Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Does ExpressVPN work on the Amazon Fire TV Stick?

The Fire TV Stick 4K connected to a TV.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

VPN services have many uses, from keeping your data safe when accessing a public Wi-Fi network to prevent your ISP from throttling your internet usage when at home. But they can also be used for location spoofing, allowing you to access streaming services from around the world. If you have ExpressVPN and an Amazon Fire TV Stick, then you have an easy way to access a wide range of streaming content.

If you don’t know where to start with VPNs, we can help explain what a VPN is before also suggesting what the best VPN for your needs may be. Once you’ve figured all that out, read on while we tell you all about how well ExpressVPN and Amazon Fire TV Sticks work together.

ExpressVPN offers a native app that is designed to specifically work with Amazon Fire TV Stick devices. ExpressVPN even offers an extensive tutorial on the subject so less tech-savvy users can still figure it out.

Simply put, the ExpressVPN app is compatible with all Amazon Fire TV devices along with all Amazon Fire TV Sticks 2nd generation and above. If you have the very original Amazon Fire TV Stick, you’ll need to upgrade to a newer device to use ExpressVPN. Simply download the app from the Amazon Appstore and it takes moments to get started. The only thing to bear in mind is that if you want to stream content from a specific country, you will need to make sure your VPN server location and your Amazon account are set to the same country. It’s possible to change your Amazon country setting by going to Your Account > Your Content and Devices > Preferences > Country/Region.

Because, ultimately, that’s exactly why you most want to use ExpressVPN with your Amazon Fire TV Stick. ExpressVPN offers a huge network of 160 server locations in 94 different countries so it’s the ideal VPN to use when traveling the world. Alongside that, the Amazon Fire TV Stick is simple to toss into your bag and take with you on your journeys.

By combining the two, you can choose to watch content that would ordinarily be available at home, all while traveling abroad. Ever traveled somewhere and felt frustrated that streaming services lack your regular content? Sure, you may benefit from some additions that you don’t get back at home, but if you’re midway through a season that isn’t available, you’ll miss out. By using ExpressVPN on your Amazon Fire TV Stick, you can always be in just one location for your streaming needs while still traveling.

Alternatively, if you feel like checking out a different localized version of Netflix, Disney Plus, or another streaming service, you can do so by changing your location on ExpressVPN without leaving your home. The flexibility of using a VPN like ExpressVPN gives you so many more options without actually having to travel.

Why is my Fire TV Stick not working with ExpressVPN?

Though the ExpressVPN app should make it easy to use on your Fire TV Stick, as with any piece of technology, sometimes you’ll come across errors. The first issue that can arise is that the server you’re connected to won’t let you access the content you want. For example, Netflix is famously restrictive on VPN use, and often blocks the IPs of VPN providers. If you try to use ExpressVPN to watch Netflix and get an error, then try disconnecting from your current server and connecting to a new one in the same location. That will typically make Netflix work with the new server.

Sometimes you might run across a cache issue too. You can clear the app data and cache on your Fire TV Stick by going to Settings > Applications > Managed Installed Applications. Find the ExpressVPN app from this list and select it. Now choose Clear cache. This will help clear out any old data that might be causing problems in the app. And finally, you can try restarting your Fire TV Stick or reinstalling the ExpressVPN app to deal with any lingering issues.

Jennifer Allen

Jennifer Allen is a technology writer with over 10 years of experience. She primarily writes about the best deals coverage for Digital Trends but also has a keen interest in Bluetooth speakers, smart home technology, wearables, and all things gaming.

As well as writing for Digital Trends, she regularly contributes at TechRadar, Lifewire, Mashable, and numerous others. She's also featured on the BBC. In her spare time, she watches many movies, plays many games, and enjoys the outdoors.

The best VPN for streaming for 2023
A man watching Sling TV in his living room.

Streaming has become a permanent mainstay in the household, but tricky copyright laws and content geo-blocking have paved the way for streaming VPNs to arise. In an ideal world, we could be enjoying global content with a single subscription plan or purchase add-ons to our streaming subscription that enables us to access different countries' TV shows and movies. For now, though, we're stuck rummaging through the internet trying to search for the best VPN services that are worth our money.

Luckily, VPNs for streaming are becoming more accessible. This means that there's a lot more competition as companies fight for the throne as the best service around -- that's always good for consumers as the acceptable standard becomes higher and higher. If you're in the market for a new streaming VPN, look no further as the Digital Trends team has compiled our research and analysis into one easily accessible article.
1. NordVPN

Read more
Best Cyber Monday TV Deals: QLED, OLED and 8K TV
Best Cyber Monday TV Deals

Cyber Monday is over, but retailers still have extra stock they need to unload. Some fantastic Cyber Monday deals are still sticking around after the event. These are the best Cyber Monday TV deals you can still shop, including some big price cuts from some great brands. It's not too late to grab a massive OLED TV or a tiny cheapo model.
Best Cyber Monday TV Deals
Insignia 24-inch F20 Series HD Fire TV -- $80, was $170

If all you need is a smaller cheap TV for a bedroom, playroom, or your kitchen, this 24-inch Insignia F20 Series television should fit the bit. Although it's only a 720p HD TV, it's still internet-connected, and its Fire TV software lets you enjoy Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and other top streaming platforms. And, despite costing less than a Benjamin, it comes with a voice remote and built-in Amazon Alexa, just like many bigger and more expensive Fire TVs.

Read more
You can get this 65-inch QLED TV for $398 if you’re fast enough
The 50-inch Onn QLED 4K Roku TV hanging on a wall.

Cyber Monday deals don't really get much better than being able to buy a huge Onn. 65-inch QLED TV for $398 instead of $568 at Walmart. A massive saving of $170, this is a great chance to embrace QLED technology for less than usual. You're going to need to be fast though as this TV is already hugely popular and liable to sell out. Here's a quick look at why it's worth it.

Why you should buy the Onn. 65-inch QLED TV
Cyber Monday TV deals are always worth holding out for as demonstrated by this Onn. 65-inch QLED TV. While it may not come from one of the best TV brands, there's no denying that gaining QLED technology for such a low price is worth it. Quantum Dot technology means that it looks better than a standard LED screen with a quantum filter that precisely controls color output. That leads to more vibrant colors and deeper blacks all on screen at the same time. With sharp contrast and upscaling abilities, your 4K and HDR content looks extra punchy and clear, so it's great for movie fans.

Read more