For access to more content or a smoother streaming experience via your VIZIO Smart TV, using a (virtual private network (VPN) is the way forward.

With a VPN, you can select a virtual location you’d like your VIZIO set to appear to be logging in from and have your real location masked. This configuration can provide you with access to geo-restricted content and help you escape limits on your bandwidth.

Today we’ll go through how to hide the actual location of your VIZIO Smart TV using VPN service provider ExpressVPN.

Why Change Your Location on a VIZIO?

What would you gain from changing the location on your VIZIO TV? Let’s discuss the benefits.

Access to Region Blocked Content & Services

Since a VPN changes your public-facing IP address, content providers will think you’re logging in from a location where access to their content is allowed. That way, you’ll benefit from access to more content options, including significantly different streaming catalogs from services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Avoid Data-Throttling

ISPs are known for slowing down your service once you’ve used a certain amount of data – this is known as “data-throttling.” You can dodge “data-throttling” when you change the apparent location of your VIZIO set, as your actual location will be hidden from ISPs and other prying eyes.

Avoid Bandwidth-Throttling

If you use your VIZIO TV and a streaming device to browse the internet and at times notice slower internet speeds on certain websites, you may have been experiencing “bandwidth-throttling.” In an attempt to minimize traffic congestion on the network, ISPs or others with admin control over your network may slow it down.

Using a VPN service provider avoids this since your data is hidden.

How to Use a VPN to Change Location With a VIZIO TV by Adding a VPN to a Router

Next, we’ll show you how to set up ExpressVPN on your existing router to change the virtual location of your VIZIO set.

Our steps are based using the Netgear router, therefore, the names of tabs and menu options may differ slightly with other routers.

Note: Installing ExpressVPN firmware will remove your router’s current settings. You can revert to your default firmware at any time.

1. Create your account and set up a subscription plan by going to expressvpn.com/order.
   
2. Go to ExpressVPN.com to download the firmware.
3. Select your router model from the drop-down menu.
   
4. Click the “Download Firmware” button.
   
5. A new window will open displaying your “Activation Code.” You’ll need the code later so keep this window open.
   
6. Enter the IP address for your router’s admin account in your browser’s address bar. This is typically “192.168.0.1” though you can find it via your device’s settings on your computer.
7. You’ll be prompted to log in using your router’s username and password.
8. Once logged in, go to the “Advanced” tab.
9. Select “Administration” then “Router Update” from the side menu.
10. Click “Browse” then look for the ExpressVPN firmware “.chk” file you downloaded previously.
11. Select “Upload.” You may be asked to end your internet connections, if so, click “OK.”

Your router should then restart.

Connect Your VIZIO TV to the Internet

Via Wi-Fi:

1. Press the “Menu” button on your VIZIO remote.
   
2. Click “Network” then “OK.”
   
3. Select “Network Connection” then “Wireless.”
   
4. Select your router from the list of available networks.
5. Your Wi-Fi password is on your router.
   

You’ll receive a confirmation message once the connection is complete.

Via Ethernet Cable:

1. Using your Ethernet cable, plug one end into your VIZIO TV and the other into your router’s Ethernet port.
   
2. On your remote press the “Menu” button.
   
3. Select “Network” then “OK.”
   
4. Select “Wired Network.”
   

You’ll receive a confirmation message once the connection completes.

Connect Your Router to ExpressVPN

1. On your computer, the ExpressVPN dashboard should display. If it doesn’t, go here: www.expressvpnrouter.com.
2. Select “Get Started” then complete the instructions.
3. Once set up is complete, make a note of your Wi-Fi credentials and your router password.

Change Your Server Location

At this point, your VIZIO TV connects to the internet via your ExpressVPN enabled router. Change the virtual location of your VIZIO set by changing it on your router. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Sign in to your router ExpressVPN router dashboard.
2. Beneath the power button to the right, click the three-dotted menu icon at the top right.
3. Click on the “All locations” tab to view all server locations listed by region. Use the up and down pointing chevrons to expand and collapse the lists. Alternatively, enter a search for a location.
4. Select the location name to connect to that server.

Once you’re successfully connected to your chosen location, “Connected” will display under the power button.

You have now changed the location of your VIZIO Smart TV.

How to Use a VPN to Change Location With a VIZIO TV by Using a Firestick

Once you’ve created an ExpressVPN account, set up a subscription plan, and downloaded the app to your Firestick, you can change the virtual location of your VIZIO TV from your Firestick. Here are the steps:

1. To set up your account and subscription plan, go to expressvpn.com/order.
   
2. Go to your Firestick’s home screen and enter a search for “ExpressVPN” then select it.
   
3. Select the “Download” or “Get” option.
   
4. Once the download is complete, open the app and select “Sign In.”
   
5. Enter the sign-in details for your account.
6. ExpressVPN will ask if you’d like to share anonymous information for a better experience. Select your choice to continue.
7. Click “OK.”
   
8. Select “OK” to accept ExpressVPN’s connection request.
   To choose your VIZIO TV’s location
9. Beneath the power button on the right, click the three-dotted menu icon.
10. Select the “ALL LOCATIONS” tab.
11. Use your Firestick remote to select a virtual location.
12. Using your remote, select the location name to connect to that server.

Once you’ve successfully connected to your chosen virtual location, “Connected” will display beneath the power button.

Your VIZIO TV will now appear to be based in that location.

How to Use a VPN to Change Location With a VIZIO TV by Using a Roku

Roku does not innately support VPN. Therefore, to change the location of your VIZIO TV you’ll need to:

1. Create an ExpressVPN account and set up a subscription plan.
   
2. Set up ExpressVPN on your router.
3. Sign into your router to change your virtual location.
4. Set up your Roku account for a connection to that server.

Note: Installing ExpressVPN firmware will remove your router’s current settings. You can revert to your default firmware at any time.

To create your account and set up ExpressVPN on your router:

1. Visit expressvpn.com/order to create your account and set up a subscription plan.
   
2. Navigate to ExpressVPN.com to download the ExpressVPN firmware.
3. From the drop-down menu, choose your router’s model.
   
4. Click “Download Firmware.”
   
5. Your “Activation Code” will display in a new window. You’ll need this code later so keep this window open.
6. In your browser’s address bar, enter the IP address to access your router’s admin account. Typically it’s “192.168.0.1,” though you can confirm by going to your device settings on your computer.
7. You’ll be asked to log in using your router’s username and password.
   Now you’ll need to find the option in your router’s admin account to upload the firmware file downloaded earlier. Based on the Netgear router, the steps are as follows:
8. Select the “Advanced” tab.
9. Click “Administration” then from the side menu select “Router Update.”
10. Select “Browse” then find the ExpressVPN firmware “.chk” file you downloaded before.
11. Choose “Upload.” You may be asked to end your internet connections, if so, click “OK.”

Your router should then restart.

To change your router’s location:

1. Sign in to your router ExpressVPN router dashboard.
2. Beneath the power button on the right, select the three-dotted menu icon.
   
3. Select the “All locations” tab to view all virtual server locations listed by region. To find the location you want either use the up and down pointing chevrons to expand or collapse the lists. Alternatively, enter a search for a location.
   
4. Select the location name to connect to that virtual server.

Once you’re successfully connected to your chosen location, “Connected” will display beneath the power button.

To connect your Roku to your router:

For the best streaming experience, your Roku account should be set up with the same location as your VPN router. Therefore, if you’re using an existing Roku device, you’ll need to sign out of your current Roku account via a factory reset, then create a new Roku account with the new location.

Here’s how to factory reset your Roku device:

1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
   
2. Go to “Settings,” “System,” then “Advanced system settings.”
3. Choose “Factory reset.”
4. Enter the code displayed, then “OK.”
5. Click “Start factory reset.”

To create a new Roku account:

1. From your ExpressVPN account, refresh the page to make sure your VPN location is stored.
2. Go to the Roku Sign up page to create your account by completing the instructions.
   

How to Use a VPN to Change Location With a VIZIO TV by Using an Apple TV

You can change the location of your VIZIO TV using ExpressVPN to unlock geo-restricted content via the Apple TV. To do this you’ll need to:

1. Create an ExpressVPN account and set up a subscription plan.
   
2. Install the ExpressVPN firmware on your router.
   
3. Connect your Apple TV to your router.
4. Change your router location.

Note: Installing ExpressVPN firmware will remove your router’s current settings. However, you can revert to your default firmware at any time.

1. Create your VPN account and set up your subscription by going to expressvpn.com/order.
   
2. Go to ExpressVPN.com to download the firmware.
3. Click on your router model from the drop-down menu.
   
4. Click “Download Firmware.”
   
5. A new window will open displaying your “Activation Code.” You’ll need the code later so keep the window open.
6. In your browser’s address bar, enter the IP address to access your router’s dashboard. This is typically “192.168.0.1” though you can verify this via your device settings on your computer.
7. You’ll be asked to log in using your router’s username and password.
   You’ll now need to find the option in your router’s admin account to upload the firmware file downloaded earlier. Based on the Netgear router, the steps are as follows:
8. Once logged in, go to the “Advanced” tab.
9. From the side menu, choose “Administration” then “Router Update.”
10. Select “Browse” then look for the ExpressVPN firmware “.chk” file you previously downloaded.
11. Click “Upload.” You may be asked to end your internet connections, if so, select “OK.”

Your router should automatically restart.

To connect your router to ExpressVPN

1.  The ExpressVPN dashboard should display. If it doesn’t, go to www.expressvpnrouter.com.
2. Choose “Get Started” then complete the instructions.
3. After set up, make a note of your Wi-Fi details and router password.

To connect your Apple TV to the router:

1. From your Apple TV select the gear icon “Settings” app.
2. Towards the bottom select “Network.”
3. Select the box beneath “Connection.”
4. Apple TV will now scan for nearby Wi-Fi networks. Select your network in the list.
5. On the authentication page, enter your password.
6. Once complete, your Wi-Fi network will display at the top of the networks list above the others and listed in the box under “Connection” on the “Network” page.

Now your Apple TV connects to the internet via your ExpressVPN enabled router.

To change the virtual location of your Apple TV, change it on your router. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Sign in to your router ExpressVPN router dashboard.
2. Under the power button, click the three-dotted menu icon.
3. Select the “All locations” tab to view all server locations listed by region. Use the up and down pointing chevrons to expand and collapse the lists. Or, enter a search for a virtual location.
4. Select the virtual location name to connect to that server.

Once the connection is successful to your chosen location, “Connected” will display under the power button.

Content Galore From Your VIZIO TV

Unlock access to regional shows and movies using a VPN connection from your VIZIO Smart TV. Changing your virtual location to appear to be browsing from another part of the world gives you access to geo-restricted content. Not only that, your data is hidden, so you can avoid data caps issued by ISPs and the like.

Changing the virtual location of your VIZIO set is simple. With a subscription from a reputable VPN service provider, either set up a VPN-enabled router or access a VPN via an app on your streaming device. You can choose a location from any part of the world from which to appear.

What benefit do you think using a VPN connection via your VIZIO TV could offer you? Let us know in the comments section below.