How to Use ExpressVPN for BBC iPlayer (Easy Access)

Do you want to scratch your itch for quality TV programs like Doctor Who or Peaky Blinders?

Then BBC iPlayer is a perfect streaming platform. Not only does it provide access to a huge library of classic Brit TV shows and movies, but it’s also completely free. There’s a small catch though – to stream this content, you must have a UK-based internet connection.

Fortunately, some VPN services effectively bypass these tricky geo-restrictions no matter where you’re located. Plus, they’ll drastically improve your online privacy and security. That way, you can kick back and fully enjoy a free streaming service without worrying about surveillance or data breaches. 

This guide will aid you set up ExpressVPN in record time, as well as offer detailed instructions and tips on accessing BBC iPlayer and fixes for any issues that might crop up on your streaming endeavor. 

Ready to go?

Key points for using ExpressVPN with BBC iPlayer

• ExpressVPN is easy to set up for BBC iPlayer access through a connection to a UK server, providing users with a 30-day money-back guarantee and robust privacy features.
• Optimizing ExpressVPN settings will ensure streaming on BBC iPlayer is smooth. Even if any problems arise, this provider’s customer support is available to assist with the most common difficulties with streaming.
• You can achieve significant savings on your ExpressVPN by using this 49% off coupon.
• ExpressVPN can also unlock other streaming services, supports a multitude of device connections, and establishes high user privacy with its strict no-logs policy and cutting-edge security functionalities.

Dive deeper into this service – check out our detailed ExpressVPN review.

Setting up ExpressVPN for BBC iPlayer streaming

A VPN connects your computer to a remote server owned by a VPN provider, encrypting your personal data and making it appear as if you’re accessing the internet from a different location.

This process is complex and involves advanced technology. With modern VPN services, all this technology is within your reach for a relatively low price. You only need to sign up for ExpressVPN, install it, make a few adjustments, and you’ll be ready to go. 

That said, let’s cover each step in detail!

Go to the ExpressVPN website

Each journey starts with but a single step, and here, it’s visiting the ExpressVPN website. 

Click on ‘Get Express’ VPN and you’ll be redirected to a page where you’ll select your preferred payment plan.

Choose a subscription plan

ExpressVPN is super forgiving when it comes to their subscription tiers as everyone gets the same package. The price only depends on the duration – the longer you’re subscribed, the larger the savings. 

Pick the most affordable option (annual subscription) and you’ll get all the advanced security features, along with the ability to access BBC iPlayer and other streaming services.

With ExpressVPN, you can also look forward to a 30-day money-back guarantee – good if you want to test drive the service risk-free. Since plenty of popular VPN providers offer this perk, you can try out different options. Here are other VPN coupons that could help you save money while scouting for a perfect VPN.

Enter your information

Once you pick out a plan, you can proceed further. Enter your email address and you’ll be one step closer to streaming your favorite Brit shows!

Select a payment option

You can use a variety of payment methods with Express VPN – from traditional debit cards to PayPal and even Bitcoin if you need more privacy. 

Complete the registration process

Before you can download the software, choose a strong password and log in to your ExpressVPN account. 

Download and install the ExpressVPN app

Navigate to the ‘Download VPN’ section on the ExpressVPN website. You can choose which version to download in the dropdown list. There are versions for almost every type of operating system and device out there. 

Click the ‘Download’ button and your browser will start downloading the setup file automatically.

On mobile devices, you can get Express VPN directly on Apple Store or Google Play. 

When the file downloads, find it and double-click on it to start the installation process. Follow the prompts on the screen and you’re golden.

Input the activation code

After the installation is complete, the next step is inputting the activation code. You can find it on the main page of your account dashboard. 

Alternatively, you can also sign in using an email link – the choice is yours.

Connect to a UK server

There, you’re officially in business!

To access BBC iPlayer, it’s necessary to connect to a UK server, which is super easy! Click on the “hamburger” button on the upper left corner of the ExpressVPN interface and choose the ‘VPN Locations’ menu. A window will pop up where you can search for different servers. 

Find a UK-based server, double-click, and your internet connection will be funneled through it, making it appear as if you’re located in the UK.

ExpressVPN has a huge selection of international servers with a secure network setup. There are upwards of 160 server locations in 94 countries and more than 3k VPN servers. Server-wise, it goes head-to-head with other big VPN providers such as NordVPN and CyberGhost. 

Open a BBC iPlayer account

With your British IP address in tow, you’re free to register for a BBC iPlayer account. 

Visit the BBC iPlayer website, click the “Sign In” button, and choose the ‘Register Now’ option. A form will pop up where you’ll be required to enter your basic information, including your IP address. 

Once completed, a dialog box will ask you to confirm whether you have a valid UK TV license. Sounds scary, but it’s not. The BBC doesn’t check for a TV license, meaning you can just click yes and open the account. 

After verifying your email address, you’ll be asked about your postcode. If you have a UK address, feel free to use it. If not, you can enter any valid UK postcode (find one on Google) and tons of content will be at your fingertips!

Optimizing ExpressVPN settings for BBC iPlayer

For the smoothest streaming, we recommend optimizing ExpressVPN’s settings. Most VPNs by design eat away a chunk of your bandwidth, and even though ExpressVPN is super fast, you might experience occasional performance issues. 

During our testing, ExpressVPN provided good performance across the board. It’s slightly slower than its competitors, but the security features and extra goodies are worth it. Read our full comparison of the three VPN services that still work for BBC iPlayer to get the full picture. 

Back on track, here’s how to optimize ExpressVPN settings for buttery performance.

Activate smart DNS for streaming services

Some devices like gaming consoles and smart TVs may not support VPN apps. Fret not, as ExpressVPN employs a smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer to overcome this challenge. If your device isn’t compatible, you can use most features (including overcoming geo-blocking) without an app by registering your current IP address on ExpressVPN’s website. 

It’s simple – follow the setup guide and enter MediaStreamer DNS addresses on your device. If you run into any problems, reach out to ExpressVPN Support.

Check out our detailed article on the best VPNs for smart TVs to elevate your streaming experience further.

Boost your download speed for uninterrupted streaming

Buffering, delays, and other hiccups are annoying to deal with – especially if you’re in the middle of the streaming session. To avoid running into these nuisances, you should aim for a download speed exceeding 5.0 Mbps as it’s enough to stream high-definition content. 

ExpressVPN servers are built for speed and can support 4K UHD streaming with no buffering. 

Still, you may need a bit of a boost if your connection is too slow. Try this:

• Shut down bandwidth-intensive apps: Unused apps may consume a lot of bandwidth without you even knowing. So, shut down any apps like online gaming, streaming, or cloud storage platforms before you start watching.
• Switch to a different VPN protocol: ExpressVPN offers numerous protocols, some of which are faster. For example, the Lightway protocol is optimized for speed and is a good choice if you want to speed up your streaming (we’ll go over it in more detail in a few minutes).
• Switch to an Ethernet connection: Wi-Fi sacrifices speed and stability for convenience. To enhance your download speed, switch to an Ethernet cable and connect your device directly to the router.
• Reboot your modem or router: To borrow a line from, incidentally, one of the popular UK shows you can watch on BBC iPlayer: “Have you tried turning it off and on again”? Surprise surprise, a simple reboot may be just what it takes to boost your internet speed. 
• Invest in a Wi-Fi extender: If using a wired connection is not an option, consider using a Wi-Fi extender to increase signal strength. 

Fine-tune ExpressVPN settings for peak streaming efficiency

Peek under the hood and you’ll find a plethora of features that will improve your overall streaming while boosting your security exponentially.

We already mentioned certain protocols outperform others, so let’s start there. 

Access the app’s preferences by clicking on the button at the top left corner (the same one you used when looking for a UK server). Click ‘Options’ and open the ‘Protocol’ menu. 

When streaming, always go for Lightway UDP, which is tailor-made for streaming videos on services such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and the rest. It’s fast and won’t sacrifice your security – a great companion for late-night binge sessions. 

Once you select the protocol, click ‘OK’ to save the changes and watch your connection speed skyrocket!

But that’s not all. You can play around with ExpressVPN’s settings to tweak your experience even more. 

There are multiple VPN configurations to choose from, such as automatic VPN connections or ‘Network Lock’ that cuts your internet connection if you’re disconnected from the server. 

To make full use of your VPN, navigate to ‘Advanced Protection’.

Here, you can power on extra security features like ‘Threat Manager’ for blocking trackers and malicious sites. ExpressVPN also comes with an ad-blocker, which you can utilize to boost your overall browsing experience. How nice is that?

Lastly, in the ‘General’ section of the settings, you can find a split-tunneling option at the bottom. It provides you control over which apps and websites go through ExpressVPN and which ones use the “vanilla” connection, so to speak.

Thus, you can customize which apps and sites are unaffected by your VPN, making it possible for other services to maintain regular connections without affecting your BBC iPlayer streaming. 

If you’re interested in software with this particular feature, here’s a full rundown of the best VPNs with split tunneling.

Overcoming common issues when using ExpressVPN with BBC iPlayer

For all the cutting-edge features it offers, ExpressVPN is still a piece of software and can exhibit a plethora of common issues. Luckily, each of these is relatively easy to resolve if you know what you’re doing. 

Even if these regular fixes fail, you can reach out to ExpressVPN’s 24/7 support and rely on them to find you a working solution. 

If you see a proxy error

A proxy error mid-streaming can seem like the end of the world, but it’s actually quite ordinary. It happens when BBC iPlayer detects you’re using a VPN. This goes against their terms of service, so they’re within their rights to kick you out of your account. 

Still, it’s not the end of the world. Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies removes the data that caused your VPN to get flagged and will resolve the problem almost instantly. 

In case it fails, select another UK server. It will provide you with a brand new IP address and allow you to regain access to BBC iPlayer. 

If your streaming quality drops

You may also notice your streaming quality decreasing, in which case, try the fixes mentioned above. Clearing your browser cache generally works wonders so you should do it periodically to keep your browsing experience smooth. 

Pro tip: Use ExpressVPN’s in-built ‘Speed Test’ feature to find the fastest UK server. 

If you can’t establish a connection

This can also happen if the volume of DNS queries on your device is excessive. The solution is straightforward – you need to flush your DNS cache. 

On Windows, use the search function to access the ‘Command Prompt’. Then, type ipconfig /flushdns, hit ‘Enter’, and voila! Your DNS cache will be empty and you’ll achieve a higher network efficiency!

Additional benefits of using ExpressVPN with BBC iPlayer

The VPN market is crowded, but ExpressVPN routinely stands out as a reliable solution with robust security features, a user-friendly approach, and solid speed. 

The biggest selling point is the proprietary Lightway protocol which is fast and quick – perfect for streaming services such as BBC iPlayer. We conducted many tests, and ExpressVPN was always super reliable and showed no issues with lagging and buffering. 

Plus, can’t beat the fact that they have 3k+ servers around the world. 

Ensuring privacy and security while streaming

Apart from a good streaming performance, ExpressVPN also delivers on the security and privacy front. 

For starters, the provider is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands. For the uninitiated, this means they’re operating under one of the strictest privacy protection laws in the world.
They use diskless bare metal servers that drastically enhance user privacy. In other words, all the server data is completely wiped with each reboot, meaning no data about your BBC iPlayer streaming session exists.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN enforces a strict no-logs policy – no user information is ever stored so it can’t be surrendered to third parties. 

If you’re interested in other VPN services with no-logs policies, check out our overview of the best no-logs VPNs.

Streaming across different devices

Let’s use BBC iPlayer as an example:

This service facilitates streaming across a variety of devices, including desktop computers, smart TVs, mobile devices, set-top boxes, and gaming consoles – a true definition of a cross-platform experience.

The way ExpressVPN fits into this picture is through multi-device support. It allows you to connect up to five devices simultaneously on a single subscription. Your entire family can benefit from browsing with a VPN and you significantly minimize the risk of any device in your home being compromised in the process.

It’s worth noting this gives you more bang for your buck. For instance, you may purchase a subscription for streaming, but if you also want a VPN for someone in your family who is a gamer and wants a more secure experience. ExpressVPN is the perfect choice in this regard.

Check out our detailed guide on the best VPNs for gaming if you want to learn more.

Maximizing your subscription: other streaming platforms unlocked by ExpressVPN

While on the topic of maximizing your return on investment, we should also stress that ExpressVPN works for other streaming services in Great Britain and wordlwide. You can use the provider’s UK servers to also access ITVX and even gain access to free Channel 4 content – British extravaganza galore!

Internationally, you can also use this VPN service to bypass geographical blocks on all major streaming platforms. For example, Amazon Prime Video is notorious for prohibiting access to all content in some regions. In this case, you can also use ExpressVPN reliably to expand your streaming library.

Make sure to also check out these guides on VPNs for other streaming platforms, including:

• VPNs for Netflix
• VPNs for Amazon Prime Video
• VPNs for HBO Max
• VPNs for Disney+
• VPNs for ESPN
• VPNs for Hulu

Legalities of VPN usage for BBC iPlayer

Watching restricted content seems illegal, but you don’t have to worry. In fact, using a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer is perfectly cool in the eyes of the law. 

However, circumventing the dreaded geo-blocks does go against BBC’s terms of service. This streaming platform employs intricate measures that detect VPN use by identifying connections from the same IP address. If this happens, you’ll receive an error message and won’t be able to continue streaming. 

In the worst-case scenario, your account will be banned, at which point you can use a new email address to open a new account. 

Conclusion: Stream BBC iPlayer securely and consistently with ExpressVPN

BBC iPlayer and ExpressVPN are a match made in heaven – not only does this software bypass geographical restrictions consistently but it also amplifies the overall streaming experience. With high-speed connections, sturdy security measures, and an intuitive interface, users of all technical levels can upgrade their online safety using this software.

Besides content access, ExpressVPN will deliver top-notch streaming quality without sacrificing your privacy. This means you can enjoy classic British television without being concerned about slow streaming or data breaches.

Plus, since it works on up to 5 devices simultaneously, your entire household can be more secure online with a single ExpressVPN subscription. Worth it in our book. 

Other BBC iPlayer VPN guides:

• Best VPN for BBC iPlayer
• How To Use a VPN For BBC iPlayer
• NordVPN to for BBC iPlayer
• Surfshark for BBC iPlayer
• How to Watch BBC iPlayer Abroad

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a free VPN to access BBC iPlayer? 

No. At the moment of writing, only three VPN solutions are effective in unblocking BBC iPlayer (one of which is ExpressVPN) and neither of them is free. In addition, freebie VPNs don’t offer much in terms of privacy and can expose you to malware. Equally as bad, they may sell your data to third parties, such as advertisers.

Can I use ExpressVPN on multiple devices?

Absolutely! ExpressVPN supports up to five simultaneous devices with a single subscription. 

What other streaming platforms can I access with ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN is also effective in unblocking platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, ESPN, ITVX, and Channel 4. 

What if I encounter a proxy error on BBC iPlayer?

Proxy errors are common and are in most cases resolved by switching to another server or clearing your browser’s cookies and cache. If those solutions don’t work, we recommend contacting ExpressVPN’s customer support.

Is using ExpressVPN for BBC iPlayer legal?

While perfectly legal, using a VPN to access BBC iPlayer violates the BBC’s terms of service and may end in your account being banned.

This guide on using ExpressVPN with BBC iPlayer was last updated on May 25, 2024.