It’s no secret that Canadians are denied access to some fantastic streaming platforms that Americans enjoy unrestricted access to. Hulu and HBO are two well-known examples. Even when it comes to Netflix, the American version has more shows and movies than the Canadian version. Netflix US is the only place to watch popular shows like Dexter, Criminal Minds, and Parks and Recreation.
You can access all international streaming sites in Canada by using a VPN. With a VPN, you can easily connect to a US server and unblock HBO Max in Canada – one of the most difficult geo-blocking platforms. However, not all VPNs can bypass geo-blocks, and you’ll most likely see the proxy error message and have no access to the site. The majority of popular streaming sites have VPN-detection features in place, which block VPN traffic and thus restrict access.
Here’s a list of popular Canadian streaming sites that don’t allow VPNs:
- Netflix
- Hulu
- HBO Now
- Amazon Prime Video
- Sling TV
- YouTube TV
These are just a few of the streaming sites that are unavailable in Canada and that also block VPN traffic. If you want to unblock HBO Max in Canada, you’ll need a VPN – but if you’re getting a proxy error, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s look at how to get around VPN restrictions and watch your favorite American shows and movies in Canada.
How to Bypass VPN blocks and watch US shows in Canada
If you’re trying to access American Netflix, Hulu, or other geo-restricted streaming platforms in Canada but getting a proxy error, there are a few options for getting around the VPN block and accessing streaming sites in Canada:
1. Switch between different VPN servers
Netflix and other streaming services are unable to unblock all IP addresses. You can always disconnect and reconnect to a different VPN server location if the VPN server you’re connected to gives you the proxy error. As a result, you’ll get a new IP address that isn’t on the blacklist. You can even request a server that is compatible with the streaming service you want to use in Canada from customer service.
Choose a VPN with a large number of servers because this indicates that they have a large number of IP addresses, allowing you to easily switch between them to gain access.
2. Use a different VPN protocol
Most VPNs provide a variety of protocols for different purposes. Some protocols are better for privacy, while others are faster. OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP, IPSec, IKEv2, and other protocols are among the most commonly used by VPNs. If you receive the proxy error on your first attempt, you can change protocols in your VPN’s settings. That’s all there is to it; you can now see if the other protocol helps with VPN blocking or not. If the proxy error persists, you can switch to a different protocol.
3. Change VPN Ports
A port is a device that regulates the flow of data between two points. Different protocols use ports to handle incoming and outgoing information in VPNs. You can change VPN ports to get around the VPN block. To get around VPN blocks, you’ll need to know about a few common ports:
TCP port 443: Your internet uses Port 443, which is a standard encrypted protocol, when accessing sites that require sensitive information such as credit card numbers. You can use this port to access streaming sites without having to use a VPN because it is never blocked by sites because important data can be exchanged without it.
TCP port 80: It is used by HTTP, which is widely used on the internet. This port is never blocked, so it’s a good way to get around VPN restrictions.
Using a VPN application on your device, you can easily change ports. If it won’t let you change ports, you can change them manually by editing the OpenVPN configuration file on the VPN’s website. You can even contact your VPN provider before making any changes if it becomes too technical for you.
How do streaming services detect & block VPNs?
Streaming services can detect and block VPN users from accessing their content in a variety of ways. The following are the most common methods for detecting and blocking VPN traffic:
1. IP Blocking
IP address is the most common method used by streaming services to detect and block VPNs. Almost all major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and others, keep a list of VPN server IP addresses and immediately blacklist traffic from these IPs. One of the main reasons why VPN services frequently update their IP addresses in order to obtain newer ones is because of this.
In these situations, you should make a connection with other VPN servers to obtain a new IP address that is not on the blacklist for sure.
2. Port Blocking
Port blocking is the 2nd method. It is used by streaming companies to catch and barricade VPN traffic. This is accomplished by using a firewall to block VPN service ports. 1194 (UDP), 1723 (TCP), 500 (UDP), 4500 (UDP), 1701 (UDP), and others are among these ports. As a result, if traffic using one of these ports is detected, the streaming service will block access.
There is a way around port blocking, just as there is a way around IP blocking. Some VPN services have a feature that allows you to disguise your VPN traffic as HTTP traffic. As a result, the streaming platform is unable to identify the traffic, and thus there is no blocking.
3. Deep Packet Inspection
This method is more thorough, but streaming services rarely use it. ISPs in countries with strict censorship and internet restrictions are the most likely to use it. This technology examines all of a user’s internet traffic in order to detect VPN and block it. Some VPNs, on the other hand, use camouflage technology to cloak your VPN traffic, allowing you to bypass deep packet inspection and gain unrestricted access to blocked websites.
Hulu, HBO, and other streaming services are available in Canada. You’ll need a VPN that works with popular streaming sites like Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube TV, and others if you want to bypass VPN blocks and stream popular sites in Canada like Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube TV, and others. You can easily unblock any international streaming platform in Canada by using a VPN that regularly refreshes their IP address. Good luck with your streaming.