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How To Unblock YouTube At School On Chromebook

Unblocking YouTube on Chromebook using a VPN

One VPN I'd like to advise is ProtonVPN. They offer a free version that might be exactly what you're looking for. It's a powerful tool because it respects your privacy - no logs of your activity, no speed limits, and it can circumvent censorship without a hitch. Plus, it works under Swiss privacy laws, which are considered top-notch worldwide. The assurance of security this provides, knowing your data isn't being tracked, can be a modest but welcome relief amidst the tedium of school life.

Now, there's one note: you'll need to have the permission to install software on your device. If you're using a school-issued computer or tablet, this might be a barrier. In such cases, check if you have the necessary permissions or if there's a way to obtain them. If you're using a personal device, the process is much more straightforward.

To install ProtonVPN, simply go to the app store on your device and search for ProtonVPN. Download the app - it's free. Once it's installed, open the app, and follow the setup instructions. You'll be able to connect to their servers and start browsing as if you're anywhere other than the confines of your school's network.

The free version of ProtonVPN is quite generous, but if you find you need more features - such as faster speeds or access to more servers - you can consider upgrading to the paid version. If you choose to use our affiliate link, we'll earn a small commission, but more importantly, you'll get a tool that might just make those long school days a little more bearable.

Other ways to unblock YouTube on Chromebook

Using Invidious

The various Invidious instances should work in the browser of any device.

Users can use Invidious to locate videos, view them, and even access features like comments and playlists, all while keeping a degree of anonymity and reducing the amount of data shared with Google. Since it's an open-source project, it's community-driven and can be altered or hosted separately by different individuals or organizations.

Unblocking YouTube On Chromebook using Free DNS Servers

What Are DNS Servers?

Think of you want to find a person's home, but you just know their name, not their address. You’d probably ask someone who is aware of where they live, right?

In the online world, DNS servers (Domain Name System servers) are like those knowledgeable friends. When you enter a website's address (like www.example.com) into your web browser, DNS servers convert that name into an IP address (a set of numbers) that your computer can understand and employ to access the website.

How Changing DNS Servers Can Help Bypass Censorship

Sometimes, some websites might be restricted by your ISP or your school's authorities. They do this by forcing your DNS queries (requests to access a website) pass through servers that either send them.

Here's how changing your DNS servers can help:

1. Different DNS Servers: By switching to a different DNS server (like Google's public DNS or Cloudflare's DNS), you might avoid these restrictions. These other servers might not have the same restrictions or might not block YouTube on Chromebook.

2. Accessing Restricted Sites: If a particular DNS server is known for allowing access to certain websites, using that server can assist you circumvent the restrictions put in place by your school.

There exist many no-cost DNS providers. The following steps explain how to set up OpenDNS, however you are able to swap the IP addresses using other providers if you choose.

There is a big list of DNS servers here: https://public-dns.info/

Here are some of the popular ones:
Google: 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4
Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1

How to Change Your DNS Settings on a Chromebook

Following these steps will help you change the DNS settings on your Chromebook to use OpenDNS.

1. Open Google Chrome:

   • Click on the Google Chrome icon in your taskbar or find it in your app drawer to open the browser.

2. Access Chrome Flags:

   • In the address bar at the top of Chrome, type chrome://flags and press Enter.
   • You’ll be taken to a special settings page called “Chrome Flags.”

3. Find and Enable the Experimental Flag:

   • On the Chrome Flags page, you’ll see a search box at the top. Click on this search box and type Experimental static ip configuration.
   • If the flag appears in the search results, click the dropdown menu next to it and select Enabled.
   • If you don’t see this flag, you can skip to the next step.

4. Open Chromebook Settings:

   • Click on the time display or your profile picture in the bottom-right corner of your screen to open the system menu.
   • Click on the gear icon to open the Settings menu.

5. Access Network Settings:

   • In the Settings menu, look for Network or Wi-Fi. Click on this option.
   • You’ll see a list of available networks. Click on the network you are currently connected to (such as your Wi-Fi network).

6. Change DNS Settings:

   • In the network details window, click on Network or Advanced settings.
   • Scroll down to find the DNS settings. Click on the dropdown menu or link that allows you to enter custom DNS servers.
   • Enter the following DNS addresses:
     • Primary DNS: 208.67.222.222
     • Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220

7. Save Your Settings:

   • After entering the DNS addresses, make sure to click Save or Apply if there is an option to do so.

8. Restart Chrome:

   • At the bottom of your Chrome window, you might see a message asking you to restart the browser for the changes to take effect. Click Relaunch or Restart. You may also need to reboot the entire Chromebook.

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