If you ever tried to use Netflix with a VPN or proxy, you are likely to run into an error message. “Oops, something went wrong… Streaming error” – this is what will pop up on your screen instead of Netflix home page. The most common errors are m7111-1331-5059 and m7111-5059, both known as proxy errors. If you see this message, then Netflix figured out that you use a VPN, proxy, or other unblocking solution. In this article, we are going to explain what the Netflix proxy error is and how you can fix it. So read on if you don’t want to miss a thing.
Table of Contents
Why do i see Netflix proxy error?
A few years ago, you could use a VPN or proxy with Netflix without problems. However, as its network expanded all over the world, TV and film production companies that supply Netflix with content realized that they lose money when people use unblocking solutions. It was (and still is) common to watch US Netflix from abroad since American version features the largest video library. Copyright holders could have sold broadcasting licenses to other countries but it makes no sense if people prefer foreign Netflix instead of the home country version. Those copyright holders gave Netflix an ultimatum – it should find a way to block VPNs and proxies or they would start a trial.
As a result of this pressure, in 2016, Netflix stated that it was no longer going to allow subscribers to use unblockers. After this, the overwhelming majority of VPNs and proxies found themselves banned. If you see the Netflix proxy error, then your VPN or proxy service is among those blacklisted ones.
Along with that, there is a small group of VPNs that continue fighting for your rights to circumvent geo-restrictions. But even they can’t avoid this error message always. They add new servers to their networks and manage to restore access but over time, Netflix blocks their IP addresses again, so cat and mouse game goes on and on. Only large VPN services can still maintain a connection to Netflix, but you’ll have to sweat a bit to find a server that works.
Best VPNs to use for Netflix proxy error
A huge and constantly growing VPN network can ensure a connection to Netflix. If you notice that a VPN provider has the same number of servers and IP addresses for a long time, chances are that it fails to support this streaming service.
Some VPNs offer dedicated IP addresses that make access to Netflix somewhat easier. Unlike shared IPs that are available to all the subscribers, dedicated IPs have only one user. With a dedicated IP address, it is harder for Netflix to detect VPN traffic. However, this solution doesn’t guarantee any long-term success – Netflix algorithms are pretty sophisticated, so over time, they will figure out what’s going on.
Finally, some advanced VPN services implement special encryption technologies that mask VPN traffic and make it look like a regular Internet connection.
Without further ado, here is our list of VPNs that you can use to fix the Netflix proxy error:
- Provider
- User Rating
- Our Review
- Price
PureVPN- 4807 Votes
- $3.24 / month
ExpressVPN- 3795 Votes
- $6.67 / month
What to do if your VPN doesn’t work with Netflix
First of all, you need to find out whether or not your current VPN service still supports Netflix. For starters, you can switch to a different server since obviously, not every single server supports Netflix connection. What’s even better, ask tech support which server is best to hook up to.
Sometimes cookies and cache stored on your device carry information that helps Netflix identify a VPN connection. What you should do is to clear these cache and cookies (we recommend doing this every time you enable a VPN).
If this didn’t help, try to access Netflix from a web browser. Very often, due to DNS request issues, Netflix refuses to work on mobile devices and smart TVs. If Netflix does work on your computer but not on other devices, it means you should reconfigure your DNS settings. You should consult with your VPN provider concerning this issue.
If you tried all these methods but nothing helped, then your VPN can’t work with Netflix anymore.
How to fix Netflix proxy error with a VPN that really works
However, there is still a way out. This is what you can do:
- Choose a VPN from our recommended list and create an account with it.
- Download and set up the VPN client for your device.
- Start the VPN client, and connect to a server in the preferred country.
- Clear cache and cookies on this device.
- Go to Netflix website or launch its app.
- The Netflix proxy error should be gone.
Please keep in mind that once in a while you will have to connect to a different server. It is because sooner or later it will wind up being blocked. But your provider will suggest another server so that you can keep watching Netflix.
How does Netflix detect VPNs?
Netflix doesn’t reveal how it does it, but observations show that there are two signs pinpointing VPN traffic: too many requests from the same IP address and DNS mismatch.
- IP addresses. VPNs offer shared IP addresses to their users – they are more secure and cheaper than dedicated ones. The same IP address is simultaneously used by many subscribers. When these people access their Netflix accounts, the streaming service understands that something is wrong here – an IP address is the same but accounts are different. It becomes clear that such an address belongs to a VPN and it immediately gets blacklisted. Besides, VPN and proxy servers are hosted in data centers; the ranges of IP addresses they carry are different than those of residential networks. While it is unlikely for residential IPs to get blocked, Netflix won’t have mercy on data center addresses.
- DNS requests. Before you access Netflix, your request reaches a DNS server that keeps information about domain names and their specific IP addresses. Your geolocation and location of a DNS server should match. However, when you use a VPN, you obtain an IP address from a different country while DNS requests are still handled through a local server. Major VPN services have their own DNS servers so there is no conflicting data between geolocation and the origin of DNS requests. Yet, Netflix apps for mobile devices and smart TVs force DNS requests to go through local nameservers. If the locations don’t match, Netflix understands that you use a VPN. That’s why users tend to see the dreaded proxy error more frequently on their mobile devices than in web browsers.
Besides that, there are so-called Geo IP databases that contain information about IP addresses including countries and cities they are from, whether they are associated with proxies or not, etc. IP addresses of some VPNs can get to this list, too. It is not known for sure but experts speculate that Netflix purchases such databases to identify VPN-related IPs and blacklist them.
Explaining common Netflix errors
There are a few Netflix streaming errors that start with m7111. They refer to various issues with your browser or network that stop videos from loading. If an error additionally has 5059, this indicates that Netflix has detected a proxy / VPN connection and wants you to disable it. Let’s briefly go over the most common Netflix streaming errors:
- m7111-1331. This one may happen when you access Netflix from bookmarks. Usually, typing URL manually into the address bar will help solve this issue.
- m7111- 1101. This indicates an error occurring because of conflicting data storing in your cache or cookies. Just flush cookies and cache on your device and this will be it.
- m7111-1309. You may encounter this error when watching Netflix on Chrome browser. You should either switch to another browser or disable all Chrome extensions.
Conclusion
Due to licensing agreements, Netflix was forced to get involved in the war with VPNs. If you use a mediocre VPN or proxy service to access Netflix from abroad, you are sure to come across the infamous proxy error. However, you can fix it with a well-developed VPN, such as the ones we mentioned in this post.
Have you ever run into the Netflix proxy error? Let us know how you managed to fix it or tell us about your experience with the suggested VPN providers. We’ll be glad to hear from you.