In this guide I’m going to show you the quick and effective way to check if your VPN is working on your Firestick.
So if you’ve got an Amazon Firestick or even a Fire TV this is the guide you need.
The Firestick (and Fire TV) is great. You can watch a whole host of movies and access various services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer and more.
Install Kodi on your Firestick and you’ve got a whole entertainment system in a device smaller than your hand.
You privacy however when using your Firestick is much like your privacy when using any device and using a VPN is essential if you care about big brother snooping on what you’re watching or doing.
But how do you know if your VPN is actually functioning as it should? Let’s find out below.
How to check your VPN is working on a Firestick
Checking your VPN is actually working on your Firestick is a lot easier and hassle-free than you might imagine.
For this you’re going to need a VPN service that actually supports the Firestick (Such as ExpressVPN) and to have a web browser installed (either Firefox or Silk Browser).
Follow the steps below to check once and for all if your VPN is working on your Firestick:
- On your Firestick menu press the Search icon (next to the home icon) and type in ‘Firefox’.
- Move down to ‘Firefox Browser’ and click it.
- Click on the new icon for ‘Firefox for Fire TV’ and install the app (it’s free!).
- Once installed press ‘Home’ and then press on the new ‘Firefox’ app.
- In the ‘Search or enter address’ box type : http://iplookup.flagfox.net
- Then press ‘Next’ and wait for the website to open.
A new window will open that will not only display a map of where you’re located but also the IP Address and country.
If this location is your own home location then your VPN is not connected. If on the other hand you see the country or city and IP Address of the VPN server you connected to then your VPN is connected.
You can then press the ‘Home’ button on your Amazon Firestick remote control to return to your home screen.
That’s all there is to it. Now you know if your VPN service is working or not working.
Which VPN services work with the Firestick and Fire TV
Many VPN services now work with the Amazon Firestick and Fire TV but it’s worth checking out only those who offer dedicated apps.
This means you can install the VPN services app directly from the Amazon app store rather than go through a lengthy process known as ‘sideloading’. Sideloading is also not always successful because apps not built for the Amazon devices often don’t work correctly.
Thankfully there are some VPN providers who offer dedicated Amazon apps for the Firestick and Fire TV that work perfectly and can be installed directly from the Amazon app store. I recommend the following three:
All three providers work well with the Firestick or Fire TV. I recommend using ExpressVPN because they’ve got a huge 30-day money back guarantee which lets you test the service on your Firestick or Fire TV risk-free.
If you can’t get the app working then you can simply get a refund.
They also have a time-limited offer that allows you to get 3-months completely free if you sign up for their annual service.
30-day money back guarantee
Firestick Generation 1 Issues
One little known fact is VPN services don’t work with the first generation of Firestick devices.
You can tell which type of Firestick you have based on the remote control. If the remote control doesn’t have Alexa voice remote at the top (it’s a little microphone button) then you have a Generation 1 Firestick.
No VPN service will work with the Generation 1 Firestick. Even though they show they are ‘Connected’ when you check using the above steps you’ll see you’re not connected.
If a VPN service tells you they do work with the Generation 1 Firestick then my advice is you should avoid them at all costs because it’s clearly a lie.
Generation 2 Firestick devices have the Alexa voice remote and work perfectly with VPN services such as ExpressVPN and the other two I listed in the section above.
All versions of the Fire TV work fine with VPN services.
Conclusion: How to check VPN is working on a Firestick
To check that your VPN service is working is critically important.
If you don’t check that it’s working you could be lulled into a false sense of security thinking that your browsing and viewing habits are protected.
To check you’ll need to install a web browser on your Firestick or Fire TV device such a Firefox or Silk Browser as detailed earlier in this guide.
Once installed you can visit the website iplookup.flagfox.net while connected to your VPN service to check that you’re actually connected and secure. Follow the 6 simple steps from earlier in this guide to do just that.
If you’re looking for a reliable VPN service that works well with the Firestick and Fire TV, I recommend ExpressVPN. You can visit their service and get signed up using the button below. Don’t forget they’ve got a 30 day risk-free money back guarantee and you can get 3-months free using the link below.
Ready to get a VPN? Try our recommended VPN service provider
- Quick & beginner-friendly set-up
- Works with Firestick and Fire TV
- 30-day money-back guarantee
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