If you use public WiFi at your favorite restaurant or coffee shop, you probably already know that you should use a VPN to protect yourself. Recently though, there have been a number of reports of those places blocking VPNs. Though you may be able to understand that because of abuse, it poses a big security risk. If all you are trying to do is protect yourself, you should not have to worry about being vulnerable because of the actions of others. The way that these establishments are doing that is by blocking certain ports. That is why we would like to tell you how to unblock a VPN when using public networks.
| Rank | VPN Provider | Price | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | $6.67 |  |
| 2 |  | $3.49 |  |
| 3 |  | $2.85 |  |
Here is a quick guide to unblocking A VPN at your favorite spot. As an example, we are going to use IPVanish. Please follow these steps.
- Sign up for ExpressVPN (includes a 30-day money back guarantee).
- Once you have opened the client on your favorite internet enabled device, proceed to Settings (it may look like a gear) and select Connection.
- When using the PC version, you should see a list of active protocols. Typically, you will want to select either IKEv2 or OpenVPN.
- Under the OpenVPN heading, make sure the box that says Obfuscate OpenVPN traffic is checked. Go ahead and try to connect to the public WiFi then.
- If you are using a different product or that does not work, most will give you the option to select ports 1194, 80, or 443. The third one is used for https website traffic, so there is a good chance that will work if your other attempts fail.
- Now that everything is set up, you can enjoy the benefits of a VPN at your establishment.
Next, we will take a look at the best options to use for this purpose.
How to Unblock VPN on WiFi Netowrks with ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the best choice for unblocking popular streaming services and live sporting events. The ExpressVPN team has combined their VPN service with a Smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer. The combination will protect your privacy and unblock access to a wide range of content all over the world. You can run the ExpressVPN app on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and router. The MediaStreamer service extends support to streaming media devices (Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Kodi boxes, etc.), Smart TVs, gaming consoles (PS4, Xbox One, Switch), and more.
The team at ExpressVPN is currently offering our visitors a discount on their all-inclusive VPN service. You can enjoy unlimited access to both their VPN network and MediaStreamer service for 49% off with 3 months free. In addition, they are offering a 30-day money back guarantee to all new members so you won’t feel rushed while testing the service. You’ll have a month to watch live events, unblock streaming services, and fully experience the advantages of ExpressVPN. You can expect to be quite impressed with the service.
How to Unblock VPN on WiFi Netowrks with NordVPN
NordVPN is a good choice for unblocking live sporting events and streaming services. The VPN will help you unblock Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and many more channels. You still need a subscription for paid services like CBS All Access but NordVPN will help you unblock the geo-restrictions. They are one of the few VPNs that can still access Netflix US from outside the United States. This makes NordVPN a great choice for those who want to stream content from other regions of the world.
As you can see, the NordVPN app is easy to use. You can select a server location from the map or from a list of countries. Unfortunately, NordVPN doesn’t let you choose a specific city in locations like the United States. However, it will pick a server based on your current location. We found this to result in slower speeds than ExpressVPN. At times we had to try a few different servers to find one that offered the performance we desired. Otherwise, NordVPN offers everything you need to unblock your favorite websites.
How to Unblock VPN on WiFi Netowrks with PIA VPN
Private Internet Access, often referred to as PIA, is one of the most popular VPN services in the world. They are headquartered in Silicon Valley and have contributed heavily to the privacy community. You have likely seen PIA in the news as they support a wide range of privacy-related campaigns. From full-page ads to promote privacy bills to support of the open source community, the PIA team is a strong privacy advocate. You will find the VPN service offers everything you need to encrypt your connection and unblock access to many of your favorite web sites.
We have experienced positive results when trying to access Netflix through PIA. You will find that popular streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer are getting good at blocking VPNs. It’s a game of cat and mouse in which the VPNs find ways to stay ahead of the game. In addition to unblocking restrictions, PIA is also very popular in the file sharing community. Torrent users turn to PIA to secure their privacy with sites like TorrentFreak promoting the service. You will find that PIA has a lot to offer for a very reasonable price.
About Geo-blocks
Geo-blocks are often annoying. Because of world licensing and broadcasting rights, the media companies block anyone outside of their targeted area. In other words, if you are traveling, want to watch region specific coverage, or just want to watch anything abroad, the blocking software will stop you. Since it can detect IP addresses, it can tell if you are outside of the targeted area. By connecting to a VPN, the blocking software will think you are located someplace else. Of course, you can gain access to other channels when you use one.
Not All VPNs Will Unblock Public WiFi
The truth is, ineffective VPN products litter the community. Though they may help you in other ways, you are removing one of the biggest benefits of a VPN if it does not unblock geo-restrictions. Even some of the more well-known providers do not work well to get you past those types of blocks. There is no point in trying to protect yourself if the VPN service is not working as intended. That is why we suggest the options we mentioned above.
You now have some great tools to use so you can unblock VPN usage on public WiFi. Though there are other providers available, we think you’ll be happy with our choices. You should not have to miss out on the safety of a VPN because others have taken advantage of the system. If your goal is to unblock VPN on public WiFi, you are in the right place to find out how.
