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Blocked Updated 14 Oct 2026 About 5 minutes

How to unblock YouTube in China

If YouTube won't work in China, you're not alone: it has been blocked since 2009. Here's how to get it back with ExpressVPN, one step at a time.

Short answer

Use ExpressVPN with automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic) on, connect to Japan, then open YouTube.

We picked ExpressVPN for China because it can disguise VPN traffic with automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic).

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Why YouTube doesn't work in China

YouTube has been blocked in China since 2009.

Google, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, Telegram, Signal and Discord are all blocked by the Great Firewall.

Is a VPN legal in China? Legal with restrictions. Only government-approved VPNs are legal. Enforcement against individual tourists is rare, but VPN traffic is actively detected and slowed, especially around political anniversaries.

Step by step with ExpressVPN

  1. Get the VPN before you need it

    Sign up for ExpressVPN and download the app while you still have an open connection, ideally before you arrive in China. VPN websites and app-store listings are often blocked there.

  2. Install and sign in

    Install ExpressVPN on the phone or computer where you use YouTube, then sign in.

  3. Switch on its stealth mode

    Open Settings, then Protocol, and keep it on Automatic. ExpressVPN obfuscates every server, and Automatic lets it switch protocols when one gets blocked.

  4. Connect to a nearby server

    Connect to a server in Japan, South Korea or Taiwan. YouTube works normally in these countries, and nearby servers are faster.

  5. Open YouTube and start playing

    Close and reopen the app after connecting so it notices your new location. What you can watch depends on the server country you picked.

  6. Leave the VPN on

    Keep ExpressVPN connected while you use YouTube. If you disconnect, the block applies again.

Tip: If a video spins forever, try a different server in the same country: streaming services block busy VPN servers.

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If it still doesn't work

  • Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Some networks block far more than others.
  • Try a different server country: Japan, South Korea or Taiwan.
  • Restart your phone after a failed attempt. Some blocks cache your earlier connection.
  • Update the VPN app. Providers update their stealth protocols when blocks change.

Or try another VPN

NordVPN Unreliable

Open Settings, go to Connection, then VPN protocol, and choose NordWhisper. If your device doesn't offer NordWhisper, choose OpenVPN (TCP) and connect to a server under Specialty servers, then Obfuscated servers.

Try NordVPN

Surfshark Unreliable

Open Settings, then VPN settings, and switch on NoBorders mode. If connections still drop, set the protocol to OpenVPN (TCP), which adds Surfshark's Camouflage obfuscation.

Try Surfshark

What people in China are reporting

Not enough reports yet for ExpressVPN in China this fortnight.

Vote on what's working

Questions people ask

Does YouTube work in China without a VPN?

No. YouTube is blocked in China, so it won't load without a VPN or proxy.

Is it legal to use a VPN for YouTube in China?

Legal with restrictions. Only government-approved VPNs are legal. Enforcement against individual tourists is rare, but VPN traffic is actively detected and slowed, especially around political anniversaries. This is general information, not legal advice.

Can I use a free VPN to unblock YouTube in China?

Usually not. Most free VPNs have no way to disguise their traffic, so China's filters spot them quickly, and many free apps sell browsing data. Proton VPN's free plan is a safe free option, but its free servers are limited and busy.

Why does YouTube still not work with the VPN on?

Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Some networks block far more than others. Try a different server country: Japan, South Korea or Taiwan. Restart your phone after a failed attempt. Some blocks cache your earlier connection.

We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick