Podcast download issues when VPN is on

A few months ago, two of the podcasts that I listen to on a daily basis would not download when I have ProtonVPN turned on. I have experienced this with two different podcast apps (Overcast and Apple Podcasts). The two podcasts are Everything Everywhere Daily and WSJ What’s News.

I’m wondering if this is part of the ads that are imbedded with these podcasts that either block known VPNs or it might be a conflict with ProtonVPN ad blocking.

Has anyone else experienced this issue and is there a fix or workaround?

It should work again with the NetShield option “Block malware, ads and trackers”. Can you try it again?

If it keeps happening, can you mentionan example of a podcast as well as which server?

It seems related to trackers that are added to the feed. You should try to disable netshield when using Overcast and Apple Podcasts

I use Podkicker Pro on android and I have the same issue.

I use PocketCasts and have to get off the VPN to download podcasts to my phone.

Same issue as others reported using Downcast on IOS. Only solution is to take down the net shield … Proton team any way you can fool them so we can keep blocking trackers and listen to podcasts???

Hi I also having issues with downloading over apple podcast on sonoma 14.5 I tried with block malware only did not work, then I tried with block ads and trackers did not either at last netshield off but did not work as well. I use US FL74 server but I also tried in secure core did not work.

Try an open source app like Antennapod. I have had no issues while using a VPN with that app.

It is working well now. I’m not sure if something changed in an update, but I am able to download all of my podcasts with the “Block malware, ads and trackers” turned on. Thank you for your great work and the good product.

If it keeps happening, can you mentionan example

I’m having issues with a few different podcasts using Pocket Cast, specifically downloading Wondery the Big Flop. On the US GA#21 (not sure if its just this server) seems to be an issuse for many podcasts via Pocketcast.
i have the block malware, ads, and trackers option selected.

Thank you for that tip

https://www.reddit.com/r/ProtonVPN/comments/151z5x1/podcast_download_issues_when_vpn_is_on/jzcsynw/