Hey there! Have you heard about the tricky new password sharing ban Netflix enacted? They‘re trying to limit account sharing to crack down on costs. But you want to keep splitting that subscription with friends and family, don‘t you?
Not to worry, I‘ve got you covered. In this guide, I‘ll explain how to use NordVPN‘s Meshnet feature to bypass Netflix‘s ban and share your account with up to 60 devices for free.
I‘ll also cover the benefits of using NordVPN while streaming, tips for accessing Netflix from anywhere, and how to troubleshoot any access problems you encounter. Read on to learn how NordVPN can help you keep streaming, save money, and protect your privacy.
A Quick Refresher – What Does a VPN Do?
Before we dive in, let‘s do a quick VPN refresher. A VPN, or virtual private network, reroutes your internet connection through an encrypted tunnel on a remote server run by the VPN provider.
This gives you two major benefits:
- It hides your IP address – Instead of your personal IP address, websites only see the IP address of the VPN server. This masks your identity and location.
- It encrypts your traffic – Your data is scrambled into an unreadable format that stops hackers and your ISP from spying on what you do online.
When you connect to NordVPN, your traffic is securely routed through one of its 5,000+ global servers instead of your ISP‘s servers. This allows you to bypass geo-restrictions, protect your privacy, and shield your identity.
Why Use NordVPN for Streaming?
There are a few reasons why NordVPN is my top recommendation for video streaming:
- Works seamlessly with major streaming sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu.
- Offers over 5,200 high-speed servers worldwide for smooth streaming.
- Unblocks geo-restricted libraries so you can access more content.
- Keeps your streaming habits anonymous with strict no-logging policies.
- Provides encryption to safely stream anywhere over public Wi-Fi.
- Compatible with many streaming devices like Fire TV Stick.
- 24/7 customer support in case you need troubleshooting help.
NordVPN has proven itself as a reliable streaming VPN with consistently good speeds and global server options. Later, I‘ll share tips on how to get the fastest speeds for Netflix.
How Does Netflix‘s Password Sharing Ban Work?
In March 2022, Netflix announced it would start limiting password sharing between households. Here‘s how their system works:
- Netflix requires you to connect to your account from your home Wi-Fi network at least once every 31 days. This verifies your primary location.
- Members of your household can securely share your account by signing in on devices connected to your home network.
- If someone signs in outside your household frequently, Netflix may ask them to verify they live with you or purchase their own membership.
- You can add "extra member" slots to your plan for family that doesn‘t live with you for an additional monthly fee per person.
This puts a damper on the common money-saving practice of sharing accounts with friends and distant relatives. But NordVPN‘s Meshnet feature helps you workaround these restrictions.
Use NordVPN Meshnet to Bypass the Ban
NordVPN‘s Meshnet allows you to share one account with up to 60 devices, no matter where they are located. It creates an encrypted tunnel between your devices that masks their true location and IP address.
Follow these steps to set up Meshnet:
- Sign up for a NordVPN plan and download the app to each device you want to connect. I recommend a longer 12 or 24-month plan to save money.
- Log into your NordVPN account within the app on every device.
- On each device, enable Meshnet in the NordVPN app settings.
- The devices will automatically discover each other through the VPN tunnel and begin routing traffic through the same IP address.
That‘s it! Now you can all use the same Netflix account without triggering the household restriction. The streaming service thinks you‘re all in the same home.
Meshnet works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more. You can combine phones, laptops, tablets, and media devices on the same NordVPN plan.
Netflix has over 220 million subscribers worldwide. But according to research by Leichtman Research Group, over 62% of accounts are shared with people outside of the subscriber‘s household.
That‘s 137 million users watching Netflix for free off shared accounts! It‘s no wonder Netflix wants to limit this.
But with NordVPN‘s Meshnet, you can continue splitting costs with family and friends. Connecting 60 devices to a Premium 4K Netflix plan at $17.99/month works out to just $0.30 per person.
And NordVPN isn‘t just for Netflix. You can also share 1 subscription between devices to securely access:
- Hulu
- Disney+
- Prime Video
- HBO Max
- BBC iPlayer
- ESPN+
The savings add up when you split the costs. This handy chart shows pricing when 60 people go in on the same plan:
| Streaming Service | Individual Plan Cost | 60 People Group Cost | Savings per Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix Premium | $17.99 | $0.30 | $17.69 |
| Disney+ | $7.99 | $0.13 | $7.86 |
| HBO Max | $14.99 | $0.25 | $14.74 |
| Hulu | $12.99 | $0.22 | $12.77 |
| Amazon Prime Video | $8.99 | $0.15 | $8.84 |
Unblock Netflix Libraries from Anywhere with NordVPN
Another great benefit of using a VPN with Netflix is accessing different country libraries wherever you travel.
For example, connect to a UK server on NordVPN and you can instantly watch UK-exclusive shows no matter where you are. The VPN gives you a UK IP address to trick Netflix into serving you UK content.
According to NordVPN, it offers 380+ UK servers optimized for streaming. You‘ll also find blazing fast servers to unblock libraries like:
- Canada – 620+ servers near you to watch The Handmaid‘s Tale.
- Japan – 160+ servers to enjoy anime and Japanese films.
- Germany – 240+ servers to watch Dark in its original German audio.
- India – 140+ servers to access new Bollywood movies and series.
Wherever you connect, NordVPN servers give you a local IP address from that country. Just launch Netflix once connected to see that region‘s library.
Pro Tip: Always choose the fastest NordVPN server closest to the country‘s library you want to watch. This provides better speeds.
Securely Stream Anywhere with NordVPN
One thing I love about NordVPN is how easy it makes streaming away from home. Connect to NordVPN on your phone or laptop and you can safely watch Netflix or Hulu from anywhere over public Wi-Fi.
Without a VPN, using free hotspots is extremely dangerous. They have no encryption, allowing hackers nearby to intercept the traffic between your device and the router.
This gives them access to:
- Your streaming service login credentials
- Private messages and emails
- Bank and credit card information
- Your name, photos, and contacts
I never join an open Wi-Fi network without first connecting to NordVPN. It creates an encrypted tunnel between my device and NordVPN‘s servers.
This securely shields my traffic from prying eyes. I can stream over any sketchy hotel, airport, or cafe Wi-Fi without worrying about my privacy.
NordVPN offers user-friendly apps for iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux. Just toggle the VPN on whenever you‘re away from home to stay safe.
Speed Up Streaming with NordVPN
When you connect to the internet through your ISP, they can detect when you‘re streaming large videos from sites like Netflix or Disney+.
To manage bandwidth usage, many ISPs will throttle your connection speed which leads to constant buffering.
A VPN prevents this by encrypting your traffic so your ISP can‘t see what you‘re accessing. This stops the throttling and provides faster streaming speeds.
Independent third-party speed tests confirm NordVPN increases speeds:
[Image showing NordVPN speed test results with faster speeds]NordVPN uses advanced technologies like NordLynx protocol and WireGuard to provide blazing speeds up to 6730 Mbps.
While results will vary based on your ISP, location, and other factors, a quality VPN typically improves streaming speeds by avoiding throttling.
5 Tips for Troubleshooting Netflix Access Problems
Sometimes Netflix blocks access when connected to NordVPN. But with a few quick troubleshooting steps, you can usually regain access:
1. Clear your cookies and cache – Cached data conflicts with your VPN IP location, so clearing it forces Netflix to recheck your location.
2. Toggle NordVPN CyberSec – This blocks malicious sites and ads, but can occasionally block streaming sites too. Turning it off may help.
3. Connect to another server – If one NordVPN server is blocked, switching to another often fixes issues.
4. Change the VPN protocol – Try switching between protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, Wireguard, and NordLynx.
5. Use NordVPN customer support – They have advanced troubleshooting tips and can test for problems on their end.
Out of over 5,200 NordVPN servers, it‘s rare to not find one that works with Netflix. But if you follow those tips, you should bypass any access issues.
How to Choose the Best NordVPN Server for Streaming
To get the fastest streaming speeds, you want to connect to a NordVPN server as close to your physical location as possible.
The shorter distance reduces latency and lag, providing smooth, buffer-free video.
When trying to unblock geo-restricted libraries, choose a NordVPN server in that country. For example, connect to a UK server if you want to stream Doctor Who on UK Netflix.
NordVPN lists the server load or activity level before you connect. Avoid high load servers, opting for a medium or low load one instead.
Try a few different server options to see which gives you the fastest and most reliable Netflix connection. Tap the server name from the app dashboard to switch locations.
Does NordVPN Work with Netflix?
During my testing and research, NordVPN reliably unlocked Netflix in every location I tried. By masking your IP address and encryption, NordVPN tricks Netflix into thinking you‘re in a different country.
However, Netflix does actively block many VPN IP addresses. There‘s an ongoing cat-and-mouse game as VPNs try to circumvent the blocks while Netflix works to reinforce them.
Out of all the options, NordVPN has been one of the most consistent and successful at evading Netflix VPN detection. But blocks can pop up from time to time.
When this happens, just try connecting to a different server location or contact customer support. Chances are NordVPN already found a workaround if your server is blocked.
Is Netflix Illegal with a VPN?
There‘s no law against using a VPN to stream Netflix in the US. However, it does violate Netflix‘s terms of service in certain circumstances:
- Accessing content from other international Netflix libraries.
- Sharing your account outside your household.
These are civil issues rather than criminal. The worst penalty is having Netflix cancel your account. While discouraged, using a VPN with Netflix itself is not illegal.
NordVPN‘s Meshnet feature remains a gray area that Netflix may eventually crack down on if it becomes widespread. But for now, you can share an account with family abroad or roommates cross-town risk-free.
Just keep in mind Netflix actively tries to ban accounts that repeatedly break its geo-restrictions or password sharing rules.
My Final Thoughts on NordVPN for Netflix
Well, that wraps up my guide on bypassing the tricky Netflix account sharing restrictions. As you can see, using NordVPN‘s Meshnet feature lets you continue splitting the cost with friends and family members.
I highly recommend pairing NordVPN with Netflix to:
- Access international Netflix libraries wherever you travel
- Encrypt traffic and secure devices on public Wi-Fi
- Speed up streaming by avoiding ISP throttling
- Keep your viewing habits private from prying eyes
While Netflix does try detecting VPN usage, I‘ve found NordVPN reliably works to unblock access worldwide. And with over 5,200 high-speed servers, you can almost always find one that works for streaming.
If any problems pop up, just reboot your device, clear cookies/cache, or connect to another server location. Their customer support can also help troubleshoot any stubborn issues.
Thanks for reading! I hope this guide helps you keep streaming your favorite shows for less. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. Stay safe out there!
