Updated on: April 24, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Fix the Netflix Proxy Error in 2024:
- Step 1: Get a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN as it consistently works with Netflix without encountering a proxy error message thanks to its excellent streaming support, and it provides the fastest streaming speeds in the industry.
- Step 2: Download and install the VPN. It typically only takes a few minutes to complete this process.
- Step 3: Connect to a server. If you’re outside of your home country, a VPN can theoretically help you watch content in your home library, but that might constitute copyright infringement and is against the site’s Terms of Service.
- Step 4: Log into your Netflix account. That’s it! Now, you’re all set to start watching your favorite TV shows and movies.
Netflix shows you a proxy error when it detects a VPN IP address. It then tells you to turn off the proxy or VPN and then try to log in again. As someone who wants to protect their online connections 100% of the time, it’s pretty frustrating getting interrupted by Netflix’s proxy error when I want to watch something on the site.
Netflix shows this error because it has different content available in different countries due to licensing fees. In short, Netflix doesn’t want users to watch content that they’re not licensed to distribute in the users’ region. In theory, you can use a VPN to watch content that’s not available in your region — this is hypothetically possible because VPNs change your IP address. But it is also against Netflix’s Terms of Service and may be considered copyright infringement, which is something we at SafetyDetectives don’t condone.
I found the best VPNs to securely stream on Netflix without having to deal with the proxy error message all the time. All of the VPNs on my list are compatible with the streaming service. but ExpressVPN is the best — it always works with Netflix and is the fastest VPN on the market.
Disclaimer: Although a VPN may, in theory, allow you to watch Netflix content from different regions, this practice goes against the platform’s Terms of Service and could be considered a breach of copyright. The VPNs I recommend follow strict no-logging policies, which means they don’t monitor or log your Netflix activities. Use the VPN responsibly and follow all applicable rules and regulations.
How to Fix the Netflix Proxy Error on Any Device
PC or Mac
- Get a premium VPN that works with Netflix. ExpressVPN is my top choice because it has fast speeds and high-level encryption.
- Download and install the VPN. It only takes a few minutes to set up a VPN — just follow the installation wizard’s instructions.
- Open the VPN app, connect to a server, and log into your Netflix account. You can now watch your favorite TV shows and movies.
Smartphone or Tablet
- Pick a good mobile VPN for Netflix. I recommend ExpressVPN as it has native and user-friendly apps for iOS and Android.
- Install the VPN on your Android or iOS device. It takes just a few minutes to install a VPN — simply follow the installation wizard’s instructions.
- Open the VPN app and connect to a server. Log into Netflix and select your favorite TV show or movie to watch.
Smart TV
- Choose a reputable VPN for Netflix. ExpressVPN is my top choice because it’s easy to install on smart TVs and routers.
- On Android TVs. Download and install the VPN app from the app store, launch it, and connect to a server.
- On non-Android TVs. Configure the VPN on your router (ExpressVPN has an easy-to-install router app and includes step-by-step guides for routers) and connect to a server. Once your router is connected to the VPN, all of the devices in your household will be connected to the VPN.
- Launch the Netflix app or site on your Smart TV. Now you can start watching your favorite TV show or movie.
Best VPNs for Watching Netflix Without the Proxy Error Message in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for Netflix in 2024:
- 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best VPN for reliably streaming Netflix with 0 proxy errors (works 100% of the time).
- 2. 🥈Private Internet Access — Excellent VPN for watching Netflix content on the go + highly customizable apps.
- 3. 🥉CyberGhost VPN — Great VPN for avoiding Netflix proxy error with dedicated streaming servers for Netflix.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Watching Netflix WIthout the Proxy Error in 2024
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for watching Netflix without having to deal with the proxy error — it works with Netflix without any issues, has the fastest streaming speeds on the market, and is very easy to use. I was always able to watch my favorite shows on Netflix Finland, and my colleagues in other countries like the UK, Serbia, Romania, and Canada also confirmed that they didn’t get the Netflix proxy error while connected to a local ExpressVPN server.
It also comes with intuitive apps for all platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, smart TVs, and even routers. I also like how ExpressVPN has its own smart DNS feature, called MediaStreamer, which allows you to use the VPN on devices without native VPN apps — I was able to watch Netflix Finland content on my Xbox.
ExpressVPN has several paid plans that start at $6.67 / month. While ExpressVPN is a bit pricey, it provides the best value on the market — plus it often includes 3 extra months for free with its longest deal. ExpressVPN backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great for Streaming Netflix on Android & iOS Devices
Private Internet Access (PIA) works with Netflix all of the time without the proxy error, has very fast streaming speeds, and comes with highly customizable mobile apps. When I connected to a local server in Finland, my Netflix Finland homepage loaded right away, and my colleagues confirmed they had the same experience when visiting their local Netflix libraries.
If you really like to tinker with your settings, you’re going to love PIA’s Android and iOS apps. Each one allows you to personalize 20+ settings to enhance your streaming experience, including changing your encryption level to 128-bit AES encryption (it may give slightly faster speeds than 256-bit AES encryption) and deciding if you approve connections to unsecured Wi-Fi networks, which is good for streaming Netflix at an airport, hotel, or cafe.
Private Internet Access has plans starting at $2.03 / month, and backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Specialized Servers to Watch Netflix
CyberGhost VPN consistently works with Netflix without any proxy error messages thanks to dedicated Netflix streaming servers. It has dedicated Netflix servers in 15+ countries, including the US, Canada, Brazil, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and 6 countries in Europe. It also has dedicated servers for Netflix on Fire Stick and Android TV in 5 countries. These servers are optimized to work with the site for uninterrupted streaming.
CyberGhost VPN has really affordable paid plans starting at $2.03 / month. It backs its long-term plans with a 45-day money-back guarantee and its shortest plan with a 14-day refund.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN Review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Fixing the Netflix Proxy Error in 2024
Disclaimer: While using a VPN could theoretically let you watch Netflix content from various locations, this action goes against the platform’s Terms and Conditions and might be seen as copyright infringement. The VPNs I suggest have strict no-logging policies, meaning don’t track or record your Netflix activities. It’s up to you to use the VPN ethically.
How to Choose the Best VPN for Watching Netflix Without Proxy Error Messages in 2024
- Choose a VPN that works with Netflix 100% of the time. In our tests, my colleagues and I were able to consistently stream Netflix content in our local libraries without experiencing any proxy errors.
- Get a VPN with excellent streaming support. Good VPNs work with many other streaming services. All of the VPNs here work with other popular streaming services, including Max, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime.
- Pick a VPN with fast streaming speeds. VPNs slow your speeds because they add layers of encryption, but top brands minimize the slowdown and maintain fast speeds across all servers. All of the VPNs on this list provided me with fast streaming speeds, but I had the fastest speeds with ExpressVPN.
- Look for a VPN with user-friendly apps. I only recommend VPNs that come with intuitive apps for all of the most popular platforms (Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and smart TVs), are quick and easy to download and install, and make it easy to connect to a server and stream your favorite Netflix shows.
- Get a VPN with strong security and privacy features. All of the VPNs I recommend protect your data using bank-grade encryption, a no-logs policy that ensures the VPN doesn’t log your IP address and traffic, a kill switch (disables your internet access if the VPN connection drops to prevent traffic leaks), and strong leak protection.
- Go for a VPN with affordable plans. All of the VPNs listed here allow multiple connections, have affordable plans, accept multiple payment options, and back each purchase with a generous money-back guarantee.
What to Do if You Keep Seeing the Netflix Proxy Error After Installing a Premium VPN
- Disconnect and reconnect to the VPN — Turning the service off and back on again may fix the issue.
- Choose a different VPN server — Try connecting to a different VPN server in the same location.
- Make sure your VPN software is up-to-date — Download and install any available updates, reconnect to the VPN server, and try visiting Netflix.
- Contact customer support — Speak to a VPN support agent and ask which servers currently work with Netflix. ExpressVPN has excellent 24/7 live chat (as well as other premium VPNs like Private Internet Access and CyberGhost VPN).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fix the Netflix proxy error?
You can fix the Netflix proxy error in just 3 steps:
- Step 1: Get a good VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN, as it consistently works with Netflix without proxy error messages and provides blazing-fast streaming speeds.
- Step 2: Connect to a server. Choose a server from your VPN’s server list.
- Step 3: Log into Netflix. After you sign into your account, you can start watching your favorite TV shows and movies on Netflix.
What are the most common Netflix error messages?
The most common Netflix error messages are as follows:
- Netflix Error Code M7111-5059. This is better known as the Netflix proxy error, which happens when Netflix detects you’re using a VPN (which is against Netflix policies because of content licensing agreements).
- Netflix Error Code NW-2-5. This error code happens when you have an issue with your internet connectivity. The problem can either be with your router or your device.
- Netflix Error Code 11800. This error is specific to iOS and Apple TV devices and occurs when there is a problem with the playback of content on your device. The major reason for this is that the app data on your device is either corrupted or not updated.
- Netflix Error Code ui-800-3. This error code is most commonly encountered when the cache memory stored on your device is outdated and needs refreshing.
- Netflix Error Code 0013. This error code is specific to Android devices and simply means that the app data belonging to Netflix is corrupted.
Netflix provides troubleshooting tips for all of these errors. That said, for the M7111-5059 error, it mainly recommends disabling the VPN — but if you want to securely stream content on the site, you can just use one of the VPNs on our list.
What are the benefits of using Netflix with a VPN?
A VPN secures your traffic to Netflix, so that nobody can spy on it — for example, when you have your VPN on, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can’t see what you’re watching on Netflix or whether you’re on the Netflix site or app at all. This also brings another benefit; since your ISP can’t see what you’re doing online, it can’t throttle your speed when you’re streaming on Netflix.
