Hulu not working with a VPN? Try these fixes!

A virtual private network (VPN) lets your devices pretend to be in other countries all around world. This can be really useful with streaming providers like Hulu, allowing you to view their exclusive content. However, not all VPNs unblock Hulu, which means you need to be sure to pick a VPN that works. 

If you have already subscribed to a VPN that is known to work with Hulu and you're encountering problems, you can use this guide for troubleshooting tips and advice.

We have included fixes for the most common issues you may encounter, including paying for the service, getting your VPN working, and the most common error codes.

Hulu VPN not working? Here's how to fix it

If your VPN isn’t working to access Hulu, here are five things to check:

To help you out, we have also included information on how to resolve common Hulu error codes, as well as a guide on how to deal with problems paying for Hulu if you are based outside of the US. 

Ask your VPN provider for the best server

At the moment, Hulu only licenses its content for the US market, meaning that it faces pressure from partners and rights-holders to prevent any overseas users from accessing the service by using geo-restrictions. Hulu knows people can bypass these geo-filters with a VPN, and so it dedicates a lot of time and effort to blocking IP addresses that belong to VPNs. In 2024, very few VPNs remain that work with Hulu.

If you have subscribed to a VPN that is capable of unblocking Hulu, then your VPN should work to stream Hulu. However, most VPNs have a large choice of US server locations and not all of them work with all streaming services. For this reason, it is essential to check with your VPN provider to find out which server locations you should be using with Hulu. Unfortunately, free VPNs do not work with Hulu so if you are encountering problems when trying to access Hulu with a free service, the VPN is most likely the source of your problems.

Simply visit your provider's website and contact their support team. All our recommended VPNs for Hulu all offer live chat, and they can often provide you with a quick answer.

Check your browser settings

It is possible that your browser is at fault for the error messages you are seeing. It could be bypassing the VPN and leaking your real location to Hulu. This can be caused by trying to access Hulu without connecting to a VPN, but can also be the fault of your browser’s built in GPS functionality.

We outline steps on how to fix this on Google Chrome, however the steps to complete this will be similar on other browsers:

1. Clear your cookies and delete the contents of your browser cache. In Chrome, click:

   Settings > Advanced > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing data > Clear Data.

   Please note: It is especially vital to clear your cookies and cache before attempting to subscribe to Hulu with a VPN as they can contain information about your real world location.

2. Disable GPS tracking. In Chrome, go to:

   Settings > Advanced > Privacy and Security > Location > Ask before accessing (recommended).

   Alternatively, you can use this in-depth guide to disable geolocation tracking in your browser. 

3. Restart your browser.

   It’s always worth starting a fresh session, but it is important if you’ve started up your browser without connecting to your VPN first.

Fix DNS leaks

None of the VPNs we have recommended for streaming Hulu suffer from any kind of DNS or WebRTC leaks. If you are using a VPN outside of these suggestions, however, you may need to check that your VPN is not suffering DNS leaks. A DNS leak will reveal your real location to Hulu and they will block you from accessing the service.

Test Your VPN for Leaks

ProPrivacy has made it easier than ever to check for leaks on your VPN with our in-house leak testing tool. Start by clicking the button above and following the on-screen instructions. If you find that your Hulu VPN has a leak, head over to our guide on how to fix a DNS leak.

Fix WebRTC leaks

Much like DNS leaks, WebRTC leaks can reveal your actual location to any websites you visit. If you’ve used our leak testing tool and it's flagged up a leak, then you might need to plug a WebRTC leak to get your VPN working properly.

• In Firefox, you can completely disable WebRTC from inside the browser.

• In Chrome you will need to download an extension called Easy WebRTC Block.

Either of these solutions will fix your problem if it is being caused by a WebRTC leak. Alternatively, you could subscribe to one of our 5 recommended best VPNs for Hulu because they do not suffer from any sort of IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks. 

How to fix Hulu error codes

Hulu error codes often point to a problem in one of three areas -

1. The device or hardware being used
2. A problem with your internet connection
3. A server-side issue with Hulu itself.

Below, we will walk you through the most commonly encountered error codes and explain what you can do to fix them. 

How to fix Hulu error code 3 and 5

Errors 3 & 5 are usually caused by two things - A problem with your internet connection, or a problem with accessing that specific piece of content. Both errors will usually be accompanied by one of the following messages:

• Error playing this video

• Sorry, we encountered an error playing this video. Please try restarting the video or select something else to watch

• We're having trouble loading this right now

• Please check your internet connection and try again

If you experience this problem, it is worth checking your internet and VPN connection to be sure that everything is working properly. If the VPN seems to be working, and your internet connection is ok, try the following fixes:

How to fix Hulu error code 500

This is a server error caused by Hulu and will only appear when watching Hulu in an internet browser. It is usually accompanied by one of the following messages:

• There was an error on this page (500 error)

• Sorry - We've encountered an unexpected error. We've been notified about this issue, and we'll take a look at it shortly.

To fix this error, try the following:

How to fix Hulu error code 400

Hulu displays this error code when there is a problem with your account information, usually on a mobile device. To fix this issue, ensure that your VPN connection is established, and that you are on the correct US server for Hulu. If you've confirmed this and are still running into problems, then try removing the Hulu app and reinstalling it on your device. 

If you see the 400 Error as soon as you log in to your account, you may need to remove the device from your account and then re-add it. To do this:

How to fix Hulu error code 16

This is an invalid region error. If you see this message, it means your VPN is either not connected or isn't working. To fix this issue:

How to fix Hulu error code 5003

This is a Playback error caused by the device you are trying to watch Hulu on. To fix this issue:

Hulu won’t accept my card

At the moment, Hulu is only available within the USA. For this reason, Hulu only accepts payments from cards registered within the US. If you have successfully accessed the Hulu subscription page with your VPN, and have tried to pay for a subscription with an international credit or debit card, you will receive the following error message: We are unable to process your payment method. 

The good news is that it is possible to pay for Hulu from outside of the US. To do so you must choose one of the following two methods:

Paying for Hulu will work using either of the methods above. If you are looking to gain access to multiple US services, we recommend setting up a virtual US card. With a virtual card, you can easily add money to your account and pay for a whole multitude of US-based services with a VPN.

However, if you are only interested in accessing Hulu, then a gift card is going to be the easiest and quickest way of making a one-time purchase. Hulu gift cards that you purchase online are delivered via email, and you can easily redeem the codes on the Hulu website while connected through your VPN.