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Virgin Media Blocking NordVPN: Try These 10 Easy Fixes
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Published onMay 27, 2024
published onMay 27, 2024
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Is Virgin Media blocking NordVPN? Unfortunately, certain internet providers may block VPNs occasionally. On the brighter side, you can easily bypass these restrictions — with the help of this guide.
Below, I’ll show you step by step how to get out of that situation and browse privately again. Let’s begin!
How Is Virgin Media Blocking NordVPN?
ISPs, like Virgin Media,don’t officially state that they block VPN services. In fact, they provide the necessary fields in their router software for configuring VPNs. Still, you might experience significantly throttled internet surfing, streaming, and downloading speeds when you start using a VPN.
Virgin Media may resort to any or all of the following tactics to unofficially block your access to premium or free VPN networks:
How To Fix Virgin Media Blocking NordVPN
I’ve arranged the troubleshooting tips in order of complexity. You’ll find the simplest ones at the top:
Preliminary Checks
Give the following steps a try first before moving on to the more technical ones:
Were you able to resolve Virgin Media blocking NordVPN so far? If not, continue with the following troubleshooting ideas:
Disable Child Safe on Your Virgin Media Account
Virgin Media Web Safe feature may also prevent some VPN services from working properly or utilizing the full bandwidth of VPN servers.
If you go to theVirgin Media Web Safe portal, you’ll see that the feature claims that itprevents address hiding, which is related to VPNs.
Here’s how to undo this:
Enable PPTP Pass-Through on VM HUB
You’ll have to enable PPTP Pass-Through or set it to default on all physical routers for NordVPN to work. Here’s how to do so on the VM Hub:
Use the NordVPN Browser Extension
Nord’s browser add-on allows you to enforce VPN settings exclusively on your web browser.
Uninstall and Reinstall NordVPN App
Try Resetting the TCP and UDP Ports
TCP and UDP ports facilitate successful communication between your device and websites, apps, IPTV portals, etc.
Here’s how you can close and reset these ports to fix NordVPN blocks imposed by Virgin Media:
Try Disabling the Router and Device Firewall
To deactivate Virgin Media Hub’s firewall, follow these steps:
Switch to a Third-Party Router
Instead of using the Virgin Media Hub as the primary router, use another brand’s router. For example, you can go for Cisco, TP-Link, Tenda, D-Link, etc. They’re unlocked routers. That means you can modify their settings any way you want.
Also, you can avoid the risk of Virgin Media embedding programs in the router to disallow VPN servers no matter what you do.
However, you must use the Virgin Media Hub to receive a broadband signal. Here’s how to shift routing to a third-party device:
Now, if you ever want to enable the modem and router mode of yourVirgin Media Hub, you can do that easily by reversing the above steps. Instead of going to192.168.0.1, this time you need to use192.168.100.1as theIP addressfor theVirgin Media Hub Modem Mode. The remainder of the steps are the same.
Now, follow these instructions to route broadband connectivity from theVirgin Media Hubto your own router. I’m using a Cisco device for the tutorial. However, the steps are similar for any popular make and model.
Use a VPN Within the Router
Here’s how you can set up NordVPN at the router level to avoid VPN restrictions imposed by the ISP. I’ve used a TP-Link model for this tutorial. However, you’ll see that the steps are similar for all major router makes and models.
Use a NordVPN Alternative
If none of the above work, you can try these alternatives in your VM broadband network:
Browsec is one of the bestfree Chrome Browser-basedVPN solutions. In the free edition, you can swap within only three VPN servers from the US, the UK, Singapore, and the Netherlands. Also, the surfing and streaming speed is throttled. You can get a paid plan for unlimited bandwidth and access to more servers than the default four destinations.
The best thing is you can easily check out if the VPN solution will work with Virgin Media. If it works, you can buy it. If it doesn’t, simply skip it.
GetBrowsecfor free!
If you wish to apply a VPNfrom the system level,you can use Windscribe. You can get its desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux devices. It comes with a 10 GB free surfing and downloading quota. The free usage renews every month. It also offers more free VPN servers than Browsec.
I’ve been using it to surf, stream, and download seamlessly on any ISP. I haven’t experienced any ISP-level block on it.
GetWindscribe
ExpressVPN is a premiumVPN toolwith no free trial. However, there’s a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with its service.
Moreover, it has servers in 105 countries. When I reviewed this VPN solution, it didn’t disclose how many servers it maintains. You can install it on a desktop, mobile, and Chrome Browser. It allows you to simultaneously run a VPN on eight devices from one subscribed account. Furthermore,you can set up Express VPN within the router as well.
GetExpressVPN
Proton VPN is a Switzerland-based VPN solutions provider. It comes with a no-log policy. That means it won’t log your browsing habits on any server for any reason. Also, it uses AES-256-CBC encryption so ISPs can’t decode your browsing behavior.
Furthermore, you can experience download speeds of up to 10 Gbps. You can run the tool on up to 10 devices with a single subscription. Moreover, it offers an effortless router setup option as well.
Try the free trial and see if it works on Virgin Media before subscribing.
GetProton VPN
Summary
So, now you know what to do when Virgin Media is blocking NordVPN. I can also help you if you’re encountering the same problem on yourFirestick.
Just follow my instructions in the same order as above and I’m confident you’ll be able to fix the problem in no time.
Comment below if the article helped or if you know a better technique than the ones mentioned here.
More about the topics:streaming,VPN,VPN errors
Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Passionate about technology,Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world.
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, with a complete expertise in touch-based devices, he is constantly keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest!
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Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.
