Netflix has a massive library but offers different content in each region. Usually, you can bypass the geographic restrictions and access content unavailable in your country. However, Netflix employs strong anti-VPN measures and will block your connection if it notices you are using a VPN IP address. In most cases, a Netflix proxy error message will appear on your screen:
‘You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy’
A reliable VPN service is a great way to fix this error. However, if you already have a VPN but get the error message, it cannot unblock Netflix or blacklists its IP addresses.
What is a Netflix proxy error?
This is the error you get when you try to access Netflix with a VPN or proxy service. Usually, it is accompanied by code ‘m7111-1331-5059’ and the message ‘You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy.
Sometimes, Netflix can detect that you are spoofing your location with a VPN. How does it do this? Connecting to a VPN server assigns you an IP address already used by thousands of other customers. So, Netflix has a database of VPN IP addresses and will block your connection if the IP address you use matches any on the database. You will encounter this error often unless you use a high-quality streaming VPN.
How to solve the Netflix proxy error?
The easiest way to fix the Netflix proxy error is by signing up for a quality VPN service. Use the following guide to do it.
- Subscribe and download a reliable VPN. We recommend ExpressVPN.
- Launch the VPN app.
- Delete your device’s cache and cookies.
- Connect to a server in any Netflix-supported country.
- Refresh the Netflix website or app.
- Search for the content you want to watch.
- Stream smoothly without the Netflix proxy error.
Best VPNs to evade Netflix proxy error
Here is our compilation of the best VPNs to unblock Netflix
1. ExpressVPN
Best VPN for accessing Netflix in HD thanks to fast servers located all over the world.
Pros
- Consistent fast speed
- Compatible with many devices
- Massive server collection
Cons
- Slightly expensive
ExpressVPN is our top recommended VPN to bypass Netflix proxy errors. It offers a Windows app and also for other devices like Android, Linux, macOS, and iOS.
Moreover, the VPN operates servers in almost all countries where Netflix is available. Its network has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries across 160 locations. With the impressive unblocking capabilities, bypassing the Netflix proxy error will be easy.
Most of the servers are consistently fast, enabling you to stream Netflix smoothly. Also, the unlimited bandwidth will allow you to watch content for long hours without buffering or lags.
| Server | Download speed | Upload speed |
|---|---|---|
| US – New York | 98.98 Mbps | 57.31 Mbps |
| UK – London | 89.76 Mbps | 46.96 Mbps |
| Canada – Toronto | 95.45 Mbps | 39.44 Mbps |
ExpressVPN uses several features to keep you safe. They include a kill switch, DNS/IP leak protection, AES 256-bit encryption, TrustedServer technology, and perfect forward secrecy.
2. Private Internet Access (PIA)
VPN with most extensive server network can give you access to many Netflix contents at different locations all over the world.
Pros
- Unblocks Netflix in many locations
- Strong security and privacy
- Multiple simultaneous connections
Cons
- Some servers fail to work
Private Internet Access (PIA) has the biggest server network on this list. Currently, it has over 28,000 servers in more than 84 countries worldwide. Most of them easily unblock Netflix.
As mentioned earlier, you can only bypass the Netflix proxy error on a Windows computer. Also, the VPN offers user-friendly apps for Windows and other devices like Linux, Android, iOS, and macOS.
Streaming Netflix is accessible as PIA offers unlimited bandwidth. Also, almost all the servers provide sufficient data to watch Netflix content in high definition.
| Server location | Download speed | Upload speed |
|---|---|---|
| US – New York | 89.45 Mbps | 61.53 Mbps |
| UK – London | 92.93 Mbps | 58.40 Mbps |
| Canada – Toronto | 79.64 Mbps | 55.21 Mbps |
Regarding security, PIA uses AES 128/256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch, and a MACE ad/malware blocker. Also, the provider does not retain logs to keep you private.
3. NordVPN
The best all-around solution for accessing Netflix: It offers a sizable global network of servers to unblock all the most widely used streaming services, including Netflix.
Pros
- Special streaming servers
- Stable and fast connections
- Based in a privacy-friendly country
Cons
- Process refunds slowly
NordVPN offers excellent features to bypass Netflix proxy errors. Firstly, it has a massive network of more than 5,827 servers in 59 countries. Also, they reliably unblock Netflix in many locations.
While you only need a Windows app to bypass Netflix proxy error, NordVPN is also compatible with macOS, iOS, Linux, and Android. In addition, it allows you to use five devices simultaneously.
This is one of the fastest VPNs on the market, offering sufficient speed to stream high-quality content. We tested the servers in different locations, and the table below shows the results.
| Server location | Download speed | Upload speed |
|---|---|---|
| US – New York | 101.34 Mbps | 77.54 Mbps |
| UK – London | 99.54 Mbps | 64.20 Mbps |
| Canada – Toronto | 95.64 Mbps | 59. 96 Mbps |
NordVPN is a secure VPN with dependable features like AES 256-bit encryption, kill switch, DNS/IP address, perfect forward secrecy, double VPN, and Cybersec ad/malware blocker.
Why do Netflix proxy errors occur
While Netflix is available globally, it doesn’t have license rights to offer the same content to every country. As a result, some content may be available in one location and not another. For example, the Netflix US library is bigger and has a newer catalog.
A VPN can help you bypass these geographic restrictions to access the Netflix library in any country. How does it do this? When you connect to a VPN, your data is routed through the VPN’s servers, which act like an intermediary between your device and Netflix. This makes it look like you are connecting from the server’s location. For example, you can be in the UK and connect to a server in the US, and Netflix will see that you are within the US. Fortunately, a VPN will encrypt the data in transit. On the other hand, proxies work similarly, but they won’t encrypt your data.
However, Netflix blocks VPN and proxy connections to enforce copyright regulations. So, even if you use a VPN server in your country, you can get the error message, yet you are not using it to bypass geo-restrictions.
Considerate methodology for choosing the best VPNs to avoid the Netflix ban
These days, Netflix puts considerable effort into blocking VPNs to prevent users from bypassing geo-restrictions. As a result, most VPN services cannot evade Netflix proxy errors. Therefore, we have narrowed it down to the best VPNs that work with VPNs. Below are some of the criteria we used.
- Works with Netflix. Not many VPNs can bypass the Netflix VPN detection. So, in this guide, we only prioritized the VPN services that can unblock several Netflix libraries seamlessly.
- Performance. Streaming high-quality content on Netflix requires sufficient data. Also, we had to consider that every VPN will slow your internet speed because of the encryption process. So, did a speed test to only include only the fastest VPNs.
- Security. Bypassing Netflix restrictions is not enough; you must stream securely without hackers intercepting your traffic. That is why we chose VPNs with dependable security features like AES 256-bit encryption, kill switch, DNS leak protection, etc.
- Privacy. Moreover, a VPN that upholds users’ privacy is desirable. So, we chose only compiled VPNs with a strict no-logs policy based in privacy-friendly countries.
- Compatibility. Netflix is available on various devices, so we only included VPNs that offer easy-to-use apps for multiple operating systems. Also, they allow you to connect numerous devices simultaneously.
Fixing the Netflix proxy using a VPN
Unblocking Netflix libraries is effortless. Use the following tips to do it.
Subscribe to Netflix
Before bypassing Netflix geo-restrictions, you must first have an active subscription. After that, it doesn’t matter where you registered the account.
Use a web browser
It is tough to bypass Netflix restrictions on the mobile app. So instead, you should use the Netflix website through your PC or laptop.
Sign up for a reliable VPN
All proxy services cannot unblock Netflix. Also, most VPNs struggle to bypass Netflix’s restrictions, but some update their IP addresses frequently to avoid detection. Thankfully, our recommendations above work well with Netflix.
Configure the VPN
Once you subscribe, download and install the VPN software on your computer. Go to the server list and connect to a server in a country whose Netflix library you want to access.
Open Netflix
Go to the official Netflix website and choose the content you want to watch. When using a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN, Netflix won’t even notice that you are using a VPN. It even has an obfuscation feature to hide your VPN traffic.
Easy Netflix error code M7111-5059 fix
Try the following tips to solve the Netflix proxy error.
- Reboot your VPN. Uninstalling and reinstalling the VPN software can help to solve the Netflix proxy error. This will help you to get the latest updated version and even patch vulnerabilities.
- Switch to a different server. The VPNs we have recommended on this list offer multiple servers in each country. So, you can try to connect to another server in the exact location to avoid Netflix proxy error.
- Clear your cookies and cache. The cookies and cache stored on your browser can reveal your location. Deleting them may help to remove the Netflix proxy error.
- Use a dedicated IP. The VPNs on this list offer dedicated IP addresses, albeit at an extra cost. You will be assigned an IP address that you don’t share with other users. This makes it hard for Netflix to detect it as a VPN IP, so you will be less likely to be blacklisted.
- Use a different browser. If you cannot access Netflix on Safari, you can try to switch to another browser like Chrome or Firefox.
- Check for DNS/IP leaks. Netflix will detect your location if your VPN leaks your DNS queries or IP address. So, ensure you use a VPN with adequate DNS/IP address leak protection.
Methods that Netflix uses to block VPNs
These are the two main techniques used to stop VPN usage.
Blacklisting IP addresses
An internet protocol (IP) address is assigned to every device that connects to the internet. It is visible on the web and corresponds to the country you are connecting from.
When you use a VPN, your IP address is replaced with the server IP address. Unfortunately, VPN IP addresses are used by multiple users, making it easy for Netflix to detect and block them easily. The case applies to proxy IP addresses.
Domain name system (DNS) filtering
DNS is like the internet’s phone book that links IP addresses with the domain name. So, when you visit the Netflix website, your browser will forward your DNS request to a DNS server. Then, it will search for the website’s IP address and the content you want to watch and returns the information to your device.
Sadly, the DNS server is owned by your internet service provider (ISP) and shows your location. Also, most VPN services will redirect your internet traffic, not your DNS traffic. Netflix detects this mismatch and blocks your connection. Fortunately, some premium VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN reroute both the web traffic and DNS traffic, so Netflix won’t notice a discrepancy.
How do VPNs evade Netflix restrictions?
A VPN encrypts your data and routes your traffic through a server of your choice. This will make you look like you are connecting from the server location.
Most VPNs have apps for different platforms, enabling you to stream Netflix seamlessly. Some even offer dedicated streaming servers that unblock Netflix effortlessly.
Since Netflix has blacklisted many VPN IP addresses, VPN companies use residential IP addresses. Thankfully, Netflix won’t flag off these IP addresses.
Can a free VPN unblock Netflix with the proxy error?
There isn’t a free VPN that can unreliably unblock Netflix. You should not even contemplate using free VPNs. This is because they are insecure, and their servers are extremely slow. Also, some of them have been caught collecting and stealing users’ data.
Therefore, you should use freemium options like ProtonVPN, Windscribe, and TunnelbBear. These premium VPNs offer a free version with stripped features to compel you to upgrade to paid subscriptions. Also, most premium VPNs come with a 30-day money-back guarantee that allows you to use the service for free within 30 days.
Conclusion
Netflix has been increasing its efforts to block VPN connections, frustrating many users worldwide. That is why you should be picky with the VPN service you choose to stream Netflix. A reputable provider like ExpressVPN has impressive unblocking capabilities and fast servers. This will enable you to stream Netflix library from any country you want.
FAQs
The only way to bypass Netflix proxy error is by using a reliable service like ExpressVPN. If you are already subscribed, you can try clearing your cookies or switching to another server. However, if these solutions don’t fix the issue, you can contact the VPN’s customer support for help.
No, using a VPN is allowed in most countries worldwide. However, some countries like Russia and China have restrictions on VPN usage.
Netflix will only block your VPN connection but won’t cancel your account altogether. However, remember that most VPNs fail to avoid Netflix VPN blocks, so you should be careful when signing up.
Sometimes Netflix can display a false positive proxy error, although relatively rare. This happens when your IP address is included in IP addresses associated with VPNs.
Yes, you can do it if you connect to your local server. Alternatively, you can use the split tunneling feature where Netflix stays on your local connection while the traffic of other applications passes through the VPN.
An IP address is one major technique that Netflix uses to detect that you bypass geo-restrictions with a VPN or proxy. So, a VPN server will assign you a new IP address. As a result, Netflix will see your traffic originating from the server and not our device.
