Are you a sports fan in Canada relying on DAZN for your fix of live games and on-demand content? You might have encountered a frustrating issue: DAZN not working correctly while using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This isn’t uncommon, and understanding why it happens is the first step to getting back to enjoying your favourite sports.
Why Does DAZN Block VPNs?
DAZN, like many streaming services (including Netflix and others), actively blocks VPNs for a few key reasons. Primarily, it’s about content licensing. DAZN secures the rights to broadcast sports events in specific geographic regions. Using a VPN to mask your location and appear to be in a different country violates these licensing agreements. This is why you might see an error message like, “Using a VPN may disrupt your DAZN experience. For uninterrupted access, please disable your VPN and reload or restart DAZN.”
Beyond licensing, DAZN also blocks VPNs to prevent fraudulent activity and ensure fair usage of their service. They want to protect their revenue streams and provide a consistent experience for all legitimate subscribers.
How DAZN Detects VPNs
DAZN employs sophisticated technology to detect VPN usage. This includes:
- IP Address Blacklisting: VPN servers use a limited number of IP addresses. DAZN maintains a blacklist of these known VPN IP addresses.
- Port Detection: VPNs often use specific ports. DAZN can identify and block traffic originating from these ports.
- DNS Leak Detection: Even with a VPN active, your DNS requests might reveal your true location.
- Geolocation Technology: DAZN can use your device’s geolocation data (if enabled) to verify your location.
What to Do If DAZN Isn’t Working with a VPN
The most straightforward solution is to disable your VPN while streaming DAZN. This will allow DAZN to accurately identify your location and grant you access to the content available in Canada. Simply reload the DAZN app or website after disabling the VPN.
If you need a VPN for other online activities, consider disconnecting it specifically for DAZN. Many VPN providers allow you to select which applications use the VPN connection and which don’t. This is known as a ‘split tunneling’ feature.
Choosing a VPN That *Might* Work (But No Guarantees)
While DAZN actively blocks most VPNs, some providers are better at evading detection than others. If you absolutely need to use a VPN with DAZN, look for providers that:
- Offer obfuscated servers: These servers mask VPN traffic to make it appear as regular internet traffic.
- Regularly update their IP addresses: This helps avoid being blacklisted by DAZN.
- Have a large server network: More servers mean a higher chance of finding one that isn’t blocked.
However, it’s important to understand that even these VPNs aren’t guaranteed to work consistently. DAZN is constantly improving its VPN detection methods. For a reliable DAZN experience, disabling your VPN is always the recommended approach. You can find more information about DAZN’s terms of service regarding VPN usage on their official help page.
