Can You Use VPN On Roku

Setting Up Roku With VPN

The easiest way to set up your Roku, Firestick, PS4, Nintendo Switch, tablet or just about any device is with a router! Youll need to look up if your router supports OpenVPN, if not, youll need to buy another router.

Relax! Routers are very affordable and I recommend having 2 router so you can easily switch between WiFi signals. Youll need to get a router with OpenVPN .

Will Free VPNs Work With Roku

While a free VPN will technically work with Roku products, we dont recommend using them. Free VPNs generally have less servers, subpar privacy features, and slow speeds. In many cases, they arent even compatible with streaming services.

Using a free VPN can also be a security risk. Free services have been known to collect and sell their customers data, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN in the first place.

But just because free VPNs arent good doesnt mean you need to pay an arm and a leg. All of the VPNs weve recommended for Roku users have plans for under $10/month, as do most providers.

Why You Need A VPN For Roku

As we mentioned, Roku blocks certain channels outside of the US, and usually, theyre the best channels that feature everyones favorite shows. These restrictions are possible to bypass with the help of a VPN. Encrypting your internet traffic and routing it to a server virtually anywhere in the world will get you assigned a new IP address. This means you could be sitting in the UK and it will look as though youre located in the US.

A VPN will also provide you with complete privacy when it comes to your streaming experience. Third parties or even your ISP will not be able to see your online activity. However, Roku doesnt allow for a VPN connection of any kind to be installed on its device. You will be able to install a VPN on your Wi-Fi router and have all the benefits we just mentioned as well as all the channels from Roku.

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Why Is Roku Blocked In Some Places

Roku determines your location in a couple of different ways. The first is your IP address, a unique set of numbers and decimals assigned to each internet-connected device. IP addresses are associated with approximate locations and can thus be used to geographically restrict certain apps or content. You can change your IP address, and therefore your location, with a VPN.

Roku also takes into account where you purchased the device and what country you created your account in. These factors might determine which apps are available. The Crave TV app might not be available outside Canada, for example, or you might be stuck with a specific countrys version of Prime Video for which you dont have an account. Changing this info would require making a new account and possibly purchasing a new Roku.

The Best Roku VPN 2021

Widely regarded as one of the top streaming device manufacturers out there, Roku combines great value with huge streaming service support to deliver a smart, effective package. No matter where you live, though, streaming services like Netflix restrict what you can watch thanks to distribution rights. That’s where using a Roku VPN comes in.

However, using the best VPN for Roku isn’t quite as simple as it is for other devices thanks to the fact that Roku devices don’t natively support VPN software, and instead you’ll have to install a router VPN or set up a virtual router.

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Server Number And Locations

You need to think of how many server locations are available to you and which locations they are. For example, if you want to watch shows from the US, there should be a number of US servers available for you to connect to. Some VPN service providers offer thousands of servers which allows you to switch over to another server if your initial one is performing below par or is blocked for some reason.

How To Setup A VPN On Roku Via Mac

To connect the Mac VPN to Roku device follow these steps.

• Step 1: Go to the System Preferences menu on your Mac and select the sharing option.
• Step 2: On the sharing menu, click on the Internet sharing from the left panel. The internet sharing option would appear on the right side of the screen.

You need to set two things there,1.On the “Share your connection” option enter the VPN connection address.2.On the “To computers using” click on the checkbox for Wi-Fi

• Step 3: Click on the Wi-Fi options and enter the details:

1.Network name: Choose a network name.2.Channel: You can leave the channel option as default.3.Security: Choose WPA2 personal.4.Password: Enter a new password.5.Verify: Re-enter the new password entered.When you have entered all the details then click on the OK button.

• Step 4: Go to the sharing menu and tick the checkbox which is next to internet sharing. A prompt will appear which would ask you to turn on the Internet sharing.
• Step 5: Then click start.
• Step 6: A green color light will appear next to internet sharing: which indicates the Internet sharing is activated.
• Step 7: After the above steps are done, turn on your Roku device.
• Step 8: Go to the Roku home screen and click on the settings. Then select the network – Wireless network – set IP new WiFi connection.
• Step 9: Now connect to the WiFi network which you have created on your Mac.

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Set Up Your Roku Device And Roku Account

For the best streaming experience, you should use a Roku account that has the same location as your VPN router on your Roku device.

If this is your first time setting up your Roku device, follow these .

If you have already set up your Roku device but are signed in to a Roku account that has a different location from your VPN router , do a factory reset to sign out of your Roku account by following these steps:

Bottom Line On Installing VPN On Roku Streaming Devices

KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is your perfect solution to enjoy video content from anywhere. In order to use VPN Unlimited on your Roku devices, you should connect your Roku to VPN-enabled router. Our team has strived to make our manual the most detailed so that we could ease your setup process.

You are ready to install VPN Unlimited for Roku! If you have any questions, you can contact our team anytime.

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How To Install And Set Up Your VPN On Roku

Roku streaming sticks dont have built-in VPN configuration capability. In order to use a VPN, you must connect your Roku device to a VPN-enabled router or virtual router.

You also need to create an account for the country where you want to access content. This means creating a US Roku account to access American content.

Dont worry, it sounds more complicated than it is. Just follow these steps, and youll be ready to watch in no time.

Note: To create this tutorial, I used ExpressVPN as my provider. The steps are similar for all our recommended VPNs.

What Makes The Best VPN For Roku

Before we get into the how-to and debunk sections, though, its a good idea to know which virtual private network service you will use for your Roku connection. To make the best choice, you need to consider the VPNs features and how well they work.

For instance, because you will be streaming, the VPN should have fast speeds so that you dont experience buffering or poor picture quality. Unlimited bandwidth is also important to ensure you dont hit your data limit right in the middle of a show.

A wider server selection will mean you can access a better range of channels and services. However, the VPN will also need to be able to get into your chosen streaming channels, too . After that, you need to consider which connection method youre using and whether the VPN is compatible, such as with your current router.

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Setting Up A Us Roku Account To Access Us Content

Almost there! Now you just need to connect your Roku device to your VPN-configured router

Use Smartdns With Roku

If you find the VPN solutions to cumbersome you should consider a SmartDNS Proxy instead. You have to perform a one-time setup to add the services DNS to your router, and thats it. Theres no impact to your streaming speeds .

What SmartDNS does: All your authentication requests will be routed to special SmartDNS servers located in optimal country for the service you want to access. Once the streaming service authorizes your connection, it can stream the video directly to your IP address, wherever you live.

How SmartDNS compares to VPN: If youre only streaming, SmartDNS is an easy solution and speeds are better. You dont get the encryption or anonymity of a VPN, so its not suitable for Kodi-addons or unauthorized streaming apps. You also can only access one location per service, whereas a VPN can unlock multiple content regions on services like Netflix.

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Why Unblock Roku With A VPN

Websites and services are blocked by denying users access based on their IP address. Each time you connect to the internet, you are given an IP address indicating your location. This forces services which see that IP to apply any valid content restrictions.

VPNs are the best way to make the most out of Roku. A VPN hides your original IP from websites and services, instead showing them a local one and making them welcome you with open arms. You can set up a VPN on your home router, removing any content restrictions from all devices connected to it, including Roku.

But this isnt just about content access VPNs also encrypt your online traffic and shield your internet activities from your ISP, network administrator, and malicious snoops. Connecting to a VPN server not only lets you see Roku content, but also makes sure that you can enjoy it in privacy and security.

Setting Up A VPN On A Router

Not all routers are alike, which is why the setup process of a VPN differs based on the router you have. Generally, all you have to do is install a VPN on your router and then connect Roku to that routers Wi-Fi network. The VPNs listed above will provide you with all the steps you must follow to achieve that. Just find out what type of router firmware you have, go to the support/guides page of the VPN you’ve chosen and look for the instructions.

When you choose to set up a VPN on your router, if you don’t have firmware that supports a VPN, you can flash it with the right firmware. However, please be advised that you must act with caution since messing up the installation can damage your router. Fortunately for you, youll receive instructions on how to navigate the process.

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Why Do You Need A VPN

Most of the streaming services on Roku, including Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix, use geoblocks to control what you watch based on your location.

This means that if you live in the US, your access is limited to US-based content. Likewise, if you live in Australia, Hong Kong, or the UK, you cant watch anything from the US, including the US Netflix library.

You can use a premium VPN to bypass these blocks. VPNs mask your IP address to make it look like youre streaming from another country. So if youre in Canada and want to stream BBC iPlayer, you just need to connect to a UK server.

Another benefit of using a VPN is that it can prevent throttling, which is when your ISP slows down your connection based on what youre doing. If you often encounter slow speeds and buffering because you stream a lot, a VPN can help.

S To Install The VPN On Router

• Step 1: Go to your VPN website and then log in to your account.

• Step 2: Depending on which server you are going to connect to, you need to download the manual OpenVPN configuration files for server location. If you want to access US content then choose a US server.
• Step 3: Go to the control panel of your router. Generally, it will have the default address 192.168.1.1
• Step 4: Then log in to your router with its credentials.
• Step 5: On the advanced settings, click VPN.
• Step 6: On the VPN client tab, click Add Profile.
• Step 7: Then click on the Open VPN tab and enter the information as follows:

1. Description: .2. Username & Password: 3. Import the .ovpn file:

Name the VPN connection. Eg:” ExpressVPN” Use the username and password given by the VPN provider to you earlier.

Search for the OpenVPN file you have already downloaded and then select the Upload function. Click on the OK button. Then activate the VPN connection.

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Quick Guide: How To Connect Roku To A VPN

Since you cannot install a VPN directly on your Roku device, you should look at a few of the alternatives you can resort to. Here’s what you do:

Of course, one solution wont work for everyone, which is why you must choose an option that best suits your circumstances. Before going into more detail about each of them, lets first see some of the best VPNs for Roku.

Installing And Setting Up Your VPN On Roku

There is no built-in VPN configuration capability available in Roku streaming sticks, were sorry to tell you. Instead, using a VPN with your Roku device requires you to set up your Roku gadget to a VPN-enabled router or virtual router.

Also, you need a Roku account based on the country whose content you want to see. So if youre going to unlock the videos meant for US viewers, you need a US Roku account.

Dont be scared just keep reading. The process is straightforward, and if you follow a few simple steps, youll be settled in no time at all:

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How To Share A VPN Connection On Pc With Roku

These are the steps that you need to take.

Amazon Fire TV Stick: A Better Alternative

Roku is not a religion. There are options out there, and if your mind is not overly decided on buying a Roku, you could consider or a Fire TV stick instead if its available in your country. We refer to Fire sticks of the second generation or later.

Fire TV will give you all the good stuff you want from Roku , but its more flexible in tweaking, configuration, third-party apps, and circumventing geolocation blocks. Here are four things you can do on a Fire TV and not on Roku:

• Set up custom DNS servers.
• Install third-party apps from Android APKs.

So the thing about Amazon Fire TV sticks is that theyre every bit as good as Roku but much better. And they will save you the hassle of configuring your router to connect to your VPN.

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