How to Set Up NordVPN on Kodi — Complete 2024 Guide by Raven Wu

Raven Wu

Updated on: December 16, 2023

I always use Kodi with a VPN, and one of my favorites is NordVPN. Kodi is really convenient because I can watch everything from one place. Plus, I really like that NordVPN protects all of my online traffic, which is great when I want to install any third-party add-on on my Kodi app.

There are several ways to get NordVPN on Kodi, so I created this guide to help you with the process. In this article, I’ll highlight 3 different setup methods and provide simple instructions to guide you through each one. Also, I answered some common questions, like why you need a VPN for Kodi, why NordVPN is one of the best providers for it, and what you can do if NordVPN isn’t working properly with Kodi.

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What Are the Benefits of Setting Up NordVPN on Kodi?

• Large server network. You’ll have no problems connecting to a NordVPN server in your home country (or whichever country you happen to be traveling to) — you should be able to find a server to connect to thanks to NordVPN’s large server network of 6,036 servers in 61 countries.
• Streaming support for multiple platforms. Customer support confirmed that NordVPN works with 10+ streaming sites, including ESPN, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, so you can easily stream your favorite shows on these platforms if you install Kodi add-ons that support these services.
• Stop internet throttling. Some internet service providers (ISPs) will limit your internet speeds if they detect lots of high-bandwidth activities (such as binging shows on Kodi in 4K). This can cause long video load times and annoying buffering. But if you connect to NordVPN when you use Kodi, your ISP won’t be able to see your online activities and data usage so it can’t throttle your speeds.
• Fast speeds. NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs that I’ve tested. In all of my tests, all HD videos loaded instantly when connected to a NordVPN server, and I didn’t experience any buffering. There was also no buffering when I tried to stream 4K videos, but it did take them 3–4 seconds to load — though that’s not that long.
• Improve security and privacy. NordVPN encrypts your data (makes it unreadable to anyone who tries to spy on it) and hides your IP address, which reveals your location. This prevents third parties, such as advertisers or hackers, from obtaining information about you or targeting you with cyberattacks. This is particularly important if you frequently stream on Kodi using public Wi-Fi, which usually lacks strong security.

How to Install NordVPN on Kodi (Step-By-Step Guides)

To use NordVPN with Kodi, you’ll first need to get a NordVPN subscription. I recommend choosing the longest-term plan to get the best value — it costs just $3.39 / month. Don’t worry, all of NordVPN’s plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you aren’t satisfied with the service, you can get a full refund, no questions asked.

There are 3 main ways to set up NordVPN on Kodi. The easiest way is to install the NordVPN app on your device — NordVPN has apps for tons of platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can also set up NordVPN on your router, which allows all of your devices to connect to a VPN server, even the ones without support for VPN apps, like gaming consoles and certain smart TVs. Finally, you can use the NordVPN add-on for Kodi.

If possible, I recommend using the NordVPN client app for your Kodi device — it’s the fastest method and the one that requires the least technical know-how.

Install the NordVPN App on Your Android or iOS device

1. Find and install the NordVPN app in your device’s app store (Google Play Store for Android devices and Apple App Store for iOS devices). In the search box, type in “NordVPN” and click Install. This should only take 1–2 minutes.

2. Launch the NordVPN app, log into your account, and connect to a server. NordVPN’s mobile apps are very intuitive, so I had no trouble finding the right server.

3. Open Kodi. You’re all set! Your Kodi traffic is now protected by NordVPN.

Install the NordVPN App on Your PC or macOS Device

1. Navigate to the NordVPN website to download the NordVPN app for your device. If you haven’t bought a NordVPN subscription yet, you can use our NordVPN affiliate link and get a discount. You’ll be taken to NordVPN’s pricing page to pick a plan and finalize the purchase. You can then download the app to your device.

2. Run the downloaded .exe. or .pkg file and follow the installation wizard’s instructions. The whole process should take 2–3 minutes.

3. Open NordVPN and select a server to connect to. NordVPN’s interface is clean and very easy to navigate — I was able to find the appropriate server and connect to it in just a couple of clicks.

4. Launch Kodi. That’s it! You can now watch your favorite content on Kodi securely from anywhere in the world.

Install the NordVPN App on Your Linux Device

Installing NordVPN on Linux is a pretty straightforward process. It only took me about 5 minutes to get NordVPN on my device and then just a couple of seconds to find and connect to a server in the app.

1. Download the NordVPN app by opening the terminal and entering this command:
   sh <(curl -sSf https://downloads.nordcdn.com/apps/linux/install.sh).
2. Log in to your NordVPN account with this command: nordvpn login.
3. Connect to a VPN server with this command: nordvpn connect.
4. Open the Kodi app and start streaming securely!

Set Up NordVPN on Your Router

1. Check to make sure that NordVPN supports your router. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to first install custom firmware on it such as DD-WRT or Tomato. Alternatively, you can buy yourself a pre-configured router. NordVPN’s partner, FlashRouters, sells routers with NordVPN pre-configured on them.

2. Follow the instructions to configure NordVPN on your router. The specific steps to set up NordVPN are different depending on your router. NordVPN’s website has simple tutorials for all supported routers. I found the instructions clear and easy to follow and was able to get the VPN set up on my router in approximately 10 minutes, but it could take longer depending on how comfortable you are with the tech. Once you’re finished, all of the devices connected to your router, including your Kodi device, will be protected by NordVPN.
3. Launch the Kodi app on your device and start streaming via an encrypted VPN connection.

Install the NordVPN Kodi Add-on

1. Get the add-on from the NordVPN website at www.nord.app/kodi (visiting this link will automatically start the download) and put the downloaded .zip file on your Kodi device.
2. Open Kodi and go to the settings menu by clicking on the gear icon in the top left.

3. Select Add-ons. It’s right at the top of the screen.

4. Select Install from zip file. If this is your first time installing an add-on from an unknown source, you may receive a notification telling you that this function is disabled. Go to Settings, and under Add-ons, toggle the Unknown sources slider to allow installation from unknown sources. A warning message will pop up when you do so, but you can safely hit Yes to proceed.

5. Locate the NordVPN .zip file on your device. It will now begin installing the NordVPN add-on.

6. When the installation finishes, select Wizard in the prompt that pops up to run the NordVPN setup wizard. Follow the on-screen instructions provided to complete the setup. And you’re all set! All of your Kodi traffic is now protected by NordVPN.

Tried Installing NordVPN on Kodi But It’s Not Working? Try These Troubleshooting Steps

Restart Your Device

Turning your device on and off again is a tried-and-true solution. It’s often the simplest way to resolve a whole host of minor issues because it clears all cache and resets the network settings.

Check Your Internet Connection

If your connection is weak, NordVPN might struggle to maintain a stable connection and may regularly drop your connection to the VPN server. You may be able to improve your internet speed by moving closer to the Wi-Fi router. Alternatively, you can get a Wi-Fi range extender.

Reinstall the NordVPN App

The VPN app might be experiencing issues that stop you from connecting to a server. Reinstalling the app may sometimes fix the issue. Uninstall the NordVPN app, reboot your device, and then reinstall it.

Try Connecting to a Different Server

The NordVPN server you’re trying to connect to may be down, so try connecting to a few different servers.

Tweak Your Antivirus or Firewall

Sometimes your antivirus or firewall may interfere with VPN connections. Try whitelisting the VPN app in your antivirus or firewall to see if this helps.

Make Sure Your NordVPN Account Is Active

Your account may be temporarily inactive while your payment is being processed. You can check this by visiting your NordVPN account page.

Check Router Compatibility

Not all routers support VPN connections. If your router doesn’t (or if NordVPN just doesn’t support your router’s software), you may have to install custom firmware to make NordVPN work.

Check If You Have a Curl Package (Linux)

Without this, your command to download the NordVPN app will fail. To fix that, try this command instead: sh <(curl -sSf https://downloads.nordcdn.com/apps/linux/install.sh).

Try Another Setup Method (NordVPN Add-on)

NordVPN’s add-on for Kodi doesn’t work with the most recent version of Kodi. So if you’re getting the error message “The dependency on xbmc.python version 2.7 could not be satisfied,” that’s why. Try one of the alternative methods in this article.

Check If You Have OpenVPN Installed (Zomboided VPN Manager)

To download the NordVPN app, make sure you have the OpenVPN protocol installed (the Zomboided VPN Manager needs OpenVPN to work). Without it, attempting to download the app will result in an error code.

Try NordVPN’s Customer Support

NordVPN offers 24/7 live chat support, which you can reach through its website. Alternatively, you can send NordVPN an email. When I used the live chat feature, I was connected to a support rep in less than 15 seconds. And when I tested the email support, I got a response back within a day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use NordVPN with Kodi?

Yes, you can use NordVPN with Kodi. NordVPN has a dedicated app for all major devices (including iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS) and it works with routers so you can protect all of your devices with just one connection.

There’s also a NordVPN add-on for Kodi, but I don’t recommend it — it’s not compatible with the latest Kodi version. That said, there is a workaround, but it’s pretty technical.

How do I set up NordVPN on Kodi?

The quickest and easiest is to use the NordVPN app on your Kodi device. All you have to do is download and install the NordVPN app for your device and then connect to a VPN server. This should take you no longer than 2–3 minutes.

If you have Kodi on a device that doesn’t support VPNs, such as a gaming console or certain smart TVs, you should instead set up NordVPN on your router. This process is a little more difficult, but NordVPN has easy-to-follow guides that make it more straightforward.

Should I use a VPN for Kodi?

Yes, using a VPN for Kodi comes with lots of benefits. A VPN prevents internet throttling by hiding your activities from your ISP, ensuring smoother streaming. It also enhances security and privacy by encrypting data and concealing your IP address and lets you access your favorite shows while abroad.

NordVPN is an excellent VPN for Kodi, offering a vast server network, compatibility with all popular streaming services, and advanced security features. You can try NordVPN risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Are there any good free VPNs for Kodi?

I don’t recommend using a free VPN for Kodi. Free VPNs generally have slower speeds, which can cause long video load times and frequent buffering. Plus, they rarely work with most major streaming services, they aren’t very secure (some will even sell your personal information to third parties), and most of them come with highly restrictive data limits.

Instead, consider an affordable paid VPN like NordVPN. NordVPN is fast and secure, has a large server network, and lets you watch your favorite shows on every major streaming service in HD quality without any buffering.

Read more about NordVPN in our full review