Keep your VPN unblocked in 2026
Getting locked out of sites and services while using a VPN? Jonathan Parkyn explains the tricks and techniques you can use to bypass the blocks
Public interest in VPNs has surged since the UK introduced age-verification rules for sites with adult content. But it isn’t just about teenagers trying to beat the rules. Increasingly, everyday users rely on VPNs to protect themselves on public Wi-Fi and secure their home networks, and to stop advertisers tracking them. However, as VPNs go mainstream, websites are fighting back by blocking connections to enforce regional restrictions, protect business models, prevent fraud or preserve ad revenue. Getting blocked doesn’t mean your VPN is broken though. In many cases, taking a few simple steps can keep your VPN working and stop sites from locking you out.
Choose a quality VPN provider
Your choice of VPN greatly affects how often you’ll get blocked. Cheap or free services often recycle small pools of IP addresses, many of which are already blacklisted, making it far easier for sites to detect and block you. They also lack advanced features to bypass blocks, making them less suitable for daily use.
By contrast, paid-for VPNs use a wider range of IP addresses, better encryption and more advanced ways to route your connection – reducing your chance of being blocked.