How to Unblock Websites in 5 Ways (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you can’t access a website and it is blocked, you may try some ways to unblock the website. This post introduces 5 ways with step-by-step guides to help you easily unblock websites.

Common Reasons Why Websites Are Blocked

The website may be blocked due to various reasons. Some of the common reasons are listed below.

• If a website suspects that you are posting spammy comments on its website, it may block your access.
• Another common reason why websites are blocked is the geo-restrictions. You may not be able to open or view some sites in your country/region.
• Some workplaces or schools may put network restriction policies on some websites.
• Government censorship will also restrict some websites in your area.

Some popular methods to block websites include IP address blocking, URL filtering, DNS filtering, or keyword filtering.

How to Unblock Websites – 5 Ways

1. Use a VPN to Unblock Websites

You can use a VPN (virtual private network) to easily change your IP to any location in the world. This allows you to access websites that are not accessible in your region.

Step 1. Choose a reliable VPN service.

You may find many VPN choices in the market. You should choose a reliable tool. You can consider the price, speed, server network, security, supported platforms, etc. of the VPN.

Here we introduce LightningX VPN to you.

LightningX VPN is an ultra-fast, stable, secure, and cheap VPN. It offers 2000+ fast servers in 50+ countries. You can connect to any server you like to access global information. It changes your IP address to a virtual one to protect your online privacy. Use this tool to easily access YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Steam, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO, TikTok, and more.

Step 2. Download and install the VPN.

Download and install LightningX VPN on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Apple TV, or Android TV. To get this VPN on your Android or iOS device, you can visit the Google Play Store or App Store.

Step 3. Use the VPN to access the blocked website.

• After installation, you can launch the VPN app.
• Select a server in a country where the website is not blocked.
• Click the server to connect.
• Once connected, you can open your browser and open the blocked website. The VPN hides your real IP address, making it appear as if you are visiting the website from the chosen server location.

Pros and cons of using a VPN to unblock websites:

Pros:

• Strong security and privacy protection.
• Access a wide range of blocked websites.

Cons:

• May require a subscription to unlock all features. You can choose a cheap one.

2. Use a VPN Chrome Extension to Unblock Websites

If you want to unblock websites on Chrome, you may also use a VPN Chrome extension. The VPN extension for Chrome allows you to access any website worldwide in the Chrome browser.

Popular extensions include Hola VPN, Browsec VPN, ZenMate VPN, etc.

Step 1. Open the Chrome Web Store in your Chrome browser. Search for your preferred extension in the store. Click “Add to Chrome” and click “Install” to install the VPN extension for your Chrome browser.

Step 2. After installation, click the extension icon in the toolbar of your Chrome browser. Activate the VPN extension or log in with your account if required. Select a server location to connect.

Step 3. After activating the extension in Chrome, you should be able to open the blocked website.

Pros and cons of using a VPN extension to unblock websites:

Pros:

• Convenient to use.
• The tools are usually free or have free plans.

Cons:

• May slow down your browser.

3. Use a Proxy to Unblock Websites

You can also try a proxy service to access blocked websites. Popular proxy services include ProxySite, KProxy, etc.

Step 1. Select your preferred proxy service and open its official website in your browser.

Step 2. On the proxy’s website, enter the URL of the blocked website you want to access in the specified area. Click “Go”.

Step 3. (Optional) Some proxy websites allow you to choose server locations. You can select a server in a country that allows you to access the target website.

Pros and cons of using a proxy to unblock websites:

Pros:

• Free and easy to set up and use.

Cons:

• Less secure than VPNs.
• May display many ads.
• May have a slower speed than VPNs.

4. Change Your IP Address to Unblock Websites

If you are blocked by a website and can’t access it, you may change your IP address and try to access the website again.

You can use a VPN or proxy to easily get a virtual IP address for your device. Some tools are introduced above. You can also manually change your IP on your device.

To manually change IP address on a Windows 10/11 PC:

• Press Windows + I to open Windows Settings.
• Click “Network & Internet”.
• Click Wi-Fi or Ethernet based on your internet connection type.
• Click “Change adapter options”.
• Right-click your current network connection and select “Properties”.
• Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click “Properties”.
• Select “Use the following IP address”.
• Enter a new IP address for your PC. Enter the subnet mask and default gateway.
• Click OK to save the settings.

To change IP address on Mac:

• Click Apple > System Settings > Network.
• Select your active network.
• Click “Advanced”.
• Click the “TCP/IP” tab.
• Next to “Configure IPv4”, select “Manually”.
• Enter a new IP address, subnet mask, and router address.
• Click OK and Apply to save the changes.

Pros and cons of unblocking websites by changing IP address:

Pros:

• No cost.

Cons:

• A little bit complicated for non-tech users.

5. Unblock Websites with DNS Services

You can also change your DNS server to access blocked websites. Popular DNS services include Google Public DNS, OpenDNS, and Cloudflare DNS.

How to change DNS settings on Windows:

• Press Windows + R, type “ncpa.cpl”, and press Enter.
• Right-click your network connection and select “Properties”.
• Choose “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”. Click “Properties”.
• Click “Use the following DNS server addresses”. Enter the DNS addresses (e.g., 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 for Google Public DNS).
• Click “OK” to save the settings.

How to change NDS settings on Mac:

• Click Apple > System Settings > Network.
• Click your active connection and click “Advanced”.
• Go to the “DNS” tab and click the “+” button to add a new DNS server.
• Enter the DNS addresses (e.g., 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 for Cloudflare DNS).
• Click “OK” and “Apply” to save the changes.

Pros and cons of unblocking websites by changing DNS server:

Pros:

• Free website unblocker.
• No software installation is required.
• Work on various devices.

Cons:

• Complex setup.
• Don’t hide your IP address.
• Don’t provide data encryption.

Conclusion

Unblocking websites can be done through various methods. This post provides 5 ways with step-by-step guides. Whether you choose to use a VPN, proxy server, browser extension, or DNS service, you can easily access various websites.

However, you should always remember to use these tools responsibly, comply with your workplace and school policies, and always respect local laws and regulations in your area before trying to unlock sites.