Why do we need to set up a VPN on Amazon Fire TV Stick?
We have to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to bypass the geo-block and get access to all the streaming. VPNs mask your IP address with an IP address from the US. They also effectively encrypt your traffic. So, it adds a layer of privacy to your streaming or browsing habits which protect from the government bodies or cyber authorities.
How to Install VPN on Amazon Fire TV or TV Stick?
Firstly, you can download the VPN for firestick in two ways. You can get the VPN app from App store or you can download the APK from third party sources. It depends on the VPN you want to install on Amazon Fire TV. For instance, IPVanish, ExpressVPN are the VPN apps which are available on mainstream App stores. But if the VPNs are not available on the App stores in your country, then you can go for an APK download.
Solution 1: Install VPN directly from Fire TV’s App Store.
This solution works only when VPN app is available on the App Store of Amazon Fire TV or TV Stick.
Step 1: Enter the name of VPN in the search bar on Fire TV Stick.
Step 2: Click on the VPN app which you want to install and hit the Download button.
Step 3: Wait until the download is finished. Launch the VPN app.
Step 4: Log in to your VPN application.
Step 5: Select the location “US” and click on the Connect button. If you see a VPN request, Click on OK.
Solution 2: Install VPN app on Fire Stick from APKs
When you do not see a VPN app on your Fire TV’s App Store, then you have to download the APK files from the website of VPN or third party sources to install VPN on your Amazon Fire Stick. It is always recommended to download the APKs from the official websites rather than some unknown sources.
Step 1: Find the Downloader app on your Fire TV Stick or Fire TV.
Step 2: Open the Downloader app and click on the Download button.
Step 3: Once the downloading is done, launch the Downloader app.
Step 4: You can get the URL of VPN’s APK file from the Android app page of the VPN app. Copy the URL and open the Downloader app. Paste the URL in downloader app.
Step 5: Install the app after downloading the APK. You can find it in the downloads section.
Step 6: As we have downloaded the VPN app from the Downloader, it will not show up in the home screen Apps menu. You can find the VPN app in Settings.
Step 7: Navigate to Settings and Applications.
Step 8: You can find the VPN app under Manage Installed Applications.
Step 9: Login to the VPN app. Select the US as the location. Click Connect.
How to Test VPN app on Amazon Fire TV Stick?
Now, that you have installed VPN app on your Fire TV, you need to make sure that it is working appropriately. Here are the instructions to check the VPN App.
Step 1: Download Firefox browser or Silk from Amazon App Store and install it.
Step 2: Activate the secure connection by clicking on the Connect button in IPVanish Firestick/Fire TV VPN.
Step 3: Open the browser which you have just installed.
Step 4: Type https://dnsleaktest.com in the address bar.
Step 5: When it loads up, you’see the location and the current IP address. See if they are both different than yours.
Step 6: Check with both Standard test and Extended test to make sure that your VPN is working and on.
Troubleshooting Tips
Sometimes, your VPN app may stop working! These troubleshooting tips may help you to fix the problem.
- Navigate to Settings -> Application -> Manage Applications. Uninstall the VPN app and reinstall it.
- Unplug your Fire TV Stick and leave it for few minutes. Plug it back into the power cord and restart it.
- Try changing the location within the US if you get any lags during the stream.
- VPN apps like ExpressVPN offer 24/7 customer support. Contact them and they’ll respond you promptly.
