NBC Sports not working with VPN: 5 QUICK fixes

NBC Sports is a popular service for watching live games while travelling. A VPN lets you watch from anywhere in the world, but what if it breaks? On this page, we reveal what to do if NBC Sports isn’t working with your VPN.

Assuming the VPN you’re using is struggling, there’s a chance NBC Sports has blacklisted the server you’re connecting with. Explore our list of fixes and learn more about how to dodge error messages.

Which VPNs work with NBC Sports?

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 NBC Sports not working with my VPN?

If the NBC Sports website identifies that you’re trying to stream games from outside of a supported territory, your connection will be blocked. However, a trusted VPN can still help you stream from anywhere in the world, even if you’re traveling around.

How does NBC Sports detect my VPN?

If your VPN isn’t hiding your real location from NBC Sports, the sports website will attempt to interfere with the server you’re using, making your VPN useless. Bad VPNs take an age to replace blacklisted servers, which means you have no way of gaining access to shows on the NBC Sports website.

In summary, common issues with NBC Sports include:

• The sports service has blacklisted your VPN servers
• You have a bad network connection preventing you from watching live games
• Cookies are revealing your real location instead of the location you’re trying to mimic
• Your VPN is broken and revealing your IP address

NBC Sports fixes

1. Update your VPN

If you’re seeing error messages while trying to use NBC Sports outside the US, make sure you’re using the most recent version of your VPN. Here’s a simple guide on how to update it:

• For those using a computer, begin by launching your VPN and then go to Settings. Typically, you’ll find an Update button, which redirects you to the VPN provider’s website. There, you can get all the details on the latest updates and improvements.
• If you’re on Android, update your VPN by heading to the Play Store. Start by tapping on your profile icon in the corner and then select Manage apps and devices. You’ll find the option to update individual apps or update all of them.
• For iPhone users, the process is fairly straightforward. Open the App Store and, in the top-right corner, tap on your user profile. From there, you can easily check for and install any available updates.

2. Use a different VPN server

Sometimes, VPN servers can be a bit sluggish and might stop working as expected. If you’re having trouble accessing NBC Sports, it’s a good idea to consider switching to a different VPN server. A US-based server, for example.

Start by disconnecting from your current server. The exact steps for this can differ depending on the VPN service you’re using. For instance, if you’re using ExpressVPN, you can usually select the three dots icon to access a list of alternative servers within the same country.

3. Get help from Customer Support

The VPN services we’ve recommended on this page usually have dedicated customer support teams to assist with technical issues. If you’re experiencing difficulties with NBC Sports, don’t hesitate to reach out to them for help.

4. Restart your VPN

If switching servers didn’t fix the problem, completely uninstall your VPN, then reinstall it. After the reinstallation, open both your VPN and NBC Sports to see if the issue has been resolved.

5. Check your internet connection

First, disconnect from your wi-fi, reconnect and then try your VPN again. If that doesn’t help, you can perform a more thorough reset by restarting your router. You’ll typically find a button on the back of the gadget.

You can also assess your internet connection by running a free internet speed test, such as Ookla. This test will allow you to compare the results with your Internet Service Provider’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise.

More NBC Sports fixes:

Clear cache and cookies. In Chrome, navigate 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. It may seem obvious, but check if you’ve entered your VPN login details correctly.

Make sure you aren’t the victim of a DNS leak. Flawed VPNs don’t disguise your real IP address and location when you visit NBC Sports. To check, turn it off and head to the IP Address Lookup tool. Make a note of your typical IP address, activate your VPN, run the test again and see if those details change. If you don’t see a difference, your VPN isn’t working.

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.

Are you using the right browser? Ensure that your web browser is compatible with your VPN. If you’ve updated your VPN, don’t forget to update your browser as well. On Chrome, access Settings > About Chrome.

Are you tiring out your VPN? If you’re streaming, gaming, and using social media simultaneously, your VPN might struggle to keep up. Try closing a few apps to see if it improves your VPN performance.

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

VPNs for NBC Sports

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 you want to enjoy sports on NBC Sports from anywhere in the world, consider creating a membership with ExpressVPN. It’s easy to use, speedy and works well if you’re looking to access NBC Sports anywhere in the world. To watch TV anywhere, all you need to do is open up ExpressVPN, connect to a server based in the US, and go from there.

This VPN keeps your real IP address hidden, so NBC Sports won’t know you’re accessing content from outside a supported country. Every ExpressVPN member has access to servers in over 90 countries around the world. ExpressVPN works on a range of different devices including Mac, PC, Android or iOS smartphone.

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 well with NBC Sports and it’s a reliable option if you don’t want to spend loads on a VPN to watch TV. This service is built to support 256-bit encryption, which helps keep cybercriminals away, and on top of that you get public wi-fi security that protects your gadgets against malware if you’re connecting to a hotspot in a public area.

You can use Ivacy to access geo-restricted websites such as NBC Sports without anybody knowing about it. That’s thanks to Ivacy’s strict no-logs policy, which stops your valuable personal data from being sold to sinister third parties.

This is one of the most widely-used VPNs proven to work with NBC Sports. If you try it today, you’ll have access to over 3,000 VPN servers around the world. One subscription has you covered on up to 10 different devices at once.

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 that lets you watch sports on NBC Sports outside of supported countries. NordVPN has servers across the globe and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption. And with Nord’s enhanced encryption technology, you can even stay safe on public wi-fi networks without speeds being affected.

NordVPN’s servers are mega secure and you can connect without handing over your personal data. This trusted VPN doesn’t keep an eye on how you’re using the service, so privacy is guaranteed. You can also try NordVPN’s CyberSec feature, which blocks suspicious-looking websites and lowers the risk of your device being infected with data-grabbing malware.

In just a couple of minutes, you can start watching sport abroad using NordVPN. To access the streaming service, just connect to a VPN server based in the US. If you need help at any time, you can call on NordVPN’s 24/7 live chat service.

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

PureVPN is a great VPN that allows you to bypass geo-locked websites and services so you can enjoy NBC Sports coverage without a fuss.

Aside from NBC Sports, PureVPN also works with ITV Hub, Hulu and Amazon Prime. There are over 6,000 super-secure PureVPN servers based in over 70 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

How to watch NBC Sports with a VPN

Watch NBC Sports 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 NBC Sports website.
5. Log in to your NBC Sports account.

Using NBC Sports 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 NBC Sports website.
5. Log in to your NBC Sports account.

Watch NBC Sports on iPhone

1. Head to the Apple App Store from your iPhone.
2. Download the ExpressVPN app to your device.
3. Download the NBC Sports 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 NBC Sports app and log in to your account.

Using NBC Sports 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 NBC Sports 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 NBC Sports app and log in to your account.

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