Forum Discussion
Live TV fail- Home address keeps changing when the IP address is reset
We use Hulu Live for TV. My gateway is having tower issues in my area. When the Gateway jumps to a tower with a stronger signal, it is changing the IP address that my Fire stick is attached to. We then get a message from Hulu "saying it looks like your not at home". I've had to call TMO and Hulu several times to trouble shoot and it keeps happening.
The last TMO service rep I spoke with suggested using a third party router to create a static IP address to fix the issue moving forward.
- Will this work?
- And is so, what type/brand router should I use?
- How do I set that up?
-Thx
I think there is a less complicated way to achieve what you're looking to do.
The problem is caused by the way T-Mobile assigns an external IP address. With a traditional ISP, they give a geographically local address so that Hulu, et al, can tell where you are and that you're entitled to see/read/view the content.
T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T are all whats referred to as Fixed Wireless Access. T-Mobile assigns a single range of addresses for all subscribers and it is rarely geographically located. As an example, I live in S. Florida, but my external IP resolves to Bellingham, WA.
To be honest, the only problem I've ever had with this arrangement is the NY Times which says I'm a bot. I resolved it, and I suggest you do too, with a VPN that allowed me to get a local address and put the issue to bed. I use Mullvad VPN, but any VPN that allows you to choose your server will help resolve this problem.
¡Buena suerte!
l471970 wrote:
My issue is that I have a Smart TV and when connecting to streaming channels such as Paramount+, I want to see my local CBS affiliate, i.e., Savannah. Instead I'm getting Jacksonville, FL. How would a VPN help me?
Typically, it would only help if the VPN allowed selecting a VPN server that is located within your local channel area. Some VPN's do allow you to choose a static IP address which can eventually be detected as being in your local channel area. However, some streaming providers block VPN usage in its entirety.
In my case, I’ve tried most of the streaming providers on trials and eventually settled on YouTube TV as being the most flexible in allowing me to establish the proper local channels when I need to - even then I find my local channels sometime switching between Baltimore and Washington DC - close enough for my purposes but still technically “inaccurate” - my local market is Washington DC.
Perhaps @bocaboy2591 can offer some insight on how his specific VPN offers a solution.
I've had Viasat in the past and more recently I got Starlink and the same issue exists. YouTube TV still allows me to establish my proper local market. However, this isn't the ISPs fault as some suggest. Instead it is the streaming content providers fault or at least those that rely solely on inaccurate 3rd party IP-address geo-location database services to determine your local market. The plain and simple truth is that an IP-address says nothing about your physical location but rather the ISPs points of presence. However, Hulu Live and others will falsely claim it's an ISP issue - it's not.
You could try a VPN service and search for a local VPN server in Savannah, which might hopefully trick Google into giving you a suitable feed, but my instinct tells me it won't work. I, too, use YouTubeTV, and I don't have a problem, so, unfortunately, I don't have a lot of suggestions.
I'm sorry I can't be of more help!
