Does PIA Work With Netflix in 2025? Yes. An Easy Guide
Private Internet Access didn’t work with Netflix for a long time. Now it’s actually a good option if you want a VPN to get around ISP throttling and watch Netflix content in HD from anywhere. However, there are still times when they don’t work well together.
If you’re having trouble using PIA to securely access Netflix, there are several easy solutions. Usually, all that’s required are a few simple adjustments in your VPN settings. Sometimes it’s as simple as using a different web browser, for example.
If you’ve already tried these quick fixes and the problems persist, then you might want to try a different VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN because its servers consistently work with Netflix. On top of that, its superfast speeds let you load shows in a couple of seconds and watch without lag. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN completely risk-free. If you’re not satisfied, you can easily get your money back. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.
Quick Guide: How to Watch Netflix with Private Internet Access in 2025
- Get PIA. Go to the PIA website, sign up for a subscription, and download the app.
- Connect to a server. You’ll get the best speeds for streaming on servers close to your location.
- Start watching Netflix. Watch your favorite shows in HD.
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process.
PIA Still Isn’t Working? Here’s How to Fix It
If you connect to a PIA server that doesn’t work with Netflix, there are several simple ways to solve the problem. These solutions don’t require any technical knowledge and they can also help you if you’re struggling with another streaming platform. If none of these solutions work for you, then your best bet is to try a VPN that's been proven to work reliably with Netflix, like ExpressVPN.
- Check your IP address. You may have been assigned an IP that Netflix has blacklisted. Try disconnecting and reconnecting to another server.
- Change your protocol. You may be using a protocol that isn’t compatible with Netflix, which means you’re better off changing it. The best protocols for Netflix are OpenVPN and WireGuard, which can be selected from your settings.
- Check your Firewall settings. Antivirus software and firewall settings can stop PIA from working with Netflix. Try disabling your firewall or antivirus software and see if anything changes.
- Flush your DNS. The DNS server you’re using could be preventing PIA from working with Netflix. This happens when Netflix detects your default DNS, so you’ll need to flush your DNS. The instructions for doing this are different for both Windows and macOS users.
For Windows:
Open the command prompt and select “run”. Then, type “Click Command Prompt” before typing “ipconfig/flushdns”.
For macOS:
Open Terminal and type “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder” in the command line. Then, enter your Mac password to make changes.
Why Should I Use PIA to Watch Netflix?
PIA’s network includes 29,650 servers in 91 countries, which makes it easy to find working connections for Netflix. The VPN has 53 locations in the US alone, which helps to minimize server overcrowding if you’re trying to securely access Netflix US. During our PIA tests, we connected to 3 US servers and watched Netflix in HD without buffering on all of them.
You can also watch Netflix on Unlimited devices simultaneously under a single PIA account. It has native apps for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, and Linux, which can be installed in under a minute. But you can also install PIA on your home router, which lets you connect an unlimited number of devices, including smart TVs and gaming consoles.
Its fast speeds will provide you with a lag-free streaming experience from anywhere. When we watched Netflix on its US servers, our download speeds averaged 42.8 Mbps. This is much faster than the 5 Mbps needed for HD streaming.
PIA also keeps you secure with its automatic kill switch, which has 3 modes (off, automatic, and always). “Automatic” blocks your traffic when you’re disconnected from the VPN, while “Always” only lets you browse the internet while using PIA. It’s convenient when watching Netflix on public networks — it instantly disconnects you if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly, ensuring no one else on the shared network can see your personal info.
The main issue we had with PIA is that we could only get it to work with 6 Netflix libraries: the US, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan. However, every server we tried worked first time, so securely watching Netflix was never a problem. On the plus side, the service is quite affordable. Subscription plans begin at $2.19/month, making it a cost-effective choice.
What I liked most about PIA is that you can try it for free using its 30-day money-back guarantee. It requires an upfront payment first, but you’ll be fully refunded if you’re not impressed (and remember to cancel within 30 days). When I canceled my subscription, I got my money back after 5 business days.
Alternative VPNs if PIA Doesn’t Work for You
1. ExpressVPN — Ultra-Fast Speeds for Watching Netflix Lag-Free
![Small assortment of technological devices compatible with ExpressVPN.](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/expressvpn-autoresized86X.png)
Tested February 2025 Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
- Lightning-fast speeds that ensure a smooth streaming experience on Netflix
- 3,000 servers in 105 countries, including 24 servers
- MediaStreamer lets you watch Netflix on any WiFi-enabled device
- 8 simultaneous device connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Works with: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Vudu, and more
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and more
ExpressVPN’s high-speed network makes it an excellent choice for watching Netflix. During our speed tests, our download speeds averaged 45.7 Mbps when watching Netflix US. This was a lot more than the 5 Mbps needed for HD streaming, so we didn’t experience any lag. ExpressVPN also works with 15+ other Netflix libraries, including the UK, Australia, and Japan. So, you’ll be able to stream securely and in HD from anywhere.
You can stream Netflix on devices that are not typically VPN-compatible. We utilized ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer feature to install the service on a PlayStation. The setup process was completed in under 3 minutes, and we found the step-by-step instructions on the ExpressVPN website very straightforward. This meant we could stream Netflix US on the big screen with no issues.
You can also try ExpressVPN for yourself risk-free since it’s backed by a money-back guarantee. Just request a refund within 30 days if you’re not satisfied. I wanted to test this policy, so I used its 24/7 live chat feature to cancel my subscription. The representative asked me a couple of questions before going ahead with my request. After 3 business days, I was fully refunded.
2. IPVanish — Watch Netflix on All of Your Devices
- Superfast speeds that provide lag-free streaming
- 2,400+ servers in 140+ countries
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Works with: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Vudu, and more
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and more
IPVanish allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices with just one subscription, making it perfect for big families. We quickly connected a MacBook Pro, smartphone, old Windows laptop, and Android tablet all at once to watch Netflix. Impressively, there was no noticeable drop in device performance or connection speed, so you and your family will be able to stream Netflix in HD from anywhere.
It also has 2,400 servers in 140 countries, making it easy to find one nearby for fast streaming speeds. While testing IPVanish, we connected to 4 of its US servers and watched Netflix shows in HD without buffering on all of them. The process took us under a minute every time, and there were no errors at all.
Every IPVanish subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test its features without any risk. It was really easy to cancel my subscription. I didn’t have to contact customer service at all. I just logged in to my account and clicked a couple of buttons. I didn’t even need to give a reason for canceling. After 4 business days, I had my money back in full.
3. CyberGhost — Easy-to-Use VPN With Netflix-Optimized Servers
- Impressive speeds that ensure a smooth streaming experience
- 11,690 servers worldwide, including optimized Netflix servers
- 7 simultaneous device connections
- 45-day money-back guarantee
- Works with: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and more
CyberGhost has a global network of 11,690 servers, which includes optimized servers for Netflix. These servers are designed for streaming Netflix in HD from anywhere. When we tested its optimized Netflix servers in the US, UK, and France, and they all worked flawlessly. They’re really easy to find in the For streaming tab of your dashboard, too. You never have to guess which is the best available connection for Netflix.
The rapid speeds of CyberGhost VPN make it an excellent choice for streaming shows on Netflix. In our speed tests, the average download speed across the Netflix US servers was 43.5 Mbps, compared to 42.5 Mbps on its regular US servers. Regardless of server type, you can enjoy uninterrupted HD Netflix streaming on all of them.
You can even try CyberGhost for free using its 45-day money-back guarantee, which is one of the longest available. I tried canceling my subscription on day 45 by asking a live chat representative. They kindly approved my request after I provided my reasoning, and I got my money back after 5 business days.
FAQs on Watching Netflix With PIA
Does PIA work with Netflix?
Yes, PIA works with Netflix. We recommend connecting to a nearby server, as this will give you the best possible speeds for streaming. Once connected to the VPN, open Netflix and start streaming your favorite shows.
Can I use a free VPN to stream Netflix?
Streaming Netflix with a free VPN is pretty much impossible. A low-cost premium VPN is a much better option. Netflix uses advanced VPN detection and blocking tools, which even the largest VPNs can struggle with. Smaller or less powerful VPNs, like free services, are often blocked because they don’t have obfuscation tools and other technology that can disguise their traffic.
Free services lack the financial resources required to sustain and upgrade their limited server networks. This results in many people resorting to using the same servers with Netflix, which can cause login issues. Plus, the heavy traffic on these servers leads to significant slowdowns and extensive buffering during streaming.
Also, many free VPNs are known to collect user data and sell it to third parties, such as advertisers and governments. This is a serious breach of online privacy as your data and online behavior can be collected and used against you.
Which Netflix libraries does PIA work with?
The Netflix libraries that PIA worked with in our tests are the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, France, and Japan. However, this may change over time, as the VPN is constantly upgrading its systems, while Netflix is also continuously developing its VPN detection and blocking tools.
Will Private Internet Access slow my internet connection?
Like all VPNs, PIA will slow down your internet connection a bit. This is because your data has to travel to the VPN server. Also, it takes time to encrypt data, so this causes a bit of slowdown as well.
When we conducted our speed tests, we recorded an average download speed of 42.8 Mbps on PIA’s US servers, a 27% reduction from our original speeds. This might seem like a lot, but it was still more than fast enough to watch Netflix in HD, which only requires a download speed of 5 Mbps.
Can I watch Netflix Japan with PIA?
Yes, PIA worked with Netflix Japan during our tests. If you’re experiencing difficulties, try working through our troubleshooting checklist.
Is it legal to use PIA for Netflix?
Yes, it’s legal to use PIA to watch Netflix securely if VPNs are legal in your country. VPNs are legal in most parts of the world since they protect people’s online privacy and security on public networks. Only a few countries like China and Russia have either banned or heavily restricted VPNs, so check the laws and regulations in your country if you aren’t sure.
Watch Netflix With PIA Today
PIA now joins the ranks as one of the leading VPNs that work with Netflix. This includes Netflix US, UK, Japan, Germany, Italy, and France. But like other VPN providers, issues can arise, which means you’ll need to have some solutions ready.
If you consistently have problems making PIA work with Netflix, I’d recommend using another VPN instead. Many other reliable VPNs work well with Netflix. I recommend that you test out ExpressVPN risk-free. Since it’s backed by a money-back guarantee, you have 30 days to claim a full refund if you don’t like it.
The best VPNs for Netflix in 2025 are...
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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