Roku devices are popular streaming media players that allow you to access various streaming services and content on your TV. With a Roku device, you can stream movies, TV shows, music, and more from apps like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and thousands of other channels.
While Roku offers a lot of great streaming content, some of it may be geo-restricted or censored depending on your location. This is where a VPN like NordVPN comes in handy. NordVPN allows you to change your virtual location and access geo-restricted content on your Roku device.
However, Roku does not natively support VPN connections. So how can you use NordVPN on your Roku streaming device? In this guide, I‘ll explain three different methods to use NordVPN on Roku:
- Using NordVPN SmartDNS
- Configuring NordVPN on your router
- Connecting Roku to a VPN on your computer
Contents
What is Roku?
Before we get into the how-to, let‘s first briefly go over what exactly Roku is for those who may be unfamiliar.
Roku is a lineup of digital media players developed by Roku, Inc. Roku devices allow you to stream content from various online streaming services and apps directly to your TV. Some of the most popular Roku channels include:
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Amazon Prime Video
- HBO Max
- Disney+
- YouTube
- Spotify
- Pandora
- Crackle
- PBS
- The Roku Channel
And thousands more!
Roku streaming players plug directly into your TV‘s HDMI port and connect to the internet via WiFi or ethernet. All you need to do is create a Roku account, connect your Roku device to your TV and internet, and you can start streaming a massive library of movies, shows, music, and more in up to 4K HDR picture quality.
Roku also offers its operating system software to smart TV makers. So many smart TVs come with Roku‘s software built-in, allowing you to access the Roku Channel Store and streaming capabilities without needing the external streaming player.
Overall, Roku devices offer an easy and inexpensive way to get access to a world of streaming entertainment directly on your TV. Their popularity and vast library of content make them a top option for cord-cutters looking to ditch traditional cable.
Can You Use NordVPN on Roku?
Now that you understand what Roku is, you may be wondering if you can use NordVPN on Roku devices.
The short answer is yes, you can use NordVPN on Roku – but there is no official NordVPN app available in the Roku Channel Store.
Roku OS does not natively support VPN connections. So to use NordVPN on Roku, you‘ll need to take some additional steps to route your Roku traffic through the VPN.
Below I‘ll outline the three main methods to get NordVPN working on your Roku:
- NordVPN SmartDNS
- Configure NordVPN on your router
- Connect Roku to NordVPN on your computer
Each method has its own pros and cons which I‘ll explain in more detail in the following sections.
How to Use NordVPN on Roku
Method 1: NordVPN SmartDNS
The easiest way to use NordVPN on your Roku is to use NordVPN‘s SmartDNS service.
Here‘s an overview of how to set up NordVPN SmartDNS on your Roku device:
- Disable any VPN or proxy connections on your Roku.
- Sign into your NordAccount dashboard and enable SmartDNS. Follow the activation instructions.
- Check your email for a verification message from SmartDNS and verify your email address.
- Change your router‘s DNS settings to use the NordVPN DNS servers provided.
- Disable Google DNS on your router if needed. Roku devices come preconfigured with Google DNS by default.
That‘s the basic process. Let‘s break it down step-by-step:
1. Turn Off Connections
If you have another VPN or proxy enabled on your Roku device, you‘ll want to turn those connections off first before setting up SmartDNS.
2. Activate SmartDNS
Log into your NordAccount dashboard at nordaccount.com. Under VPN Services, click on SmartDNS. Toggle SmartDNS to "On" and click Activate.
Follow the activation instructions shown on the next page. Make note of the DNS addresses provided as you‘ll need them soon.
3. Verify Your Email
Check your email inbox for a verification message from [email protected] and verify your email address to complete the activation.
4. Adjust Router‘s DNS
On your router‘s admin interface, change the DNS server settings to use the NordVPN DNS addresses you were given. Refer to your router‘s instruction manual for how to change the DNS settings.
For example, if NordVPN gave you the DNS addresses 103.86.96.100 and 103.86.99.100, you would enter those addresses under the DNS server or IPv4 DNS fields in your router‘s settings.
5. Disable Google DNS
Many Roku devices come preconfigured with Google‘s public DNS servers – 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. For SmartDNS to work properly, you‘ll need to disable Google DNS on your router.
You can do this by creating firewall or access control rules in your router settings to block traffic to Google‘s DNS servers. Again, check your router‘s admin interface for specifics on adding firewall rules.
Once you‘ve disabled Google DNS and configured your router to use NordVPN‘s DNS, SmartDNS will work on your Roku device. You can now enjoy NordVPN‘s DNS-level protection when streaming on Roku.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Works on most routers
- No impact on internet speeds
Cons
- Only changes DNS, not full VPN protection
- Some apps may not work properly
- Roku channel store may show incorrect region
Method 2: Configure NordVPN on Your Router
The second method is to install and configure the NordVPN app directly onto your router.
When NordVPN is running on the router, all traffic from connected devices like your Roku will be routed through the VPN tunnel automatically.
Here‘s an overview:
- Log into your router‘s admin interface.
- Check if your router model is supported by NordVPN.
- Download and install the NordVPN router app.
- Sign in and configure NordVPN on your router.
- Connect your Roku to the VPN-protected WiFi.
1. Log Into Your Router
First, access your router‘s admin interface by entering its IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) in your browser. Enter your admin username and password when prompted.
2. Check Router Compatibility
NordVPN provides apps for installing on compatible router models. Check the list of supported routers to see if your router model is supported. If not, you‘ll need to use a different setup method.
3. Download and Install
If your router is supported, download the NordVPN router app from the downloads page. Follow installation instructions to install NordVPN on your router.
4. Sign In and Configure
Once installed, launch the NordVPN app on your router and sign in with your NordVPN credentials. Choose a server location and connect.
Enable "VPN kill switch" and "DNS leak protection" in the settings for optimal security.
5. Connect Roku
Finally, connect your Roku to your router via WiFi or ethernet. The Roku should now have all its traffic routed through the VPN tunnel automatically.
Pros
- Roku automatically connected through VPN
- Full VPN protection and encryption
- Consistent connection on all devices
Cons
- Not all routers are compatible
- More complex setup
- Potential minor impact on internet speeds
Method 3: Connect Roku to NordVPN on Your Computer
The third method is connecting your Roku to a NordVPN connection shared from a PC or Mac.
Here is an overview:
- Install and sign into NordVPN on your computer.
- Connect to a VPN server location.
- Share your VPN connection over hotspot or ethernet.
- Connect Roku to shared VPN hotspot or ethernet.
1. Install and Sign In on Computer
First, download and install the NordVPN app on a Windows PC, Mac, or other computer. Sign into NordVPN using your Nord account credentials.
2. Connect to VPN Server
Launch NordVPN and connect to a VPN server location of your choosing. Make sure the connection is successfully established before moving on.
3. Share VPN Connection
Windows – Use the "Network and Sharing Center" to enable network discovery and turn your WiFi or ethernet connection into a hotspot to share your VPN connection.
Mac – Click the "Network Preferences" icon in your menu bar and enable connection sharing from your VPN interface to your WiFi or ethernet interface.
4. Connect Roku to Shared VPN
Finally, connect your Roku to the shared VPN hotspot or ethernet connection from your computer. Your Roku should now have its traffic routed through your computer‘s active VPN tunnel.
Pros
- Works on any computer running NordVPN
- Full VPN protection and encryption
- No router configuration needed
Cons
- Computer must stay on to share VPN
- Not all devices can share VPN connection
- Potential impact on internet speeds
Conclusion
While Roku doesn‘t natively work with VPNs, there are a few good methods to get NordVPN up and running on your Roku streaming device. The easiest method for most will be using NordVPN‘s SmartDNS service. Configuring NordVPN directly on your router or sharing your computer‘s VPN connection to Roku can also work well.
Setting up NordVPN allows you to unlock geo-restricted content, browse anonymously, and enhance your privacy when streaming on Roku.
Whichever method you choose, be sure to follow the steps carefully to get NordVPN working properly on your Roku. Then you can enjoy secure and limitless streaming through your favorite Roku apps and channels.
