Netflix Proxy Error: What, Why and How

Is this “proxy error” message familiar to you? If yes then you shouldn’t use the VPN you have for streaming Netflix. But why is that? And what does this message mean?

The infamous “proxy error” happens whenever Netflix detects that you are streaming with a VPN or proxy.

In 2016, Netflix announced that “those using proxies and unblockers will only be able to access the service in the country where they currently are.” So in February 2016, Netflix started blocking VPNs by blacklisting any IP address that belonged to a VPN. When you connect to a blacklisted VPN server while trying to watch a movie or TV show on Netflix US, you will be presented with a proxy error message.

But why does Netflix do this? And how can we bypass it?

Netflix doesn’t have all the distribution rights necessary to stream all of the same TV shows and movies to every country. Different movies and TV shows have different copyright holders in each country, so it is illegal for Netflix to air these shows in every country. Under pressure from copyright holders, Netflix started banning VPNs and proxies in order to enforce its copyright obligations.

There are still some VPNs that bypass these restrictions. Wachee is one of those VPNs. With Wachee, there is no need to change servers whenever they get blocked. Wachee changes the servers automatically if it detects that Netflix has blocked them. With just one click, you have access to Netflix US, the biggest Netflix library there is.