Opera VPN Not Working? Here’s The Real Story For South African Users

Why your Opera VPN isn’t “working” the way you expect

Let’s be honest: most people searching “opera vpn working” are trying to figure out one of three things:

• Why Opera’s free VPN suddenly stopped connecting.
• Why Netflix, Showmax, DStv, or sports streams still block them.
• Whether Opera’s VPN is enough to stay safe and anonymous in South Africa.

If that’s you, you’re in the right place.

In this guide we’re going to unpack, in plain South African English:

• What Opera’s VPN actually does under the hood.
• Why it often feels like it’s “not working”.
• How it stacks up against real VPN apps like NordVPN and TunnelBear.
• Exactly when Opera VPN is fine, and when you 100% need something stronger.

By the end, you’ll know if you can roll with Opera’s free option for your day‑to‑day browsing, or if it’s time to upgrade to a proper VPN.

Quick checks: is Opera VPN even turned on?

Before we get deep, let’s just make sure the basic stuff is sorted. A lot of “Opera VPN not working” complaints are simply mis‑clicks.

1. Check that the VPN is enabled in settings

   • Open Opera.
   • Go to Settings → Privacy & security.
   • Scroll to VPN and make sure “Enable VPN” is toggled on.

2. Turn it on for the current tab

   • Look for the VPN badge in the address bar.
   • Click it and toggle On.
   • Opera should show a small panel with data usage and the selected region (Europe, Americas, Asia).

3. Test if your IP changed (for the browser only)

   • With Opera VPN off, open a site like “what is my IP”.
   • Note the country/region.
   • Turn Opera VPN on, refresh the page.
   • The country/region should now show your chosen continent, not South Africa.

If your IP doesn’t change at all in Opera, the VPN is not working at all (we’ll troubleshoot that in a moment).

If it does change in Opera, but your streaming app/other browser still shows South Africa, that’s actually how Opera VPN is designed – it only protects Opera traffic.

What Opera VPN really does (and what it doesn’t)

Opera’s built‑in VPN is not a full VPN service. It’s closer to a browser‑level proxy with encryption.

Based on the reference info and Opera’s own behaviour:

• It only encrypts traffic that goes through the Opera browser.

• It does not protect:

  • Other browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave).
  • Desktop apps (torrent clients, Steam, game launchers).
  • Mobile apps (Netflix app, banking apps, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc.).

• It uses basic HTTPS‑style encryption for that browser traffic. That’s much weaker (in terms of flexibility and feature set) than full VPN protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard or NordLynx.

• You cannot choose an exact country:

  • Only three regions: Europe, Asia, or Americas.
  • So you can’t say “give me UK” or “I want US East”.

• On the plus side:

  • No account needed.
  • Unlimited data (no monthly GB cap).
  • Speeds are generally decent for normal browsing.
  • It also bakes in free ad and malware blocking.

So Opera VPN is comfortable for:

• Quickly hiding your IP from dodgy hotel Wi‑Fi.
• Skipping very basic geo‑blocking on some websites.
• Getting a tiny layer of privacy from your local ISP.

But it’s not designed to replace a full VPN.

Why it feels like Opera VPN is “not working”

Let’s break down the most common problems South African users hit.

1. Opera VPN won’t connect or keeps disconnecting

Typical symptoms:

• VPN toggle spins forever and never connects.
• It connects, then drops after a few minutes.
• IP checker still shows South Africa.

Practical fixes:

• Change the region
  Sometimes one region is overloaded.

  • Click VPN badge → Region → switch between Europe / Americas / Asia.
  • Test again on an IP‑checking website.

• Disable other proxies/VPN extensions
  If you’ve installed random VPN extensions in Opera (or system‑wide proxies), they can clash.

  • Disable them under Extensions.
  • Restart Opera.

• Check your network setup
  On some corporate or campus networks in SA (varsity res Wi‑Fi, for example), VPN‑like traffic can be restricted.

  • Try your mobile hotspot from MTN/Vodacom/Cell C/Rain and see if Opera VPN connects there.

If none of this helps and Opera VPN still refuses to connect, that’s a sign you should treat it as unreliable and look at a proper VPN app.

2. Streaming still blocked (Netflix, DStv, Showmax, sports, etc.)

This is the big one.

Opera VPN is not built for streaming:

• Only regions, not specific countries.
• No streaming‑optimised servers.
• Many streaming platforms blacklist shared proxy/VPN IPs.

So don’t be surprised if:

• Netflix still shows “content not available in your region”.
• DStv, Showmax or sports sites detect your real location.
• Live sports platforms just buffer or refuse to play.

Recent international data shows that when new age checks or content blocks roll out, people lean heavily on proper VPN tools to get around them. In the UK, for example, adult site traffic dropped after age checks were introduced, while VPN usage shot up sharply at the same time, according to Ofcom‑cited data reported by Sapo24 in December 2025 (see citation above). That’s happening on full VPN apps, not on basic browser proxies like Opera.

If streaming from other countries is important to you, Opera’s free VPN simply isn’t the right tool.

3. Apps outside Opera are still showing your South African location

This one confuses people a lot.

• You turn on Opera VPN.
• Then you open the Netflix app or another browser.
• It still shows South Africa. You assume Opera VPN “isn’t working”.

Reality: Opera VPN never touches those apps. It’s protecting Opera only.

If you want:

• Your whole device to appear in another country.
• Protection for all apps, not just web tabs.
• To hide your traffic from your ISP and public Wi‑Fi owners properly.

You need a system‑wide VPN app, not just a browser feature.

4. “It’s free, so is my privacy the product?”

That’s a very fair question.

Global coverage in late 2025 has highlighted that not all VPNs are saints. Some free VPN apps log aggressively and even sell user data, as tech outlets like Kurir recently warned in a piece about VPN apps that actually betray your privacy (linked in related reading).

Opera’s VPN is funded by the browser business, not directly by user fees. Opera does have a privacy policy, but:

• It’s still a free, closed‑source VPN implementation.
• You have no transparency on where exactly its VPN servers are or how logs are handled internally.
• You can’t even choose specific exit countries, which limits control.

If real privacy is the goal (especially for sensitive stuff like political activity, whistleblowing, business trade secrets), relying on a free browser VPN is not ideal.

Quick comparison: Opera VPN vs TunnelBear vs NordVPN

Let’s benchmark Opera’s browser VPN against:

• TunnelBear – a well‑known freemium VPN.
• NordVPN – a premium, full‑fat VPN we actually recommend.

From the reference material:

• TunnelBear:

  • Uses AES‑256 encryption.
  • Has strong no‑log policy.
  • Around 47 countries.
  • But only 2 GB of data per month on the free plan.

• Opera VPN:

  • Only in the Opera browser.
  • Only 3 regions (Asia, Europe, Americas).
  • Unlimited data.
  • Very basic VPN‑like encryption.

Here’s how that all looks side by side.

In short: Opera’s VPN is convenient, but it’s a lightweight privacy add‑on. TunnelBear and NordVPN behave like actual VPNs, protecting your whole connection, not just a single browser.

When is Opera VPN “good enough” for South African users?

Let’s be fair – not everyone needs enterprise‑grade privacy.

Opera VPN is perfectly fine if:

• You just want a quick way to hide your IP from the public Wi‑Fi at a mall or airport while casually browsing in Opera.
• You like the built‑in ad and malware blocking for day‑to‑day news, socials, and shopping.
• You don’t care too much about:
  • Which exact country your IP looks like.
  • Using it in other browsers or apps.
  • Maximum speeds for gaming or 4K streaming.

With people around the world spending 4.5+ hours per day online on average (as highlighted in a December 2025 survey reported via Yahoo), having at least some protection on your main browser is better than running completely naked.

If your behaviour is mostly:

Gmail + online banking in Opera + a bit of web reading on Afrihost or Telkom fibre at home,

Opera’s VPN is a decent first step, especially if money’s tight.

When Opera VPN is not enough (and can give a false sense of security)

On the flip side, Opera’s browser VPN is not the right tool in some very common South African scenarios:

1. Public Wi‑Fi with sensitive stuff
   On open networks (cafes in Sandton, hotels in Durban, OR Tambo/CTIA airports), cyber‑security articles and experts keep repeating the same thing: public Wi‑Fi is a common attack surface for hackers, especially if you log in to important accounts there. A December 2025 piece on Madhyamam stressed the risks of public hotspots and urged stronger device protection.
   With Opera VPN, only your Opera tabs are encrypted. Your apps stay exposed.

2. Bypassing ISP throttling
   Local ISPs sometimes shape traffic (especially torrents, streaming, and gaming during peak times). A browser‑only VPN:

   • Doesn’t hide your torrent client.
   • Doesn’t hide game downloads.
   • Doesn’t fully obscure high‑bandwidth apps that aren’t in Opera.

3. Heavy streaming and sports
   If your big mission is to watch:

   • US Netflix libraries.
   • European football streams.
   • Content only available in the UK or elsewhere.

   Then you need:

   • Clear country selection.
   • Servers tuned for streaming.
   • Provider support that actually cares about keeping those servers unblocked.

   Opera VPN doesn’t tick those boxes.

4. Serious privacy or work purposes
   Journalists, activists, remote workers with sensitive corporate data, or anyone dealing with private IP could be in real trouble if they confuse “free browser VPN” with a no‑log, audited VPN service.

The risk isn’t just that Opera VPN “doesn’t work” – it’s that you might think you’re safe while you’re actually exposed outside that one browser.

MaTitie Show Time: why a real VPN still matters in 2025

Let’s bring MaTitie into the chat.

If you’ve hung around the South African tech side of the internet for a while, you know the equation by now:

More time online + more content blocks + more sketchy public Wi‑Fi = you really want a proper VPN.

We’ve already seen how, when strict content rules or age checks are rolled out in some countries, VPN usage explodes as people look for ways to keep accessing the open web (see the Sapo24/Ofcom stats in the citations). That’s not people flipping on a random browser VPN – that’s people installing full VPN apps that cover all their traffic.

Opera’s built‑in VPN is a decent “my first privacy toy”, but if you’re:

• Streaming, gaming, torrenting, or working remotely.
• Jumping between fibre at home, 5G on your phone, and public Wi‑Fi.
• Actually caring about who sees what you’re doing online.

MaTitie’s honest take: step up to something purpose‑built.

At Top3VPN, we consistently see NordVPN perform well for South African users:

• Fast on local and international routes.
• Hundreds of locations worldwide for streaming and travel.
• Strong no‑log policy and advanced security (kill switch, threat protection, etc.).
• Unlimited data and multiple devices per account.
• 30‑day money‑back guarantee, so you can test it on your own Telkom/Vodacom/MTN/Rain setup.

If you’re ready to move past “Is Opera VPN working?” and rather ask “Which VPN actually solves my problem?”, NordVPN is a solid place to start:

🔐 Try NordVPN – 30-day risk-free

MaTitie earns a small commission if you sign up with this link, at no extra cost to you.

FAQ: DMs I keep getting about Opera VPN

1. Is Opera VPN enough to hide my browsing from my South African ISP?

Partially.

Your ISP (Telkom, Vodacom, MTN, Afrihost, Rain, etc.) will still see:

• That you’re using Opera VPN.
• How much data you’re moving.
• That other apps and browsers are connecting directly.

They won’t see the exact web pages you open inside Opera while the VPN is on. But outside of Opera, you’re still visible.

If your goal is to keep all your traffic away from the ISP’s eyes, a full‑device VPN app is what you want.

2. Why is Opera VPN fast for browsing but useless for Netflix?

Different priorities.

Opera VPN:

• Is optimised for low‑friction browsing.
• Uses a limited set of shared IPs per region.
• Doesn’t promote streaming support.

Streaming platforms aggressively block IPs that look like they belong to VPNs or proxies. A heavyweight VPN like NordVPN can afford to rotate IPs, run streaming‑dedicated servers, and constantly tweak things. A side‑feature in a browser simply can’t keep up.

So yes, Opera VPN can feel fast – but speed alone doesn’t equal reliable streaming unblocking.

3. Can I combine Opera VPN and a full VPN at the same time?

Technically yes, but it’s usually overkill and can cause weird behaviour.

If you:

• Run NordVPN (or another VPN app) on your device, all traffic is already encrypted.
• Then turn on Opera VPN inside Opera, your browser traffic gets double‑wrapped.

That might:

• Slow you down slightly.
• Break certain sites that already dislike VPNs.

In practice, if you’ve got a good system‑wide VPN switched on, there’s no strong reason to also use Opera VPN. Just use Opera’s ad‑blocker if you like it, and let the main VPN handle the security.

Further reading on online safety and VPN usage

If you want to go deeper into how online rules and habits are changing (and why VPNs keep popping up in the conversation), here are some interesting recent reads:

• “Australia’s teen social media ban misses the mark entirely” – htxt (2025‑12‑10)
  South African tech outlet htxt looks at how Australia’s strict under‑16 social media rules may push teens towards workarounds like VPNs instead of actually keeping them safe.
  Read on htxt

• “Izabrali ste ‘sigurnost’ - dobili ste špijunažu: Ove VPN aplikacije vas izdaju!” – Kurir (2025‑12‑10)
  A cautionary piece on VPN apps that actually undermine user privacy instead of protecting it – a good reminder to be careful with random free VPNs.
  Read on Kurir

• “Começa o 1º grande teste mundial de restrição a redes sociais…” – Estadão (2025‑12‑10)
  Coverage of a large‑scale test restricting social media for younger users, and the broader debate around enforcement, privacy and tech workarounds.
  Read on Estadão

Ready to move beyond “is Opera VPN working?” – final thoughts & CTA

Let’s wrap this up simply:

• Opera VPN works – but only inside Opera, and only as a light privacy layer.
• It’s not built for:
  • Full‑device protection.
  • Serious geo‑unblocking.
  • Strong, auditable no‑logs privacy.

If your usage is light and budget is tight, keep using Opera VPN – just be very aware of its limits.

If you:

• Stream across borders.
• Work remotely with sensitive data.
• Hop on public Wi‑Fi regularly.
• Care about real anonymity and security.

…then you’re looking for a full VPN like NordVPN rather than a free browser add‑on.

NordVPN gives you:

• Device‑wide encryption on multiple devices.
• 170+ locations worldwide for reliable streaming.
• Strong no‑logs protection and advanced security tools.
• A 30‑day money‑back guarantee, so you can test it on your own fibre/5G/public Wi‑Fi setups with zero long‑term risk.

Give it a proper test drive. Run it side‑by‑side with Opera for a week, see which one actually solves your problems – speeds, streaming, and peace of mind. If it doesn’t fit your life, just cash in the refund.

Disclaimer

This article was created using publicly available information combined with AI assistance and local expertise. It’s meant for general information, not legal or financial advice. Always double‑check critical details (like VPN terms, pricing, and logging policies) directly with the providers before making decisions.