Have you been desperately missing watching the beloved comedy series The Office after Netflix removed it from the US library in 2021?
I‘ve got great news for you – there is a super easy way to get your Dunder Mifflin fix again by accessing The Office on Netflix from anywhere in the world.
In this detailed guide, you‘ll learn how to use a VPN to watch geo-blocked shows on Netflix from whichever country they are available in. Soon you‘ll be virtually traveling the globe to stream all your favorites!
I‘ll walk you through exactly how to set up Surfshark VPN on any device, use it to get around Netflix restrictions, and start watching The Office‘s nine seasons of cringe-worthy workplace antics in a matter of minutes.
Along the way, I‘ll explain how VPNs work to unlock streaming sites, provide research on Netflix and Surfshark, and give some handy tips for getting the most out of your newfound streaming freedom. Grab some popcorn and let‘s dive in!
VPN Geo-Hopping – The Smarter Way to Stream
First, let‘s quickly cover the basics of how you can use a VPN to access Netflix content from other countries, a clever technique called geo-hopping.
When you connect to a VPN server in, say, the UK, Netflix thinks you are located there based on the VPN IP address. This fools Netflix and allows you to view the UK catalog of shows and movies.
I like to think of VPNs as letting you teleport around the world virtually. Your streaming options become almost limitless!
Surfshark makes geo-hopping super simple with their app that connects to over 3,200 servers in 65 countries.
In just a few clicks you can be streaming from Netflix UK, Canada, Japan, Australia and beyond. It really expands your entertainment horizons!
Why The Office Got The Boot in the US
Now back to The Office and how you can once again laugh along with Jim, Pam, Dwight and the whole Dunder Mifflin crew even though Netflix gave them the boot in the US.
This subscriber favorite was removed from the US Netflix library in January 2021. According to data from Nielsen, it was actually the most viewed show on Netflix at the time!
So why did Netflix get rid of its most popular show? It all comes down to licensing rights.
When a streaming platform licenses a show, they only have permission to stream it in specific regions of the world for a finite period of time.
Netflix‘s license to stream The Office in the US expired, while their license for UK viewers remained valid.
This is why geo-hopping with a VPN is so handy – you can virtually cross borders and watch shows in territories where licensing allows it.
Step 1 – Sign Up for Surfshark VPN
There are many VPN services out there, but Surfshark stands out for several reasons:
- Works consistently to unblock Netflix & other streaming sites
- Maintains fast connection speeds for HD streaming
- Unlimited devices allowed on a single account
- Apps for all platforms – Firestick, Apple, Windows, Android
- Easy to use interface and excellent customer support
I highly recommend Surfshark because they have perfected the technical aspects of bypassing geo-blocks. The key is havingservers that stay under Netflix‘s radar by rotating IP addresses.
Surfshark‘s excellent speeds also allow for smooth HD streaming with no annoying buffering issues.
The steps to get your Surfshark account set up are simple:
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Go to Surfshark‘s website: https://surfshark.com
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Select your plan – the 2 year deal is the best value at just $2.49/month.
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Enter your payment info and create a username and password.
That‘s it! Now on to installing Surfshark on your devices.
Step 2 – Install Surfshark VPN App
Surfshark offers user-friendly apps for all major platforms:
- Fire TV and Firestick
- iPhone and iPad
- Android phones and tablets
- Mac and Windows computers
- Linux
- Browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox
I‘ll walk through the Fire TV installation since that is a very popular way to stream Netflix to your TV.
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From your Firestick home screen, use the search function to find "Surfshark".
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Select the Surfshark app from the list of results and click to install.
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Once installed, launch the Surfshark app.
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Sign in using the credentials you set up on their website.
And that‘s it, you‘re ready to connect!
Step 3 – Connect to a UK Server
Time to connect to a UK server so you can access Netflix‘s UK library!
Inside the Surfshark app:
- Tap on ‘Quick Connect‘ which will automatically select the best UK server.
OR
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Tap on ‘Locations‘ and manually select a server located in the United Kingdom.
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Tap ‘Connect‘ and give it 10-20 seconds to establish the encrypted tunnel to the UK server.
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Once connected, you will see the connection status turn green and confirm your new virtual UK location.
Easy peasy! You‘re now geo-hopped over to the UK as far as Netflix is concerned.
Step 4 – Stream The Office on Netflix
The moment we‘ve been waiting for! Time to reconnect with the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.
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Open the Netflix app on your Firestick.
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Search for ‘The Office‘ and select the series.
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Click an episode and start laughing again as you watch Michael Scott bumble through another day as regional manager.
With Surfshark hiding your real location, Netflix thinks you are in the UK and happily streams all 201 episodes of The Office without any geo-restricted messages.
Step 5 – Disconnect When You‘re Done
Once you have finished streaming The Office or any other shows via international Netflix, it‘s good practice to disconnect from the VPN server.
Inside the Surfshark app:
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Tap on ‘Disconnect‘
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You will see your virtual location revert back to your actual country.
Disconnecting frees up VPN resources for other users when you aren‘t actively streaming geo-blocked content.
But the VPN connection process is so fast, you can easily connect again in a snap whenever you want to access Netflix from another country.
Troubleshooting Tips
In most cases, Surfshark will successfully bypass Netflix‘s geo-blocks and you‘ll be streaming in no time.
But here are a few troubleshooting tips just in case:
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Double check that the VPN app shows you are connected to a UK server before launching Netflix.
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Try manually selecting a different UK server if one isn‘t working.
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Confirm the Surfshark app is allowed to run in the background.
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Clear the Netflix app cache and restart your device.
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Contact Surfshark‘s excellent 24/7 customer support for personalized assistance.
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Check the Surfshark website for the latest updates if a certain country isn‘t working.
With their dedicated team continuously optimizing servers and configurations, Surfshark problems are rare and quickly remedied.
Embrace Your Inner Couch Potato and Happy Streaming!
I hope this step-by-step guide enables you to once again stream your favorite episodes of The Office on Netflix, or any other shows exclusive to certain countries.
The trick is finding a VPN like Surfshark that offers the right mix of streaming compatibility, speed, ease of use and affordability.
Stop being restricted by virtual borders and geo-blocking! A VPN lets you access all of Netflix‘s global content offerings from the comfort of your couch.
You now have the power to channel surf between different countries and discover amazing new movies, shows, and Netflix Originals you never knew existed. Happy streaming!