Private Internet Access (PIA) is one of the few VPN services that unblock BBC iPlayer. The VPN service also offers fast connection speeds allowing you to stream in HD.
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After a cat and mouse game with the BBC iPlayer, PIA was on the losing side, but now the VPN works reliably with the streaming service.
I spend a week using PIA and every single time, it blasts past iPlayer’s geo-restrictions.
Given the streaming service’s robust VPN IP bans, it was refreshing to be able to stream popular shows like Killing Eve, McMafia, and Peaky Blinders (shown above) without much of a struggle.
That said, if you run into any issues streaming BBC iPlayer with PIA, I’ve included a few quick solutions below to help you out.
Best PIA VPN Server for BBC iPlayer
The best Private Internet Access server for BBC iPlayer is UK London-Streaming.
There are four servers in the UK, but only the UK London-Streaming server works with the streaming service.
How to Use Private Internet Access With BBC iPlayer?
Unblocking a BBC iPlayer using PIA is a breeze and shouldn’t take much of your time. Simply follow the steps below:
- Subscribe to the VPN service (Save 72% OFF).
- Download the VPN application on your device.
- Enter your username and password to log in.
- Look for the UK London-Streaming server and click to connect.
- Now open the streaming service, sign in, and binge on your favorite shows.
How to Fix Connection Problems?
1. Clear Your Cookies
The most common issue PIA might stop working with BBC iPlayer on your device is because of cookies. That’s because cookies can tell the service your real location even when you’re using a VPN.
Clear your browser cookies and restart your browser. You should also make sure that you close the BBC iPlayer website before disconnecting the VPN.
Read Also: Top VPNs for BBC iPlayer Listed
2. Enable the Internet Kill Switch
IP leaks can also alert BBC iPlayer when you’re faking your location.
Ensure the Internet Kill switch is turned on under Settings>Privacy Preferences to prevent leaks.
3. Switch Time Zones
Adjust your time zone to the UK’s local time.
Depending on the time of the year, the UK uses the BST (UTC+1) or the GMT (UTC +0).
Another trick I found effective is to switch to custom DNS when accessing the online player. To do this, you will need to open PIA app settings, then go to the “Network” tab and in the “Name Servers” drop-down menu, select “Select Custom DNS”.
When prompted, enter the Cloudflare DNS server addresses. These are 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.
If you’ve tried the above solutions and are still having difficulty, I recommend contacting PIA’s customer support to see if the issue is on their side and ask for the current working server for BBC iPlayer.
Read Also: NordVPN vs PIA VPN Compared
FAQ
Will Private Internet Access Slow Down My BBC Streams?
No. While VPNs will generally impact your internet speed, Private Internet Access offers fast and stable connections allowing you to get faster streaming video and avoid buffering.
Can I Unblock BBC iPlayer on Multiple Devices With PIA?
Yes. PIA VPN allows you to connect up to 10 devices at the same time. That means you can unblock BBC iPlayer across your smart TV, computer, and smartphone with a single account.
Final Words
PIA is a reliable VPN when it comes to streaming BBC iPlayer.
Although not all its UK servers work with the streaming service, I found its UK London-Streaming server quite effective.
As far as packages go, the VPN is fairly priced and you can save even more with the special 70% off deal here.
