Hotel WiFi Blocking Your VPN? [3 Quick Solutions!]

Is your hotel WiFi blocking VPN usage? I feel your pain!

If you’re on the road, encountering such an inconvenience can interfere with browsing. You won’t be able to evade geo-restrictions or protect your privacy and security.

Fortunately, you can play around with your VPN settings to evade this restriction. If not, you must switch to a reliable provider to avoid the hiccups.

So, follow my lead as we examine the potential solutions step-by-step. Ready? Let’s dive in!

Why do hotel WiFis block VPNs?

Hotels often block VPNs to control network usage and maintain bandwidth quality. These restrictions help prevent guests from overwhelming the hotspot, especially with bandwidth-heavy activities.

Security concerns also drive many establishments to limit VPN services on their WiFis. This aims to curb fraudulent activities that could harm their entities or other guests.

Many hotels additionally reserve specific ports, which VPNs use for their network configuration. These technical limitations naturally interfere with VPN protocols and connections.

Lucky you – I’ve got solutions!

Hotel WiFi blocking your VPN? Here’s How to Fix it!

There are different workarounds to bypass the hotel WiFi’s VPN restriction. Let’s explore them together below:

1. Change the VPN protocol

VPNs offer multiple connection protocols, each utilizing different network ports. Changing to an alternative can help when your hotel reserves specific ports for its use.

Here’s how:

1. Disconnect your VPN if it’s running.
2. Open Settings and go to the Connections option.

3. Expand the VPN Protocol to showcase the available alternatives. 
4. Set to a different one and Save.
5. Reconnect your VPN.  

You must explore all available protocols and stick to the one that works. It works exceptionally, especially on public WiFis that block VPNs.

2. Use obfuscated servers

Obfuscated servers help users conceal that they’re using a VPN. They achieve this by modifying data packets to avoid detection by firewalls.

Follow these steps:

1. Disconnect your VPN if it’s running. 
2. Expand the servers list and look for Obfuscated Servers.

3. Select your preferred region and connect.
4. Enjoy internet access.

This option is slower but adequate for browsing and streaming. It may not be ideal if you’re into heavy downloads and torrenting.

3. Change VPN encryption

VPNs heavily encrypt traffic to enhance both privacy and security online. However, this approach makes them easily detectable by hotel WiFi firewalls.

Fortunately, some VPN vendors, like Private Internet Access (PIA), allow users to adjust encryption strength. Doing so normalizes your traffic, allowing you to bypass detection.

Do the following:

1. Disconnect the VPN if it’s active.
2. Open Settings and navigate to Protocols.
3. Choose OpenVPN under Protocol.

4. Go to the Data Encryption option and set AES-128bit.
5. Reconnect the VPN.

Your VPN doesn’t have the above features? Then it’s time to switch.

Best VPNs for hotel WiFi 

Below are the top VPNs capable of bypassing restrictions on hotel WiFis.

• ExpressVPN: Offers 3,000+ obfuscated servers in 110 countries. The service is fast and novice-friendly.
• NordVPN: Boasts the fastest speeds on the market. It has obfuscated servers and multiple protocols, which can bypass VPN detection.
• Private Internet Access (PIA): The vendor provides 65,000+ servers across 110 countries. It comes with obfuscation, multiple protocols, and encryption-easing technology.

That’s about it!

Wrapping up

Hotel Wifi blocking your VPN? This problem should now belong to the past.

As you’ve seen, VPNs offer multiple solutions to evade this problem. This includes changing protocols, using obfuscated servers, and switching encryption. 

However, consider switching vendors if your VPN doesn’t have the mentioned features. You’ll be able to browse securely via hotel WiFi everywhere you go.