I stopped using Netflix awhile back since the US version stopped working with my DNS Proxy provider and the Kuwait version lacked all the real estate reality shows I enjoy watching (like Beachfront Bargain Hunt). But recently, my DNS provider Smart DNS Proxy fixed the issue and Netflix US has started working again in Kuwait. According to their support page dating September 30th:
We have restored Netflix for many of our users and are working on getting everyone back ASAP. If you see a “United States 01-10” region here, give it a try! Browsers should work without any other changes, devices may need static routes setup.
So there you have it, if you want to use the US version of Netflix in Kuwait you can now do so again. It’s $4.99 a month for the proxy account and you can get it [Link]
Update: There seems to be a bit of confusion regarding Netflix US vs Netflix Kuwait. If you aren’t using a proxy, then you’re accessing Netflix Kuwait. It doesn’t matter if you have a Netflix US account with a US credit card, if you’re in Kuwait you’ll automatically access Netflix Kuwait. Netflix Kuwait and Netflix US look exactly the same, but the Netflix Kuwait library is a lot smaller. Here is a simple test to tell which Netflix you have. Search for the show “Lakefront Bargain Hunt”. If you have Netflix US it will show up, if you have Netflix Kuwait it will tell you not found.
53 replies on “Netflix US Working Again in Kuwait”
So Mark, is it working with your AppleTV or similar product or just through the browser?
US netflix has been working on Safari for me for a while (3 months at least) but its not really practical.
I have it setup on my router so works with my Apple TV, iPhone app and browser
How can you set it up on your router!? đŸ¤”
I have the apple one and use the TunnelBear proxy.
Would appreciate the help.
depends on your router, Smart DNS Proxy have a how to page for various routers.
Any idea how to get Spotify working in Kuwait whether at home or outside?
Spotify works without a vpn, proxy or anything. I’ve been using it daily since 2011. All you need to do is use a VPN the very FIRST time to sign up and create an account. After that you can use Spotify anywhere in the world.
Note: This is based on the paid version of Spotify since thats what I’ve been using since the start, no idea how the free version works or if the free version even works in Kuwait.
Mark, do you use a credit card to pay for Spotify or gift cards? I’m trying to figure out the best way to pay since it doesn’t accept my Kuwaiti based credit card or Paypal account.
I use my US credit card but you can get gift certificates from eBay
Free version works in Kuwait. You’ll need a VPN to sign in the first time, then you can use it for 14 days before they tell you that your country isn’t supported. At that point, just sign in again with your VPN on and you’ll have another 14 days.
A neat fix I found a year ago.
1)Download tunnelbear,
2)Log into tunnelbear, set your desired country (U.K, U.S)
3)Log into Spotify, It should be working.
Note: This gives you a good 2-3 months of usage without the error showing up, once it does just rinse repeat đŸ™‚
I don’t use tunnelbear or anything of the sort and it works
Spotify does not need a VPN to work in Kuwait (premium version). Best way to get it is to buy yourself a gift card either from Spotify directly (I think you DO need to have a vpn to access their site, but that’s the only time you need it), or from another website that accepts your credit card.
You won’t find the app in the store if you have your region set as Kuwait. For Android, you can just google the .apk file and download it, not sure about iphone.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll be free to listen to it anywhere without VPN!
For non browser devices (Apple TV, Smart TV, Fire TV, etc..) you still need to add static routes on the router. Otherwise it will still be a hit and miss (overwhelmingly miss). These static routes prevent Netflix from checking Google’s geo location service.
more here:
https://support.smartdnsproxy.com/customer/en/portal/articles/1528973-static-ip-routing-for-router-modem
I did static routing when the issue first popped up, worked for a while but then netflix completely blocked even that. I’m using StrongDns and after contacting support and waiting a few weeks they found a fix but only on the browser.
After waiting a month for them to fix it without success, i simply canceled my netflix subscription. I keep checking every few weeks to see if StrongDns have fixed the issue but it seems they haven’t yet and honestly their tech support was crap so im not anticipating a fix anytime soon. Hope i’m wrong.
Cancel strongdns, not netflix. They are pure garbage. smartdnsproxy.com is far better.
Anyone has a solution for Hulu? They no longer accepting my Kuwait credit card.
Easy, paying using US iTunes
Mark have you tried playstation vue on fire tv? Seems really cool, and might actually be better than Hulu because it will have CBS and other channels not on Hulu. Do you know anyone using it in Kuwait?
Buy a gift card online.
I just set up the service and netflix is still detecting proxy…did you try it out ??
Of course I tried it out. You probably haven’t set it right. Read the support docs.
It is not working anymore.
“We have encountered an issue with Netflix today . Our Network team is already aware of this issue and now actively working. We don’t have specific time frame for the fix but our Network Engineers are now engaged on resolving this issue.
Thank you for your understanding”
Thanks for the info
It is fucking working. Why did you stop reading there? Keep reading past the first sentence they go on and post an update stating:
30th September
We have restored Netflix for many of our users and are working on getting everyone back ASAP. If you see a “United States 01-10” region here, give it a try! Browsers should work without any other changes, devices may need static routes setup (see below).
Calm down man
This is the message they texted me when I contacted them to tell them that I was not able to access Netflix US.
Unfortunately, doesn’t work if you have to connect through mobile networks (3G,4G etc). They do state this in the set up instructions but I thought I’d try anyway but no dice. This is a shame as I’ve moved to an area with no landlines and mobile connections only. Bummer. Back to Kuwait Netflix, which BTW is getting better. Luke Cage is great!!
It should, my brother connects using I think Zain 4G and it works with him. I think what you’re referring to is the fact you can’t use DNS Proxy on the phone. But if you have a 4G router you can setup smart dns on your computer or apple tv and it works that way.
I tried this and it works with the PC but definitely not with a tablet or phone.
Shame as I love watching Netflix in the bath. Netflix and broil.
it does work on tablets and phones as long as you’re on wifi, here is proof:
https://248am.com//images/2016/10/lakefront.jpg
(this show isn’t available on Netflix Kuwait)
I just wanna clear something up…you’re saying it does work through DNS proxy not VPN correct?
Yes proxy, specifically the Smart DNS Proxy which is what this post is about.
OK I’ll try it again tomorrow night. This evening, I tried it and kept getting the proxy warning on Netflix. I hadn’t set it up via changing the router settings but only by changing DNS on iPad.
Mark,
Which servers you’re using? I’m using Israel and Turkey, and I can’t reach Netflix that way, keeps timing out..
India, it gave me the lowest latency
I have the same issue…let me know if you fixed it by changing servers
Trying different servers, still no luck :/
So the issue seems to be with the server allocated for netflix…Under region settings mine shows up as United States 09 and when i activate it (Netflix On) the server to netflix times out and i can’t access it.
Mine is United States 07. Strange. Why would they be different?
Im not sure,,,tried to change it but its the only one that shows up in the drop down menu
I double checked everything and I still get a proxy warning. My netflix region is United States 07 and I cant change it. Maybe I’ll talk to customer services tomorrow.
Hi there
Paying using UK iTunes gift cards work with Netflix?
I know you can pay for Netflix on iTunes but does it solve the issue?
It doesn’t matter if u use a U.K. iTunes gift card, a US one, a US credit card or a kuwait card. What matters is your location.
Ya salam…so if you have a US account and live in the US but then god forbid you moved to the middle east you won’t be able to get US content even though your account is US?
Yeah that’s how everything works. They don’t have the right to broadcast some shows in this region, it has nothing to do with the person if they are American, lived in the states, are native Indians or whatever.
No that’s not how everything works.
I have Apple Music UK account using UK gift cards, i get UK content.
And as far as i know at some point you were able to do the same for spotify and pay through iTunes.
How come this won’t work with Netflix? I still get to pay through my US or UK account, i should be able to get US/UK content, no?
Spotify isn’t meant to work in kuwait nor does the U.K. Apple Music but they aren’t geochecking. Netflix is because there is Netflix kuwait now so they want u to use that.
You don’t really understand how licensing works which is why you’re finding this frustrating. OSN for example has the exclusive rights to a bunch of shows in this region, so Netflix can’t play the same shows. So Netflix will only let u watch shows they are allowed to. It’s the same reason you can’t find all the books you want in the kuwait kindle store, they don’t have the rights or didn’t get the rights to sell them in our region.
What I’m saying is some providers aren’t as strict in geochecking locations. Pandora is more strict than Spotify, Netflix more than pandora but in all cases you are not meant to stream/watch/read media that wasn’t meant for this region. If you currently are it’s because they’re turning a blind eye or you’ve found a way to trick their system.
I understand Licensing, i understand geochecking but if you happen to have a US or UK account with US or UK credit cards or gift cards then what’s their point of geochecking?
Apple don’t do Geochking, if you have US/UK gift cards on your account then khalas.
Argh….i can’t wait for Apple to do Apple Music-like subscription for movies., they have been working on that for years.
I contacted customer service and just got this reply:
Hello Khaled,
Thank you for the email
We apologize for the inconvenience
Our service have encountered an issue again with Netflix today. Our Network Team is already aware of this issue and now working on it.
We don’t have any specific time frame for the fix but our Network Engineers are now doing their best and actively working to resolve this issue as soon as possible.
Still working for me so I guess it hasn’t affected everyone.
I wonder if they ran into an issue because half of Kuwait tried to use to their proxy service suddenly out of the blue lol
Mark, has this method started working again because Netflix gave up on its stance to block proxies, or is it because SmartDNS have figured out a way to sidestep Netflix’s block?
No idea, it’s just working so I don’t ask to many questions