After not having been able to get Surfshark VPN working with Netflix for months I think I finally found the reason and solution.
The problem was that Netflix “somehow” found out that a VPN is being used and is asking the user to connect directly, without VPN.
There are several discussions about it here and elsewhere, and I’ve also asked Surfshark support, who were unable to help.
While sorting out another Surfshark VPN problem I realized that if you just pick a location, it will connect with a range of different IP addresses to the same target. All in the same country, but still different IP addresses. This is probably one reason why Netflix notice something is going on. The way to fix this is, go to the Surfshark VPN client, and tick the “static IP” tab, pick one of the VPN servers there. This will cause Surfshark to always use the same IP to connect. After this I no longer have any problem using Surfshark VPN with Netflix - at least on my Android TV boxes.
Next, I tried applying this on my tablet, but strangely enough here this fix wasn’t enough, I still got the “you’re using a VPN” error. I wondered how this could be, and realized that the Netflix client will, when available, use GPS location to verify your location. Android TV boxes usually don’t have a GPS receiver so won’t give this information, but tablets and mobiles normally will. Luckily Surfshark also have a solution for this. Under Settings > Advanced there is an option to override GPS location. Changing this is a little more complicated, you need to enable “developer mode” on the tablet or mobile, but it doesn’t require rooting or anything.
Thanks for the tip. Although u didn’t quite finish
Thanks for the helpful guide!
Is there a solution to VPN routers as well using OpenVPN protocol? Apple TV does not have a VPN app.
Sadly, we are going to continue running into this problem, but not every server will be blocked by Netflix on surfshark.
Which US server is still working? NY is not working for me.
Hangs up after a few % loading on Netflix
tested on TV, vpn on router IKEv2
Thank you, I will try this on my firestick.
Edit: didn’t get the chance to try the firestick yet, but on iPhone it doesn’t work.
This didn’t really work for me on my android phone. Netflix doesn’t say I’m on a VPN, but its only letting me watch Netflix original shows.
I’m an Android use, I have surfshark VPN and Netflix in the UK. I followed your guide set my mock GPS location to match the VPN server but I’m still unable to browse or watch anything the US Netflix catalogue.
ew had no clue nord bought them out, won’t be resubbing. thanks for the info 
Yeah not sure what happened there. It was only a couple of words though, added them now.
Same solution, just apply it to your router.
I just tried all 5 available static IP NY servers and none of them was blocked on Netflix.
For static IP’s there is only New York in US - at least in my apps - 5 to choose from. I picked one at random and it has worked for me for about a week.
Edit. I just tried all 5 NY servers and they all work fine for me.
I won’t pretend to know anything about the apple world, but logically, if it works for Android it should work for iphone. Maybe you missed something? Did you make sure to restart/clear cache (if this exist on iphone) for the app after both changing to a static IP and gps location? Can you even fake gps location on an iphone? It seems to me to be one of those things apple might not let you change?
It still works for me on Android tv boxes, Android smartphones and tablets, for both Netflix and Amazon prime.
I don’t see how that is related?
I am actually using a VPN router using OpenVPN UDP protocol but I still get errors for Prime Video and Netflix.
I believe only the most used Surfshark VPN servers are being blocked, everything else should work just fine.
Are you testing using the app on a android/apple/computer device? Or vpn on the router?
hi, I was trying to find which states static IP’s are available. Looks like it’s only for NY servers? I’m in Seattle looking for static IP solutions.
