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How to Unblock SoundCloud: Quick & Simple Steps

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If you can’t listen to your favorite music on SoundCloud because the platform is blocked by your school, workplace, or is unavailable in your country, don’t worry! Getting SoundCloud unblocked is easy if you use a VPN!

Overall, I found five ways to unblock SoundCloud – all of which I’ve used myself. I’ll explain everything in this guide.

But if you’re in a rush, the best method is to use a good VPN. And in my experience, the best VPN for unblocking SoundCloud is Surfshark.

How to Get SoundCloud Unblocked At School or Work

SoundCloud on phone
Photo by Rachit Tank on Unsplash

If you’re anything like me, you’re more productive while listening to your favorite music. Unfortunately, schools, universities, and many workplaces block SoundCloud in an attempt to “boost productivity.”

If you need to get around one of these blocks, try one of my five trusted methods for unblocking SoundCloud.

The HOSTS File

When using computers that belong to your school or work, there’s a chance they only blocked SoundCloud through a HOSTS file entry.

  • For Windows, go to Local Disc (C:)/Windows/System32/drivers/etc and open the “hosts” file.
  • For Mac, open a Finder window and go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal. Type “sudo nano/etc/hosts” and hit the return key. If you’re asked for a password, try “admin” or “password.” If neither works, skip to the next method.

Look for a row in the HOSTS file that says “[IP Address] soundcloud.com.” If you find one, delete it, save it, and close the file.

If this method doesn’t work, the network administrators are likely using a firewall to block SoundCloud. Try the next four tips instead!

The Basics

Sometimes, the simplest approach is best:

  • Websites and online platforms like SoundCloud typically have three URL structures. If your network admins only blocked one in the firewall, you’ve still got two more that should work! Try “https://soundcloud.com” (most likely to be blocked), “http://soundcloud.com” or “com.”
  • If all three are blocked, try the SoundCloud IP address instead: 13.224.187.50. Still not working? Open cmd in Windows or Terminal if you’re using Mac, and enter the ping command (“ping soundcloud.com”) to get the right one.
  • Another basic method is changing your device’s DNS addresses in case the admins are using DNS filtering instead of the firewall. I recommend trying OpenDNS addresses (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) first, but you can also use Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).

Mobile Data

Another simple way to unblock SoundCloud at school or work is by using your mobile data.

Install the SoundCloud app for Android or iOS, depending on the make of your smartphone. Make sure you’re connected via your data bundle, not WiFi, and plug in your headphones to get listening!

Different Browsers

The IT department sets up work and school computers. This means there’s a slight chance they only blocked SoundCloud on the default browser (usually Chrome or Safari).

If so, all you need to do is install a different browser.

However, the firewall might block the download page. Or the security software running on the computer might stop you from installing different browsers.

A simple workaround is to use Firefox Portable, which can be run off a USB stick.

Mozilla Firefox portable

Remember, this will only work if SoundCloud is only blocked on the computer’s default browser!

A VPN

By far, the most reliable way to unblock SoundCloud is by using a VPN.

When you connect to a VPN server, it changes your IP address – so you aren’t limited by your school or workplace’s firewall. It’ll also encrypt your connection data, meaning the network administrators can’t see you’re using SoundCloud.

The downside is that the security software they installed on their devices might prevent you from installing the VPN app. But again, there’s a simple solution – use the VPN’s browser extension instead.

Surfshark vpn extension secure proxy

I’ll be covering this tip in more detail later on, as well as explaining why I recommend Surfshark for unblocking SoundCloud!

How Do I Unblock SoundCloud in My Country or While Traveling Abroad?

SoundCloud logo illustration on Pixabay

Alexander Ljung and Eric Wahlforss, a pair of Swedish musicians and sound engineers, developed SoundCloud in 2008. Their goal was to create a platform for musicians to share their art with people worldwide.

Unfortunately, even though SoundCloud is one of the most popular music streaming platforms, it isn’t available in every country.

This means SoundCloud might be blocked in your country or the country you’re visiting. Or maybe it’s the music you can access that’s being limited.

When it comes to geo-location restrictions like this, the only way to unblock SoundCloud is by using a VPN.

A good VPN will have thousands of servers around the world.

This means all you need to do is connect to a server in a different country, like the US, to change your IP address to that of the VPN server. Since IP addresses include a country code, SoundCloud will think you’re in the same country as the VPN server.

Surfshark has more than 3,200 VPN servers in 65 countries worldwide. This is just one of the many reasons I think it’s the best VPN for unblocking SoundCloud!

What to Look For in a VPN to Unblock SoundCloud?

It would be too easy to pick any VPN to unblock SoundCloud. Unfortunately, there are more bad options than good ones – including fake VPNs.

So what should you look for?

  • Lots of VPN servers in many countries around the world. The more, the better! This lets you connect to the fastest VPN server in your own country – or if SoundCloud is blocked nationally, to a server in a country where SoundCloud isn’t blocked.
  • VPN apps for all your devices. This lets you use your VPN to unblock SoundCloud on your smartphone, personal computer, and even school or work computers. Bonus points for allowing multiple connections!
  • A browser extension. Remember, security software installed on your school or work computer might prevent you from installing the VPN app. The VPN browser extension is a more lightweight version and a powerful backup solution.
  • Speed. The last thing you want is your workflow to get interrupted because your SoundCloud playlist keeps buffering!
  • Obfuscated servers. This helps hide that you’re using a VPN in the first place, which is especially important if VPN usage is restricted or even illegal in your country. It also helps ensure you can still use your VPN to unblock SoundCloud even if the network administrators block VPN connections.

The Best VPN for Unblocking SoundCloud

surfshark soundcloud

Surfshark doesn’t just offer all of these features – they do it better than anyone else.

To start, they have 3,200+ servers in 65 countries worldwide and easy-to-use apps for all device types, including browser extensions!

Surfshark also makes it easy to find the fastest connection available – click or tap on the “Connect” button. If you need to connect to another country that doesn’t block SoundCloud, use the “Locations” tab.

You can also get ahold of their 24/7 live chat support for a personal fastest server recommendation based on your specific needs.

But how fast is Surfshark? I regularly get a 32.59 Mbps download speed while using Surfshark. That’s about 99% of my original speed!

Have a look:

Without Surfshark

Speed without using any vpn

With Surfshark

Speed using Surfshark

Plus, while other VPNs give you a hard limit on how many devices you can connect simultaneously, Surfshark doesn’t. It allows you to use unlimited multiple connections with a single account.

And as for obfuscation, Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode works so well even your ISP will need to look closely to notice you’re using a VPN.

If VPNs are illegal in your country and you want to be extra secure, then NoBorders Mode sacrifices some speed for extra obfuscation security.

Why Is SoundCloud Blocked?

I already touched on this a little bit, but just in case you’re skipping to the sections you’re interested in, I’ll go into a little more detail.

There are many reasons SoundCloud might be blocked. It usually depends on who’s doing the blocking – because it isn’t SoundCloud!

The most common SoundCloud blocks are from schools and workplaces. And the biggest reason is to try boosting productivity. This is the same reason social media platforms like Facebook are commonly blocked.

Another valid reason is streaming music uses a lot of bandwidth. If many students or employees are doing so, it can make the connection slower for everyone on the same network.

And yet another reason is schools and workplaces not wanting to risk having someone breaking copyright laws on their network. Unfortunately, this means some legitimate sites, including SoundCloud, get blocked.

Furthermore, copyright and distribution rights are also why some of the music on SoundCloud is blocked in your country. But the worst reason SoundCloud might be blocked is that your government is imposing draconian censorship laws.

Pretending to want to protect citizens, governments often block content or even sites as a whole. It’s usually because some of the content includes ideas that are harmful to the government’s ideology.

Examples of countries that blocked SoundCloud include China, India, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey.

Interesting Reads:

FAQs

Why is my SoundCloud not working?

SoundCloud doesn’t work if the local government, your school, or workplace blocked the site. You can unblock SoundCloud by using a VPN like Surfshark.

Why can’t I play tracks on SoundCloud?

If you can’t play tracks on SoundCloud, that artist’s music or podcast might not be available in your country. You can listen to it by using a VPN to connect to a server in another country.

Can SoundCloud detect a VPN?

SoundCloud can detect a VPN only if they recognize the VPN’s IP address or if you’re using a bad VPN. Surfshark offers features like Camouflage Mode that hide the fact you’re using a VPN to unblock SoundCloud.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to get SoundCloud unblocked by using Surfshark.

With thousands of servers around the world, great speeds, and obfuscation features to hide that you’re using a VPN, there’s no better way to enjoy your favorite SoundCloud tracks from anywhere in the world!

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