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[Solved] Why can't I watch HBO GO in the UK with any VPN?

tomkluz 8178 12
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  • #1 19436760
    tomkluz
    Level 10  
    Posts: 26
    Rate: 7
    Hello all.
    I open a new topic because I have not found a specific solution.
    As in the subject, HBO GO does not work in the UK. I came back to England after 5 months in Poland and I wanted to watch my favorite series and I was surprised. Last year I watched HBO GO without any problems, and now I suspect Brexit has done its job.
    I have already checked all major VPN providers and they all work with player, ipla, TVP vod or even Netflix with Polish content. Unfortunately not HBO GO.
    Anyone have any idea how to bite it?
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  • #2 19437457
    Polon_us
    Level 42  
    Posts: 6933
    Help: 1184
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    What message appears when a colleague tries to log in to HBO GO?
    tomkluz wrote:
    I've already checked all the major VPN providers and

    How did a colleague switch to a VPN?
    Through browser configuration? Can a colleague describe it in a few words?
  • #3 19437622
    tomkluz
    Level 10  
    Posts: 26
    Rate: 7
    I read your previous post on HBO GO but I couldn't find a specific answer so I started searching and trying different VPN providers on my own.
    ExpressVPN and CyberGhost 8, on both I found that it should work, but after buying the access to install the app on the laptop, the player, Netflix, works best ... (as I described in the first post). Unfortunately, HBO GO Why can't I watch HBO GO in the UK with any VPN?
    I suspect that because CyberGhost is not on the list of the Polish server for streaming and in ExpressVPN the Polish server has disappeared today.
    I am just testing HideIPVPN and everything worked yesterday and today even the player or Netflix recognized that I am abroad.

    I connect to the VPN through the providers' dedicated application on the laptop.

    Interesting thing, I turned on a VPN on my iPhone with HideIPVPN and all the applications work as if I were in Poland including HBO GO.

    I rarely watch anything on my laptop so I can get over it. I care more about the TV. I have a Samsung with smart TV, but there is no VPN in the apps. So I bought Xiaomi
    Why can't I watch HBO GO in the UK with any VPN?
    I did not notice it before and it turned out to be on Android TV. When I enter Google Play, the HideIPVPN application is not there, but there are many others such as CyberGhost, NordVPN, ExpressVPN ...
    I installed the OpenVPN for Android apke but it doesn't accept the configuration files from HideIPVPN.

    Help !!! ?

    Added after 53 [minutes]:

    I have just installed the CyberGhost application on my Android TV smart box. I logged in and turned on the Polish server, unfortunately nothing has changed. He sees me as if I am in England as if the program does not change my IP. I also checked on ExpressVPN. Unfortunately, there is no Polish server here, so I chose German. Germany is in the European Union, so I should at least have Netflix, which I bought in Poland. Unfortunately, the story is the same as with CyberGhost.

    Maybe if I changed some settings in the router, then it would change my location to Poland on all devices at home?
  • #4 19437943
    Polon_us
    Level 42  
    Posts: 6933
    Help: 1184
    Rate: 1277
    First of all, please declare what your colleague wants to achieve.
    I know access to Polish HBO GO, but which way?

    For my part, I can only suggest something, if we are talking about accessing this website from a computer.
    From the laptop I can easily go to the HBO GO website - proxy connection, but I do not have an account on it. For testing purposes, I wanted to set up an account there, everything was going smoothly, but I lost my money. The system stated that the payment was not from Poland and therefore rejected me. Unfortunately, I don't have any account in Poland.

    HBO GO on my laptop:

    Why can't I watch HBO GO in the UK with any VPN?
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  • #5 19438201
    tomkluz
    Level 10  
    Posts: 26
    Rate: 7
    What he wants to achieve is the ability to watch HBO GO on the big screen.

    I know that there are many fields of resources to achieve this, such as connecting a laptop to a TV or sharing a screen with a smartphone. The latter option seems to me the most sensible so far, because the smart box I bought has a Chromecast function. HBO works great with him. It does not cut the picture quality as is the case with Apple TV.
    But not all apps have the screen sharing option. In the case of Netflix, it does not send directly what is on the smartphone, but sends it to the application on the device, which automatically recognizes that I am in England and the end of watching.

    Now, being in Poland, I signed a contract with Digit with the HBO GO package and transferred Netflix to them. From the beginning I had English for Netflix, but as it turned out, the price in Poland is almost half the price.
    Of course, I got a new 4K set-top box with VOD, access to Netflix and, among other things, HBO GO. Of course, the Netflix decoder is from the UK and HBO does not allow me to play the content, although I can browse it.
    Certainly, as in England and in the United States, you will find people who sell canal. I do not know how it works, but in my shop, the Pole sells legally with the signing of the contract and all original equipment, so this is how a colleague can handle it.
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  • #6 19438208
    Polon_us
    Level 42  
    Posts: 6933
    Help: 1184
    Rate: 1277
    So good luck to you.
    tomkluz wrote:
    and all original equipment, so this is how a colleague can handle it.

    Thank you for the advice, but I don't need to use HBO or Netflix in the Polish version. I watch movies in the original.
    I only wanted to register for the Polish HBO for testing purposes.
  • #7 19588495
    MarekMarkiewicz
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    Rate: 1
    will anyone get it?
  • #8 19588533
    tomkluz
    Level 10  
    Posts: 26
    Rate: 7
    MarekMarkiewicz wrote:

    Unfortunately no, it worked fine on HideIPVPN but it crashed and doesn't work anymore and last week I was still watching HBO GO.
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  • #9 19588550
    tomkluz
    Level 10  
    Posts: 26
    Rate: 7
    I described the problem to them and they wrote back to me that I had to use the Gdansk-Long Line server and everything started working. Also a TVN player. Summing up, HideIPVPN is dealing with the theme on the iPhone. I will test it on Mac and Windows and if I have time, I will use smart DNS on the router.
    Why can't I watch HBO GO in the UK with any VPN? Why can't I watch HBO GO in the UK with any VPN? Why can't I watch HBO GO in the UK with any VPN? Why can't I watch HBO GO in the UK with any VPN?

    Added after 7 [minutes]:

    And one more thing that I am very happy about. Netflix is Polish ??? [img-0]

    Added after 11 [minutes]:

    Why can't I watch HBO GO in the UK with any VPN?
  • #10 19589255
    Polon_us
    Level 42  
    Posts: 6933
    Help: 1184
    Rate: 1277
    So a bit off topic ...

    Wouldn't it be better to spend some time learning English and watching these programs in the original?
    If you live in England, good knowledge of English would be very advisable.
  • #11 19589403
    tomkluz
    Level 10  
    Posts: 26
    Rate: 7
    Polon_us wrote:
    So a bit off topic ...

    Wouldn't it be better to spend some time learning English and watching these programs in the original?
    If you live in England, good knowledge of English would be very advisable.


    Not to the point, indeed.
    I live in England for 16 years and I have no problem with the English language.
    I can't imagine watching a Polish movie in English because that's why I have Polish HBO TV or even Netflix whose repertoire for Poland is much larger than for England. HBO productions are not on Netflix such as, for example, Game of Thrones or Westworld ...

    I hope my friend understood that it is not about language. If a friend has psychological impulses, I recommend other threads where he could develop by telling people what to do in life and what will be best for them.
  • #12 19589493
    Polon_us
    Level 42  
    Posts: 6933
    Help: 1184
    Rate: 1277
    No offense, please. I had no intention of offending my friend. Mea culpa.

    The description of the problem did not indicate exactly why my friend wanted to use Polish Netflix or HBO.
    Whether language issues or the offer of a given website.
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  • #13 20217926
    tomkluz
    Level 10  
    Posts: 26
    Rate: 7
    HideIPVPN works great and solves the problem. However, you have to remember to connect via the Gdansk server. I consider the topic closed.

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the inability to access HBO GO in the UK using various VPN services. The original poster, who previously accessed HBO GO without issues while in Poland, suspects that changes due to Brexit may have affected access. Despite testing multiple VPN providers like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost, they found that HBO GO remains inaccessible, while other services like Netflix and local Polish streaming platforms work fine. Some users suggest using specific VPN servers, such as the Gdansk-Long Line server with HideIPVPN, which reportedly restored access to HBO GO. The conversation also touches on alternative methods for viewing content, such as screen sharing and using smart devices, while emphasizing the importance of having a Polish account for successful streaming.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 1 specific server solved it: "HideIPVPN works great… connect via the Gdańsk server." If HBO GO won’t play in the UK, choose HideIPVPN’s PL Gdańsk node and try casting or native apps. This FAQ guides UK users who want Polish HBO GO working. [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #20217926]

Why it matters: It saves Polish subscribers in the UK time and money by showing a proven, device‑specific setup that actually plays content.

Quick Facts

Why doesn’t HBO GO work in the UK even with a VPN?

Apps like HBO GO block many VPN IP ranges and read device context. In tests, CyberGhost’s Polish server didn’t change the box’s public IP. ExpressVPN had no Polish node then, so a German node failed. Netflix still recognized the UK location on that setup. Server choice and app behavior, not just “VPN on,” determine access. [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #19437622]

Which VPN and server actually worked for Polish HBO GO from the UK?

HideIPVPN with the Polish Gdańsk server solved playback. The OP concluded: “HideIPVPN works great… connect via the Gdańsk server.” Select that location in the app before launching HBO GO. This combination restored service reliably for them. [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #20217926]

How do I set it up? (3‑step quick fix)

  1. Install and sign in to HideIPVPN on your device.
  2. Select the Polish “Gdańsk – Long Line” server and connect.
  3. Open HBO GO (or Player/Netflix) and test playback. The OP reported immediate success after switching to this node. [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #19588550]

Why does Netflix still show the UK catalog when I cast?

When you tap Cast, Netflix hands off streaming to the device’s app. The app checks the device’s network region, not your phone’s screen. The OP saw the box recognized the UK and blocked Polish content. HBO GO screen‑sharing behaved better for them. “Chromecast worked great with HBO.” [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #19438201]

My Android TV shows a Polish VPN, but sites still see me in the UK—why?

Because the VPN tunnel didn’t change the device’s exit IP. The OP connected CyberGhost’s Polish server on Android TV, but sites still saw the UK. ExpressVPN lacked a Polish server then. A German server didn’t help Netflix either. The app connection didn’t present a Polish-origin IP. [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #19437622]

OpenVPN for Android won’t import my provider’s config—what should I do?

Switch to the provider’s official app on that device. The OP noted OpenVPN for Android wouldn’t accept HideIPVPN config files. They used providers’ dedicated apps elsewhere with better results. If the app isn’t in Play Store on the box, use a supported brand there. [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #19437622]

Will putting VPN or Smart DNS on my router fix all devices?

Router‑level setup can cover every device behind it. The OP planned to try Smart DNS on the router to unify location at home. That centralizes control and avoids per‑device installs. Test carefully with streaming apps after enabling it. [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #19588550]

Why did Polish HBO reject my payment during sign‑up?

The platform checked payment origin and refused a non‑Polish payment method. During a test registration, the system rejected the transaction for not being from Poland. You need a payment source that matches the service’s regional requirements. [Elektroda, Polon_us, post #19437943]

Is Brexit the reason Polish HBO GO stopped working in the UK?

The OP suspected Brexit after returning in 2021. The thread’s practical outcome focused on selecting a specific Polish VPN server to restore access. Use the working setup reported, rather than debating policy here. [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #19436760]

Can I watch on a big screen without installing a VPN on the TV?

Yes. Cast from a phone where the VPN works. The OP’s Android TV box with Chromecast played HBO GO smoothly from a phone. They noted Apple TV reduced quality for them. Not all apps mirror; Netflix used the device app and detected the UK. [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #19437622]

What if my VPN worked last week and now fails?

Ask support for an alternate Polish node and retry. The OP lost HBO GO on HideIPVPN, then support advised, “use the Gdańsk – Long Line server.” After switching, HBO GO and Player worked again. Server selection changes over time as platforms react. [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #19588550]

How many VPNs did the OP try, and what actually worked?

They tried at least three brands: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and HideIPVPN. On Android TV, CyberGhost didn’t change the public IP. ExpressVPN lacked a Polish server then, and a German node didn’t help Netflix. HideIPVPN worked on the iPhone, including HBO GO. [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #19437622]

How do I confirm Netflix switched to Poland after the fix?

Check the app’s UI language and the available catalog. The OP saw the Polish interface after switching to HideIPVPN’s “Gdańsk – Long Line” server. Browse for local titles to confirm the region. If it reverts, reconnect to the same server. [Elektroda, tomkluz, post #19588550]
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