If you’re a die-hard baseball fan trying to catch your favorite team on MLB.TV only to be hit with a blackout message—despite using a VPN, you’re not alone. Many viewers rely on VPNs to bypass MLB.TV’s annoying regional restrictions, but increasingly, users are reporting that “MLB.TV VPN not working” is becoming a frustrating reality.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly why this happens, how to fix it, and which VPNs still work, including why BearVPN is a powerful option for bypassing blackouts in 2025.
Why MLB.TV Blocks VPNs (And What Causes Blackouts)
MLB.TV uses blackout restrictions to comply with licensing agreements. This means if you’re located in or near the region of the teams playing, the game is blacked out—even if you’re a paying subscriber.
To get around this, many users turn to VPNs to spoof their location. But MLB.TV isn’t naive. In 2025, the platform uses a variety of advanced detection methods to block VPN traffic:
- IP blacklisting – known VPN IPs are flagged and blocked
- GPS-based detection on mobile apps
- DNS and WebRTC leaks that reveal your real location
- Device location permissions used to override VPN masking
Common Reasons Why Your VPN Fails with MLB.TV
If your VPN isn’t working with MLB.TV, it could be due to one or more of the following:
| Reason | Description |
| Blacklisted IP address | MLB.TV has identified and blocked your current VPN IP |
| DNS Leak | Your device is leaking real location data via DNS queries |
| Using a Free VPN | These are rarely updated and easily detected |
| Incorrect server location | You might still be within a blackout region |
| MLB App using GPS | Mobile apps often override VPNs using device GPS |
| Cookies or cache issues | Stored location data interferes with VPN routing |
7 Quick Fixes for “MLB.TV VPN Not Working”
Here are step-by-step solutions to get MLB.TV is working again with your VPN:
1. Switch to a Different VPN Server
Use a server located far from your blackout zone. For example, if you’re blacked out in New York, connect to a VPN server in Canada or even Asia.
Pro Tip: BearVPN offers high-speed servers in 50+ global locations, including less common regions that avoid blackout detection.
2. Clear Your Browser’s Cookies and Cache
Cookies and cache store your actual location data. Clear them to prevent MLB.TV from recognizing your real region.
Steps:
- Chrome: Settings > Privacy & Security > Clear browsing data
- Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data
3. Use Incognito Mode
Private browsing prevents sites from storing your real location via cookies.
- On Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + N
- On Firefox: Ctrl + Shift + P
4. Enable Kill Switch & DNS Leak Protection
Ensure your VPN app has a kill switch and DNS leak protection enabled. This prevents real location data from leaking if the VPN drops.
BearVPN includes built-in DNS leak prevention and a smart kill switch on all platforms.
5. Disable Location Services on Mobile Devices
On iOS and Android, MLB.TV’s mobile app can access your GPS, overriding the VPN. You’ll need to deny GPS access:
- iOS: Settings > MLB App > Location > Set to “Never”
- Android: Settings > Apps > MLB App > Permissions > Disable Location
6. Update Your VPN App
Old versions of VPN apps may lack the latest protocols or server updates. Keep your BearVPN app updated for optimal performance.
7. Watch via Web Browser Instead of the App
The MLB.TV app may use GPS and other location data that bypass your VPN. Using a desktop browser is often more effective.
Still Not Working? Try BearVPN’s Streaming Mode
If you’ve tried all the fixes above and MLB.TV is still showing blackout messages; it might be time to upgrade your VPN strategy, not just your server.
BearVPN’s Streaming Mode is specifically engineered to solve streaming access problems, including the blackout blocks enforced by MLB.TV. Unlike generic or free VPNs that often get detected and blocked, BearVPN uses smart routing, adaptive server switching, and high-speed nodes to keep you connected, buffer-free, and blackout-free.
What Is BearVPN?
Alt: BearVPN Official Website
BearVPN is a privacy-first, streaming-optimized VPN service designed for users who want unrestricted access to digital content without sacrificing speed or privacy. Whether you’re watching live baseball games, catching up on regional news, or bypassing geo-blocks on streaming services, BearVPN ensures a smooth and secure experience.
⭐ Key Features That Make BearVPN Ideal for MLB.TV:
| Feature | Description |
| Streaming Mode | Automatically connected to high-performance servers optimized for MLB.TV, Netflix, Hulu, and other platforms are prone to geo-blocking. |
| Smart Obfuscation | Masks VPN traffic to make it indistinguishable from normal traffic, helping avoid detection by services like MLB TV. |
| Zero Logs, Full Privacy | BearVPN has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring your streaming activity remains completely private. |
| Dynamic IP Rotation | Change your IP periodically while streaming to reduce the chance of blacklisting by MLB or other platforms. |
| DNS & Leak Protection | Prevents DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks that could expose your real location—even if your VPN connection drops. |
| Lightning-Fast Speeds | Engineered for HD and 4K content delivery, BearVPN offers stable, throttling-free performance across multiple regions. |
| One-Click Setup | Easy-to-use interface with one-click connection; no tech knowledge needed to stream blackout-free. |
| Free Plan Available | Get started with zero cost and upgrade later for enhanced speeds and regional flexibility—no credit card required. |
With BearVPN’s Streaming Mode, you don’t have to manually guess which server might work. The app intelligently routes your connection through locations known to avoid MLB blackouts—so you can watch every inning, home run, and walk-off moment without interruption.
🎯 Pro tip: Use BearVPN’s streaming mode on a desktop browser with cookies cleared and location services disabled for the most consistent MLB.TV access.
How to Use BearVPN to Bypass MLB.TV Blackouts (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how to unblock MLB.TV using BearVPN in just a few steps:
Step 1. Download BearVPN. Available on Windows, Android, and iOS.
Step 2. Launch the app and select “Streaming Mode”. This mode automatically finds the fastest server outside your blackout region.
Step 3. Connect to a server in a non-blackout region. Avoid cities near your local team. Try remote U.S. states or international servers.
Step 4. Clear your browser cookies. This step ensures MLB.TV doesn’t retain old location data.
Step 5. Open MLB.TV in Browser (not the mobile app). Log in and stream the game blackout-free.
Optional: If you use MLB.TV on mobile, remember to disable location access in your phone settings.
It’s one of the few free VPNs that reliably unblocks MLB.TV, with premium-level streaming performance.
Best VPNs That Still Work with MLB.TV (2025 Comparison)
Not all VPNs are created equal. Here’s a comparison of the top-performing VPNs for MLB.TV access:
| VPN Provider | Obfuscation | Streaming Mode | U.S. Server Coverage | Free Plan | Works with MLB.TV |
| BearVPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Many | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| NordVPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Many | ❌ | ✅ Yes |
| Surfshark | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Strong coverage | ❌ | ✅ Yes |
| ExpressVPN | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Good | ❌ | ⚠️ Mixed results |
| ProtonVPN | ✅ Yes | ❌ Limited | ✅ Okay | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| TunnelBear | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ Weak | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Hola VPN | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ Proxy only | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
FAQs: MLB.TV VPN Issues
Why does MLB.TV still know my location even with a VPN?
Likely due to cookies, GPS access, or DNS leaks. Use a VPN like BearVPN with leak protection and clear your cache.
What’s the best location to connect to avoid blackouts?
Try remote U.S. states like Montana, Idaho, or international servers like Canada or Germany.
Is it legal to use a VPN with MLB TV?
While it violates MLB.TV’s terms of service, it’s not illegal. Many users do it to access games they’ve already paid for.
Do free VPNs work with MLB TV?
Most don’t. They use shared IPs that are often blocked. BearVPN is one of the few free VPNs that does work reliably.
Why is the mobile app still blocking the stream?
The MLB app uses your device’s GPS. Disable location access or use a browser on a desktop instead.
Final Thoughts: Stream Baseball Without Blackouts
If you’re tired of seeing “This game is unavailable in your area” despite using a VPN, it’s time to switch strategies. Whether you’re watching the Yankees, Dodgers, or Blue Jays, BearVPN helps you regain access to every pitch, every inning, every time.
Try BearVPN today and stream MLB.TV without blackouts—on any device, anywhere in the world.
