How to Unblock YouTube Videos From Any Location

Introduction To Unblocking Youtube

YouTube is one of the biggest video-sharing platforms in the world. Content creators can upload photos, YouTube shorts, as well as a lengthy video. Some people refer to YouTube as an online university because it has a video for almost whatever you need. Whether for research purposes, educational needs, relaxation, or staying updated on what is happening in any area of the world, YouTube got you covered. However, it is not uncommon to receive an error response when you try to access some YouTube video. Subsequently, it becomes necessary to understand how to unblock YouTube.

Learning how to unblock YouTube involves understanding the platform’s terms of service. The platform has strict rules to ensure the platform remains safe for viewers and content creators. Some content creators may get their account suspended if their videos and photos are deemed reckless or unsafe for the population on YouTube. Moreso, when you encounter some videos or images, there is a trigger warning. This is necessary to avoid triggering individuals with certain mental health conditions.

Several factors could contribute to the inability to access YouTube. Therefore, this guide will examine those factors, the best YouTube unblockers, ethical and legal considerations regarding unblocking YouTube and other FAQs.

Let us dive in!

Common Reasons That Youtube Is Blocked

There are several reasons why you may be unable to access YouTube content from your current location. The restrictions may originate from the government, IT admin at school or work, or from your IP address. Some of the common reasons for blocked You Tube include:

Location/Regional restrictions

You may be unable to access a YouTube video due to your location.  This can occur when video creators restrict their videos so that they can’t be accessible to viewers in certain regions. Therefore, if you are attempting to watch the video from a restricted location, you will not be able to load or view it. 

Network blocks

Although YouTube offers free resources and educational content on various subjects, it can be a source of distraction. With all the movies, music videos, and other content on the platform, it is easy to get engaged. Therefore, network blocks can be implemented by IT admins at school or in the workplace to restrict access to YouTube. 

Unrestricted access to YouTube can affect concentration and productivity of students and workers.  Therefore, limiting access to YouTube promotes a better environment for learning and remaining focused on work-related tasks.

Government Censorship           

Over the years, a number of countries have banned the use of YouTube by its citizens. Some of these countries include North Korea, China, and Iran. Therefore, if you find yourself in any of these locations, you will be unable to access YouTube. 

The purpose of implementing this block is to control the flow of information so that citizens would not access content deemed inappropriate by the government. Examples include hate speech, content that promotes violence, hate, or criticize current government, religion, or culture. Another common reason for the YouTube block is due to religious, cultural, or political reasons. Access to YouTube provides a form of enlightenment that may not be appreciated by the government. 

Bandwidth management

Another common cause of YouTube blocks is bandwidth management, which is often implemented by either the ISPs or network administrators. Streaming YouTube videos can consume a large amount of data, which can lead to network congestion. Therefore, blocking YouTube ensures a more balanced distribution of bandwidth among all users on the network.

Age censorship

Millions of content on YouTube are beneficial to young ones for educational or recreational purposes. However, several other contents are inappropriate for young ones and it is necessary to regulate what they consume.  According to YouTube policy, age restrictions may be placed on videos that are not in violation of their policies but may be unsuitable for children under 18 years. 

In addition, parents might use the parental control feature to set up YouTube blocks on their home network. This is to ensure that children are protected from inappropriate content and have a safe online environment. 

Inappropriate content

Another thing that can trigger a YouTube block is inappropriate content. YouTube policies regard content that involves hate speech, explicit material, and violence as inappropriate. Therefore, any video that includes spam, misinformation, or violence may be removed or blocked from the platform.

Copyright infringement

Copyright is a type of intellectual property that protects original works such as expressions, names, art, and other things. Therefore, copyright infringement involves the use or production of copyright-protected material without the permission of the copyright holder.

Since YouTube has strict laws on copyright infringement, content including photos and videos that violate the policy are promptly blocked.  This is a way for the platform to safeguard the right of the creators and prevent the distribution of copyrighted material.

How to Unblock YouTube

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to unblock YouTube, several options are available for use. These YouTube unblocker methods vary in effectiveness, complexity, and suitability for different cases. Therefore, this section will discuss some of the different ways to unblock YouTube.

Use a Proxy to Unblock YouTube

YouTube unblock proxy is a popular option for accessing blocked content. A proxy server is an intermediary between your device and YouTube. It works by masking your IP address, which makes it seem like you are visiting YouTube from another location as another person. Subsequently, this can help you bypass network and geographical restrictions to regain access to YouTube. 

There are various proxy types based on a number of classifications. Based on the level of security, there are HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS proxies. Proxies can also be free or premium based on the cost. Most public proxies are often free and easy to use and obtain. They can be used as a YouTube Unblocker if you are trying to access the platform from a public network. However, they are often less secure and are easy to be blocked.

On the other hand, premium proxies are paid versions of YouTube unblocker. Bear in mind that the price depends on the provider as well as the functionality provided. Residential proxies are the most expensive forms of YouTube unblockers because they are highly reliable. These proxies are assigned by the ISP and are associated with actual physical residences, which makes it harder for websites to detect them. Mobile proxies are also expensive as they involve actual mobile IPs, which makes them harder to detect. 

Use a VPN to Unblock YouTube

 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allow you to create a secure and private connection to the internet. It works by encrypting your internet traffic and routing it through a VPN proxy. When you connect to a VPN, all the data you send and receive is encrypted. Encryption is crucial to protecting sensitive information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals.

In addition, the VPN creates a secure tunnel between your device and the VPN server. Therefore, all your internet traffic is routed via this tunnel, which makes unblocking YouTube more secure. Subsequently, the website sees the IP address of the VPN server instead of your actual IP address. 

The benefits of using a VPN include optimized privacy and anonymity, security, bypassing geo-restrictions, and avoiding censorship that may make it difficult to access YouTube. Since your network traffic is routed through a VPN server, your speed and performance for unblocking YouTube may be slow. In addition, they are not a completely anonymous solution for unblocking YouTube. 

Use a Smart DNS for YouTube

A Smart DNS reroutes your DNS queries through its servers in a different location, which allows you to bypass geo-restrictions on YouTube. It offers greater speed than VPNs because it does not encrypt your network traffic.  

In addition, using a Smart DNS offers a 50/50 chance of unblocking YouTube at school or work. If your IP address was previously banned for violating YouTube, it can still ban you because it does not mask your IP address.

How to change DNS:  

Windows

1. Open the Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click on Change adapter settings.
3. Right-click on your connected interface and select Properties.
4. On the Networking tab, > Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), > Properties.
5. Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
6. Replace IP addresses listed in the Preferred DNS server or Alternate DNS server and click OK.

macOS

1. Click on the Apple menu > System Preferences > Network.
2. Select the connection you want to configure and click on Advanced.
3. Click the DNS tab and then select the add button + to replace any addresses with new DNS.
4. Click OK to save the configuration.

Linux

1. Go to Settings, and click on Wi-Fi or Network.
2. Click on the cog icon next to your current connection.
3. Select the IPv4 tab and disable the Automatic toggle switch.
4. Enter the new DNS addresses, separated by a comma.
5. Click Apply to save the change.

iOS

1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Click the “i” icon next to your current Wi-Fi network.
3. Navigate down to the DNS section and tap Configure DNS.
4. Select Manual and then tap the ‘red minus’ to remove the existing addresses.
5. Tap Add Server and add the new DNS addresses.
6. Tap Save.

Android

1. Open the device Settings > Network & Internet/Connections > Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the cog icon next to your current Wi-Fi network and tap Advanced.
3. Tap on IP settings and select Static.
4. Scroll to the DNS fields and replace the current DNS with the new DNS.
5. Click on Save.

Tor Browser

Tor- The Onion Router is a free and open-source browser project that uses multiple layers of encryption on your connection to promote anonymity. Subsequently, this hides your IP address which makes it an excellent choice to unblock YouTube. 

When you use Tor, your network traffic is rerouted through at least three volunteer relays which optimizes anonymity while unblocking YouTube.  One of the benefits of Tor is that it offers high level anonymity which can be used as a YouTube unblocker. 

Bear in mind that Tor is maintained by volunteers; hence, the performance may not be as high as that of proxy servers. In addition, connection speed may slow as it reroutes your network traffic through multiple relay servers. 

In addition, Tor browser is a free and encrypted method for those who want to unblock YouTube. However, there is no customer service to guide new users on how to maximize the features of Tor Browser for accessing the uncharted regions of the internet.  To use the Tor Browser, download and install it from the official website and use it to unblock YouTube.

How to Use a Proxy to Unblock YouTube: Step-by-Step Guide

NetNut is an industry-leading proxy expert with an extensive network of over 85 million rotating residential proxies in 195 countries and 5 million+ mobile IPS in 100 countries. With its extensive coverage, using the proxy solutions allows you to bypass any restrictions and unblock YouTube.

Here is a detailed guide on how to use proxies to unblock websites:

Step 1: Choose a reputable proxy provider

In the previous section, we have carefully examined some of the factors to consider when choosing the best proxy server. Look out for reliability, performance, speed, cost, IP pool size and others before investing in a proxy server. Although there are several free proxies with promises of anonymity and security- they rarely deliver. Therefore, to unblock YouTube, you need a reliable option like NetNut with several solutions that caters to your diverse needs. 

Step 2: Create an account

Creating an account with NetNut is a straightforward process that takes only a few minutes. Once you supply the required details, a mail will be sent which will be used to verify the account. You will then be redirected to an expert that speaks to you regarding your project, budget, and answer any questions you may have. 

Step 3: Obtain proxy details

After activating your 7-day trial period, you can access the NetNut dashboard, which allows you to manage your proxy settings. On the dashboard, you can find your proxy details, including server address, port, username, and password. A premium proxy provider provides authentication details (username and password) as a way to ensure additional protection on your network connection. 

Step 4: Configure proxy settings on your device

Now that you have obtained the necessary proxy details, you can configure the settings on your device.

For Windows:

1. Open the Control Panel and navigate to Internet Options.
2. Click on the Connections tab and then select LAN settings
3. Check the box for “Use a proxy server for your LAN.”
4. Choose the proxy protocol- HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS
5. Enter the proxy server address, port number, username, and password 
6. Click “OK” to save the proxy configuration

For macOS:

1. Open System Preferences and go to Network
2. Select the network connection you are using and click on “Advanced.”
3. Go to the “proxies” tab
4. Choose the proxy protocol (HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS) provided by the proxy service.
5. Enter the proxy server address, port number, username, and password.
6. Click OK to save the settings on your device.

For Mobile devices:

1. Go to Settings
2. Select Wi-Fi settings and select the network you are connected to
3. Navigate to the proxy settings options and enter the proxy details
4. Save the settings, and you can connect to the network.

Step 5: Open YouTube

Now that you have configured the proxy, you are ready to access YouTube without any restrictions. Open YouTube on your device and visit pages that were previously blocked. In case of any issues, double-check your proxy details or contact the customer support team.  

Choosing the best proxy provider is crucial in unblocking YouTube.

How To Choose A Youtube Unblocking Proxy Provider

Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best YouTube proxy:

Speed and performance

Speed and performance are some crucial factors to consider when choosing the best proxy provider to unblock YouTube. Low latency is necessary for activities like streaming HD videos on YouTube. In addition, a high-speed connection is essential for an optimized browsing experience on YouTube. Therefore, consider proxy providers that offer high or unlimited bandwidth that can support fast and uninterrupted connections. 

IP pool size

Geographical restrictions are one of the mentioned causes of the YouTube block. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a proxy provider with an IP pool that extends across several countries. Selecting a proxy provider with a large IP pool provides more flexibility and minimizes the risk of an IP ban.

In addition, you can get IP rotation if the proxy pool is big. This feature makes YouTube unblock proxy the perfect solution for bypassing blocks regardless of  the source. 

Security and privacy

Free proxies do not offer so much in terms of security and privacy. However, premium providers like NetNut offer YouTube Unblocker proxy that guarantees high-level security and privacy. These features are necessary to ensure that your private information is not accessible to third parties and to safeguard them from malicious individuals. Moreso, ensure the proxy provider does not keep logs of your activities to ensure your privacy is maintained. 

Reliability and scalability

Before you invest in a premium proxy, ask yourself: Is it reliable? Visit the website and check out customer reviews to get insight into their performance. You could also look for awards and badges won by the proxy provider, which are often displayed on their official website. 

NetNut is one of the most reliable premium proxy providers in 2024. With a guaranteed 99.9% uptime, you can stream videos on YouTube without experiencing connection interruption. In addition, the NetNut dashboard allows you to monitor your network usage and connection speed in real-time.

Customer support

Another crucial factor to consider when choosing a YouTube unblocker proxy is customer support. NetNut stands out for its excellent customer support, which is available 24/7 via multiple channels for ease of access. This is to ensure that beginners and experts can get the best experience using proxies to unblock YouTube. Once you register with NetNut, an expert will be available to guide you on how to choose the best proxy solutions and how to integrate them with your current system.

Cost

Using a quality proxy to unblock YouTube requires some financial investment. Be sure to compare the prices from various vendors before making a choice. However, be sure to consider their reputation, features offered, coverage and reliability. Some providers like NetNut offer a 7-day free trial, which allows you to use the service without paying. In addition, look out for proxy providers that offer flexibility in terms of payment methods and subscription plans.

Comparing Proxy vs VPN for Unblocking YouTube

Proxies and VPNs are some of the best solutions to unblock YouTube. While they are quite effective solutions for bypassing YouTube restrictions, they have their own advantages and limitations. Therefore, it becomes crucial to understand these differences so you can determine the best option for you. 

Virtual Private Networks provide an encrypted channel between your device and YouTube. Therefore, it masks your IP address and protects your data from potential theft. However, the process of encrypting your network can cause slow connection speed which may be less than ideal for streaming videos on YouTube. In addition, VPNs are often more complex to set up and are generally more expensive than proxies.

On the other hand, proxies serve as an intermediary between your device and the target website. Subsequently, it hides your actual IP address and routes your network through the proxy server. Proxies are excellent for bypassing geographical restrictions, which makes them ideal for bypassing YouTube. In addition, they provide faster connection speeds compared to VPNs, which is crucial for streaming YouTube videos, where high speed and low latency optimize the viewing experience. Free proxies may seem like cost-effective solutions to unblock YouTube, but they offer light encryption. Therefore, you may need to get premium proxies with competitive pricing for optimized security and privacy.

When it comes to choosing the best option between a proxy and a VPN, consider your specific requirements. If you want to quickly unblock YouTube on a public computer, you can use a free VPN service to access it. However, if you need a secure and anonymous solution to unblock YouTube and other websites, then premium proxies are the ideal option.  In addition, proxies offer high-level speed and geo-targeting features to unblock YouTube. 

Alternative Methods to Unblock YouTube Videos From Any Location

In this section, we shall explore other alternatives that can serve as quick and effective options to unblock YouTube. They include: 

Browser extensions

An alternative to unblock YouTube is to use browser extensions. You can simply install a proxy extension that you can turn on whenever you need to connect securely and anonymously to  YouTube. While there are various browser extensions designed to unblock YouTube, be sure to use one that works with HTTPS encryption. 

Download YouTube videos directly

Another way to bypass restrictions is to download YouTube videos directly. This is a common method that has been used over the years to access restricted YouTube content.  Although this method is effective, it may be a violation of YouTube copyright laws. 

In addition, there are various platforms that you can leverage to download YouTube videos so you can watch them offline. 

Connect to a mobile hotspot

You can connect to a mobile hotspot to unblock YouTube, especially for network-level blocks. When you share your cellular data from your mobile phone, you get temporary Wi-Fi access that you use to bypass network restrictions in your school or workplace computer. 

Here is how to enable a mobile hotspot for Android users:

• Navigate to Settings
• Select Network & Internet
• Go to Tethering
• Enable Mobile hotspots on your mobile phone and Wi-Fi on your school or work computer.
• Connect to your mobile device hotspot on the computer. Once the connection has been established, you can unblock YouTube.

For iPhone users:

• Go to Settings
• Navigate to Personal Hotspot
• Set the password for a hotspot
• Toggle Allow Other to Join
• Choose your enabled hotspot on the device you want to unblock YouTube videos on

Use SafeShare 

SafeShare is a video-sharing platform that is commonly used by teachers to show YouTube videos in class. Therefore, it is a good alternative to unblock YouTube at school or work when you can’t install a VPN, proxy, or browser extension. Since SafeShare filters out inappropriate content by default, it can’t be used to bypass age restrictions. Bear in mind that the network admin in your school or office may also block SafeShare from working. 

Use Google Translate

Using Google Translate is another fast solution to unblock YouTube if proxies and VPNs are blocked by the network admin. You can only use this method when you use the Google Translate official page. 

Here is a step-by-step guide on how it works:

1. Visit the Google Translate page.
2. Paste the URL of the blocked video into the left input area.
3. Select any language as the one you are translating from
4. Choose English as the language you are translating to
5. Click the link that appears in the right output area. The YouTube video should open if it has been successfully unlocked.

Legal and Ethical considerations for unblocking YouTube

Unblocking YouTube with all the methods we have discussed in this guide can pose both ethical and legal challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to understand these potential issues so that your activities can remain compliant with the laws of your country or institution. 

It is crucial to consider the legality of unblocking YouTube in your country. Since YouTube may be blocked by the government for several reasons, bypassing these restrictions may result in legal consequences. Therefore, get familiar with local laws before attempting to unblock YouTube.

In addition, it is crucial to use VPNs and proxies ethically so that others will not be affected. Here are some ethical considerations to consider:

1. Respect institutional policies that ban YouTube as they are aimed at minimizing distractions and preserving bandwidth.
2. Use reliable proxy services like NetNut that ensure privacy and data security to avoid putting others at risk.
3. Consider the impact of unblocking YouTube on the network performance. 
4. It is crucial to respect boundaries and acknowledge the rights of creators, as many of them rely on their work to earn.

Final Thoughts on Unblocking Youtube With A Proxy

This guide has examined the different ways to unblock YouTube- proxies, VPNs, Tor Browser, Smart DNS, browser extension and more. YouTube can be blocked due to restrictions on network, age, or country. Therefore, it is crucial to consider your situation to determine the best one that provides anonymity while allowing you to enjoy unrestricted access.

Respecting institutional policies, protecting privacy and data security, and considering the impact on network performance are some crucial areas of ethical considerations. The most reliable solution that allows you to unblock YouTube while maintaining anonymity and data privacy is a premium proxy. 

Do you want to enjoy unlimited access to YouTube and bypass geographical restrictions while masking your digital footprint? NetNut has various proxy solutions as well as a web unblocker that can cater to your needs. Contact us today to get started.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I unblock YouTube at school?

There are various solutions to unblock YouTube at school- proxies, VPNs, extensions, and Smart DNS. These methods allow you to bypass the network restrictions imposed by your school IT admin. However, it is necessary to understand the possible consequences of bypassing your school’s restrictions. 

Can I use a VPN to unblock YouTube at work?

Yes, you can use a VPN to unblock YouTube at work. VPNs work by encrypting your network so that it seems you are connecting from another location. However, ensure that a VPN does not violate the policies in your workplace. 

Is using a proxy to unblock YouTube safe?

Yes, it is safe to use a proxy to unblock YouTube, especially when you choose a reliable provider. One of the disadvantages of using free proxies is that they might log your activities, which can be sold to third parties. Therefore, you need to use a premium proxy to ensure security, anonymity, and privacy. 

How do I unblock YouTube on my phone?

To unblock YouTube on your phone, you can use NetNut mobile proxies. They use reliable IPs that reroute your network traffic to mask your IP address. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi> Proxy Settings and enter the proxy details.    

Why is YouTube blocked in my country?

There are several reasons why YouTube may be blocked in your country. It may be blocked due to government regulations to control the spread of information, maintain social order,  or for political reasons. Therefore, it becomes crucial to understand why YouTube is blocked in your country and the significance of complying with local laws.