Having an ONN locked outside of the US is a significant limitation for these affordable 4K streaming boxes, which, despite their popularity among budget-conscious consumers, are primarily designed for domestic use.
Consequently, users residing outside the United States face substantial hurdles when attempting to set up and utilize these devices. This blog post explores the underlying reasons for this geographical restriction and examines practical workarounds to help you unlock the full potential of your ONN 4K streaming box, irrespective of your location.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Restriction
In November 2024, Onn made waves with a firmware update for its streaming boxes, introducing a controversial geo-lock feature that restricts usage to just the United States and Puerto Rico. This move is likely a strategy to safeguard their market share, perhaps in response to unauthorized exports of these budget-friendly devices and the growing competition posed by similar products from Thompson in Europe.
However, this update has posed significant challenges for users outside the U.S. Upon turning on their devices or performing a factory reset, they are greeted with an “unsupported region” message, plunging them into a frustrating cycle of resets. Those attempting to use their devices abroad soon find themselves trapped in a loop with no way to bypass the warning.
The silver lining is that resourceful users can find potential workarounds in this new landscape. If you’re affected, keep reading for assistance.
Overcoming the Barrier: Effective Workarounds
Despite the geo-restrictions, several effective methods exist to bypass these limitations and enjoy your ONN 4K streaming box anywhere in the world.
- The VPN Router Power Play: If you own a router that supports custom VPN configurations, this is your best bet. Install a US VPN profile directly on the router. All devices connected to the router will appear to be in the US. This is the most reliable method, but it requires a compatible router.
- Mobile Hotspot + VPN (A Risky Gamble): Try activating a US VPN on your phone, then create a mobile hotspot and connect your ONN box to it during setup. This method is less reliable and may not work with all phones or VPNs.
- Windows PC Mobile Hotspot + VPN (The Technical Route): This is a complex but potentially effective solution. It involves creating a mobile hotspot on your Windows PC and sharing the US VPN connection through it. The steps below outline how to do this.
Create a Windows PC Mobile Hotspot
To get started, make sure you have a Windows PC that supports the mobile hotspot feature. If you can’t find this option, it means your computer might not have this capability.
Next, you’ll need to have your VPN app installed on your PC. I highly recommend NordVPN for its reliability and performance. If you haven’t selected a VPN yet, take a moment to explore the current deals from NordVPN. Alternatively, check out our list of Top Free VPNs to find the best option for your needs.
In the following steps of this guide, we will use a Windows 11 PC, which, at the time of writing this blog post, is the latest version of Windows, and NordVPN.
1. Note Your Credentials
- First, we’re going to find your network credentials. Go to your Windows Start menu, type “Hotspot,” and open “Mobile hotspot system settings.”
- Make sure you are sharing your internet connection via Wi-Fi, and that “Share over” is also set to Wi-Fi.
- You’ll see your Wi-Fi network’s name and password under “Network properties.” Jot these down – they’re your keys!
2. Spot the Network Connections
- Let’s take a look at what’s happening behind the scenes. Press the Windows key, type “ncpa.cpl” and hit Enter. This will open your network connections window. Take a moment to review the current connections listed there, then minimize this window.
3. Activate Your Virtual Location
- Time to use your VPN! Open your VPN app and connect to a server in the United States.
- Back in your Network Settings, you’ll notice a new connection appear. As we’re using NordVPN, that connection is called “NordLynx.”
4. Set Up Your Personal Wi-Fi Hub
- Next, return to the mobile hotspot settings and turn on your mobile hotspot.
- After that, go back to your list of Network Connections. You should see a new network connection appear; it might be labelled something like “Local Area Connection * 2.” Make sure to remember this connection!
5. Share Your VPN's Magic
- Here’s where the magic happens. Right-click on your VPN connection (“NordLynx”) and select “Properties,” then the “Sharing” tab.
- Check the box that says “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.”
- In the dropdown menu below, choose the mobile hotspot connection you saw earlier (“Local Area Connection * 2”). Click “OK.”
6. Unlock Your ONN Box
- Now, take your ONN Box and reset the device to start the setup process. When you reach the step to connect to Wi-Fi, select the mobile hotspot you created earlier. Look for the network name you noted down from your Network Properties and enter the corresponding password to connect.
Post-Setup Cleanup: Reversing the Changes
- Once the setup of your Onn box is complete, you shouldn’t have any further issues with the “unsupported region” error.
- Disable your mobile hotspot on your PC and unshare the VPN connection to reverse the changes.
Troubleshooting Tips
- If you are using a Windows PC to create a mobile hotspot and it doesn’t work the first time, you may need to repeat all of the steps. The process can be temperamental, but persistence is key!
- Consider changing the order in which you connect to the VPN. Try turning on your mobile hotspot first, then connect to the VPN afterward.
Wrapping Up
While ONN 4K streaming boxes are primarily intended for use within the United States, several effective workarounds exist to bypass geo-restrictions and unlock their full potential anywhere in the world. By utilising VPNs, Smart DNS services, or router configurations, you can enjoy your favourite streaming content on your ONN 4K streaming box, regardless of your location.
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