VPN for Bypassing the Netflix Proxy Error
There are multiple factors to consider when selecting a VPN to bypass the Netflix proxy error. Here’s an overview of what to look for:
Ability to Bypass Geoblocks
Even though all VPNs can assign another country’s IP address to your device, not all of them can effectively bypass geoblocks, especially on websites like Netflix that proactively block VPNs. Look for a VPN that has a proven track record of consistently unblocking Netflix and other popular streaming services.
Speed
Bypassing the proxy error isn’t much help if your VPN significantly lowers your connection speed. Lower speeds lead to buffering, which translates to a poor streaming experience. Though your connection speed will drop in most cases while using a VPN connection, top VPNs ensure that this reduction is minimal.
Server Network
A wide server network helps you access more content libraries. Most VPNs offer servers in countries like the U.S. and the U.K. However, there aren’t many that have servers in countries like China. If you want to access content in censorship-heavy countries like China, you need a VPN with server locations in those countries.
Additional Features
Features like obfuscated servers, streaming-optimized servers and smart DNS can help bypass the Netflix proxy error andimprove the streaming experience. VPN features like split tunneling are also nice to have. Split tunneling helps you stream Netflix content using the VPN connection while other apps (you can select which ones) use the unencrypted connection.
Final Thoughts
Top VPN providers make it easy to fix the Netflix streaming error, but the average VPN struggles to get past Netflix’s advanced VPN blocking system. We recommend using ExpressVPN since it easily gets into Netflix and offers top-notch performance. If you’re on a budget, consider other services on the list, such as NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost or PrivateVPN.
Have you dealt with the Netflix proxy error before? Which VPN did you use to unblock Netflix, and what was the performance like? Let us know in the comments below, and as always, thank you for reading.
FAQ
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A common reason why Netflix says you’re using a proxy server is that your ISP is routing your traffic via a server in another country, making Netflix think you’re using a VPN even though you’re not. Another possible reason is that you used a VPN earlier and the cookies and cache settings are still showing the VPN server’s IP address, even though you’re no longer connected to a VPN server.
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The easiest way to get past the Netflix proxy error is to use a top VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN because it easily gets into Netflix and offers fast connection speeds. However, you might also consider services like NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost or PrivateVPN, all of which effectively get past the Netflix proxy error.
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No, Netflix doesn’t ban users for using a VPN. If Netflix detects that you’re using a VPN, it won’t let you access any content while you’re still connected with that VPN. The worst that can happen is that Netflix bans your IP address. This is easy to fix — just connect to another VPN server to acquire a different IP address.
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None of the proxies we tested worked with Netflix. Even if you find a proxy that works, Netflix will likely ban it at some point. Proxies are also slow, which means any video content you stream is likely to buffer. We recommend using a VPN instead.
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