Which Streaming Services Block VPNs?

All 7 of the big streaming services we checked block addresses they believe are VPNs or proxies: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max. Each shows its own error, listed below, from the service's help center and the messages people report, as of November 6, 2026.

VPN Blocks by Service (November 2026)

Service	What it shows	Error code	Where it works	Help site
Netflix	"You seem to be using a VPN or proxy." Netflix stops the title. Older apps say "unblocker or proxy".	M7111-5059 (the code people most often report)	Worldwide, different catalog in each country	help.netflix.com
Hulu	Hulu says you're trying to watch through an anonymous proxy tool, or that Hulu is only available in the United States.	Error 16 (invalid region)	US only	help.hulu.com
BBC iPlayer	"BBC iPlayer only works in the UK. Sorry, it's due to rights issues." Or a message that you seem to be using a VPN or proxy.	none shown	UK only	bbc.co.uk
YouTube TV	YouTube TV won't play while it detects a VPN or proxy, or says some channels aren't available in your area.	none shown	US only, local channels by area	support.google.com
Disney+	"This content isn't available to watch in your current location." Or: Disney+ is only available in certain regions.	Error Code 73	Worldwide, different catalog in each country	help.disneyplus.com
Prime Video	"Your device is connected to the Internet using a VPN or proxy service. Please disable it and try again."	none shown	Worldwide, different catalog in each country	primevideo.com
HBO Max	"Are you using a VPN?" HBO Max stops playback, or says it isn't available in your region.	none shown	Selected countries, different catalog in each	help.hbomax.com

Each name links to a page that checks your own connection the way that service sees it.

Would They Block You Right Now?

Streaming Services See This Address:

216.73.217.32

Columbus, Ohio, United States · Anthropic, PBC

This address belongs to Anthropic, PBC, a home or mobile provider: it doesn't look like a VPN. Full check »

Which streaming services block VPNs?

All 7 of the big ones we checked block addresses they believe belong to VPNs, proxies or datacenters: Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max.

Why do streaming services block VPNs?

They license shows and films country by country. A VPN lets you appear in another country, so services block addresses they know belong to VPNs to keep each country's catalog to that country.

Can a streaming service block me if I'm not using a VPN?

Yes. They judge the address, not your apps, so iCloud Private Relay, a browser with a built-in VPN, a shared mobile address or a recycled address can trigger the same error.