How to Fix the Netflix VPN or Proxy Error

Common causes

A VPN or proxy app is still running in the background, often because it connects automatically at startup or whenever you join public Wi-Fi.
A browser extension that provides a VPN, proxy, or location-changing feature routes Netflix traffic through a different server without you realizing it.
Windows proxy settings or a setup script were configured by an app, a workplace, or unwanted software, sending your traffic through a proxy server.
An IPv6 tunnel or tunnel broker service gives your connection an address that Netflix doesn't associate with your own internet provider.
Smart DNS settings on your PC, router, or streaming device are still active from a previous service or an old setup.
A corporate, school, hotel, or campus network sends traffic through a shared proxy or security gateway that Netflix treats as an unblocker.
Your internet provider uses carrier-grade NAT or shared IP ranges, so you share a public address with many customers and it gets flagged.
Your VPN server's IP address has been blocked by Netflix, even if you're only using the VPN for privacy in your own country.

Step-by-step fixes

Step 1

Turn off your VPN or proxy completely

Open your VPN app and disconnect, then fully quit it by right-clicking its icon in the system tray and choosing Quit or Exit, since some apps reconnect automatically. Check the app's settings for auto-connect on startup or on untrusted networks, and turn those off if you want to watch without it. Also look for security suites that include a VPN, which may switch on by themselves on public Wi-Fi. Then close Netflix completely, reopen it, and play a title; in a browser, refresh the page. If the error clears, the VPN was the cause, and the split tunneling step below explains how to keep it on for everything else. If the error is still there, move on to extensions and system proxy settings.

Step 2

Disable VPN and proxy browser extensions

If you watch Netflix in a browser, extensions are a common hidden cause. In Chrome, type chrome://extensions in the address bar, or open the three-dot menu > Extensions > Manage Extensions. In Edge, go to edge://extensions. In Firefox, go to about:addons. Turn off any extension that offers a VPN, proxy, or location-changing feature, then reload Netflix. A quick way to test is to open a private window with Ctrl+Shift+N in Chrome or Edge, or Ctrl+Shift+P in Firefox, because extensions are usually disabled in private windows unless you've allowed them. If Netflix plays in the private window, one of your extensions is responsible. Turn them back on one at a time to find which, then leave that one off while streaming.

Step 3

Turn off Windows proxy settings

In Windows 11, go to Settings > Network & internet > Proxy. Under Automatic proxy setup, leave Automatically detect settings on, and click Set up next to Use setup script to make sure it's off unless your workplace requires it. Under Manual proxy setup, click Set up (or Edit) next to Use a proxy server and turn it off. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy and turn off Use setup script and Use a proxy server. Next, open Command Prompt as administrator and run netsh winhttp show proxy. If it lists a proxy server, run netsh winhttp reset proxy, which should report Direct access (no proxy server). If you didn't set up a proxy yourself, run a malware scan, since some unwanted software changes these settings.

Step 4

Flush DNS and remove smart DNS settings

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run ipconfig /flushdns to clear cached lookups. Then check whether your PC is using a smart DNS service. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) > Hardware properties and look at DNS server assignment. If it lists servers from a smart DNS service you no longer use, click Edit and choose Automatic (DHCP). In Windows 10, run ncpa.cpl, right-click your adapter, choose Properties, open Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and select Obtain DNS server address automatically. Standard DNS from your internet provider or a well-known public resolver is fine; smart DNS services designed to change your streaming location are what trigger the error. If you watch on a TV, check the TV's network settings and your router's DNS settings too.

Step 5

Check for IPv6 tunnels

Netflix supports IPv6, but if your IPv6 connection comes from a tunnel broker or similar transition service rather than your internet provider, Netflix may treat it as a proxy. If you set up an IPv6 tunnel on your router or PC, disable it while streaming. To test on Windows, press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter. Right-click your active adapter, choose Properties, uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), click OK, and restart Netflix. If playback works, the IPv6 path was the problem; you can leave IPv6 off on that adapter or ask whoever manages your network to fix the tunnel. If there's no change, turn IPv6 back on, because native IPv6 from your internet provider normally works fine with Netflix.

Step 6

Restart your router and test another network

Unplug your modem and router for about a minute, then plug them back in. Some providers assign a different public IP address after a restart, which can clear a flagged address, though many keep the same one. To see whether the problem is your network or your device, connect your PC to a phone's mobile hotspot with the VPN off and try Netflix. If it works on the hotspot but not at home, the cause is your home network, your router settings, or your provider's IP address. If it fails everywhere, the cause is on your PC, such as an extension, a proxy setting, or a leftover VPN component. On a school, workplace, or hotel network, the proxy is usually part of the network itself, and only the network administrator can change it.

Step 7

Use split tunneling if you keep a VPN on for privacy

If you run a VPN for privacy and want Netflix to use your regular connection, split tunneling lets chosen apps bypass the tunnel. Look for Split tunneling in your VPN app's settings; Surfshark calls it Bypasser. Add the browser you use for Netflix, or the Netflix app if your VPN supports excluding it. Some clients can only exclude traditional desktop programs, not Microsoft Store apps, so a dedicated browser for streaming is often the simplest option. Reconnect the VPN and reload Netflix. If your provider doesn't support split tunneling, disconnect while you watch. Alternatively, providers such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark maintain servers intended to work with streaming services, though results change over time and Netflix's terms may restrict using a VPN to change your viewing region.

Step 8

Contact your internet provider or Netflix

If the error appears on every device at home with no VPN, proxy, or smart DNS in use, your public IP address may be shared or flagged. Ask your internet provider whether your connection uses carrier-grade NAT and whether they can assign a different or dedicated IP address; some providers can, sometimes for an extra fee. If you're on a workplace, school, or campus network, contact the network administrator, since their proxy or security gateway is the likely cause. You can also contact Netflix through its Help Center, mention error M7111-5059 or the exact message you see, and explain that you aren't using a VPN or proxy. Have your internet provider's name and a note of the steps you've already tried ready to speed things up.

How to prevent it

Turn off VPN auto-connect on your home network, or exclude Netflix with split tunneling if you want the VPN on otherwise.
Install only the browser extensions you need, and review them after installing new software.
Check Windows proxy settings if Netflix errors start right after installing new software.
Remove smart DNS settings from your router and devices when you stop using a service.
Keep your router's firmware updated and avoid third-party IPv6 tunnels on the network you stream from.

Tools that can help

If you don't use a VPN, the built-in steps above are all you need. If you use one for privacy on public Wi-Fi or while traveling, a VPN with split tunneling and servers maintained for streaming apps makes it easier to stay protected without constant errors, though no provider can guarantee access.

Top pick

NordVPN

NordVPN pairs its fast NordLynx protocol with audited no-logs claims, RAM-only servers, and apps for computers, phones, Android TV, and Fire TV. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies to direct purchases.

Visit NordVPN

Best value

Surfshark

Surfshark covers unlimited devices on one subscription and includes WireGuard, RAM-only servers, CleanWeb ad blocking, and Smart DNS for TVs. Long-term plans are usually priced below premium rivals.

Visit Surfshark

Easiest to use

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN focuses on simplicity, with its Lightway protocol, RAM-only TrustedServer setup, MediaStreamer smart DNS, and router options including Aircove. It's priced at the premium end and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Visit ExpressVPN

TechyLeakz may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

What to do next if this fails

Move to the next fix instead of repeating the same step multiple times.
Check the related guides in this cluster before attempting a full reset.
If startup, update, and corruption symptoms overlap, widen the diagnosis instead of treating one error in isolation.

FAQ

Why does Netflix say I'm using a proxy when I'm not?

Netflix blocks IP addresses it associates with VPNs, proxies, and unblocking services. You can trigger that without meaning to through a VPN running in the background, a browser extension, a Windows proxy setting, smart DNS, or an IPv6 tunnel. Less often, your internet provider's shared IP addresses get flagged. Work through the steps in this guide to find which one applies to you.

What is Netflix error M7111-5059?

M7111-5059 is the code Netflix shows in web browsers alongside the unblocker or proxy message. It means Netflix has detected that your connection appears to go through a VPN, proxy, or unblocking service. On TVs and in apps you may see the same message without that exact code, and the fixes are the same on every device.

Is it against Netflix's rules to use a VPN?

Netflix's terms of use say content availability depends on your country and that Netflix may use technology to verify your location, which is why it blocks many VPN and proxy connections. Using a VPN for privacy isn't illegal in most countries, but using one to view another region's catalog may conflict with those terms. Read the current terms for the details.

Can I keep my VPN on and still watch Netflix?

Often, yes. Split tunneling lets you exclude Netflix or a dedicated browser from the VPN so it uses your normal connection while everything else stays protected. Some VPN providers also maintain servers intended to work with streaming services, though Netflix updates its blocking and results vary. If neither option works, disconnect the VPN while you watch.

Why does Netflix work on mobile data but not my home Wi-Fi?

That means the problem is tied to your home network rather than your account or device. Check your router for smart DNS settings, a router-level VPN, or an IPv6 tunnel, then restart it. If nothing on your network is set up that way, your provider's IP address may be flagged, so contact them and ask about getting a different IP address.

Will clearing my browser cache fix the proxy error?

Rarely on its own, because the error is about your connection's IP address, not stored data. It can help after you've turned off a VPN or proxy, since the page may still show the old error. Clear Netflix's site data or open a private window, sign in again, and try playing a title to confirm the fix worked.