Last updated Oct 25, 2024 at 10am ET
Many avid sports fans encounter increasingly frustrating issue of ESPN+ not working with a VPN, stopping them from reaching the service outside the US. VPNs are a common tool used to bypass online geo-blocks and gain access to restricted sites and services from anywhere in the world. However, due to various hurdles implemented by ESPN+, potential viewers often face annoying error screens, instead of thrilling sports action.
We won’t beat around the bush – most VPNs that claim to work with ESPN+ actually don’t. The platform is notorious for its strict anti-VPN measures, including blacklisting known VPN IP addresses and implementing advanced VPN firewalls to block all encrypted traffic. Being a US-exclusive service, ESPN+ also checks the IP address of every user with each visit to its app or website.
As such, you have to go with a tested service that manages to unblock ESPN+ without causing a headache. Our team has thoroughly researched multiple VPNs to find which can access ESPN+ and which don’t. Here’s a sample list of our findings:
| VPNs that work with ESPN+ | VPNs that don’t work with ESPN+ |
| ✅ NordVPN | ❌ IPVanish |
| ✅ Surfshark VPN | ❌ TunnelBear |
| ✅Proton VPN | ❌ Private Internet Access |
So, if you’re subscribed to a service that doesn’t work with ESPN+ from the get-go, you need to switch providers. Our top recommendation is NordVPN, which unlocked this streaming platform every single time we tried to. And if you’re still running into roadblocks with a reliable provider, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try.
Why ESPN+ is not working with VPN?
If ESPN+ isn’t working with your VPN, it’s because the platform uses a robust VPN firewall that blocks weak VPN services. So most likely, ESPN Plus has blacklisted your VPN server through which you’re trying to connect. For this reason, we strongly suggest upgrading to a trustworthy VPN.
However, you might notice ESPN Plus not working with VPN due to other factors as well, such as:
- Blacklisted VPN IP addresses
- Uncleared browser cookies and cache
- VPN traffic getting blocked by your PC’s firewall or antivirus
- Your IP address or DNS requests are leaking
- DNS problems
- Running an older version of the VPN or the ESPN+ app
Sometimes even rebooting your device before trying to access ESPN+ with the VPN solves the issue. Still, it’s nothing that you can’t fix yourself.
Best ESPN+ VPN that still works in 2024
Sometimes, a switch to a reliable sports streaming VPN is all you need. Indeed, using a VPN for ESPN Plus streaming is completely legal, but it’s important to note that ESPN prohibits bypassing geographical restrictions and employs complex measures to detect and block access from VPN servers used for such purposes. So, not all VPNs are capable of bypassing geo-restrictions and VPN detection systems.
We did our part and tested multiple providers to see which unblock ESPN+. Our research team also paid close attention to the US server count, speeds, security toolkits, and perks that help avoid VPN detection. Here are but a few services that meet (and exceed) the requirements:
- NordVPN. The best VPN for accessing ESPN+, coming with 2000+ servers in the US, the fastest speeds in the industry, and a 74% discount. Its unique SmartPlay feature effectively bypasses streaming platform geo-blocks, and obfuscated servers hide all traces of VPN usage. You can even get a dedicated IP in the US, an IP address only you can use, raising less red flags for ESPN.
- Surfshark VPN. An extra secure ESPN+ VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections and broad device support. Camouflage and NoBorders modes work especially great at circumventing VPN restrictions. Plus, there are plenty of dedicated IP address options in the US, along with Smart DNS technology for easier streaming platform unlocking.
- Proton VPN. A well-rounded ESPN+ VPN with hefty extras that take your streaming sessions up a notch. Though it has no SmartDNS, the Smart Protocols and VPN Accelerator features allow you to optimize VPN connection for a maximum streaming output. Plus, you can rely on Stealth features to sneak past the platform’s detection with extra caution.
Quick fixes for ESPN+ not working with VPN
As mentioned previously, apart from a weak VPN, there are other reasons why you might be unable to access ESPN+. We cover the steps you can take to help solve this issue below.
1. Update the VPN app
Updating your software can often solve various VPN problems with ESPN+ by implementing the newest bug fixes, security patches, and performance optimizations. To update your VPN, follow these steps:
- Launch the VPN application on your device
- Open the settings or preferences section
- Look for “Check for updates” option in the app settings
- Download and install the update (if available) according to the prompts
- Your VPN is up-to-date and ready to use!
2. Change the VPN server
A really quick way to avoid issues associated with VPN IPs is to try to connect to another server. As ESPN+ blocks VPN traffic and blacklists IP addresses associated with virtual private networks, a quick switch gives you a fresh IP that’s not yet known to ESPN.
To do so, simply reselect your chosen US location or try a different state altogether and repeat the process if necessary.
While most premium VPN services tend to refresh their IP pool, they can’t just swap them all at the same time. So, it’s pretty likely you selected a server with a blacklisted IP. Just Don’t forget that server overcrowdedness might be impeding your bypassing efforts, as well.
3. Contact VPN support for advice
Reaching out to your provider’s customer support is the quickest way to find out what else you have to tweak or what specific server you have to connect to. Or the VPN might be experiencing technical issues – support agents will inform you about that as well.
Worst case scenario – support informs you that the VPN actually doesn’t work with ESPN+. If that’s the case, it’s time to look for a better service.
4. Check for IP and DNS leaks
The VPN may not properly establish the connection with the server, revealing your IP address and DNS queries. This is a problem since it’s essentially a big red flag saying, “Hey, I’m trying to access ESPN+ outside the US.” Thus, always check for IP & DNS leaks.
You can quickly check if something’s amiss with some of the numerous online tools, like ipleak.net and dnsleaktest.com. If it turns out that they are leaking, enable the VPN’s security features and cycle through the available tunneling protocols.
5. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies
Web cookies track your browsing escapades and usually contain data about your general whereabouts. They’re not necessarily harmful, but they might be revealing your actual location. If ESPN+ is reading this cookie information, it’s no wonder the platform is blocking you out accordingly.
We recommend clearing your web cache, where the cookies are stored. You can find it in your browser’s Settings menu:
- For Chrome, go to Settings -> Privacy and security -> Clear browsing data
- For Firefox, go to Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Clear Data (next to Cookies and Site Data)
- For Edge, go to Settings -> Privacy, search, and services -> Choose what to clear (next to Clear browsing data)
- For Safari, go to Safari -> Preferences -> Privacy -> Manage Website Data -> Remove all
Furthermore, reboot your device. And if you’re accessing ESPN+ via browser and not the app, it’s good practice to do so via Incognito mode.
6. Flush your DNS cache
The DNS cache stores all DNS queries and IP addresses. While it makes browsing easier, the problem is that it might be interfering with the VPN connection and revealing your location. You’ll have to flush your DNS cache.
Here’s how to do it on Windows:
- Press the Windows button + R to open the Run terminal. Type in cmd.
- Once the Command Prompt is open, type in ipconfig/flushdns and press Enter
- This message should appear Successfully flushed the DNS resolver cache
And how to do it on macOS computers:
- Open Spotlight, type Terminal, and double-click on the application to open it
- Enter the command sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
- Type in your password and press Enter. Your DNS cache will be flushed.
Just don’t forget to reboot your device before trying to reconnect the VPN. Changing your default DNS settings might also prove beneficial:
- Open the Settings -> Network & internet -> Advanced network settings
- Look for your current network and open the drop-down menu
- Select “View additional properties” option
- Click “Edit” on DNS server assignment
- Choose the “Manual” option from the drop-down menu
- Toggle on the IPv4 option
- Fill in the boxes for Preferred DNS and Alternate DNS with 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
- Press OK to save the changes and reboot your computer
7. Reset VPN app and the streaming device
Have you tried turning it off and on again? As cliche as it is, restarting your streaming device and the VPN application can fix the ESPN+ VPN issues. If this doesn’t help, there’s a slight chance of corrupted app files, so try reinstalling your virtual private network altogether. Just be sure to restart your hardware afterward.
8. Update ESPN+ app
Make sure you’re using the newest version of the ESPN+ app, as those updates can fix some compatibility-related problems. To update ESPN Plus, check for updates in the app settings or visit your device’s app store, install the newest version, and restart your device. In fact, More than a few users online note that they successfully unblocked ESPN+ after approving and installing the latest software patches.
9. Disable the firewall & antivirus
These tools usually do a great job keeping your device safe, but they might mistakingly block VPN traffic, ending up in ESPN+ not working with VPN. To fix it, just turn off your antivirus and firewall temporarily, connect to the VPN, and try accessing ESPN+ again. If it works, make sure to add your VPN to the firewall and antivirus whitelist.
10. Upgrade to a premium streaming VPN service
Now, if none of the troubleshooting steps helped you fix the ESPN+ VPN issues, it might be time to get a tested VPN known for its streaming capabilities.
Our experts single out NordVPN as the best VPN for streaming ESPN+ with no hurdles. They tested this service with multiple streaming platforms, not just ESPN+, and found it to work as intended without a flinch. Furthermore, it offers blazing speeds for smooth streaming and supports many devices, including dedicated streaming peripherals.
NordVPN works with ESPN+ flawlessly, managing to unblock this streaming service time and time again. It comes with all the right tools to evade VPN blocking, like obfuscated servers. And with the fastest speeds in the industry, you’ll enjoy crisp 4K UHD video quality.
How does ESPN+ detect and blacklist my VPN?
ESPN+ is a region-locked service, so naturally, it checks every visitor’s IP address before letting them in. Your IP indicates that you’re in the US? Great, here’s all the on-demand sports you want. The IP address shows that you’re outside the country? Do not pass go, do not get access to all the sporting events your heart wishes to stream live.
And the company behind this streaming platform is very aware of the fact that outsiders are trying to unblock it with virtual private networks. Even locals are using it to gain access to restricted content, like NHL games unavailable due to regional blackouts. So, how does one prevent this? By blacklisting known VPN IP addresses and utilizing a VPN firewall to block encrypted traffic from coming through. Simple but highly effective.
Not all hope is lost, though. While the system is robust, it can’t catch and block absolutely everything. You can circumvent it with a US VPN with lots of servers in this country. Furthermore, additional options like VPN traffic obfuscation and dedicated IP addresses also help you remain undetected. The key here is picking the right service.
A guide to selecting the best VPN for ESPN Plus
While every provider can boast how their service is the perfect ESPN+ VPN, you can easily tell apart the good from the bad if you know what to look for. Here are the most important checkboxes to keep in mind:
- Compatibility. Make sure the VPN works smoothly with ESPN and similar services. The best VPN for ESPN Plus must consistently unblock the streaming service from anywhere.
- Speed. You need an ESPN VPN that’s fast enough to handle live HD streaming so you don’t miss a single moment. The fastest VPNs help you avoid those pauses for annoying buffering.
- Servers. ESPN blocks a lot of VPN-related IP addresses. Your ideal ESPN Plus VPN should have ample options to easily switch to another US server if the one you tried isn’t cutting it.
- Supported devices. A solid ESPN+ VPN should offer apps for at least both mobile and desktop, so you can watch sports on any device you like.
- Security. We recommend opting for a highly secure VPN for ESPN which can keep your IP hidden no matter what and includes stealth capabilities to reliably bypass geo-blocks.
Start watching ESPN+ with NordVPN
VPNs that don’t work with ESPN+
Not all VPNs work with ESPN+, sadly. That’s not out of the ordinary, given that each provider prioritizes different aspects, whether it’s streaming, security, or stealth. Likewise, some VPNs have more funding to extend their capabilities, thus they are better. At the end of the day, your task is to make the right call when choosing a service for a demanding platform like ESPN Plus.
Our experts’ standards are high, but it’s only natural if you want the VPN service to not only unblock the streaming hub, but also remain undetected after multiple occasions. Since we recommended the top ESPN+ VPN options, we also present you those that really don’t work well with the platform according to our test results.
- IPVanish. The service doesn’t have specialized streaming servers, which can make unblocking huge streaming sites like ESPN+ quite annoying. While we managed to reach the website, the streaming experience was far from what we could recommend due to constant buffering.
- Mullvad. Security is the strong forte of Mullvad, not streaming. The VPN has a smaller server fleet with barely 200+ based in the US. For this reason, finding unblocked IPs was a challenge and we succeeded too few times to claim this service solves ESPN+ VPN not working issues.
- PIA. Private Internet Access is a good VPN but not quite the ESPN Plus VPN you could rely on. This service struggled to slip through the platform’s detection and IP addresses got blocked easily, even though there seemed to be no leaks.
- TunnelBear. This VPN doesn’t work with ESPN+. Factually, we managed to unblock the streaming hub only a couple of times out of 30+ attempts. Besides, during those successful cases we noticed the connection tends to drop suddenly. As for failed tests, we tested for IP & DNS leaks, which were actually spilling.
- VyprVPN. Our experience with VyprVPN trying to unblock ESPN Plus was tiresome. Due to the smaller server net, we kept running into blocked IP addresses or we’d be found out immediately. Also, several successful ventures onto the platform didn’t go without performance hiccups.
Conclusion
If ESPN+ is not working with VPN, there are plenty of troubleshooting steps you can try to fix it. Start by updating your VPN, clearing out your cache and cookies, and maybe switching up those VPN servers. However, if none of that does the trick, maybe it’s time to think about upgrading your virtual private network to a trusted and tested ESPN+ VPN.
Our recommended ESPN+ VPN to reliably unblock the service is NordVPN. It’s equipped with over 2000 servers in the US alone, the in-house NordLynx tunneling protocol that facilitates the fastest speeds in the market. On top of that, SmartPlay makes it fully compatible with ESPN+ and similar services for hassle-free geo-block bypassing. The fact that it’s highly affordable is just another perk.
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FAQ
Does ESPN Plus work with VPN?
Yes, ESPN+ works with a VPN. The key here is subscribing to a provider that actually works with ESPN+, as many VPNs aren’t equipped with the right tools to unblock this streaming service.
Is it legal to use VPN with ESPN+?
Yes, it’s legal to use a VPN with ESPN+ in countries where VPNs are not outlawed. However, using software that masks your location, such as VPNs to get around ESPN+ blackout, is against this streaming platform’s Terms of Service. If caught, your account might get temporarily suspended.
How do I get around the ESPN VPN block?
First, choose a reliable ESPN VPN that can unblock the platform and keep your IP hidden. Then, enable additional features, such as Obfuscated. Once it’s connected, you shouldn’t experience any ESPN+ streaming problems. Obfuscated servers or Stealth VPN hide all tracks of VPN traffic, helping bypass VPN blocks. Getting a dedicated IP is also useful for raising less suspicion, as you’re the only one with access to that particular IP address.
Why is ExpressVPN not working with ESPN+?
ExpressVPN was tested and found to work with ESPN+, so other causes are likely making it ineffective. Try switching the VPN server you’re connected to or flushing your DNS cache among other troubleshooting tips.
What to do if NordVPN is not working with ESPN+?
Switching to a different VPN server is the quickest and easiest way to fix ESPN+ and NordVPN issues. Most of the connection problems are caused by ESPN+ blacklisting IP addresses of specific NordVPN servers. Luckily, this is extremely rare since NordVPN is the best VPN for ESPN Plus we tested.
What to do if Surfshark is not working with ESPN+?
The fastest and most common fix to ESPN+ problems with Surfshark is to switch your VPN server. You can also clear your browser’s cache and cookies, flush the DNS, or check for Surfshark or ESPN+ app updates. Finally, if nothing works, Surfshark’s customer support can give you personalized help.
