The region-locked Hulu streaming service is only available in the United States, aside from a smaller Japanese offshoot. This can be frustrating for users traveling abroad who find that they can’t access their favorite content from outside the country. Luckily there’s a simple solution. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows you to connect to the streaming platform and watch content from anywhere in the world.

Not all VPNs are capable of accessing Hulu, but NordVPN is one of the few that can reliably unlock the platform. However, do occasionally encounter problems, such as the following error message: “Based on your IP address, we noticed you are trying to access Hulu through an anonymous proxy tool.”.

In this article, we’ll talk you through the common issues that you could run into while unlocking the service with NordVPN and how to fix them. Plus, we’ll list some other VPNs that work to access Hulu from anywhere and answer some common VPN questions.

Why isn’t NordVPN working with Hulu?

NordVPN has been able to unblock Hulu streams consistently in the past, but it occasionally comes up against minor issues.

Here are some of the most common reasons why NordVPN is not working with Hulu:

  • It’s possible that the VPN server you’ve connected to has previously been blocked by Hulu
  • Hulu could have previously-stored cookies on your device, which tell the service that you’re based outside of the US
  • The VPN is leaking your IP address
  • On mobile devices, your GPS location might not match the US
  • You’re not connected to the VPN or to a US server location

How to fix NordVPN not working with Hulu

Luckily there are easy ways to fix all of these issues above. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be watching your favorite content in no time.

Here’s how to fix NordVPN not working with Hulu:

  • Clear your browser’s cache and cookies. This will ensure that Hulu won’t remember your previous IP address when you sign in. (You can also try a different browser.)
  • If you’re still running into issues, there’s a chance that the IP address that you’ve been assigned by NordVPN has been blocked by Hulu. Switch to a different server and try again.
  • In the unlikely event that Hulu still isn’t working with NordVPN, it’s best to contact the provider’s customer support team. They can often advise you of which servers are working with which streaming platforms.

How to sign in to Hulu with NordVPN

No matter which VPN you’re using, the process for signing in to Hulu outside of the US will be similar to the instructions seen below.

Here’s how to sign in to Hulu with NordVPN from anywhere in the world:

  • If you haven’t done so already, sign up with NordVPN. (If you’re looking for an alternative service for Hulu, we recommend either Surfshark or ExpressVPN.)
  • Make a note of your login credentials, and download the VPN app for the device you want to stream Hulu with. (Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, or Android TV). NordVPN also has browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
  • Open the VPN app, and select a server in the United States. (This will assign you a US IP address for Hulu.)
  • Head to Hulu on your device, and sign in/sign up with the service.
  • You should now be able to watch content on the platform.
  • If you’re still having issues, check out the fixes listed above. Have you cleared your browser’s cookies?

Which are the best VPNs for streaming Hulu?

Streaming services may block a VPN server without any warning. This is because Hulu is constantly looking for new ways to prevent the use of VPNs to access their content. However, some VPNs are far better than others in terms of accessing services like Hulu consistently.

There are no hidden terms—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn’t right for you, and you’ll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.

NordVPN is our pick as the best VPN for Hulu, but we’ve listed a variety of viable alternatives below:

If you want to find out more about these VPNs, check out our article on the best VPNs for Hulu.

Then there are the various security risks associated with using a free VPN. A 2020 study looking at iOS VPN applications found that nearly 40 percent leaked personally identifiable information, while others store user data and sell it to third parties. So, we’d be wary of trusting free services with your data. 

For example, Hulu recommends speeds of at least 3.0 Mbps for streaming content from their library, 8.0 Mbps for live streams, and 16.0 Mbps for 4K content. 

NordVPN recorded an average download speed of 369 Mbps across all locations and times tested, so it’s more than quick enough for Hulu. The VPN’s North American servers had average speeds of 460 Mbps, which is what you’ll be using to access Hulu.

Hulu region locks its content to avoid any potential copyright violations and to protect existing licensing agreements. For this reason, it blocks any international IP addresses that attempt to connect to the service. And it also blocks VPNs in an attempt to prevent people from using a VPN to bypass this restriction.