ITV Hub not working with VPN? Try these 11 fixes

ITV (now known as ITVX) is cracking down on some VPNs and stopping viewers from streaming outside the UK. If you’re struggling with an unreliable VPN, we suggest upgrading. Our guide explains what to do if ITV Hub isn’t working with your VPN.

Your current VPN might have been blacklisted by ITVX, or it could be configured incorrectly. Below, we run through VPN troubleshooting tips for ITVX and highlight recommended VPNs from our team.

Which VPNs work with ITVX?

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 ITVX not working with my VPN?

ITVX is a UK service, so you need to be connected to a UK VPN server to enjoy it. However, if lots of people are using the same temporary IP address, there’s a high chance of ITV blocking connections.

A message on the ITVX website explains: “You need to be in the UK to watch ITVX (unless you have downloaded shows to watch abroad). You won’t be able to play shows if ITVX detects that you might be using a VPN.” This is due to content licensing agreements.

Rubbish VPNs do a bad job of replacing their blacklisted servers. The worst we’ve seen don’t bother offering you a replacement, which means you’re stuck with a service that doesn’t work. But the best VPNs for ITVX have several servers dotted around.

In summary, common reasons for ITVX breaking include:

1. Your VPN servers might have been blacklisted by ITVX
2. Cookies stored in your browser are telling the British catchup service about your real location and not your spoofed location
3. A flawed VPN is leaking your IP address to ITVX, which causes the website to block traffic

How to fix ITVX connection issues

1. Update your VPN

Check you’re using the latest version available – the devs might have identified an issue and patched it with an update. You need to see your VPN settings.

On a PC, load your VPN and then choose the Settings or Options menu. Some VPNs will display a message on the start screen telling you about updates. ExpressVPN shows this:

Clicking Update will usually take you to the VPN provider’s website, where you can learn more about what’s new.

If you’re using an Android phone, you need to 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 VPN server to connect to ITVX

In some cases, specific VPN servers can become temporarily unavailable or slower than usual. This will affect your ITVX profile.

The best VPNs (I’ve been enjoying Ivacy recently) offer multiple servers per country. For example, ExpressVPN hosts 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 your VPN, but ExpressVPN users can select the three dots icon to see a list of alternative servers in the same country. You can also favourite the server (use the Star icon) that works best for you.

3. Contact your VPN support team

Our recommended VPN providers all manage support teams that can deal with specific problems you’re dealing with.

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. I’ve found that ExpressVPN support staff in particular are very quick to get back to me if I have a question while abroad.

4. Reset your VPN

The classic ‘off and on again’ trick 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 ITVX and see if performance has improved.

5. Check your internet connection

The problem might be 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 and compare the results alongside your ISP’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise. Contact your ISP if your connection is unstable outside of VPN use.

More ITVX fixes:

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.

Make sure you aren’t impacted by a DNS leak. If you’re using a faulty VPN, it’ll fail to disguise your real IP address and location when you visit ITV Hub. To check your VPN is working correctly, turn it off and head to the IP Address Lookup tool. Make a note of your IP address, activate your VPN, run the test again and see if your details change. If they don’t, your VPN isn’t working correctly.

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

Is your firewall blocking your VPN or ITVX?

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.

To print out the tips above so you have them nearby, save our free VPN troubleshooting tips poster to your device.

The best VPNs for ITVX

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 a great VPN and one of the most popular options compatible with ITVX. With a single account, you can battle geo-restricted websites and enjoy content without hassle. This service will keep your IP address hidden at all times, leaving you to stream ITV shows safe from dreaded error pop-ups.

I loaded up ExpressVPN from my own laptop while I was travelling around California in the summer. Once I’d connected to the London server, I was able to stream an episode of Coronation Street in just a couple of minutes.

By creating an ExpressVPN account today, you can stream ITV favourites including Love Island: Australia and Marcella without worrying about location locks. None of your data is kept on file, so you can rest assured that the company values your privacy.

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 is one of the cheapest paid-for VPNs you can get, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking on quality. In fact, this is one of the most popular VPNs for ITVX, complete with over 1,000 servers across the globe. In just a couple of clicks, you can connect to any one of them and unlock geo-restricted apps including BBC iPlayer, Hulu and Netflix.

A single subscription to this affordable VPN can be used on 10 devices at once. There are several safety features, too, including secure WiFi and an internet kill switch that keeps your identify private even if your VPN connection fails.

From my Android phone, I’m able to load up Ivacy and connect to a compatible server in a couple of taps. I really appreciate the clearly-labelled menus, too, as I’ve tested other services for GadgetMouse that are a genuine nightmare to navigate.

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)

NordVPN servers are all over the world and each one is protected using military-grade encryption. That means that you’re free to browse the web and stream ITVX shows without your internet service provider being able to keep track of you.

Alongside speedy servers compatible with ITVX, NordVPN also hosts a 24/7 live chat service that will come to your rescue if you get stuck. In our experience, the live chat service is pretty nippy – and during our last test all of our queries were dealt with in a professional manner.

I’ve noticed that NordVPN is regularly offering time-sensitive discounts. If you want my advice, keep an eye out on the brand’s website to secure a top deal around summer, Black Friday and Christmas – those are popular times to buy.

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

Have a closer look at PureVPN if you want to watch ITVX in non-EU countries. Aside from unlocking ITV shows like For the Love of Dogs, PureVPN also works with Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. You can jump in and experience the benefits on a 7-day trial if you don’t want to spend money just yet.

This VPN has around 2,000 secure servers in over 130 countries, which is pretty amazing.

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 ITVX with a VPN

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 your device, download and open the ExpressVPN app and select a server based in the United Kingdom.
4. Once you’re connected, load up ITVX.
5. Log in to your ITVX account and enjoy. If you don’t have an ITVX account, you need to register and provide your email address, password and a valid UK postcode.

FAQs: streaming with ITVX

Free VPNs for ITVX

If you’re trying to save yourself some money, free VPNs can be a real temptation.

Free VPNs for ITVX 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.

Is ITVX free?

Yes, a basic membership with ITVX is completely free. That means you can access your favourite shows via the ad-supported service available on desktop, mobile and smart TV. Upgrading your account to ITVX Premium lets you watch ad-free, and you can download shows to enjoy while you travel.

If you decide to sign up for ITVX Premium, you’ll pay £5.99 a month or £59.99 a year.

Does ITVX monitor my IP address?

Yes, your IP address is noted by the website and mobile app every time you load a stream. This is done to prevent users from watching content from outside an officially-supported country.

If you have a reliable VPN, you can tune it from anywhere you like – I’ve used ExpressVPN to watch Coronation Street abroad so many times I’ve lost count.

Viewers that have a Roku streaming stick will need to update the account region and IP address so they’re UK-based.

Can I get ITVX on my TV?

The ITVX app is readily available on modern smart TVs. Most models in the UK will come with this pre-installed but, if you can’t find it, run a search in your TV’s app store.

Can I watch ITVX in the US?

You can with a reliable VPN. From your US address, load up your VPN software and connect to a UK-based VPN server. Once your connection is stable, load up the ITX website or app and log in to your account.

Why does ITVX freeze?

If you’re dealing with a dodgy internet connection, there’s a high chance ITVX will keep pausing to buffer the next couple of seconds of video. This can get really annoying, particularly if you’re right in the middle of an episode.

I’ve found that ITVX freezing is usually solved by turning your router off and on again. And if that fails, I suggest connecting to a different VPN server to fix the problem.

Is ITVX the same as ITV Hub?

Yes, these two services are the same. ITV Hub was completely rebranded back in November 2022 to fit the TV network’s new identity. That meant a brand new name and logo, but the same backlog of TV shows.

What shows are on ITVX?

ITVX has a growing library of content, with some of the most popular picks including Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Benidorm and The Chase. In terms of TV channels, you’re able to flick through ITV, ITV2, CITV (for children’s shows), ITVBe, ITV3 and ITV4.

It’s worth remembering that buying a VPN also unlocks other free streaming services for you. I like to use my ExpressVPN membership with Channel 4 and my5 as well.

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