Youtube says I'm using a VPN/Proxy

[chrishuk]

On Youtube I've been watching match highlights from the Bundesliga and La Liga for years. Today I get an error message saying:

VPN/proxy detected

To continue, turn off your VPN/proxy. This will allow YouTube to locate the best content.

I don't use a VPN or a proxy.

French Ligue 1 videos are fine. Other sports channels on Youtube like Formula 1 are similarly blocked, but British channels like Sky Sports Formula 1, ITV Sports etc are fine.

Using public wifi in a Booths supermarket cafe today there was no problem. All videos played. This only happens at home.

I'm using laptops with Windows 10 and Firefox browser, EE PAYG mobile broadband wifi (the little white routers). The first two numbers of my current IP address seem to be 31.94. based in Fleetwood.

I've tried all the usual remedies, restarting the mobile wifi, the computer, cleared cache and cookies, disabled plug ins, allowed Youtube to access my location, but selected international sports channels on Youtube are being blocked.

Is there anything else I can do?

[chrishuk]

Additional info, if it helps. Using my mobile phone as a wifi hotspot, GiffGaff network, IP starting 82.132. York location, the videos play fine. No VPN error message.

[bristolian]

Your first post referred to using an EE PAYG line. Your additional info post (you can edit posts for a short time, negating the need for corrective posts) mentions using GiffGaff, which is an O2-MVNO.

Which are you using?

[XRaySpeX]

How long has this been happening to you? Just an idea but could it be since the Online Safety Act / Child Safety came into effect on 25 July 2025?

[Northerner · Accepted solution]

Hi @chrishuk 

This is a YouTube issue which periodically happens with certain videos and has done for years. GOOGLE still hasn't fixed it and it is nothing to do with your internet. 

It will fix itself but you can try logging out of YouTube clearly your DNS and cache then log in again. 

Thanks 

[chrishuk]

Thanks Northener for the reply. I'll try your suggestion and wait to see if Youtube sort things out.

In response to the earlier replies: XRaySpeX - The problem started this morning. I wondered if the Online Safety Act and surge in VPN usage might have prompted something at Youtube's end, but there were no issues connecting today with other ISPs. Nothing like this has happened between July and this morning.

bristolian - I added the GiffGaff reference to show that the VPN messages were only happening when I go online using my EE PAYG, which is my main broadband connection. (The GiffGaff account is my phone.)

Thanks

[chrishuk]

Update: someone/thing somewhere fixed the issue. The problematic videos are now playing again.