- Try the steps below to determine if your device or VPN is the problem
- Fubo can only block IP addresses (not VPNs)
- ExpressVPN currently works with Fubo TV – Tested on 26/11/24
Need to figure out why your VPN has stopped working with Fubo? Follow the steps below to diagnose if its your device or VPN that’s causing the problem.
The first thing you need to know is that Fubo tries to block all VPNs. But it’s only successful at blocking VPNs without the necessary technology to beat streaming service’s the VPN bans.
Confused? Don’t be, it’s not that complicated.
There are two main ways Fubo (and other streaming services) block VPNs. The first is using IP databases that literally list the IP addresses it thinks belong to VPNs. The second is by the individual streaming services to monitor the IP addresses connecting to its servers and then manually blacklisting IP addresses with too many account logins. I’ll go into more detail about this below, but that’s the TL;DR of the problem.
The way to “fix” Fubo not working with your VPN is to figure out if your VPN’s IP addresses have been blocked by Fubo, or whether it’s a device/configuration issue.
Fubo not working with VPN: Quick guide
- Switch to a Different Server
- Clear Browser Cookies and Cache
- Use a different device
- Verify Your DNS Settings
- Change VPN protocol
- Check for VPN Updates
- Contact VPN Support
- Try a Different VPN
Note that we test Fubo with ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) on 26/11/24 and it worked perfectly. Below is a gif of the test we performed.
Fubo not working with VPN: In-depth guide
Follow these steps to diagnose whether your device or VPN is the reason you can’t access Fubo.
1. Switch to a Different Server
Reconnect to another server in the same region. Use streaming-optimised servers if available. Check your VPN’s server guide for assistance.
2. Clear Browser Cookies and Cache
Clear cookies and cached files to remove location data before reconnecting. Learn how to clear your cache in Chrome or Firefox.
3. Use a Different Device
Try accessing FuboTV on another device to rule out device-specific issues. See your VPN’s compatible devices list for more information.
4. Verify Your DNS Settings
Enable DNS leak protection in your VPN to prevent your real location from being exposed. Follow this DNS leak troubleshooting guide to ensure your DNS is secure.
5. Change VPN Protocol
Switch to a different protocol like WireGuard or OpenVPN in your VPN settings. Check your VPN’s guide on changing protocols.
6. Check for VPN Updates
Update your VPN app to ensure it has the latest fixes and enhancements. Visit your VPN’s update page for details.
7. Contact VPN Support
Ask your VPN provider for the best server recommendations for FuboTV. Use live chat support or help centre.
8. Upgrade your VPN
If all the above steps fail, you only have two options.
You can either wait for your VPN to fix the issue itself by releasing new IP addresses, which normally takes weeks-to-months (before they get blacklisted again for the same reasons).
Or you can upgrade to a more reliable VPN. I *only* recommend users use ExpressVPN ($6.67/month) with Fubo.
How does Fubo detect that I’m using a VPN?
There are two main methods streaming services use to detect VPNs. The first is using a database by a provider such as MaxMind or ipapi.is and downloading/installing something called a MMBD file, then writing a rule in the website’s .htaccess file to filter out IP addresses known to belong to VPN companies.
Note, you can simulate a similar IP tests at IPQualityScore.com to get a better idea of how it works www.ipqualityscore.com
This is a heavy-handed approach, and I’m not convinced all streaming services would be happy handing over their entire gate-keeping process to a third-party database company.
The second is a more manual method, that requires Fubo’s dev team to monitor the number of account connections from IP addresses and then manually blacklist those IP with too many account logins originating from it.
Why has my VPN stopped working with Fubo?
You’re right to think that any VPN that gives you a US IP should be all you need to access Fubo TV. But that’s not the whole story.
To understand more, you need to take a wider look at the market as a whole alongside consumer behaviour.
VPNs have rocketed in popularity over the past 10 years. And not because of their so-called “privacy” features. The correlation with the rise of streaming TV, movies and live sport is the main reason. VPNs offer cheap ways for users to access free, or cheaper, broadcasters that host the content they want to watch.
For less than a dollar a month, a user from anywhere in the world could access literally hundreds of free-to-air networks. The economics of this were too much for broadcasters and rights holders to ignore.
Let’s take the NFL as an example. In the USA, it’s the number one sport. TV networks pay billions for the broadcasting rights, which the then recover via subscriptions that local customers buy. Outside the US, the demand for NFL is a lot lower and therefor the price the NFL can command from international broadcasters is more modest.
Where I live – New Zealand – rugby is the number one sport. We’re only a country of five million, too. The price a New Zealand based broadcaster pays for NFL is a lot lot lot less than a US broadcaster.
The wide-spread use of VPNs threaten the economics of this two-tiered system. A user in the US could buy a subscription to ExpressVPN ($6.66/month) + a subscription to New Zealand’s Sky Sport ($24.26) for $30.92 / month. Which, again, is a lot less than the $79.99 a month Fubo wants you to pay for a similar sports package.
You get the picture. If streaming services didn’t employ VPN-blocking techniques, the whole system would need re-evaluating and re-pricing regardless of broadcaster’s location and the level of the local’s interest in that sport. Or, broadcasters that didn’t do enough to block VPNs would face legal challenges from rights holders for regional breaches.
Best VPNs for Fubo 2024
1. ExpressVPN
The fastest and most reliable VPN of 2024
- ✔Physical servers in 104 countries
- ✔Brilliant for unblocking streaming services
- ✔Very high-speed Lightway protocol
- ✔Available on almost any device
- ✔Very secure
- ❌Pricey
- ❌Only 8 simultaneous devices
- ❌No addons
Score: 99/100
TL;DR: This is the best VPN money can buy for streaming reliability and transfer speeds. It’s easy to use and will unblock all major streaming services. It’s the best VPN on the market.
Streaming: ExpressVPN shines at cracking geo-restricted walls, effortlessly streaming your favourites even in VPN-restricted regions. Expect NBA League Pass, Netflix, BBC iPlayer and more to work seamlessly.
Servers: With a massive network across 104 countries and dwarfing the 71-country average, ExpressVPN prioritizes real servers for rock-solid speed and reliability. With many servers based in the US, you can easily use it for NBA League Pass.
Privacy: ExpressVPN’s privacy measures include passing independent audits by cybersecurity firms like Cure53 and F-Secure, ensuring a strong level of security and no significant weaknesses in its macOS, Linux, and Windows apps. More details can be found in the audit reports available online.
Price: ExpressVPN offers three payment plans: a 1-month option at $12.95/month, a 6-month option at $9.99/month, and a 12-month option at $6.67/month. Payment methods include major credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and other systems, accommodating a wide range of users.
Speeds: ExpressVPN maintains high download speeds with minimal drop-off, ensuring efficient performance. Tests showed a slight decrease in upload speeds, but download speeds remained fast across various server locations, including the US, UK, and Vietnam.
| Download Speeds (Mbps) | Upload Speeds (Mbps) | |
| VPN off | 937.07 | 520.93 |
| ExpressVPN US server | 824.62 | 6.96 |
| ExpressVPN UK server | 794.95 | 3.70 |
| ExpressVPN Vietnam server | 761.90 | 3.81 |
Read our full ExpressVPN review.
2. NordVPN
An excellent, affordable, and fast VPN option for 2024
- ✔Affordable pricing
- ✔Effective streaming access
- ✔Diverse server types
- ✔Solid speeds
- ✔Useful add-ons
- ✔Strong security
- ❌Limited server locations
- ❌No virtual servers
Score: 98/100
TL;DR: NordVPN is represents an exceptional choice for it’s price-point. It’s a premium VPN with a mid-range price. It’s the option I would recommend for most users who are not going to use their VPN everyday but still want a service that unblocks their favourite streaming services with fast transfer speeds.
Streaming: NordVPN unlocks the world of streaming, effortlessly bypassing geo-restrictions on NBA League Pass, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more. It has shown consistent success in connecting to various streaming services without noticeable issues.
Servers: NordVPN’s 6,000 servers spans 60 countries, with many in the US. That’s ideal for NBA League Pass users. While this is below the average of 71 countries for the top 20 VPNs, you can still expect lightning-fast speeds and rock-solid stability thanks to its physical servers.
Privacy: NordVPN’s secure connection and no-logs policy have been verified via three independent audits, including one by Deloitte. The audits have confirmed NordVPN’s adherence to its no-logs policy, ensuring user privacy.
Price: NordVPN offers three pricing plans: Complete, Plus, and Standard. The 2-year plan for the Standard package is priced at $3.19/month, the 1-year plan at $4.99/month, and the monthly plan at $12.99/month. It accepts major credit cards and various payment systems.
Speeds: Below is a table showing the speeds tested for NordVPN. From our tests in New Zealand, NordVPN displayed very good speeds, although slightly behind ExpressVPN, but significantly faster than many other VPNs on the market.
| Download Speeds (Mbps) | Upload Speeds (Mbps) | |
| No VPN (New Zealand) | 937.07 | 520.93 |
| NordVPN US server | 710.90 | 6.98 |
| NordVPN UK server | 531.12 | 3.73 |
Read our full NordVPN review.
3. Private Internet Access
Affordable and secure VPN with wide device compatibility
- ✔Affordable pricing plans
- ✔Unlimited simultaneous devices
- ✔Extra features like ad blocker and email protection
- ✔Verified no-log policy
- ✔Compatible with streaming services like Netflix and Hulu
- ❌High use of virtual servers
- ❌Not as fast as top-tier VPNs
- ❌Lacks proprietary protocol options
Score: 70/100
TL;DR: Private Internet Access is owned by the same company as ExpressVPN (Kape). That’s where the similarities end. It’s “the best of the rest” and works well with streaming services a lot of the time, but it’s not as reliable as ExpressVPN or NordVPN for streaming. The cynic in me thinks Kape’s $95.5m USD purchase was a monopolist move to keep PIA a second-tier VPN and prevent it from taking market share from ExpressVPN – allowing it to continue to charge a premium price for its product.
Streaming: Private Internet Access excels with Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max, and works great with NBA League Pass. Though initial BBC iPlayer issues have been resolved, consider other options if that’s your priority.
Servers: PIA has over 35,000 servers in 84 countries, which is well above the average of 71 countries. That’s great news for NBA League Pass viewers. However, 50% of these servers are virtual, impacting reliability compared to VPNs with more physical servers.
Privacy: PIA’s app is open-source, inviting third-party scrutiny and verification. It has also passed an independent no-log policy audit conducted by Deloitte, affirming its commitment to privacy.
Price: PIA offers three subscription options: 1-month at $11.95/month, 1-year at $3.33/month (upfront cost $39.95), and 3-year at $2.03/month (upfront fee $79). Payment methods include credit cards, PayPal, cryptocurrencies, and Amazon payments.
Speeds: Speed tests for PIA showed significant drops in download speeds across various servers. While using WireGuard protocol, speeds were faster than OpenVPN but still slower compared to top-tier VPNs like ExpressVPN.
| OpenVPN Download Speeds (Mbps) | OpenVPN Upload Speeds (Mbps) | WireGuard Download Speeds (Mbps) | WireGuard Upload Speeds (Mbps) | |
| VPN off (New Zealand) | 930 | 516 | ||
| PIA US server | 238.52 | 7.17 | 300.65 | 8.65 |
| PIA UK server | 245 | 3.77 | 315.78 | 7.23 |
| PIA Vietnam server | 445 | 6.55 | 489 | 8.24 |
Read our full Private Internet Access review.
4. Surfshark
Affordable and secure VPN with unlimited device policy of 2024
- ✔Attractive pricing for long-term subscriptions
- ✔Supports unlimited simultaneous connections
- ✔Robust security and privacy
- ✔24/7 responsive chat support
- ✔Extensive server network in 100 countries
- ❌Has trouble with services like Hulu
- ❌Lacks a unique proprietary protocol
- ❌App can be overwhelming
- ❌Not the fastest among competitors
Score: 60/100
TL;DR: Surfshark is another VPN without any real standout features. It shares a lot of the specs you’d expect to see in a paid-for VPN and does a reasonable job of ticking the boxes that matter most to customers from a technical perspective. However, my real-world tests (accessing streaming services) found it to be much less reliable at unblocking streaming services than NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
Streaming: Surfshark’s NoBorders mode makes it a formidable option for streaming US Netflix in Mexico, as it’s specifically designed to overcome restrictions in regions with tight controls. Plus, its unlimited simultaneous connections mean everyone in the household can enjoy their shows.
Servers: Surfshark provides access to over 3,200 servers in 65 countries, including multiple locations in the US optimized for streaming, making it a solid choice for watching US Netflix in Mexico. Its unique feature, CleanWeb, ensures an ad-free streaming experience while bypassing geo-blocks efficiently.
Privacy: Surfshark emphasizes its commitment to privacy with successful DNS leak tests and independent security audits by Cure53, ensuring robust online security and privacy. You can find more about their security audits here.
Price: Surfshark offers a 1-month option costing $12.95/month, a 12-month option at $3.99/month, and a 24-month option at $2.49/month. It accepts major credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and various cryptocurrencies.
Speeds: Below is a table that gives you an idea of the speed performance when using Surfshark. From our tests, we observed decent speeds, suitable for general use, but not the fastest compared to some rivals.
| Download Speeds (Mbps) | Upload Speeds (Mbps) | |
| No VPN (New Zealand) | 940.55 | 520.24 |
| Surfshark US server | 775.9 | 6.15 |
| Surfshark UK server | 587.79 | 3.79 |
Read our full Surfshark review.
5. PureVPN
A mid-range VPN that balances performance and price
- ✔Affordable
- ✔Unblocks major streaming services
- ✔Use on up to 10 devices simultaneously
- ✔Streamlined user interface
- ✔No log audit verified by KPMG
- ✔Several free add-ons
- ❌Buffering on BBC iPlayer at peak times
- ❌Past concerns with “no log” policy
Score: 50/100
TL;DR: PureVPN is an easy to use VPN that looks like every other premium VPN on the market. It can unblock major streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Hulu, Paramount+ etc, but it performs terrible when you’re trying to watch live TV via one of its servers. I can’t recommend this provider to anyone when it’s price is so close to NordVPN’s.
Streaming: PureVPN has stepped up its game, offering reliable access to major streaming services like NBA League Pass, Netflix, and Hulu. While BBC iPlayer had hiccups in the past, performance has improved, especially during off-peak hours.
Servers: PureVPN boasts an extensive global server network, with 6,000 servers in over 65 countries. Its server offerings are robust, allowing users to access various regions easily, such as NBA League Pass in the US.
Privacy: PureVPN has faced criticism in the past for its privacy policies. However, it has recently undergone a no-log audit verified by KPMG in the past 12 months, aiming to reassure users about its commitment to privacy.
Price: PureVPN offers three payment options: a 1-month plan at $10.95/month, a 1-year plan at $3.74/month, and a 2-year plan at $1.96/month. PureVPN accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, and a variety of other digital payment options.
Speeds: Below is a table that gives you an idea of the speed performance you can expect when using PureVPN. The VPN has shown variable download speeds across different streaming servers, with some experiencing significant drop-offs during peak times.
| Download Speeds (Mbps) | Upload Speeds (Mbps) | |
| No VPN | 189.44 | 139.82 |
| PureVPN UK Server | 24.31 | 98.99 |
| PureVPN US Server | 49.83 | 106.52 |
Read our full PureVPN review.
