IMPORTANT NOTICE to international ONN Streaming Box Users

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TL;DR: New update for ONN streaming box brings region block, preventing use of it. Only happens when setting up the device outside the US and Puerto Rico. Don’t buy them for now if planning to use outside those regions. Device will continue for now to work if it was already setup and then updated. Solutions are below

NEWS: ¹There’s a new software update being pushed to the ONN 4K (2023) and ONN 4K Pro. While the update brings new improvements such as September Security Patch and some codec fixes for UK TV channel and others, it also brings along a major problem for users outside of US and Puerto Rico.

ISSUE: This update will now prevent users outside the mentioned regions to no longer be able to use the boxes, as it is intended to be used only in those 2 regions. This region block will prevent you from going further from the setup screen, rendering the device almost useless.

AFFECTED USERS: Now MOST IMPORTANTLY, it is to be NOTED that currently, at the time of this post, the region block will only happen when you’re setting up the device outside of US and Puerto Rico, for example when you’ve just bought it and is setting it up for the first time or if you’ve done a factory reset and has to set it up again. If the device was already setup and you just updated it or it just updated by itself then the region block won’t apply, meaning you’ll be able to continue to use it as usual.

PERSONAL ADVICE: If you’re using it internationally, then please try to never have to factory reset, that is don’t install third party apps or do other software modifications that may software break it or anything that will cause you to have to factory reset it.

SOLUTION: For the time being, if you’re presented with this issue, there are a few things you can try. There are some redditors that have offered some possible solutions (huge thanks to them). However, personally I haven’t tested them and won’t know for sure if they work and/or will continue to work, so I will just list the main posts where you can read all the solutions yourself.

Main posts containing discussion and possible solutions

  1. https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/s/ApxD9xZS9p
  2. https://www.reddit.com/r/OnnStreamingTV/s/iaxWjxX7N9

Specific solutions

  1. https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/s/wSjhz1anXL
  2. https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/s/RhOPIUlMwQ
  3. https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/s/1EKPJl9IeA
  4. https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/s/7yswh4u2Ks
  5. https://nordvpn.com/blog/setup-vpn-router/

Good luck to all who’s facing this issue and I hope I was helpful in some way. Let’s hope we get a workaround soon.

Ps. If you’re wondering, there’s no way to prevent the update from auto installing apart from completely switching off the device (turn off power supply).

1.https://www.aftvnews.com/software-update-rolling-out-to-onn-4k-and-onn-4k-pro-with-both-improvements-and-a-few-issues/

https://9to5google.com/2024/10/29/walmart-onn-pro-update-region-lock/

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Some relief knowing if already setup wont be blocked.

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I got a new one today, I set it up normally, I’m from Uruguay, no issues yet

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Soy de Panamá y lo compre el 6 de diciembre. Aquí en el país no se puede utilizar al parecer mejor buscar otro dispositivo de streaming

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So, I’m in Argentina. Bought one to my mom last year and configure it in that moment. So if the update come on in, won’t be an issue right?

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Wait in the setup menu you get United States, Mexico and Canada. Why would it no longer work in Canada ??

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why tf is it Onn’s problem whether I choose to use it in the US or abroad?

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Thank you very much for your review. We’re screwed and I hope we find a solution to get around this in the future.

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If someone was to connect to vpn on their phone to USA then turn on hotspot and connect ONN to hotspot for initial setup or after a factory reset, will it work?

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Has anyone tried connecting to a VPN hotspot setup on Windows?

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Hola yo soy de Peru, este TV Box me lo compre hace unos 6 dias y funciona todo Ok pero ahora con esto que acaba de salir sobre el bloqueo y eso, ya lo tengo configurado y bueno al parecer no ocurriría nada si lo actualizo pero lo recomendable sabiendo que lo compre hace unos dias, seria devolverlo? Gracias por la informacion sobre este tema, y por su respuesta

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Mi e just arrived, worked for a day then stopped showing wi fi networks. Factory reset to try and fix it. Am I fucked?

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In my case the device simply does not display any networks on setup. I can’t even get to the error screen. Has anyone else had this?

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I just bought one today. I was able to solve the problem using a VPN, but I think I’m going to request a refund because it could get blocked with another method in the future. It’s sad because it seems like a good product. Maybe I’ll just buy a Chromecast 4K.

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Hi everyone! Just wanted to share my experience: I’m located in Nicaragua and just finished setting up an Onn 4K Pro but I didn’t have the dreaded region lock problem, it just worked as usual. For what it’s worth, I ordered my device straight from Walmart.com last week but the box didn’t say anywhere that it’s only for the US or Puerto Rico. After connecting to my WiFi for the first time, it downloaded a small update of about 80 mbs and then continued working as expected…as I’m typing this, I’m testing it with a YouTube video.

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Would it make a difference if I get one now off Walmart , or if I bought one off someone who bought it 2 months ago but never activated it?

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I have 20 units brand new in the Philippines… it won’t work. I hope a workaround comes soon.

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Has anyone encountered the problem if they try setting up the box on Starlink Internet? As Starlink here in Canada shows US so could possibly trick the ONN box into thinking it’s in the US.

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Hi anyone can help with activating the device ? I tried windows vpn method, from one of the videos but i cant connect to that hotspot on the device and on phone too. devices see the vpn hot spot but cant connect.

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thank you very much to the folks with the ideas worked great to geo-unlock a region