Why Has Surfshark Stopped Working on Firestick?

Surfshark is easily one of the best VPNs that you can currently find on the market. 

But, recently, many users have reported a rising number of connectivity issues, especially those that have a Fire TV Stick. 

So why is Surfshark not working on Firestick and how can you fix this issue?

We have the answer.

Why Has Surfshark Stopped Working on Firestick?

There are several reasons why you might be having issues with your Surfshark connection. 

If you’re trying to access websites that have geo-restrictions in place, chances are they have blocked the IP addresses that are coming from the VPN. 

Sites like HBO, Netflix, and Hulu constantly work to track down VPN addresses and prevent users from accessing content that should be restricted to them. 

Another reason why you might not be able to connect to a safe server is that some applications, like antivirus software or another VPN, may be interfering with Surfshark’s connection. 

Sometimes, the problem might be as simple as an outdated app.

Regardless of the reason, most of these issues are easily fixable.

Surfshark Not Working on Firestick: Fixes

Here’s what you can do to fix any connectivity issues:

Clean your Firestick cache/data

If Surfshark suddenly stopped working with streaming services like Hulu and Netflix, then the first thing you should do is clear your cache.

Many websites place tracking cookies into your device’s memory so they can learn more about your browsing behavior. If there’s a lingering location identifier and cookies, streaming services will be able to tell that your IP doesn’t match your location, and will automatically block you from accessing content on the site. 

To clear your Firestick cache:

1. Go to ‘Settings’.
2. Select ‘Applications’.
3. Select the app you’re having trouble with in ‘Manage Installed Applications’.
4. Click ‘Clear Cache’, and then ‘Clear Data’.

Change to a different protocol

If Surfshark is not connecting on your Firestick TV, then you should try switching to a different protocol to see if the issue will go away. 

According to Surfshark, your best option is OpenVPN (UDP), regardless of your provider (BT, Virgin Media, or Sky) because it’s fast and bypasses most network restrictions. 

Surfshark also uses WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN (UDP), and OpenVPN (TCP). You can read more on them in our full Surfshark review.

To change a protocol in the VPN app:

1. Open Surfshark’s ‘Settings’.
2. Tap ‘VPN Settings’.
3. Open the Protocol tab
4. Select your protocol. 

Activate Smart DNS

Smart DNS tools essentially change how a website sees your IP address by replacing the DNS address provided by your ISP with a different one. Most VPNs like Surfshark have a built-in Smart DNS tool (Here are some other VPN advantages).

If the Surfshark app is not working on Firestick, you can activate the Smart DNS feature and see if that helps bypass a block. 

To do that:

1. Log into your Surfshark account on the website.
2. Find the ‘Smart DNS’ option and select ‘Get Started’.
3. Click ‘Activate Smart DNS’.

You can also try Surfshark’s Camouflage mode, which makes encrypted data look more regular.

Flush your DNS

DNS cache can prevent you from connecting to the Internet and cause other issues, which is why, sometimes, you may need to clear it. 

This process of clearing DNS records and IP addresses is also known as ‘flushing DNS’.

If Surfshark VPN is not working on Firestick, you can flush your DNS on Windows:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
2. Type ipconfig /flushdns and click Enter.

If you have a Mac:

1. Press F4 to open the command terminal window.
2. Insert the command and Press Enter.

The commands for each Mac version are:

• macOS 11 Big Sur or 12 Monterey: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.
• macOS 10.15 Catalina, 10.14 Mojave, 10.13 High Sierra, 10.12 Sierra, 10.11 El Capitan, or: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.
• macOS 10.10 Yosemite: sudo discoveryutil udnsflushcaches.
• macOS 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion, or 10.9 Mavericks: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder.
• macOS 10.6 Snow Leopard: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache.
• macOS 10.5 Leopard: sudo lookupd -flushcache.

Slow connections, bugs, and login issues are often the result of outdated apps. 

To update your Surfshark app on your computer, you’ll need to download the latest version and open the installer package.

To update the app on your Android device:

1. Open Google Play. 
2. Type in ‘Surfshark’ in the search bar.
3. Tap ‘Update’.

If you have an iPhone:

1. Open the App Store.
2. Tap your profile icon.
3. Tap ‘Update’ next to Surfshark.

Reinstall Surfshark

If you’re still having Surfshark firestick issues, then you should try removing the app from your device and re-installing it again. 

To re-install the app on your computer, visit Surfshark’s download page (https://surfshark.com/download), and download the latest version. 

To reinstall your Surfshark app on your phone:

1. Long-press on the app to delete it. You can also remove it from your phone’s Settings. Make sure you delete the app’s data and cache too.
2. Go to Google’s Play Store or the App Store.
3. Type in ‘Surfshark’ in the search bar.
4. Tap the app and then tap ‘Install’.
5. Log into your account and try to connect to a server.

Connectivity issues with internet providers

If you’re having trouble connecting to a VPN server because of unstable connections, there might be an issue with your modem or router, or something that your internet service provider can fix.

If you don’t know the number, you could find it on your provider’s official site. 

Firewall/anti-malware programs

Most firewall software, anti-malware programs, and other security tools block and interfere with VPNs. If Surfshark is not connecting on your Firestick, this might be the reason.

Depending on the provider you use, here are some things you can do to solve your VPN-related issues:

• Virgin Media networks: Turn off the Web Safe feature or Virgin Media Parental controls.

1. Log into your account on My Virgin Media.
2. Click on ‘My Apps’ and then ‘Web Safe’.
3. Switch off ‘Virus Safe’ and ‘Child Safe’ and click ‘Apply’.
4. Restart your router and your Firestick device and try Surfshark again.

• BT network: Disable the BT Firewall and create an IPv6 pinhole.

1. Open a browser.
2. Type in your router’s IP  address. 
3. Log in on the router’s dashboard. You should be able to find the credentials on the back of your router.
4. Go to ‘Advance setting’, select Configuration, and click ‘Disabled’.
5. Go back to ‘Advanced settings’, click the IPv6 tab and choose ‘Pinhole’.
6. Create a new IPv6 pinhole button and enter the following details:

• Rule name: Surfshark
• Device: Fire TV Stick
• Start Port: 80
• End Port: 51820
• Protocol: UPD or TPC

      7. Click ‘Save’, restart your router, and test the Surfshark app..

• Sky Network: Disable the IPv6.

1. Enter 192.168.0.1 in the address bar of a web browser and select ‘Advanced’ to log into the router.
2. Select LAN/IP setup.
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and untick ‘Enable IPv6 on LAN side’.
4. Click ‘Apply’ and ‘Save’.

Bottom Line

Surefshark is one of the best VPNs currently available on the market. (It even made our hackers’ VPN list). If Surfshark VPN is not working on Firestick, most of the time, you should be able to fix the issue by switching to a different protocol or clearing your cache. If that doesn’t help, you can always send diagnostics and reach out to its customer support team.