How to Change Your LG Smart TV Region — Step by Step

You've just moved abroad, or you're on a long trip, or maybe you've simply noticed that Netflix, Disney+, or another service is showing you a completely different library than the one you actually want. Your LG Smart TV knows where you are — and right now, it's using that information against you.

The good news: this is fixable. The bad news: LG's WebOS doesn't make it obvious, and a basic region change in the settings menu only gets you so far. If you want to actually unlock different streaming content — not just change the UI language — you'll need a VPN. We'll cover both.

Why Your LG TV Is Showing You the Wrong Content

LG Smart TVs run on WebOS, LG's own operating system. When you set up the TV, it registers a region — and that region controls which apps are available in the LG Content Store, what version of Netflix or Disney+ you see, and sometimes even what sports packages are accessible.

If you're in Germany and you want the US Netflix library, or you're in Australia and want to watch BBC iPlayer, or you're a British expat in Spain missing your Sky Sports — the problem isn't your account. It's your apparent location. Streaming services detect it from your IP address, not your login details.

So there are actually two separate issues here:

1. Your LG TV's registered region — affects the app store and UI
2. Your streaming service's detected location — affects what content you can actually watch

You might need to fix one, or both. Let's do them in order.

Step 1 — Change the Region on Your LG Smart TV

This is the simpler part. It changes the LG Content Store region and some default service availability. It won't bypass streaming geo-blocks on its own, but it's worth doing first.

1. Press the Settings button on your remote (the gear icon)
2. Go to General
3. Select Location
4. Choose LG Services Country
5. Uncheck "Set Automatically"
6. Select the country you want from the list
7. Restart your TV

That's it. Your LG Content Store will now reflect the new region, and you may see different apps available for download. But — and this is important — your streaming services will still detect your real IP address. So Netflix will still serve you the local library wherever your internet connection is based.

To actually unlock different content, you need a VPN.

Step 2 — Set Up a VPN to Unlock Streaming Content

Here's the frustrating reality: WebOS doesn't support VPN apps natively. You can't just download NordVPN from the LG Content Store the way you would on a phone. So you have to be a bit clever about it.

You've got two solid options.

Option A: Set Up the VPN on Your Router

This is the best long-term solution. When you configure a VPN on your router, every device on your home network — including your LG TV — automatically uses it. No fiddling with the TV itself.

The catch: not every router supports this, and setting it up is a bit more involved. If your router runs firmware like DD-WRT or Tomato, you're in good shape. NordVPN has solid router setup guides on their site for most models.

1. Log into your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 in a browser)
2. Find the VPN section (usually under "Advanced" or "Services")
3. Enter your NordVPN credentials and choose a server in your target country
4. Save and restart the router
5. Your LG TV will now browse through that VPN server automatically

Option B: Share a VPN Connection from Your Phone or Laptop

This is quicker to set up and works even if your router doesn't support VPNs. You connect your phone or laptop to NordVPN, then share that connection to your TV via a hotspot or by plugging in an ethernet cable from a laptop.

It's not as elegant, but it works perfectly well — especially if you're travelling or using a hotel TV.

How to Set Up NordVPN — Device by Device

On a Windows or Mac Laptop (to Share with Your TV)

1. Download and install NordVPN from nordvpn.com
2. Log in and click the map or search for your target country's server
3. Click Connect
4. On Windows: go to Settings → Network → Mobile Hotspot and share your connection. On Mac: go to System Settings → General → Sharing → Internet Sharing
5. Connect your LG TV to that hotspot via Wi-Fi

On iPhone (iOS)

1. Download the NordVPN app from the App Store
2. Log in and tap the country you want to connect through
3. Tap Connect and allow the VPN configuration when prompted
4. Go to Settings → Personal Hotspot and turn it on
5. Connect your LG TV to your iPhone's hotspot

On Android

1. Download the NordVPN app from the Google Play Store
2. Log in, select a server location, and connect
3. Go to Settings → Network → Hotspot & Tethering and enable the hotspot
4. Connect your LG TV to your Android's hotspot

NordVPN costs $4.99/month (about £3.90 / €4.60) on the two-year plan, which is the one worth getting. Month-to-month it's $12.99/month (about £10.20 / €12) — fine if you just want to test it first.

Will a Free VPN Work?

Short answer: almost certainly not. And honestly, don't bother trying.

Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and most major streaming platforms actively block VPNs. The free ones get detected and banned almost immediately because they use shared IP addresses that are flagged within days. You'll hit a proxy error wall and be stuck.

Paid VPNs like NordVPN invest heavily in rotating servers specifically to stay ahead of these blocks. That's what you're actually paying for — not just the encryption, but the cat-and-mouse maintenance work that keeps the service working.

If NordVPN doesn't suit you for whatever reason, ExpressVPN is a reliable alternative that's particularly strong with streaming, and Surfshark is a good budget option that allows unlimited device connections.

Common Problems — and How to Fix Them

"I changed my region but Netflix still shows the same content"

The LG region setting only changes the TV's app store — it doesn't touch your IP address. You need the VPN step as well. Make sure your TV's internet connection is going through the VPN, not your regular broadband.

"I'm getting a proxy error on Netflix"

This means Netflix has detected you're using a VPN. Switch to a different server in the same country — NordVPN has multiple servers per country. If one's blocked, another will work. You can also try NordVPN's "Obfuscated Servers" option in the settings.

"The LG Content Store doesn't show apps from my new region"

After changing your LG Services Country, do a full restart of the TV. If apps still aren't showing, try signing out of your LG account and back in — the store sometimes caches the old region aggressively.

"My hotspot connection is too slow for HD streaming"

VPNs do add a small amount of overhead, but a good paid VPN shouldn't cause buffering on a decent connection. Try a server that's geographically closer to you. London servers are faster for UK content than New York ones, for example, even if both give you a British IP address.

"I can't find the Location setting on my LG TV"

The exact menu path can vary slightly depending on your WebOS version. On older models, look under Settings → Option → Location. On newer ones it's typically Settings → General → System → Location. If you're stuck, search "LG Services Country" in the TV's settings search bar.

FAQ

Will changing the LG TV region affect my existing apps?

It can. Apps that are region-locked may disappear from your home screen after a region change, and you might see new ones appear. Your existing downloads and accounts within those apps aren't usually affected — but the app availability in the store will change.

Is it legal to use a VPN to change streaming regions?

Using a VPN is legal in most countries. Accessing content outside your licensed territory technically violates streaming services' terms of service — but it's a civil matter between you and the service, not a criminal one. The worst that typically happens is your account gets flagged or asked to verify location.

Can I use NordVPN on multiple devices at once?

Yes — NordVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections on one subscription. So you can run it on your laptop (sharing to the TV) while also using it on your phone.

Do I need to change the region back when I'm home?

Only if you want to. If you live abroad and have permanently changed your setup, leave it as-is. If you were travelling and want to revert, just go back to the Location settings and switch back — or re-enable "Set Automatically."

Which streaming services does this actually work for?

With NordVPN and the right server, you can unlock different Netflix libraries, BBC iPlayer, ITV X, Channel 4, Peacock, Hulu, Disney+ regional variants, and most major sports packages. Some services are trickier than others — BBC iPlayer is notoriously picky — but NordVPN keeps its UK servers updated specifically for that.

What if my router doesn't support VPN configuration?

The hotspot method from your phone or laptop is the easiest workaround. Alternatively, you can buy a small travel router (like a GL.iNet model) that supports VPN natively — you plug it into your home router and it handles everything for about $30–50 (around £24–40 / €28–46).

Our Honest Recommendation

If you're a regular LG Smart TV user who wants consistent access to content from another region, set up NordVPN on your router. It's a one-time effort and then you forget about it — every device in your home just works. If that feels like too much for now, start with the phone hotspot method to make sure everything actually works the way you want before committing to anything.

The LG region change in settings is worth doing alongside this — it opens up apps that might not be available in your current store region. But on its own, it won't unlock streaming content. You need both pieces.

And once it's working? It's completely invisible. You just watch what you want, where you want, on a TV that finally stops telling you what you're allowed to see.