From binge-watching the timeless classic of Doctor Who to watching the chronicles of the power-hungry family of the Peaky Blinders navigating their way in the post-WW1 world – the BBC iPlayer is loved by 60 million global subscribers!
However, the streaming service is geo-limited; the only way out is to use a BBC iPlayer VPN. Despite how convenient VPNs make bypassing geo-limitations look like, in reality using this software can be somewhat difficult for many to wrap their heads around. And that’s all what this article is about.
We’ll walk you through why your BBC iPlayer VPN might not be working and the top 5 troubleshooting steps to regain your streaming freedom. Let’s dive in!
BBC iPlayer VPN Not Working: The Common Reasons Why
According to Statista, from July 2023 (July 3rd-9th), BBC iPlayer users streamed an average of 81 million minutes of content daily. This clearly represents the popularity and exclusive content BBC iPlayer has to offer.
However, not everyone can enjoy the streaming service without using a VPN. And in some cases, using a BBC iPlayer VPN doesn’t promise to save your back either – it might not always be up to the mark. To further delve into the BBC iPlayer VPN errors, here’s a list of reasons why the VPN isn’t working.
1. Your VPN Can’t Bypass the Geo-Limitations
Not all VPNs can hop the geo-restrictions; that’s why you must only choose a premium VPN. When choosing a VPN, review its features and check to see if the software mentions any features highlighting its capability to bypass geo-limitations.
Secondly, if you’re using a free VPN, then you can’t expect it to work for accessing BBC iPlayer globally. Being free services, they don’t offer the premium features that a paid service would. And, that might be where the problem’s lying too.
2. BBC Has Blacklisted the VPN
Most premium services, including the BBC leverage robust technologies to detect VPNs. Not every VPN can cut for you; instead, a known and credible one can. The streaming service might be inaccessible due to BBC blacklisting the VPN you’re using, or it might have detected the server. This leads to the streaming service blocking that specific server you’re connected to.
3. You’re Connected to a Virtual Server
Various VPNs offer virtual servers, and most streaming services that already use enhanced VPN detection technologies can easily detect them. Since all data is virtually stored, it’s easier for the streaming service to detect VPN usage. Along with that, the virtual servers don’t offer enhanced performance either, making it an efficient choice for bypassing geo-limitations.
The 5 Troubleshooting Tips to Fix the BBC iPlayer VPN’s Errors
If you’re using a premium BBC iPlayer VPN and still the service remains inaccessible, here’s a list of the 5 troubleshooting tips to fix the error:
1. Check the Internet Speed
Streaming services often require more speed, and a slow Internet speed won’t help. This is also why BBC iPlayer is inaccessible in most cases. Also, most VPNs don’t bypass bandwidth throttling, and it’s important only to use one that offers unlimited bandwidth. If you’ve got an unlimited bandwidth, here’s how you can conduct an online Internet speed test:
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Head to the browser.
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Search for an online speed tester.
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Click open the site and select Go.
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Give it a few seconds.
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The result should be above 9-14 Mbps.
2. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
It’s mostly the cookies that hint at VPN usage since browser cookies can also reveal your location. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to clear Google Chrome’s cache and cookies:
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Head to Google Chrome.
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Go to More Options by clicking on the 3 dots.
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Go to More Tools.
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Select Clear Browsing Data>Time Range.
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Check out the boxes beside Cookies and other site data.
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Once done, select Clear Data.
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Now close Chrome tabs and reopen it.
3. Change the VPN Protocol
This is one of the most common ways to get through the inability to bypass the geo-restrictions. Most premium VPNs at least feature the top 3 protocols that make hopping the geographical restrictions a cakewalk. Those are:
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OpenVPN
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WireGuard
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IKEV2
If you’re currently using the Auto-connect protocol, then here’s how to switch to another VPN protocol that aids improved access to geo-limited sites:
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Log in to the VPN app if you haven’t already done so.
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Generally, there’s a separate tab for protocols. If not, go to settings, navigate, and click on Protocols.
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Select another protocol. Connect to the UK server.
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Head to the BBC iPlayer and sign in.
4. Access BBC iPlayer Through the Computer
If you’re trying to access the BBC iPlayer through your smartphone, switch to the computer, which should generally resolve the issue. Doing so ensures that the GPS location never gets cross-referenced with your smartphone.
5. Contact the VPN’s Customer Support
If none of the troubleshooting steps work mentioned above help, then this might be the time to contact the VPN’s customer support. However, before this, ensure that you’re only using a premium VPN since the free ones mostly don’t even feature a separate support page. At the same time, the paid ones are bound to help you out of this.
Go to the VPN’s homepage and navigate their support section. Wait for their live customer support agent to appear and explain the error. This should help you resolve the issue.
Wrapping Up
While the BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, it still hosts a widespread fanbase. And the only way to access it is by using a BBC iPlayer VPN. Since not all VPNs ensure access to the streaming service, you must only use reliable premium software to bypass the strict geo-restrictions.
Despite using the VPN, if you still face BBC iPlayer’s errors, then implement the above-mentioned troubleshooting tips.