How to Bypass VPN Blocks: 10 Tips That Work in 2024

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Key Takeaways

• VPNs can be blocked by blacklisting the provider’s IP ranges, port-blocking, or scanning data packets with deep packet inspection.
• The most effective way to bypass a VPN block is by obfuscating your VPN traffic. Some providers offer built-in tools for it, but there are third-party ones as well.
• If stealth VPN tunnels prove ineffective, some alternate methods include the Tor Browser, SSL/SSH tunneling, and Shadowsocks.

VPNs are great for getting around Internet restrictions. They help unblock streaming sites and increase your online freedom. But, schools, workplaces, streaming companies, and governments often block VPN traffic. Here are the tips to help you bypass these blocks.

How to Bypass a VPN Block (Quick Overview)

If you’re short on time?

Here’s a summary of all the ways to bypass VPN blocks:

1. Connect to a mobile network or hotspot.
2. Switch to a different VPN server or provider.
3. Change the protocol and/or port from the VPN app settings.
4. Use a VPN with obfuscated servers (or stealth VPN protocol).
5. Consider getting a dedicated IP address or custom VPN server.
6. Use Tor Browser (but prepare for slower speeds).
7. Try Obfsproxy to bypass VPN detection.
8. Use Shadowsocks to evade deep packet inspection (DPI).
9. Alternatively, create an SSL/TLS tunnel with STunnel.
10. Another option is an SSH tunnel with PuTTy (or similar apps).

Stay tuned for more details on each method. We’ll also suggest some VPNs that can get past any block.

How to Avoid VPN Detection (Full Guide)

Before we dive into third-party methods, let’s explore what you can do without extra setup.

1. Use Mobile Data or a Hotspot

Wondering how to torrent on college Wi-Fi or watch Netflix at work on a break without getting caught?

Instead of risking trouble with network admins, switch to mobile data.

VPNs work fine on mobile, offering the same benefits as Wi-Fi or a wired connection. Plus, you won’t face VPN blocks.

Just remember, your mobile data usage will go up a bit. This is because VPN encryption adds extra data called “encryption overhead.”

To reduce this, use a lighter protocol like IKEv2, WireGuard, or NordLynx by NordVPN.

The default OpenVPN protocol uses more data. But, it’s also good for avoiding VPN detection, as we’ll discuss later.

2. Switch to a Different VPN Server (or Provider)

Many websites block VPN services by using IP-aggregating services. This includes MaxMind. They block the VPN’s IP address range(s).

This can cause problems. For example, Netflix blocked residential IP addresses. This locked people out of their accounts, even if they weren’t using a VPN.

But, IP blocking isn’t a big deal. Just use a reliable VPN service with many servers. These servers often change their IPs. Switching to a different VPN server will solve the problem.

Or, you can ask the VPN’s customer support team for help. They can tell you if they’re dealing with a VPN block. They can also suggest which servers work for streaming and other activities.

If switching servers doesn’t work, try a different VPN provider. Most premium subscriptions offer 30-day money-back plans for such situations.

Then, move on to the next step.

3. Change the VPN Protocol or Port Number in the App Settings

Online services might block VPN traffic by port number. For example, OpenVPN uses ports 1194 and 443. IKEv2/IPSec needs UDP ports 500 and 4500.

If these ports are blocked, VPN connections won’t work. But, most services let you change VPN protocols.

In the NordVPN app, go to Settings > Connection. Then, pick your desired protocol from the menu.

Others, like Private Internet Access, let you choose your port number. Try port numbers 2018, 41185, 443, or 80 to see if it helps.

Manual configuration files are also an option. But, this is for advanced users only.

4. Use a VPN with Obfuscated Servers (aka Stealth VPN)

Obfuscation makes your VPN undetectable. But first, let’s understand how it works.

Deep packet inspection can’t see your encrypted traffic. Instead, it looks for patterns used by VPN protocols. It’s like a detective searching for fingerprints.

An obfuscated server hides your VPN usage. It makes it look like regular Internet traffic.

Want to avoid censorship in places like Russia or China? Or don’t want anyone to know you’re using a VPN app? Then obfuscated servers are perfect.

Some VPN providers don’t need special servers for obfuscation. For example, ExpressVPN has enabled obfuscation on all servers.

Using an obfuscated server might slow down your traffic a bit. This is because of the extra steps to hide your VPN activity.

5. Get a Dedicated IP Address

If obfuscated VPN servers aren’t working, try a dedicated IP address. It might help you bypass VPN blocks.

Streaming services block VPNs by checking for multiple connections from the same IP. This is a sign of multiple users using a VPN.

Using a VPN also leads to CAPTCHA challenges. This is because many users connect from a shared IP, making services think bots are involved.

A dedicated IP address won’t make your VPN completely undetectable. But, it can help avoid IP blocks. They are less likely to be on any VPN block list.

They’re also great for accessing home banking apps, PayPal, and similar services without raising alarms.

Plus, you can use them to secure your work devices. This way, you can keep unauthorized IPs out of your network.

The downside is the extra cost and limited availability. You’ll also have an IP address tied to your email, which might harm your privacy.

Still, it’s worth trying if you have the budget and don’t want to use third-party apps.

6. Try Tor Browser (Slow, But It Works)

VPN isn’t the only way to avoid censorship and spying. If VPN blocks are a problem, try the Tor network.

Just install the Tor Browser, a modified Firefox version, to access the network.

This browser offers several security features, like:

• Encryption (like a VPN)
• Disabling JavaScript on non-HTTPS sites – or all sites if you prefer.
• Preventing browser fingerprinting makes you harder to identify online.

Your traffic goes through multiple relays before reaching its destination.

These relays are volunteer computers worldwide. They change every ten minutes, making it a good anonymizing tool.

But, it’s not a full VPN replacement. You can’t choose which relays to use. Your IP address changes often and randomly.

Internet service providers and others might block Tor because of its image. It’s common for ISPs to block Tor.

Another issue is the slow speeds. If you want to unblock streaming services, a VPN is better.

7. Bypass VPN Blockers with Obfsproxy

Obfsproxy is another tool from Tor’s creators. It wraps your Internet traffic in HTTPS encryption to avoid deep packet inspection.

This works for any traffic, not just Tor. So, you can use it to bypass VPN blocks without Tor.

You can add Obfsproxy to your VPN connection with OpenVPN or WireGuard.

Some VPNs have Obfsproxy built-in. If not, you’ll need to set it up manually. This is great for advanced users who want to bypass blocks on their own VPN server.

8. Use Shadowsocks to Avoid Deep Packet Inspection

Shadowsocks is a proxying tech based on the SOCKS5 open-source Internet protocol.

Unlike a VPN, Shadowsocks uses a distributed network, not a centralized one. This makes it hard for the Great Firewall of China and other filters to block Shadowsocks connections.

Shadowsocks was made to fight censorship in China. But, the original creator left due to government pressure.

Still, many volunteers have improved it. Now, it’s a key way to get past VPN blocks.

Like Obfsproxy, Shadowsocks hides traffic with HTTPS and SOCKS5. But, it only works on TCP and UDP packets.

Other types of traffic might leak data if not set up right. For privacy, a VPN is safer for beginners.

9. Shadowsocks Blocked? Try STunnel Instead

Shadowsocks and obfuscated servers aren’t foolproof against strict VPN blocks.

They’re popular, so strict regimes might target them. They also improve their algorithms to spot obfuscated traffic.

There are many ways to hide your online activity. One is to wrap OpenVPN in an SSL/TLS tunnel with STunnel.

Here’s a guide for Windows 10. You can change VPN ports during setup. Try this one for Ubuntu.

This method is good for light browsing and avoiding VPN blocks. But, it slows down speeds on streaming and data-heavy apps.

10. Create an SSH Tunnel with PuTTy (or Alternatives)

Another way to avoid VPN blocks is with an SSH tunnel. Here’s how to set it up with PuTTy.

SSH and SSL create encrypted connections. But, SSH also lets you run commands on the device you connect to.

It’s like the difference between a regular user and a website admin.

With SSH, you can do cool things like access home media, share photos, and more.

Alternative: set up a Raspberry Pi VPN server (it uses OpenSSH).

Why Are Websites Blocking VPN Services?

There are many reasons for blocking VPN services, but not all are logical. Here are some common ones.

Due to Licensing Restrictions

Ever wondered how to bypass Netflix’s VPN ban? You might ask, “What do these sites gain by blocking VPNs?”

The answer is nothing. Many streaming services block VPNs to honor licensing contracts for their shows.

For example, NBCUniversal might sell the rights to “The Office” to a local TV station. Until that contract ends, Netflix and other streaming sites must geo-block the show in that region.

To get around these restrictions, people use a VPN to change their IP address. This lets them pretend to be somewhere else and access shows as if they were there.

This creates a problem for streaming services that want to keep getting licensing deals. So, they block VPN usage in various ways.

They use IP-blocking, port blocking, cookies, GPS data, or deep packet inspection (DPI) to detect VPN traffic.

As an Anti-Fraud Measure

Financial institutions like banks or PayPal might block VPNs to stop money laundering and similar crimes.

Also, your home banking site might block foreign IP addresses for security. This includes IP addresses used by your VPN provider.

Why would someone outside the country want to access a local bank account? (Hint: it’s for accessing your funds while traveling abroad).

We don’t recommend trying to bypass VPN blocks on such sites. It might get you locked out of your account.

If you still want to try, choose a VPN service that offers dedicated IP addresses in your jurisdiction.

This way, you won’t share an IP address with anyone else. It increases your chances of avoiding VPN detection.

Need a quick recommendation? NordVPN is a reliable VPN choice. It offers dedicated IPs in the US, Canada, Japan, the UK, the Netherlands, France, and Germany.

Government Censorship

The Great Firewall of China is famous for blocking VPNs. Even VPN websites are banned in the country, making it hard to access the free Internet.

China isn’t the only country limiting VPN use. Russia, Turkey, Iran, the UAE, and several others restrict or ban VPNs.

Why Do Schools Block VPN Traffic?

Schools block VPN connections for a few reasons:

• To prevent students from torrenting on their networks (saving bandwidth and avoiding lawsuits)
• So they can monitor your Internet connection
• To “boost productivity” by blocking social media and streaming platforms

VPN blocking can be seen as a bandwidth-saving measure. But, any organization that blocks VPNs to spy on students or limit their free time is doing a disservice.

If you use school-provided laptops or tablets, it makes sense not to allow VPN apps or other third-party programs.

Can I Use a VPN to Bypass School Blocks?

Absolutely! Any good VPN service can help you bypass school or work firewalls. You can unblock social media, YouTube, and streaming services.

Is There a Free VPN Not Blocked by School or Work?

Free VPNs are often blocked by schools and workplaces.

They have few servers and lack obfuscation. This makes them easy to block.

Free VPNs also get their IPs from IP-aggregating services. This is why they can’t access streaming sites like Netflix.

If you need a VPN for a short time, try the best VPNs for school for 30 days. Use their money-back plans to see if they work around school blocks.

Can I Open Blocked Websites without a VPN?

If your VPN is blocked, you can try some methods. For example:

• Switching to a mobile connection
• Using the Tor browser
• Trying Shadowsocks, STunnel, or PuTTy

These methods are not as effective. But, you can also change your DNS settings. Or, try a smart DNS service. Top providers like NordVPN use smart DNS to bypass blocks.

5 Best VPNs to Bypass VPN Blocks

Is your VPN blocked on your network? Then it might be worth testing out a different provider. Here are some of the best VPNs for bypassing blocks of any kind.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN has over 5,400+ ultra-fast servers and 60 countries to choose from. This means you have many options to get past IP blocks.

It also has obfuscated VPN servers to keep you hidden. But, these only work with OpenVPN TCP, so speeds might be slower.

Want to avoid VPN blocks on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming sites?

NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature is perfect for this. It combines smart DNS and VPN tech to make your VPN invisible while streaming.

Plus, NordVPN includes an advanced Threat Protection feature. It blocks ads and trackers, filters malware and phishing sites, and scans .exe files for malware on Windows and Mac.

Since some blocks are based on trackers, this can help you bypass some filters.

And, you can always get a dedicated IP to evade strict blocks.

Their apps are easy to use and work on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. All NordVPN subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back plan, so you can try them out risk-free. It also supports anonymous payments.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark has 3,200+ high-speed servers in 100 countries. It’s easy to find a local server to bypass blocks on various services.

It also has Camouflage Mode for hiding your VPN activity. And NoBorders mode automatically finds the best server for network restrictions.

It can unblock most geo-restricted services, like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and more.

For mobile blocks, Surfshark’s GPS spoofing on Android is a lifesaver. This gives fake GPS data to apps and filters, hiding your location.

There’s also CleanWeb to remove ads, trackers, and threats. And while they don’t offer dedicated IPs yet, they’re working on it.

The Surfshark app is simple to use and works on all major systems, from Windows to Linux and mobile. They offer a strong 30-day money-back plan if you want to try other options.

4. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN has 200+ servers in 63 countries. It’s great for getting past blocks.

It works in China thanks to Stealth VPN mode. This uses Shadowsocks proxy to avoid blocks. It’s perfect for places with strict censorship.

It supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. Plus, L2TP/IPSec, which many providers don’t offer. This gives you more options to beat VPN blocks.

PrivateVPN is great with streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. It easily unblocks popular content and offers good speeds for high-quality video.

PrivateVPN gives you free dynamic dedicated IPs in some places. These IPs are assigned when using OpenVPN UDP on port 1194.

It works on many platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and routers. And, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is top-notch for getting past blocks. It has 3,000+ servers in 94 countries.

It’s great in countries with strict censorship. Its servers have built-in obfuscation. This keeps your activity hidden from filters.

ExpressVPN easily unblocks streaming services. Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more. You also get fast speeds for HD and 4K videos.

It has a Threat Manager to block trackers and malicious sites. This is great against browser-based detection.

ExpressVPN’s apps are simple and easy to use. With just one click, your traffic is secure and hidden from blocks.

Finally, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee with any plan.

5. Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN has 750+ servers in 45 locations worldwide. It’s one of the few providers with a free plan, but it has a 5 GB/month data cap.

The free locations include Amsterdam, Los Angeles, and New York. The latter two are great for streaming, letting you unblock popular services.

We suggest trying their premium plans for more streaming locations, unlimited data, higher speeds, and SafeSwap.

SafeSwap rotates your IP with every request, helping you evade IP-based blocks.

SafeBrowse is another useful feature that blocks trackers and malicious sites. While Atlas VPN works on all popular devices, SafeBrowse isn’t available for Linux yet.

The provider offers a 30-day refund policy. This lets you test their apps without risk.

Bypassing VPN Blocks – The Bottom Line

There are many ways to limit VPN use, but just as many to get around them. You can change servers, ports, or protocols. Or, use dedicated IPs, stealth servers, or third-party methods to mask VPN traffic.

How do you plan to make your VPN undetectable? Do you know other reliable methods to bypass VPN blocks? Share your thoughts in the comments!