How to unblock Youtube without VPN or Proxy — Octo Browser

DECEMBER 10, 2024 • EXPERT OPINION • AFFILIATE MARKETING

Your digital fingerprint: what it is and how it is used to deanonymize you.

Do you want to watch your favorite videos on YouTube, but the platform is blocked? YouTube blocking can happen for various reasons, from age restrictions to employer regulations. In this article, we’ll analyze the most common causes of YouTube bans and provide practical advice on how to access the platform.

Why is YouTube blocked?

YouTube can be blocked for various reasons, such as:

Organization rules: Schools, offices, and other institutions often block YouTube to boost productivity or limit access to inappropriate content.
Censorship: In some countries, YouTube may be entirely or partially blocked for political reasons.
Age restrictions: Content flagged with an 18+ age rating can only be viewed by authorized users over 18.
Geoblocking: Video creators may restrict access to their content for specific regions.

How to bypass YouTube blocks

Let’s start with universal methods that work for various types of restrictions and slowdowns, and are suitable even for beginners.

Proxy

A proxy is a remote server that routes incoming and outgoing traffic through itself, replacing the user’s IP address with its own and hiding their real location. This tool is often used to bypass online geographic restrictions. You can learn more about proxy types in our article.

Note: You can find free proxies online, but we do not recommend using them. Such proxy providers may collect your browsing history and personal data, or even sell them to fraudsters.

To access YouTube and bypass content slowdowns using a proxy, follow these steps:
Purchase a proxy and copy its details: IP address and port.

Open proxy settings on your device.
Activate routing through the proxy.
Paste the IP address and port you’ve copied before and save the changes.
Open the browser and enter the proxy login and password.

VPN

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is somewhat similar to a proxy. This tool also acts as an intermediary between the user and the site, routing traffic and replacing the user’s IP address with its own. Hence, a VPN can also spoof your location and set it to a country where YouTube is accessible.

The difference between the tools lies in that a VPN transmits data through an encrypted communication channel, reducing the risk of traffic interception by fraudsters. Read more about the differences between proxies and VPNs in our article.

To access YouTube using a VPN and watch videos without slowdowns, you need to:

Download and install an app, like NordVPN or Proton VPN.
Select a country where YouTube is available.
Go to the YouTube website.

Block-Bypassing Browsers

Most browsers designed for bypassing blocks (colloquially known as “unblocked browsers”) differ from regular ones by having a built-in VPN. Some automatically delete browsing history, cookies, and block ad trackers to ensure client anonymity. Read more about such software in our article.

You can also use TOR to connect to YouTube. TOR redirects traffic through a network of volunteer devices, so the website receives a request from a TOR network exit node instead of the actual user’s device. This way, TOR hides the user’s real IP address that helps bypass YouTube geoblocking. The program can be downloaded for free from the official website.

How to unblock YouTube without VPN and Proxy

If the methods to access YouTube and deal with slowdowns discussed above don’t suit you or don’t work, you can try professional methods.

Changing Your DNS

In some cases, access to YouTube may be blocked at the DNS level. In simple terms, DNS is a special device where all website IP addresses are stored. Changing DNS settings in your connection settings can help bypass this restriction.

To do this, follow these steps:

Open your device’s settings.
Find the section related to your current Internet connection.
Go to DNS settings.
Change its IP to Google DNS: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4 or Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1.
Save the new settings.
Restart your browser.

Anti-Detect Browsers

If previous methods didn’t help, it’s possible YouTube is blocking your device not only by IP but also by its digital fingerprint, a unique set of device parameters. An anti-detect (multi-accounting) browser can help bypass such restrictions. It spoofs the digital fingerprint at the browser kernel level. When a user accesses an online resource through an anti-detect browser, the resource perceives them as a new user and doesn’t restrict access. However, this software doesn’t change the IP address by itself, so it needs to be used together with proxies.

Let’s look at how to bypass YouTube blocks with the help of an anti-detect browser using Octo Browser as an example:

Sign up on the official website.
Install the browser.
Log into your account.
Pay for a subscription (you can follow this guide).
Go to the Profiles section and click Quick Profile. The browser will create a virtual profile with a random digital fingerprint.

6. Click on Direct next to the new profile and select Set a New Proxy.

7. If you are connecting a proxy you’ve purchased independently, select its type, enter the IP address, port, login, and password. Click Confirm.

You can also connect a proxy directly from Octo’s built-in Proxy Shop. To do this, select the provider’s name, country, region, and city. Click Confirm.

8. Launch the profile by clicking Start.

A browser window where you can access YouTube will open.

9. Once you’re done, stop the virtual profile using the Stop button.

Conclusion

Restricted access to YouTube and video slowdowns remain a pressing issue for Internet users all around the world. To solve it, you can use proxies, VPNs, block-bypassing browsers, anti-detect browsers, or you can try changing your DNS. The most reliable method is using an anti-detect browser with proxies. Together, they spoof not only your IP address but also your digital fingerprint, allowing you to bypass even the most sensitive anti-fraud systems and restrictions.

FAQ

Can I unblock YouTube without a VPN?

Yes, there are alternative ways to do so: changing your DNS settings, using proxies, block-bypassing browsers, or anti-detect browsers.

How can I unblock YouTube at school?

You can bypass YouTube blocks at school using a VPN, proxies, or browsers designed for bypassing blocks. If these methods don’t work, try changing your DNS or accessing YouTube using an anti-detect browser.

Is it illegal to unblock YouTube at work?

The answer depends on your company’s policies. To avoid violating organizational rules, read them thoroughly before using VPNs, proxies, or anti-detect browsers to access YouTube at work.

Stay up to date with the latest Octo Browser news

By clicking the button you agree to our Privacy Policy.