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Visitor

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6 Messages

Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 1:48 PM

Closed

Netflix error that I have a vpn so my favorite shows are gone

After a 3 hour Xfinity outage, suddenly Netflix shows I downloaded cannot be viewed and my favorite shows are gone when I try to search.  When I click help, Netflix says my vpn or blocker is stopping me from viewing the shows.  I do not have a vpn. 

Problem Solver

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1.5K Messages

2 years ago

Some anti-virus will do that with their net nanny.  It's actually a redirect through their network so they can spy on everything you do and sell information to 3rd parties.  Some call it "web shields". 

Another thing that can happen?  If they did work at your location, your external IP address may have changed.  When you get dumped into a new IP block, the geo-location data may be off.  It may think you are somewhere else.  You can check that with whatismyipaddress.com  See where they think you are.  They're probably using maxmind.  Xfinity doesn't control geo-locate data.

Visitor

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6 Messages

it’s not anti-virus software.  Netflix did suggest that my ip address may be the problem.  I checked my ip address at whatismyipaddress.com and I am exactly where I should be.   I can watch my shows on my phone if the wi-fi is turned off.  The minute I turn it on I get the vpn error.  Anyway, I am sure I am not the only one affected by this issue.  Let’s see if Xfinity fixes it if enough users complain.

Problem Solver

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1.5K Messages

2 years ago

I wouldn't wait for that, and Xfinity is going to tell you it's a Netflix problem. 

You shouldn't be seeing a Netflix proxy warning at all if you aren't using a VPN or getting redirected by a proxy.  Looking at it, Netflix recommends using fast.com for a connection test and location info  https://help.netflix.com/en/node/114701/ .  Perhaps that site is using the same geo-locate they are.  If that looks good then try contacting Netflix directly here:  https://help.netflix.com/en/contactus  

Chat.  Phone.  They are pretty good about it, as are most paid streaming services.  They may have a munged database problem themselves.

Visitor

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6 Messages

i have already chatted with Netflix twice.  They are the ones who suggested I contact Xfinity.  I already verified my location using fast.com.  Believe me, I am not holding my breath waiting for Xfinity to do anything.  I already chatted with them as well, and got exactly nowhere. I am going to take a break from being a ping-pong ball…thanks for the advice btw.

Problem Solver

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1.5K Messages

2 years ago

I understand not wanting to be a ping pong ball.  This one doesn't sit right with me, is it still a problem?  Netflix AI/Algorithm said there's a problem.  Is there?  Meh.  Maybe/Maybe not.  Ran across something else on another forum.  Might be nothing.  When you see something odd, it can be the first indication of another unrelated issue.

Just for sanity, check Netflix and see what you've got for "Manage Access and Devices":  https://help.netflix.com/en/node/129831  Why?  Possible hijacked account and streaming from another location.  Recognize everything in there??  They've cracked down on that as of late.  Accessing your account from another location may have locked your location. 

Another sanity check?  Log into webmail from the front door at Xfinity.com (always use the front door, not a bookmark).  From webmail, click the gear icon on the top right to get into "email settings".  On the left side frame that shows up, make sure there aren't any stray accounts are listed in the "auto forwarding and auto replay" section(s).  Something like a yopmail.com account or other account that DOES NOT belong to you.  If there is, delete it, then immediately change your password and unlink any other account with Xfinity.  Especially banking.  Create a drop gmail/protonmail (whatever) account for password recovery, and then change those passwords for other sites again using the recovery email address you just created.  There was, and possibly still is a 2-factor bypass with an open web filer going on.

Visitor

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6 Messages

Hi,

I checked everything you suggested and nothing is amiss.  Thanks anyway.

Visitor

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6 Messages

Guess what, my shows suddenly reappeared!  Miracles do happen.  Anyway, thanks again for all your suggestions.

Visitor

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6 Messages

Also, I ran fast.com, clicked “show more info” and discovered that the servers had changed from Chicago to California.  I remember seeing that the location was the US so what was the big deal?  Now it shows my city.  So Xfinity had screwed up and then quietly fixed it.

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