Why does 91Èȱ¬ iPlayer think I'm outside the UK?

The guidance on this page is for users within the UK. If you are outside the UK, have a look here:ÌýCan I use 91Èȱ¬ iPlayer when I'm outside of the UK?

Programmes cannot be streamed outside the UK, even on holiday. This is because of rights agreements.Ìý

What if I amÌýin the UK?

Every device connected to the internet has a unique address, called an IP address. If iPlayer does not recognise your IP address as registered within the UK, you will be presented with an error message.Ìý

Image of the error message shown on iPlayer when a user is detected as being outside of the UK

There are several reasons why 91Èȱ¬ iPlayer thinks you're outside the UK. These are listed below, alongside some guidance on what you can do about it.ÌýWe also have a helpful video that explains what you can do:

Ìý

  • Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or proxy? Try disabling it.

    You cannot play a programme if we detect you might be using a VPN or proxy. This is because we will not be confident of your location. To play the programme please disable the VPN or proxy. If using a browser, refresh the page. If using the app, go back and select the programme again. The programme should now play.

    Having the problem on a work, university, hospital or business network? The company or organisation might route data outside of the UK or could be using a proxy service. Check with theÌýIT team to confirm.
    Ìý
  • Maybe your IP addressÌýisn't registered in the UK

    If your ISP (internet service provider) has supplied you with a recently created or newly sourced IP address, it may be that it hasn't been registered correctly. Or sometimes it may just take a few weeks for the various databases across the internet and our own database to be updated to recognise the IP address as being located within the UK.

    You should check with your ISP whether this could be the case before deciding to contact 91Èȱ¬ iPlayer Support.Ìý
    Ìý
  • Check your IP address yourself

    There are various IP checking websites that you can use to check. For example, www.whatismyip.com or whatismyipaddress.com. They will display your IP address, where it believes the IP address is located, what ISP the address is registered with and whether a 'network sharing device' (VPN) or service is being used.

    If those details are different to what you believe are correct, contact your ISP. It's possible the IP address you have been assigned has only recently been obtained by your ISP, or it may not be registered correctly. Sometimes it can be due to certain databases (that we use to check a user location) awaiting an update from an ISP, which could take a few weeks.


If you are going to contact 91Èȱ¬ iPlayer Support, please include your ISP details.Ìý

  • Using a mobile device?

    If using the browser version or iPlayer, try the app version.

    If you want to use the browser version, in addition to the above guidance, check whether any data reduction features are set in your browser settings as some mobile browsers route data outside the UK when data reduction features are used.

    Also, remember to check your browser is up to date.ÌýYou can also try a using different browser.Ìý

    Finally, data compression apps may route data outside the UK, so try disabling them.

  • Web accelerator

    A web accelerator is a . If you have one enabled, try disabling it to see if that helps.If you're using a , try disabling it to see if that helps.Ìý

  • Tor Network

    If you are using or participating in the Tor network, be aware that only Tor relay nodes can play programmes on 91Èȱ¬ iPlayer.

If you've checked all the above and still find that you're unable to watch, you can contact 91Èȱ¬ iPlayer Support via our web form. Please include the name of your internet service provider and supply details on what steps you've tried to resolve the issue.
Ìý