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Slowed down Updated 14 Oct 2026 About 5 minutes

How to unblock YouTube in Eritrea

Eritrea throttles YouTube. A VPN sends your connection through another country so the block no longer applies. This guide uses ExpressVPN.

Short answer

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

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

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Why YouTube doesn't work in Eritrea

YouTube is deliberately slowed down in Eritrea. Intermittently blocked by some ISPs.

Internet access is extremely limited and slow; independent sites are blocked and YouTube is intermittently filtered.

Is a VPN legal in Eritrea? Legal with restrictions. No clear VPN law; using internet cafes for opposition content is risky.

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 Eritrea. 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 South Africa, France or Germany. 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.

Try ExpressVPN

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: South Africa, France or Germany.
  • Restart your phone after a failed attempt. Some blocks cache your earlier connection.
  • If YouTube loads but crawls, the VPN is connecting but being spotted. Switch on automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic).
  • 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 Eritrea are reporting

Not enough reports yet for ExpressVPN in Eritrea this fortnight.

Vote on what's working

Questions people ask

Does YouTube work in Eritrea without a VPN?

Sometimes, but very slowly. YouTube is deliberately throttled in Eritrea, so it may load but barely work.

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

Legal with restrictions. No clear VPN law; using internet cafes for opposition content is risky. This is general information, not legal advice.

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

Usually not. Most free VPNs have no way to disguise their traffic, so Eritrea'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: South Africa, France or Germany. 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