YouTube won't let me watch this video with my VPN on. Is this a new thing?
They do this at times (depends on content) with my paid vpn (proton)
this post was submitted on 06 Mar 2025
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Are you on Chrome?
If you are using a Free VPN, the would be A LOT of users using that server, so it looks like a denial of service attack from the server's POV.
Even when I used a paid VPN, I still have to try many servers before there is one that works.
When I used ProtonVPN, it was like 50/50 if it worked or not.
When I switched to Mullvad and now to IVPN, who have much less servers to choose from, I have to try like 7 servers before I found a working one, and so far it's been working fine for like the past week.
Its not a new thing. I've noticed it since last year (when I started using VPNs).
I've been paying for Proton VPN for a couple years now and I've never been blocked by YouTube.
I'm also using uBlock Origin and Firefox as a browser. YouTube takes like 5-10 seconds to load videos, thanks to their built-in delay timer when ads can't play, but otherwise it works fine.
Honestly, I'd gladly wait 30 seconds staring at a black screen than watch a 10-second ad. So their delay timer is pointless.
Proton always works for me. I use it to get around geo blocking.
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I dont understand why this happens to people along with "adblocker detected" and i've never had any of these issues on VPN with adblocks.. is this something proper to the US or something ?
Don't have this issue in the US. I blame crappy adblockers/VPNs. UBlock Origin and Mullvad are what you need. Adguard DNS for apps that don't have extension support.
A few months back I got adblocker notifications while using UBlock Origin. I did the update and refresh and it would work again.
What?
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Freetube plus socksv5 proxies on mullvad work the best for me.
Makes sense for a corpo like Google, ditch it and use Odysee or use another client like FreeTube or Piped. Piped doesn’t like my connecting via Tor but’s that’s alright I guess.
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swap proxies I have this problem from time to time with mullvad.
All you have to do is change severs sometimes a few and refresh. Then it can flag your browser. It's a pain because people get severs blacklisted that and Modern sites like Google and YouTube and others use AI to detect unusual traffic patterns.
Sucks but once you find a good server remember the number and use it until it's burned takes some time months even then move on again. They are trying really hard to dox all users and make it hard for privacy minded folk.
Try different locations.
It could be some AB testing
Try the Freetube or Grayjay client, they work for me with VPN.
Depends in the VPN. I’m having to use multi-hop now with Freetube but with that turned on it is working consistently for me again.
I spun up my own invidious container and that has made my connection far more consistent.
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I've had a different but similar issue. I have a VPN I log into so I can remotely access my work computer. If the VPN is on, YouTube won't show me specific content that I know is usually there. It doesn't tell me I can't watch anything or tell me to turn it off, but some content is just missing 🤷
Where does the "learn more" go to?
Straight to Google Re-Education virtual classroom
What VPN? Haven't seen that yet with Proton
Mullvad. It seems like changing the server fixed it.
I did get that when I was using Proton, but its much less common on Proton
I get the "sign in to confirm you're not a bot" message on Proton
I watch YouTube all the time over Mullvad. It doesn't let me watch on the website without signing in tho.
I got that same prompt in my house ip now, can't use youtube on my TV or anything, I guess it detected my plex server downloading videos since I usually watch from there
Lmao, sounds about right. YouTube is cancer, but unfortunately they have a monopoly.
Proton VPN has much more servers... and you are much less likely to get flagged... but there is the CEO controversy... so... 🤷♂️
Pick your poison... 👀
I use Proton for email. Don't love the CEOs opinions, so not really interesting in expanding their services. Sticking with the email for now, but we'll see what the future holds.
it's an absolute pain in the ass with mullvad. only a few servers like ireland, greece and nigeria work.
Huh, I'll keep that in mind. Usually I just say fuck YouTube and go about my business. 😂
If your going to sign in you might aswell turn off the vpn
Yeah, that's why I don't sign in. 😂 I mostly just use Freetube.
I got a sign in prompt over my proton vpn the other day. Refreshed and it was gone
Huh, I literally can't use YouTube because it always wants me to sign in.
I kind of suspect that proton pays a premium to get their IPs whitelisted
I think its because they have like 11000 servers, much more than Mullvad or IVPN.
This also checks out
I like how they make up a phony benefit to try to make it seem like you'll get something out of it.
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