Is Your VPN blocked on Comcast Xfinity? (Explained for Beginners With Easy Fix)
Is VPN blocked on Comcast Xfinity? Comcast is famous for slowing down your internet speed if you use Peer-2-Peer services. In recent years, Comcast has been called out for blocking VPNs and throttling Netflix traffic.
We recently covered some common Xfinity problems that most of our readers ask us about, and you can find that article here.
This makes it very difficult to access content blocked in your location or even just hide your identity. The good news is that you can get around the blocks and bypass them.
If you want to set up a VPN on your Xfinity router then we have linked to a useful article that covers all the details above.
Table of Contents
- What is the problem?
- How Comcast is blocking VPNs and throttling Netflix traffic
- How to bypass the blocks
- What is a DNS, and how does it work?
- What are popular DNS servers?
- What about VPNs?
- Change some settings
- Conclusion: Can you bypass Comcast Blocking VPNs?
- FAQ
The first and easiest method that I recommend is to change your DNS. What’s a DNS (Domain Name System), you may ask? Well, this is how your device looks up what site you’re trying to access.
What is the problem?
If you’re on Comcast, for example, it will route all of its traffic through its servers before reaching the site, making it even easier to block.
So, in our case, we’ll use Google’s DNS servers instead. The IP addresses are 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (you can enter those into your router on a computer; they’re the same for Mac and Windows).
People around the world have used these for a long time. They are quick and reliable.
You may think, “wait! Google is the enemy! If I use their DNS servers, won’t there be more tracking?” The answer: No. As long as you’re using a VPN (more about this below), you’re secure because it encrypts all communication, making it impossible for your ISP to see what you’re doing.
So even if Google was tracking your DNS requests, they wouldn’t have anything useful to report back home with (aside from the fact that you use a VPN – but we’ll get to that).
There are many other DNS servers you could use as well, but those two are the most popular and reliable.
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How Comcast is blocking VPNs and throttling Netflix traffic
A VPN is a network that will ensure you are safe and have privacy on the internet. Comcast’s VPN was stopped because of people using too much bandwidth. Comcast is also said to slow down Netflix traffic, but this has not been definitively proved.
Comcast blocks VPNs because they use bandwidth from customers who are using the internet to stream videos or play games online, as well as download torrents or pirated content. Comcast says it does not block legal VPN services.
Some people want to use virtual private networks (VPNs) to avoid problems with internet providers. These are companies that provide Internet service. The repeal of Net Neutrality made these problems worse.
Comcast, for example, is one of the providers that was criticized for geo-restrictions and throttling people’s internet speeds when they used Peer-2-Peer services.
However, these are both solved by using a VPN.
How to bypass the blocks
Luckily, bypassing restrictions can be straightforward.
You can use a VPN in many ways, including changing your DNS, connecting to a VPN server in a location of your choice, and downloading a Virtual Private Network app.
Some users have been using the Tor Browser, which is an onion-routing system that is famous for being able to keep people anonymous online.
You can get around the blocks by downloading a VPN app to your phone or laptop. These work by installing software on your computer or smartphone and then connecting to a server in the country you want to visit through an encrypted tunnel.
Once you connect, everything on the network is anonymized, so you don’t have to worry about getting caught with copyright violations when streaming videos or downloading torrents!
Another method is by using a VPN.
NordVPN is a VPN service designed for people who want fast performance and security. One of the critical features of the NordVPN service is its double data encryption.
This ensures your traffic stays secure over public WiFi networks, cellular networks, and intercepted cables. Another feature is bypassing censorship with obfuscated servers and P2P support.
NordVPN also offers various apps optimized for different devices, operating systems, and uses. There is an app that comes preinstalled on Chromebooks, meaning that you can simply use NordVPN by turning it on in your network settings.
What is a DNS, and how does it work?
A Domain Name Server takes a server name and translates it to its numerical IP address. This allows your computer or smartphone to know how to communicate with other computers or servers over the internet. Your ISP is basically in charge of storing your DNS information for you!
One of the easiest ways for someone like Comcast to block VPNs is to block the IP addresses of VPN servers.
If you use a DNS service like Google’s, OpenDNS, or Norton ConnectSafe for your ISP, then you can access any website that Comcast has blocked. Many ISPs in the United States don’t have enough server capacity to manage this. So if many people are using a DNS server like Google’s or OpenDNS then it could be causing issues with you being able to access the website that has been blocked.
What are popular DNS servers?
- Google Public DNS
- OpenDNS
- Norton ConnectSafe
The most popular domain name servers are Google’s public DNS, OpenDNS, and Norton Connectsafe. All of these services will bypass the blocks on websites with specific IP addresses blocked by Comcast. If used in conjunction with VPN technologies, your security is greatly enhanced.
What about VPNs?
Comcast is blocking VPNs, and it’s really frustrating. It’s not just Comcast that blocks VPNs – most ISPs do. The repeal of Net Neutrality means people are looking for ways to protect themselves online.NordVPN has been designed for people who want fast performance and security.
One of the key features of the NordVPN service is its double data encryption. This ensures your traffic stays secure over public WiFi networks, cellular networks, and intercepted cables. Another feature is bypassing censorship with obfuscated servers and P2P support.
NordVPN also offers various apps optimized for different devices, operating systems, and uses. There is an app that comes preinstalled on Chromebooks, meaning that you can simply use NordVPN by turning it on in your network settings.
Change some settings
If you still can’t connect your VPN and have a good one already, then there is no need to switch providers. There are some tricks that you can do to make your VPN work!
How to configure the NordVPN app for Xfinity connections: Download the latest version of NordVPN here. Open Settings (click on the hamburger icon in the upper left corner and then click settings).
In the settings menu, disable SmartPlay by clicking on it. You can also change the Stream mode to “Streaming”. If this does not work, you can also disable DPI protection. You might need to connect to different servers for compatibility.
You can try these options below.
- Change protocol
- Change VPN encryption
- Try switch servers
Some users have been having problems with Comcast routers blocking VPN. So, even though it is slower, If you want a secure way to talk with the router, you should use TCP as your protocol. You can set this in your router.
There are a few ways you can do this. You can change your VPN’s encryption protocol to OpenVPN or L2TP/IPsec, or you can change being a PPTP. That should be an easy task for you to do, as most VPNs offer a variety of different encryption protocols.
A VPN is when you pretend to be someone else. This can help them not get blocked. You might try another server or IP address.
Some servers need to register DNS or open ports, which can be easily done using the NordVPN app. In the settings, go to “DNS Settings” and enter one of these:
If you are still having trouble connecting after all that, try contacting NordVPN support for additional help.
Conclusion: Can you bypass Comcast Blocking VPNs?
People want to shield their internet activity from governments and ISPs, so they use VPNs. Recently Comcast has blocked some of these services for its customers, which exposes them to risks.
One service that people have used for a while is NordVPN, with obfuscated servers for extra security. Their apps also come with built-in adblocking features.
FAQ
Can Xfinity know if I’m using a VPN?
Your ISP modem may provide Xfinity (Comcast) with data containing your online activities. Choosing a VPN that bypasses throttling by your ISP is, therefore, crucial.
Which VPN works with Xfinity?
In addition to PIA or CyberGhost VPN from Kape Technologies, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN, several other options are compatible with Xfinity routers.
Does Comcast block VPN?
A few years ago, Comcast was notorious for such practices. Although there has been a recent change in their policy, you can now officially use VPNs with Comcast routers by enabling the Bridge mode in Xfinity’s settings.
How do I set up a VPN on my Xfinity router?
To set up a VPN on your Xfinity router, you can follow the instructions provided by your VPN provider or by enabling the Bridge mode in Xfinity’s settings.
Is it legal to use a VPN with Xfinity?
Yes, using a VPN with Xfinity is legal as long as it is not used for illegal activities.
How can I tell if my VPN is working with Xfinity?
You can check if your VPN is working by visiting a website that shows your IP address and verifying that it is different from your regular IP address.
How can I troubleshoot VPN connection issues on Xfinity?
To troubleshoot VPN connection issues on Xfinity, you can try restarting your router and VPN or disabling any firewalls that may be blocking the connection.
How can I improve my VPN speed on Xfinity?
To improve your VPN speed on Xfinity, you can try connecting to a server closer to your location or disabling any bandwidth-intensive activities while using the VPN.
