Private Internet Access works with Virgin Media, offering content unblocking, secure torrent downloads, and improved data privacy from the ISP.
You can also connect to PIA’s servers to bypass Virgin Media’s throttling on high-bandwidth activities like gaming, streaming, and torrenting.
Setting up PIA with Virgin Media on connected PCs and smartphones is easy. However, using PIA with your Virgin Media router might be tricky.
I’ll show you how to set up PIA on all your Virgin Media-connected devices, share troubleshooting guides, and throw in a PIA discount to make it worthwhile.
How to Use Private Internet Access With Virgin Media?
The best way to use PIA with your Virgin Media-connected PCs and smartphones is to install its app on these units and set it up correctly. If you want to use the VPN with your smart TV or game console connected to Virgin Media, jump to the end of this guide.
In the meantime, here’s a straightforward PIA-Virgin Media configuration guide:
- Get a PIA account. Grab these discounts (as promised) before they expire.
- Download and install the PIA app to your PC or smartphone using Virgin Media. I’ll grab the PIA Windows app for this demo, but the setup steps are similar across Mac, Android, and iOS.
- You can log in to your online PIA account and click “Downloads” in your dashboard to get its PC apps.
- Launch the PIA app.
- Sign in with your account username and password. The username usually starts with a “p” and is sent to your email on registration.
- Enable the PIA kill switch. This is crucial to ensure Virgin Media doesn’t see your internet activities (like torrenting) if the VPN connection randomly drops.
- Go through Settings > Privacy, then enable “VPN Kill Switch.”
- Choose the correct protocol. I recommend WireGuard for faster speeds, but you can switch to OpenVPN if Virgin Media blocks your PIA connection.
- Go through Settings > Protocols and toggle your preferred protocol.
- Return to the VPN dashboard and click the big power button to connect to a randomly assigned server.
- This option is best if you only want torrenting security, online data privacy, or to prevent DDoS attacks while playing online games using Virgin Media.
- Alternatively, click the chosen VPN server to search for a preferred server, then click to connect.
- This option is best to unblock content or get a specific IP for any purpose. For instance, you can connect to a US server to watch Peacock TV.
- Wait for the connection confirmation, then test for leaks. I use www.ipleak.net.
- Ensure the IP address and location on the leak test site match what you get on PIA.
- Start downloading torrents without alerting Virgin Media, play PC and mobile games without DDoS attacks, and unblock non-UK content over PIA’s multiple servers.
Setting up PIA on Virgin Media for game consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, etc.) and smart TVs doesn’t follow the steps above since they lack a native VPN app.
Instead, adapt any of the guides below to get the connection working:
- Use PIA with Xbox and PlayStation on Virgin Media
- Configure PIA with a Smart TV connected to Virgin Media
Can You Install PIA on the Virgin Media Router?
You can’t install PIA on a Virgin Media-issued router or hub since they don’t support third-party app installation. This means a setback for users who want to get the VPN on their router to cover units such as smart TVs that can’t get a native VPN app.
Thankfully, you can get around this limitation by doing the following:
- Buy a PIA subscription. Get it cheaper here.
- Get a VPN-compatible router different from your Virgin Media router. You can watch the video below to determine if your router is VPN-ready.
- Install PIA on this router. Follow this PIA guide for all router types.
- Reconfigure your Virgin Media router to modem mode. I’ve attached a short and helpful video guide below.
- Plug your Virgin Media hub into the new router with PIA installed.
- Connect your smartphone, PC, gaming console, smart TV, and IoTs to the second router via Wi-Fi or ethernet.
- You can now enjoy PIA’s data encryption, content unblocking, and online security on all devices connected to this Virgin Media network.
What to Do if Virgin Media Blocks PIA Website?
Virgin Media is notorious for blocking some VPN websites, and Private Internet Access might sometimes get caught in the web.
When that happens, you can’t reach PIA live chat support, log in to your client-side panel, purchase a PIA subscription, or download legitimate PC apps from its site.
That’s why you need the tips below to get around such blocks.
Disable Web Safe Settings
Virgin Media automatically enables Web Safe settings (split into Virus Safe and Child Safe), which filter your access to some websites.
Hence, turning it off should restore access to websites like PIA’s.
I’ve attached a video guide below to help you find and turn off Web Safe.
Unblock via a Free VPN
While PIA’s website might be blocked, not all VPNs suffer the same fate.
Hence, you can use free VPNs that haven’t been blocked by Virgin Media to access the PIA website.
That said, not all free VPNs are reliable. So, be careful the one you choose to avoid downloading malware or using a VPN that harvests your internet usage data.
Here’s how this method works:
- Launch the app and log in with your free signup credentials.
- Connect to a free server in a region where PIA is available. I recommend the USA server.
- Go to the PIA website. If you’re a first-timer, remember to use this PIA discount link.
- Sign up to PIA, download apps, speak with live chat, or log in to your account panel.
Otherwise, your Virgin Media connection might become very slow from the encryption burden or not work.
Virgin Media Blocking PIA Connection? (Troubleshooting)
Besides blocking some VPN sites, Virgin Media may also interfere with the PIA connection.
So, apply the solutions below if the ISP causes the server connection to drop or doesn’t allow you to initiate a connection.
Switch Protocols
WireGuard is often the protocol caught out in Virgin Media interference.
Hence, switch to any OpenVPN protocol and see if that works.
Since WireGuard is faster than OpenVPN, I’ll show you some tips to salvage speed from your protocol switch:
- Open your PIA settings.
- Go to “Protocols.”
- Toggle “OpenVPN.”
- Set “Transport” to “UDP” since it’s faster than TCP.
- You can switch this back later if Virgin Media blocks the UDP connection, too.
- Toggle “Try Alternate Settings.” This will automatically help you randomize the OpenVPN settings till you find the one that works.
- Leave the other settings as they are.
- Return to the VPN dashboard to connect to a server.
Switch to PIA's Multi-Hop
PIA Multi-Hop hides your VPN usage. Hence, Virgin Media can’t discriminate against your connection because it originates from VPN servers.
However, this feature also uses the OpenVPN protocol, which is slower than WireGuard. Still, it’s better than not being able to use the internet over your VPN.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Open your PIA app settings.
- Click “Multi-Hop.”
- Enable “Multi-hop and Obfuscation.”
- Toggle “Shadowsocks” under Proxy. This is easier to set up.
- Optional: Click “EDIT” to choose the first server to connect to in the Multi-Hop connection. Then, click “OK.”
- Return to the VPN homepage.
- Choose a server and connect to it.
- Your connection is now routed via two VPN servers.
Speak With PIA Customer Support
PIA operates a 24/7 live chat customer support ready to address any issues.
So, initiate a live chat whenever you’re facing connection issues, and they’ll help you resolve the problem.
If you need help reaching the PIA live chat, follow the tips above to unblock the PIA website.
Get More From Virgin Media With PIA
Private Internet Access ensures you enjoy your Virgin Media Internet subscription better.
After all, it gives you access to geo-blocked content, improves gaming security on consoles, helps you download torrents securely, and keeps your internet data safe from Virgin Media harvesting.
Additionally, you can use one PIA account on unlimited Virgin Media-connected devices. Hence, you don’t have to buy a new PIA subscription to enjoy its offerings on all PCs, smartphones, smart TVs, and game consoles connected to the VM network.
Speaking of accounts, grab this PIA deal before it expires to save on your first subscription.
