How to Unblock YouTube and Watch Any Video from Anywhere

YouTube videos can help you to learn new facts in seconds, hone your skills in minutes, or be entertained for hours. That’s, of course, unless the platform or certain videos are blocked on your device or on the network you’re connected to.

There are a bunch of reasons why YouTube – and parents, schools, and offices – might try to prevent you from accessing certain types of content. But just because there’s a reason behind it doesn’t mean it isn’t frustrating or unfair.

Fortunately, there are a few easy ways that you can get around these restrictions. Whether you want to watch your favorite videos while traveling, access YouTube at school, or learn how to unblock YouTube when your parents blocked it, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find the best solution to help you get YouTube unblocked today.

Why Is YouTube Blocked?

There are several reasons why you might run into YouTube blocks: 

• Broadcasting rights restrictions: Some videos might not be available because the owners don’t have permission to broadcast the content in your region.
• Network blocks: Network administrators at your school or workplace can prevent you from accessing certain videos or the whole YouTube website on their Wi-Fi network.
• National restrictions: Governments can censor YouTube to prevent people in a country from accessing the platform or specific content hosted on it.
• Video owners’ restrictions: Video owners can make their videos inaccessible to people in specific regions.

It’s annoying when you can’t access your favorite YouTube videos because of these restrictions. The good news is, using our tips and tricks you can unblock YouTube with ease to watch your favorite videos.

6 Easy Ways to Unblock the YouTube Website

Internet censorship, bandwidth considerations, and curbing distractions are all reasons why you may encounter YouTube blocks. A VPN works for all of them, enabling you to keep YouTube unblocked across multiple devices and watch videos from anywhere.

A VPN is the easiest way to unblock YouTube videos, but there are other methods. Here’s a comparison of six ways you can unblock YouTube.

Method	Rating	How It Works	Pros	Cons
VPN	Best	A VPN routes your internet traffic through a private server and encrypts your connection, making it look like you’re accessing the web from a different location.	Works on any network (school, work, public Wi-Fi) Encrypts your data for privacy Helps you access region-specific content while traveling Can be used on multiple devices	Requires software installation Free VPNs aren’t always reliable Can affect your connection speed
Proxy	OK	A web-based proxy lets you access websites through another server. This acts like a middleman between you and YouTube.	No installation needed Quick access from your browser Free options available	No encryption (so not secure) Often blocked by networks Can be slow or buggy
Browser extensions	Good	Some browser extensions (like proxy or VPN extensions) can be added to Chrome or Firefox to route your traffic through other servers.	Easy to install Lightweight Some are free	Limited to one browser May not work on networks with stringent restrictions Privacy depends on the extension
Tor browser	Good	Tor routes your traffic through several nodes within different networks to anonymize your activity and bypass restrictions.	Strong privacy Works on many restricted networks Free to use	Slows your speeds Not ideal for video streaming Might be flagged by some networks
Mobile data	Good	Connecting your device to a personal hotspot from your phone lets you bypass Wi-Fi restrictions.	Easy to use No additional software needed	Can be expensive Drains phone battery May not be allowed on some plans
Changing DNS settings	Good	Switching to a public DNS server (like Google DNS or Cloudflare) can sometimes help you bypass local network restrictions.	No downloads required Quick fix for light restrictions Improves speed in some cases	Doesn’t work on heavily restricted networks Not encrypted Setup can be tricky

Why a VPN Is the Best Option for Unblocking YouTube

A VPN is the most reliable and secure way to unblock the YouTube website. Unlike browser extensions or proxy sites, which can be hit-or-miss, a VPN works across your entire device, giving you consistent access no matter where you are or which browser you’re using. It even lets you access content that’s only available in your home country when you’re traveling abroad.

A VPN routes your data through an encrypted tunnel, making it unreadable to the network you’re on. This lets you unblock websites easily, as network administrators can’t see what websites you’re visiting.

VPN encryption also keeps your data safe on public networks where your personal information might otherwise be exposed. Whether you’re catching up on videos during a break or watching tutorials in your cubicle, you can stream freely without worrying about who’s lurking on your network. PIA VPN gives you unlimited device connections, so you can unblock YouTube videos with ease on all your streaming devices. Our native VPN apps are simple to install and use – you don’t need any technical knowledge.

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Is It Illegal to Unblock YouTube?

It’s not illegal to unblock YouTube on most networks and in most places. These blocks are usually put in place by network administrators, not governments, so getting around them might go against internal rules, but it’s not a criminal offense.

VPNs are legitimate privacy tools used by individuals and businesses around the world to secure their internet activity. That said, while using a VPN is legal in most countries, some actions (like accessing content that isn’t available in your current region) might go against YouTube’s policies. A handful of countries also restrict access to YouTube and VPNs for various reasons.

If in doubt, it’s best to check the laws of the country you’re in and YouTube’s terms of use before unblocking the platform with a VPN.

What Is YouTube Restricted Mode?

YouTube videos are free for everyone to watch and enjoy, but that doesn’t mean they’re all appropriate for everyone to view. The platform flags content it identifies as being potentially dangerous or only suitable for adults to help make YouTube safer for teenagers and children to enjoy.

YouTube’s Restricted mode is an optional setting that you can activate to filter out mature content. Parents can turn on Restricted mode on their child’s account to prevent them from accessing YouTube channels or videos that contain potentially unsafe topics, such as hateful, sexual, or dangerous content, or content with adult themes or foul language. Network administrators can also enable the setting for all users on their network, meaning you may not be able to access certain content at work or school.

How to Unblock a YouTube Video

Sometimes, you might find that a specific YouTube video is unavailable where you are, even if the rest of the site works just fine. This usually happens because of licensing agreements or regional settings that limit where certain videos can be viewed. It can be a major pain when you’re traveling abroad and suddenly can’t access your usual content.

A reliable VPN service makes it easy to get these YouTube videos unblocked. When you connect to a VPN server in a different country, YouTube sees you as browsing from that location instead of your current one. So, if a video is available in the country where your chosen server is located, you’ll be able to watch it without any issues. 

All you need to do is open your VPN app, connect to a server in your home country where the video is accessible, and reload the YouTube page.

How to Unblock YouTube at School

YouTube can be an educational secret weapon or just a good way to unwind between lessons. Unfortunately, it’s often blocked in schools – this may be to limit distractions, to conserve bandwidth, or to protect students from unsafe content. While network administrators may have good intentions, it’s frustrating if you can’t access the content you need.

There are a few tricks that network administrators can use to prevent you from accessing YouTube, including keyword filtering, URL filtering, category blocking, or placing the site on a blocklist. The good news is that these are easy to bypass with a VPN.

Here’s how to unblock YouTube when it’s blocked by administrators:

1. Download PIA VPN: Install PIA VPN on your device, launch the app, and sign in with your account details.
2. Select a server: Connect to a VPN server in your preferred location – one near your physical location generally offers the fastest connection.
3. Start watching: Head to the YouTube website or app and select a video to watch.

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How to Unblock YouTube on an Office Network

Office networks often block YouTube to keep bandwidth free for work-related tasks, but sometimes a quick how-to video or a bit of background music can help you be better at your job. A VPN lets you access YouTube discreetly and securely without messing with the company network.

Here’s an easy way to unblock YouTube at work:

1. Get PIA VPN: Download and install the app on your device and sign in.
2. Pick a server: PIA has servers in 91 countries. Connect to a server nearby for the fastest speeds.
3. Navigate to YouTube: Find a video you want to watch and press play!

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How to Access YouTube When It’s Blocked by Parental Controls

YouTube has two main tools for parental control: Restricted mode and YouTube Kids. 

Restricted mode filters out content flagged as potentially mature and can be locked to a browser or device with a parent’s Google account. YouTube Kids offers a separate experience designed for younger viewers, with strict limits on what you can watch.

If you’re running into a block because of Restricted mode, check if you’re signed in to a supervised account or if the setting has been locked. You can try switching to a different browser or device where Restricted mode isn’t enabled. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need the account password to turn it off in the settings. 

For YouTube Kids, access to the full YouTube site is usually restricted entirely. In this case, using a standard (unsupervised) Google account or switching to a device without a Kids’ profile may be the only way around it.

Safely Unblock YouTube Videos Anywhere with PIA VPN

Whether you’re trying to access YouTube videos on a restricted network or stream live content on YouTube TV, PIA VPN makes it simple to unblock YouTube. 

PIA’s robust encryption lets you skirt network restrictions to browse and watch YouTube anywhere – including at school and work. This advanced protection also keeps you safe on public Wi-Fi, so you can be confident that your data stays private no matter where you choose to stream.

Built for speed and stability, PIA VPN’s global network of 10 Gbps servers keeps your connection fast, even during peak hours. With servers in 91 countries and streaming-optimized servers in key locations including the US, it’s easy to access your usual YouTube content, even when traveling abroad.

PIA gives you unlimited bandwidth, meaning you can stream as much as you like in full HD without needing to worry about data caps. You also get unlimited device connections, so you can switch between devices without the hassle of logging in and out of your VPN.

Try PIA VPN today with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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