How to Unblock Websites: 8 Ways That Still Work (2026)
How do you unblock websites? A site might be blocked by your internet provider, by a court order in your country, by a public Wi-Fi network, or because a streaming service only works in certain regions. Some methods in the original 2009 version of this guide, such as Google cache, no longer exist. Here are the ways to unblock websites that still work in 2026, and when you shouldn’t use them.
Quick answer: A reputable VPN unblocks most sites by routing your traffic through another server. If the block is a simple ISP DNS block, switching your DNS to Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8) is often enough. Tor Browser, web proxies, mobile data and archived copies on the Wayback Machine are other options.
Table of Contents
First: why is the website blocked?
- ISP or government block: often done at DNS level, sometimes by IP.
- Network block: school, office or public Wi-Fi filters.
- Geo-restriction: the site itself only serves some countries.
- Your own device: parental controls, a hosts file entry, antivirus or a browser extension.
Respect your school’s or employer’s rules: bypassing their filter can break policy even where it is legal. Never use these methods for anything illegal.
8 ways to unblock websites
1. Use a VPN
A VPN encrypts your traffic and sends it through a server in another place, so the network can’t see or block the sites you visit. Paid services like Proton VPN (external site) (which also has a free plan), ExpressVPN (external site) and NordVPN (external site) are reliable. Avoid unknown free VPN apps that may log or sell your data.
2. Change your DNS server
Many ISP blocks only stop their own DNS from answering. Switch your device or router to Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 (external site) or Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8). In Chrome, Edge and Firefox you can also turn on Secure DNS (DNS over HTTPS) in the privacy settings.
3. Try Tor Browser
Tor Browser (external site) routes traffic through several volunteer relays. It is free and strong for privacy, but slower than a VPN.
4. Use a web proxy
Proxy sites load a page for you. They are quick for a one-off visit but often show ads, break logins and offer no encryption, so never enter passwords through them.
5. Switch to mobile data or another network
If only your office or school Wi-Fi blocks a site, your phone’s mobile data or hotspot will usually open it.
6. Open an archived copy
For reading a page that is blocked or has disappeared, look it up on the Wayback Machine (external site). Note that Google retired its cache: links in 2024, so the old cache: trick no longer works.
7. Use https and the right address
Some basic filters only block the plain http version or a single address. Try the https version or the www and non-www address.
8. Check your own device
If a site is blocked only on one computer, check parental controls, your antivirus web filter, browser extensions and the Windows hosts file. If you blocked it yourself, here is how to block and unblock sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Methods that no longer work well
- Google cache: removed in 2024.
- Google Translate as a proxy: rarely loads full sites now.
- Typing the IP address: most sites share IPs behind a CDN, so the IP rarely opens the right site.
- Old “hide IP” toolbars and Web2Mail services: mostly discontinued or unsafe.
FAQ
Is it legal to unblock websites?
Using a VPN is legal in most countries, but laws differ, and accessing illegal content is still illegal. Check local rules.
Why does a VPN not unblock streaming sites?
Streaming services block many VPN servers. Try another server or provider, and check the service’s terms.
How can I hide my IP address?
A VPN or Tor hides it from websites. See how to change your IP address.
Originally written by guest author Elisabeta Ghidiu, who writes about online privacy and security. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.
Stuck on a gift? Try our free Gift Idea GeneratorIdeas for anyone by age, job, interests and budget, with Amazon.com and Amazon.in linksFind gifts →Get our free weekly email: new tech guides and tools, no spam.
New and updated tech guides, a free tool worth bookmarking and one useful pick, once a week. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
One email a week. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy.
what if it is your website?
I have no idea, but my website is blocked on my computer.
i need to be able to access my site and not by a proxy server. it’s set up with ipage and wordpress
yes, i can enter it with tor but i shouldn’t have to use tor
Great site here! If you want to find all of the best VPN’s on the market compared to each other then you should check out https://thebestproxyserver.com/
There are some other free vpn software available like http://eshieldvpn.com/. I was previously using hotspotshield but it slows down your internet speed. Even i was not able to open facebook and gmail.
I was using hotspotshield when i was in saudia, but it always slow down my computer, then i found a free best proxy website now i can unblock any website.
Why there is such a need to block such good social networking sites….. anyone can use it using https://primovpn.net/ if it is blocked.It’s very easy to use. Downloading is also awesome.
Thank you. But none of these work for me. I guess our iT guys are very good. Cause I can’t even open a page that talks about unblocking a site. I had to use my phone in order to see this. And all I wanted was a game to play online. Oh well.
plz slove how t to unlock this site
In my area a lot of websites are blocked so I’ve found out that using a free proxy is the best way to pass round – for example
pls help me how to remove how to remove a facebook block option in my pc.
if i do use proxy will my boss find out that i’ve been using a site that he blocked???pliz anser
i go to net flix and i cant watch the movies i get a pop out saying internet explore blockedthis website from displaying content with security certificate errors can anyone tell me how i can fix this please and thanks
Spotflux and hotspotshield don’t work on my laptop no more for God knows what reasons. How can I fix em?
Hey guys i real like to know how to unblock my internet since it blocked in facebook only. Pls help me
Pretty insightful article thanks Elisabeta!
Bingo :) Solution number 2 worked wonders! I first tried hotspot shield but it’s as slow as heck !! I settled for highspeedVPN check it out ! I can’t complain so far I can use it to access sites at work… I wish they got rid of this filtering it isn’t helping our productivity just slows us down when we need to conduct research at work!
Unlock all blocked sites
That’s reall a good post. I have been using boxpn VPN service for my online security and anonymity. It’s simple and very useful.
With Hotspot Shield I can unblock facebook ,myspace and many other blocked websites.
Check it out here: https://www.hotspotshield.com/
Hi, none of them worked here in Iran, please give me another way!!
u can use vpn like hotspot or securitykiss to unblock sites even at china and iran
hi i tryed to use proxy and all and its still blocked and i tryed to go to settings and reset my school computer it was working for a while until they blocked it
my school literally blocked all of the websites that does not have anything to do with school…. even the weather websites
how to unlock website in proxy server in linex & xp suggested me
nothin working..need some serious commands to unblock..
Web Proxies are usually also blocked so using a VPN is the best way to bypass the firewall at your work or school :)
every site I tried to open that you suggested, is blocked; what now?
i cann’t access facebook from my computer. when ever i try to open facebook another web page opens.
i whant to get into facebook at work but aint got much options is there any specific way to unblock it with out using anything, only getting into my pc’s system???
hi ,i want to download,but this web site is blocked in my country,can u help me ?how download it?
how do i unblock this website:runescape.com/
how do you unblock facebook at school would someone tell me please thank you
I like getting on facebook at home but when i am in school icant get on so please tell me how to get on facebook at school
pls.. give me a browser that can access facebook because my computer has a watchguard. thank you
Hai, i tried with all proxy servers but i fail to open that pages, think they made block all proxy service
please tell me any other way to access it freely.
***Muah Muah Muah*** I’m loving it… my organization keeps facebook blocking… this page helped me to access it with ease… the easiest way “https://” worked. thank you, thank you very much ***Elisabeta Ghidiu***.. now i will teach all of my friends.
the hotspot works with me.. thanks a lot
unblock my site
This isnt helpful at all i already knew all of these and apparantly so did my school administrators because they blocked them
man none of these workeverytime i try to access any of these they are all blocked
also using cyberghost vpn, great way to surf online, and the servers are reaally really fast!
https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/en_US/
This is a really good read for me.good introduction from the highly professionals. I done a search on the person and learn most peoples give concord with your diary. for another proxy you can visit hxxp://samair.ru
Pls can you send me a freeworking proxy & port & also a free one for opera mini 4.2
It’s very nice when you see a post like this. I’ve learned a lot and you me give new ideas. I hope to see more post from you. Thank you very much.
66.232.118.195 <– What I usually use in my school.
204.27.59.68 <– SSL
204.27.59.69 <– Myspace
204.27.59.70 <– Facebook, BEBO, YouTube
(Don't put any 'www.', '.com', '.net', '.org', 'http://' just put the numbers as is on your address.)
Hope this helps.
Add me in Facebook so I'll know if it works, if it doesn't work, I'm sorry.
My name in Facebook is "Ako Si Joshua" wearing yellow polo and shades.
T.Y.
You can try this: https://www.ibvpn.com/
internet archieve is the best thing to browse the banned websites
Is this legal, because my state is really strict about this stuff; however, I want to access https://video.ibm.com/, so that when I go into high school in the near future, I can broadcast the basketball games!
Hey, I knew about 6 of them. Nice to know more anyway. Thanks.
All your offer ways couldn’t work in Iran .
Because The Government of Iran block all port except 80,81,21 …
especial ports blocked are:
*22 : ssh
*443 : https(ssl) (included sites : Gmail , facebook , twitter , mail.yahoo.com )
*1194 : for Openvpn
*1723 : pptp (for vpn ;However, newly they don’t blocked this port , they decrease traffic to 0 byte!)
*1863 : msn messenger
*5050 : yahoo messenger
etc.
even often the Government of Iran don’t allow to download video and flash files! or use mail services like Gmail , Yahoo mail , live , etc.
Thanks a lot anyway;)
poor us :(
ali u use vpn it will change ur ip to uk or usa and will unblock ur sites
A fresh list of web proxies is available here https://www.proxy4free.com/
The best and most secure are hide ip software and VPNs, i prefer IP Privacy becasue has premium proxies that are not slowing down your Internet connection…
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
nice list , i will recommend foxyproxy addon , best easy tool !
Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe I’ll make an update for this post and I will collect more resources.
It is very useful for me And those who are seeing this websites
wont let me on facebook 4 i can chat with my friends
Very nice post. I have heard about proxy servers for a long time now, but had never used one because I was not sure where to find them. So, thanks for the links. I look forward to exploring them and seeing what they are for and what they can do. Great Job!
what are the proxies you usually use?
I just want to download recently released movies but it has not been easy. many of my friends do it so fast and they pretend like they don’t but they all have the recent movies and they are like “if you want its in my laptop” so please send me how to do it so easy. thanks a million.
none work for me they have blocked them all have anything new?
Web proxies are usually the best way, providing the url of the proxy doesnt contain the word ‘proxy’ then most work/school web filters wont pick it up!
The article is very useful for me.
Thanks you for sharing.
Any of these proxy doesnt work on my office!
Do you have anything for me?
another one, useful in some cases: restart your modem/router if you have a dinamic IP (mostly common).
:-)
Cool, I had a website that I was trying to access, that keeps getting block (the new version of Firefox is annoying me)
I’ll have to try some of these…
I also had an issue of sending visitors to my site that blocked them from accessing another one of my sites – not sure why, but I just moved the webpage to the same site and it worked fine.
Great run down on how to overcome blocked sites & contents. I appreciate your list of the web proxies, since I find myself in need of one. I’m hopeful that I can find one from your list.
Other free VPN are: AlonWeb, UltraVPN, CyberGhost. I hope these will work for you. :)
But I suspect UltraVPN. Some of my friends told it is the malware. But it is really working good…
unblock it
Thanks for the great info. Hide Ip softwares and vpn services are probably the best solution to hide/change ip address.
Great unblock tools and software. Now I can unblock facebook at school and also bypass filters to unblock myspace, unblock bebo and many other blocked school websites.
how can i unblock all websites plz send me reply
You can use proxy to unblock websites.
I’m always using proxy site, go here
wat is the prozy called
This article is good!
BUT…
NON of them working in IRAN
Martik, there are many services available on the market but to find one that works in your country, you have to search and test man of them. It’s more a matter of luck. Some of them works better is specific regions or on specific systems.
I live in iran i’m sure u know that we can’t even get to these site to download the apps!!
same here in saudi arabia D:
Proxy services do work but all these will not helpful to access a particular r website when we most needed as I faced .
Proxy websites are one of my best ammo for the job.
That’s really informative post I was looking for. Till now I was aware of only one method of using Proxies to access blocked websites, but it is good to know that there are some other methods also.