Netflix on PS4 stopped working with a VPN configured on the router

VPN
1

I have searched through the subreddit and found many similar posts, but couldn’t find a resolution.

I’m using NordVPN which is configured on the router itself (OpenWRT).

My PS4 is connected using an Ethernet cable to the router and when I go into the Netflix app help section, I can see that I’m in the correct region (UK in this case). However, when I try playing anything, I’m getting the usual “You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy.” error.

I started using this set up about a month ago and it used to work at the beginning (I tried US, CA, UK, etc, all worked), but starting the last couple of weeks I can’t watch anything behind a VPN… I’m suspecting it’s a caching issue, but deleting and reinstalling the app didn’t solve the problem.

I tried connecting my mobile phone to the router via wifi (same tunnel) and was able to stream titles with no issues, so this problem is specific to the PS4.

Does anyone have any experience with solving this problem on the PS4?

2

Hello! Use https://unogs.com/ to find which shows and movies are where. And if you need a VPN, check out the FAQ!

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3

The problem is that the Netflix app on PS4, Fire TV, Android TV, and Chromecast uses hard-coded DNS servers and ignores the DNS servers provided by the Nord VPN tunnel on your router. You can try the workaround below.

Prerequisites:

  1. You need a router that is capable of SSH or TELNET console commands. Most Asus Merlín, DD-WRT, and GL.iNet routers have this capability. The free routers (or modem/router combos) provided by your ISP typically do not have this capability. You may need to enable this feature in your router’s admin page.

  2. You need to know the IP of the Nord DNS server provided by the VPN connection. You can obtain this in the OpenVPN connection file (*.ovpn). Otherwise, contact Nord Support and I’m sure they’ll provide it to you.

Now to apply the configuration…

  1. From a computer, ssh to your router as admin.
  2. Type each of the commands below, replacing <NORD_DNS_SERVER> with the IP address of the Nord DNS server that you obtained previously.

iptables -t nat -A PREROUTING -p udp --dport 53 -j DNAT --to-destination <NORD_DNS_SERVER>

iptables -t nat -A PREROUTING -p tcp --dport 53 -j DNAT --to-destination <NORD_DNS_SERVER>

iptables -t nat -A PREROUTING -p udp --dport 853 -j DNAT --to-destination <NORD_DNS_SERVER>

iptables -t nat -A PREROUTING -p tcp --dport 853 -j DNAT --to-destination <NORD_DNS_SERVER>

Note that these rules will redirect all DNS queries from your LAN devices to the NORD DNS server.

The rules are erased when the router is rebooted. So, you will need to reapply these rules after a router reboot.

4

You’re stuck for now. Netflix has recently implemented a new anti-VPN system that breaks NordVPN. We’ll just have to wait for Nord to fix the issue

5

Yes. Best game on PS4.

6

So how come it works on other devices I tested with (PC/Android) ?

7

Refer to my comment above. Netflix uses hard-coded DNS servers on your PS4. The Netflix apps on iOS, Android, and PC are unable to apply hard-coded DNS because the operating systems don’t permit this form of DNS hijacking for security reasons.

8

See my comment to your comment :slight_smile: