How to Bypass Netflix Household Device Error with a VPN

In recent years Netflix has become more restrictive about how and where you can use your account and who it can be shared with. Accounts subject to Netflix Household rules are limited to devices that are connected to the same home network.

However, what happens if you are traveling for an extended period or a family member at college forgets to sign in at home within the 30-day window?

Today we explore how you can bypass errors like: “Your device isn’t part of the Netflix Household for this account,” by using a residential VPN.

What is a Netflix Household?

Netflix accounts on certain tiers are restricted from sharing the service with users outside of their household. This means anyone using a device that does not connect using the same home WiFi the account was set up on. 

In most cases, Netflix allows 30 days access via devices on other networks. The catch is that these devices must have originally signed in from within the household. This way, users on vacation or, for example, away at college, can still share the account. To maintain access, each device must sign in at home at least once every 30 days. 

This can cause headaches if you simply forget to do so or your trip has been unexpectedly extended beyond 30 days. Fortunately, there is a way to prevent these restrictions entirely, while also giving extra internet security. 

How to Share a Residential VPN for Netflix

You may already be familiar with VPNs, which encrypt your internet connection and hide your real IP address. Most consumer VPN providers offer the ability to choose the region to connect through, bringing the added benefit of bypassing geo-restrictions and unblocking overseas content.

For a long time, this allowed users to unblock different versions of Netflix. While this is still possible with a few extra steps, Netflix has become much stricter about banning VPN usage. This is why we now recommend Residential VPNs from providers like CometVPN.

What is a Residential VPN?

In short, a residential VPN uses IP addresses associated with consumer internet providers and home users. To anyone tracking or restricting your internet activity, it appears like you are a regular user browsing from home. 

Sites like Netflix often block users that connect via common VPN servers and IP addresses, but they have a much harder time identifying a residential IP address as anything other than a normal user.

We rate CometVPN highly because it employs all sorts of extra technology, like obfuscation, to make it almost impossible to detect VPN usage.

Get a Dedicated Residential IP Address

So how does all this relate to Netflix account sharing? Providers like CometVPN don’t just offer residential IPs, they also offer dedicated residential IPs. This is an IP address that remains fixed, much like your real IP address assigned by your internet provider.

To the outside world, having a static IP that never changes looks about as normal as it can get.

Share Your VPN Account

Is the puzzle starting to come together?

If you use a residential VPN with a dedicated IP address, you can set up Netflix with this IP as your Household location. Download the VPN app on your Mac and other devices or instruct your family members to do so, and connect using the same dedicated IP.

Note: CometVPN supports macOS and iOS, as well as Windows, Android, and Smart TVs.

Now, even if any user on the Netflix account misses the 30-day window, it doesn’t matter. The connection still appears to be from within the same household. 

As long as you use the same VPN and IP address, you could be anywhere in the world and still be part of the same household.

Now you get all the security of an encrypted internet connection and never have to remember to check in at home on Netflix.

Does this Unblock Overseas Netflix Libraries?

Netflix no longer permits accessing Netflix libraries outside your home region, although CometVPN does advertise this ability.

However, if you reside in the United States, you can use a USA VPN and access the US library while traveling abroad. The residential aspect will ensure you don’t experience any errors with the Household restrictions. 

Conclusion

Whether Netflix isn’t playing well with your ISP, you’re traveling and don’t want to think about it, or family members are not always home, Netflix Household errors do not have to end the fun. By using a residential VPN with a dedicated IP address, you can ensure all your and your family’s devices always remain within the “household”.