Like most people, you were probably very sad to see The Office leave Netflix. What a way to start 2021, right? However, we would like to tell you a little secret: the desktop is still on Netflix. It’s just that you can’t find it in the American library. Netflix no longer has the license rights for this show in the United States – Peacock now does. So Netflix can’t show the series there anymore.
But they still broadcast The Office in other countries. Do you want to know which ones? Learn more here by StreamCatcher. With this online service, you can find out where all the Netflix titles are available to stream.
It seems like you can still binge on The Office on Netflix, but you can only do that in Canada, UK, Japan, Sweden, Australia
You can easily trick Netflix into thinking that you are from one of these countries if you use a VPN. It looks like you are surfing Netflix with a different IP address. This will make the site think you are from another country (not the United States). But how do you know which Netflix VPN to choose?
We will try to offer you some useful tips in this article. So here’s how to pick a good VPN that will help you unblock this show:
1. Check the server network
Large numbers of servers are always welcome – between 500 or 1000, ideally.
Why?
Because:
- It’s easier to find nearby server locations (so you get faster speeds).
- Easier to find servers that aren’t overcrowded (again, faster speeds)
- You can use servers from different regions to unblock even more Netflix content.
In this case, you need to make sure that the provider has servers in Canada, UK, Japan, Sweden, and Australia. Our personal recommendation is to avoid VPNs that only have Japanese servers. You can use them to unlock The Office, of course, but only the first three seasons! The rest is not available on the Japanese Netflix library.
2. Make sure there is no data limit
Unlimited bandwidth is the name of the game. This is what you want to see when you check VPN functionality. This way, you never have to worry about how much data you used while watching The Office.
With data limits, you should always check the VPN app to see where your data usage is. And you have to do it between episodes. Keep in mind that watching about an hour of content on Netflix consumes around 2 GB if you are using SD and 3 GB if you are using HD. Data limits normally around 10-20 GB per month, so it is impossible to complete the whole series in just one month.
3. Look at the variety of protocol
VPN protocols are rules that specify how a VPN application communicates with a VPN server. They are basically responsible for establishing the VPN connection. Most VPNs use OpenVPN by default these days. It’s a very powerful and secure protocol, so it’s not much of a surprise.
However, there is one problem – OpenVPN can be very slow. If your original speeds are also quite slow, you might struggle to exceed 25 Mbps with OpenVPN (the minimum speeds for 4K quality).
This is why it is important that the VPN offers access to faster VPN protocol alternatives. Based on our experience, a VPN should also offer (in addition to OpenVPN):
- WireGuard (by far the fastest protocol we’ve tested)
- IKEv2 (perfect for smartphone users)
- L2TP / IPSec
Some VPNs may also offer PPTP. It’s definitely quick, but not safe to use in our opinion. Its encryption is very weak, which means hackers and surveillance agencies can compromise it. Using it with Netflix means you risk putting your login credentials, email address, and payment information at risk.
4. Check out the VPN’s cross-platform compatibility
Picture this – you’ve found the perfect VPN in your opinion, you’re ready to unblock The Office with it, sign up, pay for the service, head to the downloads section and … can’t find any app for your device. Always check the apps offered by the VPN before choosing a subscription. A good Netflix VPN should work on the most popular platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. If it has apps for smart TVs, that’s even better.
Oh, and the step-by-step setup tutorials are also a good sign, especially when it comes to devices without native VPN support (like game consoles).
5. Check the number of parallel connections supported by the VPN
What if you want to watch The Office using a VPN on six devices at the same time throughout your home, but the VPN only supports five simultaneous connections? In this case, you should always sign out of a device when you reach the limit. It quickly becomes frustrating.
So check the number of parallel connections allowed by the VPN provider. Most VPNs support up to five and seven simultaneous connections, with some even allowing you to use their service on up to ten devices. And, sometimes you can even have VPNs that have unlimited parallel connections (like Surfshark, for example).
What else are you looking for in a Netflix VPN?
What other features should a VPN offer to make sure you can unblock The Office and watch it? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Also, if you know of any other VPNs that work great with Netflix, be sure to mention them.