How to easily disable VPN or proxy on your TV

Why you’d disable a VPN or proxy on a TV

• To access geo-restricted content without VPN routing.
• To improve streaming speed and reduce buffering caused by VPN tunneling.
• To troubleshoot connection issues that started after enabling a VPN.
• To prepare the device for software updates or account sign-ins.

Understanding the reason helps you pick the right method. In most cases, you’ll either turn off the VPN app, reset network settings, or disable a proxy configuration in the TV’s network panel.

Identify how your TV uses VPN or proxy

Not all televisions handle VPNs or proxies the same way. There are a few common setups:

• VPN app installed on the TV: The VPN runs as an app you launch and close.
• VPN on the router: The TV uses the router’s VPN connection, so disabling VPN on the TV won’t change the traffic. You must disable it on the router.
• Proxy settings in network configuration: Some TVs allow you to specify a proxy server in their network settings.
• DNS-based VPN or smart DNS: The traffic isn’t on a traditional VPN tunnel but uses DNS tricks that may require a different approach.

What you’ll typically look for:

• VPN/Proxy app names in the installed apps list.
• Proxy Server or Automatic/Off options in Network settings.
• Router-based VPN status in the gateway or network overview on the TV’s interface.
• Any VPN-related notifications or logs within the streaming apps.

How to disable a VPN app on the TV

If your VPN is an app on the TV, turning it off is usually simple:

• Open the TV’s Apps or All Apps menu.
• Find the VPN app (the exact name varies. Common ones include ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN, etc.).
• Launch the app and look for a Disconnect or Turn Off option. Some apps require you to log out or quit the app entirely.
• If the app doesn’t display a clear “disconnect” button, you can uninstall or disable the app: -Samsung/Android TV: Settings > Apps > See all apps > VPN app > Force Stop or Uninstall. -LG webOS: Settings > General > Apps > VPN app > Uninstall (or disable if available).
• After closing the app, test streaming without the VPN by visiting a test site or opening a streaming app.

How to disable VPN or proxy on a router (affecting the TV)

If the VPN or proxy runs at the network level (router or gateway), turning it off on the TV won’t help. Do this: How to disable NordVPN's password manager nordpass

• Access your router’s admin page (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
• Log in with admin credentials.
• Locate VPN or Smart DNS settings. Common labels:
• VPN Client, VPN Server, VPN Passthrough
• OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP, PPTP
• Smart DNS, DNS proxy
• Disable the VPN or reset to default network routing:
• Turn off VPN Client.
• Remove VPN profiles.
• Revert DNS settings to automatic or the DNS you normally use.
• Save changes and reboot the router.
• Reboot the TV to ensure it gets a fresh network route.

If your router supports a simple “Disable all VPN routes” toggle, use that to avoid guessing individual protocols.

How to disable proxy settings directly on the TV

Some TVs offer built-in proxy configuration:

• Open Settings.
• Navigate to Network or Connections.
• Select Network Status or Internet Settings.
• Look for Proxy Server or Proxy Settings.
• Set Proxy Server to Off or Disable. If there’s a manual proxy entry, clear the fields.
• Apply changes and reboot the device if prompted.

Tips:

• If you don’t see a Proxy option, it’s likely that there is no proxy configured on the TV itself, and the device is using a VPN app or router-based VPN.
• After turning off the proxy, test streaming by loading content you previously had trouble with.

Quick troubleshooting checklist (if you still see VPN prompts or geo-blocks)

If you’ve disabled the VPN or proxy but still see VPN-related prompts or streaming errors, try these steps:

• Verify automatic network settings: Make sure the TV is set to obtain IP and DNS automatically rather than using fixed values that point to a VPN or proxy.
• Reboot everything: Power cycle the TV, modem, and router.
• Check other devices: If other devices on the same network still route through VPN, you might need to disable the VPN on the router or at the firewall level.
• Reset network settings (last resort): On many TVs, Settings > General > Reset > Network settings. Note this can remove saved networks and sign-in details.
• Update firmware: Ensure your TV’s software is up to date, as updates can fix VPN-related compatibility issues.
• Test with a direct connection: If possible, connect the TV via Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi to rule out wifi-specific routing issues.
• Confirm streaming app behavior: Some streaming apps block VPN traffic. In that case, the issue isn’t the TV’s settings but the app’s enforcement of VPN use.

A quick comparison of methods (at a glance)

| Method | What it affects | How to access | Typical outcome | When to choose | | VPN app on TV | Only the traffic from that TV via the app | Apps menu, then disconnect or uninstall | VPN is off on that TV; other devices may still be on VPN if router is configured | You used a dedicated VPN app and want a quick exit | | Router-based VPN | All devices on the network, including TV | Router admin page; disable VPN client or restore default routing | Whole network leaves VPN; VPN blocks no sites | VPN runs at the gateway; easy to revert for all devices | | TV proxy settings | Only if the TV has a proxy config | TV’s network settings; Proxy Server off | TV uses direct connection; apps may stop using a proxy | You configured a manual proxy on the TV itself | | DNS-based VPN / Smart DNS | Traffic is routed by DNS rules rather than a tunnel | DNS settings on router or TV; or subscription DNS app | May still appear as geo-unblocked; requires DNS changes | You use Smart DNS to spoof location rather than full VPN |

Brand-specific quick-starts (common patterns)

Note: exact paths may vary by model and firmware. If you can’t find the menu item, search the TV’s help or user manual for “VPN,” “Proxy,” or “Network.”

• Samsung Tizen TVs
• VPN app on TV: Settings > Apps > select VPN app > Force Stop or Disable.
• Network: Settings > General > Network > Network Status > IP Settings > Proxy Server: Off.
• LG webOS TVs
• VPN app: Home > Settings > All Settings > General > Apps. Clear or uninstall VPN app.
• Network: Settings > Network > Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) > Advanced Settings > Proxy: Off.
• Android TV / Google TV
• VPN app: Settings > Apps > VPN app > Force Stop or Disable.
• Network: Settings > Network & Internet > VPN. Toggle off or remove.
• Apple TV
• Apple TV doesn’t run typical VPN apps; VPN is usually at router level or via Mac/PC sharing. Disable via router or sharing settings on a connected device.

What to do if YouTube TV or another streaming service blocks VPN

Some services explicitly disallow VPNs and proxies. If you’re seeing a block message:

• First, disable the VPN/proxy as outlined above. Then reboot the TV.
• Test by loading a non-blocked service or a show you’re sure isn’t geo-blocked.
• If blocks persist, ensure the router isn’t reapplying VPN rules (some routers have dual profiles or VPN passthrough that can re-route traffic even after disabling on the TV).

Final recommendation

Disabling a VPN or proxy on your TV is usually a matter of identifying whether the VPN is a TV app, a router setting, or a direct proxy/DNS configuration on the device. Start by checking the Apps list for VPN software, then review Network/Internet settings for any proxy entries. If you used a VPN at the router level, you must disable it there to affect all devices, including the TV. After turning off the VPN or proxy, reboot your TV and test a streaming app to confirm that content loads normally without geo-block prompts.

If you want a simple, reliable rule of thumb: always start with the quickest fix, close the VPN app on the TV. If that doesn’t help, move to the router, then to the TV’s network proxy settings. This layered approach covers most scenarios you’ll encounter with modern smart TVs and streaming boxes.