Fix ExpressVPN not Working with Apple TV [Tested 2024]

Is ExpressVPN not working on Apple TV? You’re not alone. For some people, ExpressVPN cannot bypass restrictions on Netflix or can’t connect at all on Apple TV. If you’re facing similar issues, keep reading.

As someone who deals with VPN errors regularly, I found some ways around this. Follow the steps below to fix this issue and get back to your favorite shows and movies in no time.

ExpressVPN not working with AppleTV? Try this!

➡️ Preliminary checks:

• Take a quick speed test to check and ensure that you have a working internet connection and good enough speed for streaming:
  • HD Quality (720p): 5-10 Mbps
  • Full HD Quality (1080p): 10-20 Mbps
  • Ultra HD (4K) Quality: 25-50 Mbps
  • 8K Quality: 50-100 Mbps or higher
• Check your VPN provider’s website to see if you have the latest fersion. If not, update the app to get the best performance.
• Restart your devices, including your router (if you’re using one).
• Check for any service outages or maintenance on ExpressVPN’s website.

If the simple steps don’t resolve the issue, here are additional fixes you can try:

1. Delete cookies and cache

1.  Click on your browser menu to reveal its settings.
2. Go to Privacy and Security > Clear cookies.
   
   3. Select the duration of cookies and cache you want to clear.
   4. Click Clear data to finish the process and ensure it’s cleared before trying to reconnect.
   
   If you are on a mobile device, you should also clear the ExpressVPN app cache and see if it fixes the problem.
   
   Here’s how to do that:
   
   1.Open your Settings app.
   2. Navigate to Apps > Manage apps and select ExpressVPN from the list.
   
   3. Click on Storage.
   4. Click on Clear data.
   
   5. Select the Clear cache option.
   
   Your browser stores cookies from various websites you visit and they often contain details including your location.
   
   Websites use information gathered by these cookies to streamline and limit access to them.
   
   These cookies can interfere with the location provided by the VPN.
   When this happens, it leads to your IP address and connection getting blocked.

2. Change servers

1. Launch your VPN app.
2. Disconnect from the previous server.
3. Connect to a different server in another location.
4. After a stable connection is established, try visiting the website on your device to see if this fixes the issue.

When ExpressVPN is not working with your Apple TV, it’s important to note that the service you’re trying to visit has blocked your connection.

This happens when it detects your VPN connection, mainly because you are connecting to a server on its blacklist.

However, this doesn’t imply that all the VPN servers have been blocked.

Rather, you can switch to another VPN server and gain access to the service you want.

3. Reinstall your VPN

Most times, the solution is just as easy as deleting your VPN software and reinstalling it.

Here’s how to do it:

Reinstall the ExpressVPN app

1. Long press on the VPN app and a couple of options will pop up.
2. Select Uninstall.
3. Alternatively, go through your Settings app > Apps > Manage apps.
4. Then select the VPN app and click Uninstall.
5. Go to your app store and install it afresh.

Reinstall ExpressVPN on PC

1. Open Settings and go to Apps.
2. Select the Uninstall Apps option.
3. Click the app you want and select Uninstall.
4. Visit the official website of ExpressVPN.
5. Download the software to your device
6. 5. Launch and configure it for use with the Apple TV.

This fix ensures you get a clean slate so you can install your VPN correctly especially if the app already had a faulty configuration.

When you delete your VPN app, you’ve also deleted anything causing the connectivity issues with the Apple TV.

4. Use Media Streamer

MediaStreamer is a set-and-forget DNS service offered by ExpressVPN for devices that don’t allow VPN installations just like Apple TV.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. First, you have to give ExpressVPN your IP address to get approval to use the service.
2. Next, you will get a MediaStreamer IP address that works with Apple TV.
3. Configure the DNS settings on your Apple TV to use the MediaStreamer IP address.
4. Restart your Apple TV device to apply the settings.

5. Change your VPN provider

If you’ve tried all these fixes and the issue still persists, how about changing your VPN provider?
Although ExpressVPN is arguably the best provider available today.

There are other premium services that offer impressive features that can help you enjoy watching content on your Apple TV.

For example, CyberGhost is an excellent alternative to use with Apple TV as it performs excellently when it comes to streaming.

Follow these steps to watch Apple TV with CyberGhost:

1.  Visit CyberGhost’s official website to choose the subscription plan you want.
2. Make payments and install the software on your device.
3. Launch the app and connect to a server.
4. Connect to Apple TV and see if the issue is fixed.

6. Disable firewalls

1. Navigate to your router’s settings. You can usually access this by typing your router’s IP address into a web browser. Common addresses are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
2. Log in to your router. You may need to enter a username and password. If you haven’t changed these, check your router’s manual for default login credentials.
3. Look for settings related to firewalls or security software. This may be under a section labeled “Security” or “Firewall.”
4. Disable any firewalls or security software settings. This process varies depending on your router model, so consult your router’s manual if you’re unsure how to do this.
5. Save your changes and exit the router settings.
6. Try connecting to ExpressVPN on your Apple TV again to see if the issue persists.

By temporarily disabling firewalls or security software on your router, you remove potential barriers that might block ExpressVPN’s connection on your Apple TV.

This quick adjustment allows ExpressVPN to establish a secure connection without any interference.

I recommend you re-enable the firewall once you’re done using the Apple TV, otherwise, you may put your internet-connected devices at risk.

7. Reset your Apple TV network settings

1. On your Apple TV, go to the Settings menu.
2. Scroll down and select “General.”
3. Scroll down again and select “Reset.”
4. Choose “Reset Network Settings.” This will reset all network settings on your Apple TV, including WiFi networks and passwords.
5. Confirm that you want to reset the network settings.
6. Your Apple TV will restart, and the network settings will be reset to their default values.
7. Once your Apple TV has restarted, reconnect it to your WiFi network and try connecting to ExpressVPN again.

Does Apple TV block ExpressVPN?

NO. Apple TV doesn’t block ExpressVPN or any VPN at all.

However, it doesn’t support the use of VPNs either.

In cases where a VPN doesn’t work, it’s more likely to be because the streaming website you want to use blocks VPN connections.

For example, geo-restricted platforms like Hulu, Disney+, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer can block your VPN connection on Apple TV.

These streaming services analyze traffic and block any requests coming from a VPN once it is detected.

This is because they are bound by copyright laws and licensing agreements that could result in huge fines and legal procedures if they’re compromised.

How does Apple TV detect ExpressVPN?

As mentioned earlier that Apple TV doesn’t block VPNs but the streaming platforms available on the service do.

These platforms use a series of technologies to identify and block IP addresses they’ve seen to belong to VPNs.

Connecting to a streaming platform reveals your IP address and these platforms believe in having a minimal number of connections to their server per IP address.

Once there’s an unnecessarily high number of connections coming from the same IP address, the service then knows it’s from a VPN and blacklists it.

This is what happens with cheap or free VPNs as they don’t have that many IP addresses to shuffle and choose from so many users tend to overcrowd one IP address.

Also, services like Maxmind technologies allow these streaming platforms to look through the existing database that has numerous IP addresses of VPNs in them.

These databases help such geo-restricted websites quickly identify and block VPN IP addresses from accessing their content.

Therefore, if your VPN gives you an already blacklisted IP address, you can be sure that your access will be restricted.

Best VPNs for Apple TV

Now that you know how VPNs get blocked on Apple TV, let’s see which providers are configured to bypass these detection methods.

1. CyberGhost – Large server network

CyberGhost currently has a huge network of 9097 servers in 91 countries.

In view of this, it’s able to access a large number of restricted content on many region-locked streaming sites including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

This VPN is fast and uses AES 256-bit encryption.

Also, it operates a strict no-logs policy and has an automatic kill switch that prevents data leakages when there are sudden connection drops.

Furthermore, you also get DNS leak protection that makes it impossible for your ISP’s DNS to give away your actual location information.

It’s available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and lots more.

Pros:

• Fast server speed for buffer-free streaming
• No-logs policy
• Secure and strong encryption protocols
• Wide server network
• Suitable for Apple TV via router connection
• Extensive 45-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

• It doesn’t have an app for routers
• Doesn’t work in China

CyberGhost

Easily unblock streaming content on your Apple TV with this reliable VPN!

Check price Visit website

2. Private Internet Access – Affordable alternative

Owing to its use of Smart DNS, it’s a great option for use with Apple TV.

Its Smart DNS feature allows for seamless streaming on Apple TV.

With over 35,000 RAM-only servers globally, it does an excellent job of unblocking top streaming platforms without logging your activities.

This means that your privacy is secure while also unblocking sites like Netflix, Disney Plus, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and lots more.

In addition, PIA also has a kill switch that takes you offline when your connection fails to prevent leaks.

It has apps for Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Mac, Linux, and many routers.

Pros:

• Strong security features
• No logs policy
• Fast connecting servers
• Allows connection on up to 10 devices simultaneously
• Huge server network
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

• Not well functioning in China

Private Internet Access

Get PIA for unrestricted and high-speed streaming on Apple TV!

Check price Visit website

3. NordVPN – Reliable streaming speeds

With 5057 speedy servers in 60 countries, NordVPN is another alternative to ExpressVPN for Apple TV.

It has a strong record of unblocking streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer to mention a few. Therefore, it’s an exceptional choice for Apple TV.

It uses military-grade encryption and has an encrypted DNS proxy called SmartDNS.

This is essential for a seamless unblocking of geo-restricted content across the globe.

In addition, it has the same premium features as PIA and CyberGhost, plus specialty servers like obfuscated and P2P servers.

Another amazing feature is it supports a lot of routers. In fact, many routers come configured with NordVPN out of the box and have all you need to unblock content on Apple TV.

Pros:

• Compatible with Apple TV
• Super fast connecting servers
• Huge server network
• Unblocks various popular streaming platforms
• Strong security features
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons:

• The app interface is tricky and not beginner friendly.

NordVPN

Watch your favorite shows error-free & unblock any type of content with NordVPN!

Check price Visit website

Read more:

• How to Set Up a VPN on Apple AirPort Extreme EASILY [2024]

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Summary

Apple TV not working with ExpressVPN isn’t because Apple TV has blocked your VPN or your device is bad.

Instead, the websites you’re trying to access from the device are the ones blocking your VPN connection due to their geo-restriction.

To fix this issue, you can either delete your cookies or change the server you’re connected to.

Alternatively, deleting the VPN software works just fine, and changing to another VPN provider is a sure fix as well.

All these fixes will help sort the connectivity issues of Apple TV not working with ExpressVPN that you’re experiencing.

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