ABC doesn’t work with VPN: 5 QUICK fixes (walkthrough)

ABC online is region-locked, so you can’t access it outside the US. A VPN will help you unlock content, but what if it stops working? Our guide explains what to do if your ABC doesn’t work with your VPN.

Based on our research, your current VPN isn’t letting you access shows because it’s not hiding your real location. When that happens, the TV network could blacklist your server. See our list of common fixes below.

Which VPNs work with ABC?

Why you can trust GadgetMouse: Our content is written by a team of humans and we refuse to use AI. Plus, we own (and use) every VPN that we write about. For more details, see our editorial policy.

Can I watch ABC outside the US?

You can, but you’ll need a reliable VPN at your side if you’re based in a country that isn’t officially supported by ABC. The broadcaster has a help page on its website that confirms where ABC is available.

The VPNs we’ve named are a perfect fit and, if the streaming provider blacklists a server temporarily, the VPN providers will create a brand new one very quickly.

Why doesn’t ABC work with my VPN?

ABC online is a region-locked website designed for people in specific countries. If the site identifies your IP address and sees that you’re not in a supported country, the website will lock up and you won’t be able to watch shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Bachelor.

In summary, common reasons for ABC breaking:

• Your VPN servers might have been blacklisted by the TV network
• Cookies stored in your browser are telling ABC about your location outside the US
• A VPN is leaking your IP address, which causes the American website to block traffic

ABC fixes

1. Update your VPN

If ABC streams aren’t working for you outside the US, check that you’re using the most recent version of your VPN.

From a computer, go to your VPN Settings screen and look for Update.

On an Android device, you can update your VPN using the Play Store.

From an iPhone, open the App Store and tap your user profile.

2. Swap to another server

We suggest disconnecting from your current server and trying another in the US for ABC. If you’re using ExpressVPN, you can select the three dots to access a list of alternative servers within the same country.

3. Message Customer Support

The VPN services we recommend have customer support teams that can help with technical issues. If you’re experiencing difficulties using ABC outside of America, don’t hesitate to reach out to them for help.

4. Reset your VPN

If switching US-based servers didn’t fix the problem, completely uninstall your VPN, then reinstall it. After the reinstallation, open both your VPN and ABC and try streaming again.

5. Speed test your internet

Disconnect from your wi-fi, reconnect and then try your VPN one more time. If that doesn’t help, you can perform a thorough reset by restarting your router.

More ABC fixes:

Check to see if you’ve been hit by a DNS leak. This means your typical IP address and location is visible to websites and apps, even if you’re running a VPN. Use this IP Address Lookup tool to see if your IP address swaps when you activate your VPN and visit ABC. If not, your VPN is broken.

Clear your cache and cookies. In a Chrome browser, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. If you’re using an Apple computer with Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Re-enter your VPN username and password. Check if you’ve entered your VPN login details correctly. Incorrect credentials could be the reason ABC breaks when you leave the US.

Check the VPN servers. If you can’t connect to a server, your provider might be to blame. The best providers (we like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Ivacy and PureVPN) are transparent about this.

Check your firewall allows VPNs. On Windows, open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

➡️ Download our free VPN troubleshooting tips poster ⬅️

Best VPNs for ABC

ExpressVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.53 per month
• 6-month subscription: £8.12 per month
• 1-year subscription + 3 months free: £5.42 per month (49% off)

🌎 Number of servers	160
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	5
⏱️ Our speed test results	-8.7% download, -5.5% upload (London)

If the VPN you have at the moment isn’t letting you enjoy TV streams, create a membership with ExpressVPN. Our own connection tests prove this is one of the best VPNs around, and it’s speedy regardless of where you’re based. To catch live TV and catch up on popular ABC series from anywhere, simply open up ExpressVPN, connect to one of the US servers and then refresh the ABC website.

Pros: Smartphone app lets you connect in seconds, 'favourite' most-used VPN servers for quick access, performed remarkably well in our chat support speed test

Cons: Rival VPNs are cheaper, can't use many devices at once

Try ExpressVPN today

NordVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.49 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3.99 per month (40% off)
• 2-year subscription: £2.79 per month (58% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,200+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	6
⏱️ Our speed test results	-14% download, -7% upload (London)

NordVPN lets you watch live TV shows from anywhere, which is ideal if your current VPN isn’t pairing with ABC online. It hosts over 5,000 servers in more than 50 countries, and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption. In just a couple of minutes, you can start watching your favourite shows on ABC.

Pros: Built-in internet kill switch works well, profile page on app includes 'Security score' with privacy tips, takes less than a minute to reach a live chat agent (based on our tests)

Cons: Other VPNs tested are cheaper, some streaming services require multiple resets to work

Try NordVPN today

Ivacy

• 1-month subscription: £8.62 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3 per month (65% off)
• 5-year subscription + FREE password manager: 80p per month (90% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,700
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

If you’re based outside a country supported by ABC online, we recommend Ivacy for watching live TV shows. This trusted VPN is one of the most affordable options, and it supports 256-bit encryption which keeps cybercriminals away. Ivacy also offers public wi-fi security to protect devices against malware when connecting to public hotspots.

Pros: Connection is steady when using multiple devices, notifications mention if Ivacy is disabled, server locations split by country and city

Cons: We think the ExpressVPN mobile app is faster, below-average results in our chat support speed test

Try Ivacy today

PureVPN

• 1-month subscription: $10.95 per month (12% off)
• 1-year subscription: $3.74 per month (70% off)
• 2-year subscription + 4 extra months: $1.96 per month (84% off)

🌎 Number of servers	6,500+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

PureVPN is one of our favourites to recommend for those that want to enjoy live TV on ABC. It’s easy to use, and members have access to optimised servers specifically designed to reduce load times.

Pros: Surprisingly affordable considering features, lots of UK and US-based servers, generous with simultaneous devices

Cons: Takes a couple of minutes to reach live chat agents (based on our tests), performs better on iOS compared to Android (in our experience)

Try PureVPN today

How to use a VPN with ABC

Watch ABC on Windows

1. Pick one of our suggested VPNs – we’ll use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in.
3. From Windows, open ExpressVPN and select a server in the US.
4. Once you’re connected, head to the ABC website.
5. Log in to your ABC account.

Using ABC on Mac

1. Pick one of our chosen VPNs and create an account – ExpressVPN, for example.
2. After making an ExpressVPN account, sign in with your username and password.
3. From Mac, open ExpressVPN and select a server located in the US.
4. When you’re connected, visit the ABC website.
5. Log in to your ABC account.

How to watch ABC on iPhone

1. Head to the Apple App Store from your iPhone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the ABC app to your device – it’s on the Apple App Store.
4. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account, and then connect to a server based in the US.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the ABC app and log in to your account.

Watch ABC on Android

1. Head to the Google Play Store from your Android tablet or smartphone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the ABC app to your device – it’s on the Google Play Store.
4. Sign in to your ExpressVPN account, and then connect to a server based in the US.
5. Now that you’re connected to a VPN, open the ABC app and log in to your account.

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