DStv not working with VPN: Fix it in 5 steps

DStv is geo-restricted, which means that usually you can’t access it outside of South Africa. But we’ve done our research and it turns out that you can access DStv abroad with a VPN. But if you already have a VPN and it fails, what’s the problem? Discover what to do if DStv isn’t working with your VPN.

Trying to use DStv while you’re traveling and getting error messages is really annoying. There’s a high chance that DStv has blacklisted the VPN server you’re trying to connect with. Below, we’ve pulled together a collection of troubleshooting tips and broken VPN solutions.

Which VPNs work with DSTV?

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.

Why is DStv not working with my VPN?

If the DStv website finds out that you’re trying to use the service from a restricted territory, it’ll block you right away. Certain countries will limit access to DStv due to licensing laws, or because there are laws in that country that wag the finger at VPN use.

How does DStv detect my VPN?

Usually, having a VPN would solve the problem that we’ve explained above. But if your VPN isn’t up to scratch and doesn’t effectively hide your real location, DStv will blacklist the server you’re using, making your VPN useless. Poor VPNs take a long time to replace those blacklisted servers, which means you have no way of gaining access to DStv.

But the best VPNs for DStv replace their blacklisted servers. That means that even if DStv disables a specific server, a replacement will be up sooner rather than later. The VPNs we’ve highlighted in this guide do a cracking job of fixing their blacklisted servers.

In summary:

• The VPN servers you’re using might have been blacklisted by DStv
• Browser cookies are telling the streamer about your real location instead of your spoofed location
• A flawed VPN is leaking your IP address, which causes DStv to block traffic

Try these DStv fixes

1. Update your VPN

Check that you’re using the very latest version as the developers might have spotted an issue and fixed it with an update.

From your desktop PC or laptop, open your VPN and choose Settings or Options. Some VPNs will display a message on the start screen telling you about updates. ExpressVPN, for example, shows this:

Selecting Update will likely take you to the VPN provider’s site, where you can learn more about the changes.

On Android, open the Google Play store, tap your user profile in the top-right corner of the screen and then Manage apps and device. Choose Update or Update all.

On an iPhone, open the Apple App Store and tap your user profile in the top-right corner of the screen.

2. Use a different DStv server

VPN servers can sometimes become unavailable or slower than usual, which obviously affects your DStv experience.

The best VPNs have a selection of different servers for each country. For example, ExpressVPN has a ‘UK – Docklands’ server as well as alternatives in East London, London and the Midlands. Cycle between them and see which one works best for you.

Try disconnecting from the current server that you’re using.

Precise steps will vary depending on which VPN you’re using, but ExpressVPN folk can choose the three dots icon to see a list of alternative servers in the same country. You can also highlight the server (use the Star icon) that works best for you.

3. Reach out to support

Top VPN providers manage support teams that can deal with technical problems you’re having.

From a computer, head to your VPN provider’s website and find the Support or Contact us pages. Some VPNs offer a live chat service for members.

4. Reset your VPN

Turning software off and on again often works with computer issues and we’ve found that the same goes with VPNs. Whether you’re on a PC, smartphone or tablet, restart your device and open your VPN again.

If that doesn’t work, delete and reinstall your VPN. Load up your VPN and DStv and see if performance has improved.

5. Check your internet connection

Note that the problem might lie with your own internet connection rather than your VPN.

Disconnect from your wi-fi network and then reconnect. Try and run your VPN once again. You can also go a step further and restart your internet router. Speeds of 5-10Mbps should be enough, but you might prefer over 20Mbps if you’re streaming or gaming.

Run a free download speed tool (Google has its own embedded one through search) and compare the results alongside your ISP’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise. Contact your ISP if your connection is unstable outside of VPN use.

Even more DStv fixes:

Check to see if you’ve been hit by a DNS leak. A DNS (domain name system) leak means your usual IP address and location is visible to websites and apps, even if you have a VPN running. We suggest you try the IP Address Lookup tool to see if your IP address changes when you activate your VPN and visit DStv. If not, that’s a sure sign your VPN is broken.

Have you cleared cache and cookies from your internet browser? On Google Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Have you entered your VPN username and password correctly? Double-check your login credentials. If you can’t remember your details, choose the ‘Forgot’ option on your VPN provider’s website so you get a reset link sent to your inbox.

Are the VPN servers active? If you can’t connect to a server, your provider might be experiencing an outage. The best providers are transparent about this and actively update their server status online.

Is your firewall blocking your VPN?

If you’re experiencing issues on desktop, make sure your VPN is mentioned in the ‘Allow’ list. On Windows, head to open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

Does your web browser need updating?

Your current web browser version might be incompatible with your browser-based VPN. Assuming you’ve updated your VPN, make sure you update your browser as well. On Chrome, for example, you would go to Settings > About Chrome.

Are you overworking your VPN?

If you’re streaming, gaming and using social media at the same time, your VPN might struggle to keep up. We suggest you close a couple of apps to test if doing so has a noticeable impact.

For a printer-friendly overview of the tips we’ve discussed above, you can download our free VPN troubleshooting poster.

Best VPNs for DStv

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)

ExpressVPN is one of our favourite VPNs and there are plenty of reasons why. For one, it’s a breeze to use even if you’re new to VPNs, plus it does a fantastic job of replacing blacklisted servers. This is one of the most popular VPNs around and it effortlessly unlocks region-restricted websites such as DStv. To access your DStv account, all you need to do is log in to your ExpressVPN account, connect to a VPN server based in South Africa and go from there.

ExpressVPN can keep your real IP address hidden at all times, which means there’s no chance of any websites identifying the fact that you’re accessing content from abroad. Third parties won’t be able to keep their eye on you while you’re protected by this top-tier VPN, either, which is why we keep recommending it.

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

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

Ivacy works very well with the DStv website – it’s a safe option if you don’t want to spend lots of money on a VPN that gets the job done. The cheapest package here starts at less than $3 per month, which isn’t bad at all. Give Ivacy a try for yourself if you’d like to be able to access DStvfrom anywhere in the world.

If you sign up today, you’ll have access to over 1,000 VPN servers across the globe. A single subscription to Ivacy has you covered on 10 different devices at any one time, and this VPN has an internet kill switch that keeps you hidden even if your connection drops without warning.

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

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)

Here’s another VPN to take a closer look at if you want to use DStv while you’re moving between countries. NordVPN has servers across the globe and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption technology. Simply put, that means they’re extremely secure and you can connect without handing over your personal data to random companies.

If you have any questions while getting to grips with NordVPN for the first time, you can rely on the live chat feature to lend a helping hand.

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

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

Treat yourself to a better service. PureVPN is the perfect example, being powerful enough to bypass geo-locked websites and services so you can enjoy them without a fuss. You’ll be able to log in to your DStv account even if you’re in a country where it doesn’t usually work.

Aside from DStv, PureVPN also works with ITV Hub, Hulu and Amazon Prime. There are around 2,000 secure PureVPN servers based in over 130 different countries.

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

Can I use a free VPN with DStv?

If you’re trying to save money, free VPNs can be a real temptation. But our advice is to steer clear.

Free VPNs might sell your data for money since they do not charge a regular, monthly fee. Connecting to a VPN server might take a long time and your connection could drop without warning.

Top, paid-for VPNs have servers all over the world, letting you access websites and apps. On the other hand, free VPNs often provide coverage for a very limited number of countries.

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