Does PIA Work with Netflix? Best Fix in April 2021

Yes, even though PIA works with Netflix, it frequently causes issues making it an unreliable option. We have shared the easy steps to watch Netflix with PIA in 2021 in this article.

PIA is one of the oldest VPN providers that has been around for a long time. It has earned an excellent reputation in the industry because of its amazing service and features. However, it faced a great low when Netflix blacklisted its Silicon Valley servers, and it could no longer unblock it.

*There are only a few PIA servers that can unblock Netflix, and Even they are not reliable to do so every time. Therefore, it is recommended that you choose an alternative like ExpressVPN that can unblock Netflix easily. 

Why does PIA not work with Netflix?

PIA is a privacy-centric VPN and is not ideal for streaming Netflix as it does not offer dedicated servers for streaming like ExpressVPN to unblock Netflix. Since PIA does not have streaming dedicated servers, it cannot cope with Netflix’s IP blocking system.

Netflix is quite serious about its content distribution, which is why it has implemented a smart VPN blocker. This IP blocking system blocks all the VPN and proxy users from accessing content titles that are not available in other regions.

Private Internet Access was initially able to bypass Netflix’s geo-restrictions, but its VPN blocker started detecting the IPs and blocked its Silicon valley servers. Since then, Private Internet Access servers have not been able to provide access to Netflix.

Streamers use a VPN to access different Netflix libraries, such as American Netflix, outside the USA, but they cannot rely on PIA as the VPN blocker will detect them, and their IPs will be banned. 

Best Alternative of PIA For Netflix

PIA is an unreliable VPN provider for Netflix, and thus an alternative is required to access Netflix. According to our suggestions, ExpressVPN is the best choice to stream Netflix.

Express VPN – Best Alternative for PIA that works with Netflix

ExpressVPN is one of the premium VPNs for Netflix, and you can also use it to watch channels like Disney Plus, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and much more from all around the world. You can get their exclusive 15 months plan, in which you get 12 months of access with 3 months free to unblock Disney Plus in Russia.

It has more than 3000 servers in 94 countries globally, and all of its servers are optimized for seamless streaming. ExpressVPN can unblock Netflix quite easily, and its charges are justified for its outstanding service.

Security and Privacy:

ExpressVPN encrypts its traffic with AES-256 encryption and promises no-leakages. It supports Perfect Forward Secrecy, which strengthens the security by changing the encryption keys frequently. 

Thanks to its kill-switch feature, the VPN prevents your essential data from leaking outside of the secure VPN tunnel, even if your connection fails while browsing or streaming. ExpressVPN guarantees no IP or DNS leaks, hence ensuring your security on another level.

Faster Speeds:

ExpressVPN offers the fastest VPN servers among all its competitors. With over 3000 servers in 94 countries (160 different locations), it allows its users to bypass geoblocks anywhere in the world. Even though a VPN drastically slows down your internet speeds, ExpressVPN gives stable and fast speeds, improving user experience. Due to its amazing speed, people use ExpressVPN for unblocking Harry Potter on Netflix across the world.

No Data Logging:

ExpressVPN pledges not to record or track its user’s online activity. It has a strict no-logs policy, which requires it not to store any of its users’ logs and information. 

The only data that ExpressVPN collects is the Application, and its version, choice of server location, date of connection, and the total amount of data transferred a day.

ExpressVPN vs. PIA Comparison

A head-to-head comparison between ExpressVPN and PIA is shown in the table below:

It is evident from the table above that ExpressVPN is a much better option than PIA for accessing Netflix.

How to fix PIA not working with Netflix?

You may try some fixes if PIA is not working with Netflix. As it is a high-speed VPN service that sometimes fails to unblock Netflix, you always have an option to try other VPN alternatives. But, if you want to continue using PIA for watching Netflix, then you may try the following fixes:

• Check IP Address

If PIA gives you a proxy error while accessing Netflix, then you should check your IP address. Netflix can easily detect your IP address, and if it finds out that you are accessing it from a blacklisted IP, it will give you a proxy error as below:

Follow the steps below to avoid this issue: 

1. Check your IP address at What is My IP Address before connecting to VPN. 
2. Connect to PIA’s server and recheck your IP. 
3. Ensure that your original IP is not leaking.
4. In the case of IP leakage, change your region or select another server in the same region.

• Flush your DNS

Even when connected to PIA, Netflix will block you from streaming if it detects your default DNS. Follow the steps below to flush your DNS in case of a DNS leak:

1. Open the run box by pressing the Windows key + R together.
2. Type “cmd” in the Run box and click Ok.
3. Type “ipconfig/flushdns” in the command prompt, then press Enter.
4. You will get the message, “Windows IP Configuration Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

• Change Protocol

You can change PIA’s protocol if it blocks you from accessing Netflix. Follow the steps below to change your VPN protocol:

1. Open the Private Internet Access application.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select a Protocol by clicking on Protocol under the Connection tab.
4. Try accessing Netflix now.

Can I use a free VPN for Netflix instead of PIA?

No, you cannot use a free VPN instead of PIA to access Netflix. Free VPNs may claim to unblock Netflix, but they are very risky to use, and you put your security at risk with their usage. Other than the security drawbacks, they have very few servers that are flooded with users and make the internet super slow. Slow streaming experience leads to buffering and low-resolution video streaming. 

Also, Netflix can easily detect free VPNs, and it has already blocked most of them, so it won’t let you pass through the block. Even though free VPNs don’t charge you, they make money by selling your information to third parties, and you end up getting into awful situations.

Does Private Internet Access slow down Netflix?

Yes, while streaming Netflix with Private Internet Access, you will experience a reduction in your internet speed. Your internet speed is greatly affected by the server location (it will reduce a lot if the server’s location is far from your location), the type of encryption, and the current server. Private Internet Access as a VPN provider is not as fast as ExpressVPN but still gives decent internet speeds.

Netflix recommends at least 3 Mbps speed for smooth streaming, and you should remember that using a VPN service like PIA will reduce your internet speed by one-third. You might have some problem streaming UHD and 4K content.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

We have concluded that PIA is not a good option for accessing Netflix. Therefore, it would be best to use a better alternative like ExpressVPN for streaming Netflix as it works the best. I have tried to clear the picture with the head-to-head comparison of different factors to help you choose the alternative that suits you best.

Arsalan Rathore

Arsalan Rathore is a business graduate who loves to pen down his thoughts and views related to various aspects. He loves writing about Technology, Entertainment, Fiction and Science. He loves binge watching shows from various genres and then sharing his views with the world.