How to make Blu-ray player region free (5 methods)

Ever purchased a Blu-ray or DVD only to find that it didn’t work with your Blu-ray player?! Sadly, all DVD and Blu-ray discs come with a specific region code to control the release of films or TV shows by country. But all hope isn’t lost, as here’s how to make Blu-ray player region free.

 

It’s possible to switch or remove regional codes on your media player, so you can watch what you want; when you want. Most devices have the option hidden within the settings menu. Manufacturers hide them to discourage you from changing them. But that doesn’t mean you can’t!

 

We’ve tested the 5 methods below on several players to play and watch any region code DVD or Blu-ray. If you can’t get your disc to play, you can use the VLC media player on your computer/laptop to watch Blu-rays and DVDs region free.

 

So, how to make Blu-ray player region free? Here are 5 methods you can try.

 

 

How many DVD and Blu-ray region codes are there?

As region codes stop us from enjoying movies, TV shows and other content until the suits deem it appropriate, it’s worth knowing how many region codes there are. There is a different amount of DVD region codes than for Blu-ray.

 

DVD regions and their corresponding countries

There are 6 DVD and DVD player regions across the globe. In Europe, the discs and players we use are Region 2. Countries such as America and Canada make up Region 1.

 

R1 – Region 1: USA, U.S. Territories and Canada

R2 – Region 2: Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Egypt, South Africa, Greenland

R3 – Region 3: Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong

R4 – Region 4: Mexico, South and Central America, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Caribbean

R5 – Region 5: Russia, Eastern Europe, India, Africa (excluding South Africa), North Korea, Mongolia

R6 – Region 6: China

 

Blu-ray Disc regions and their corresponding countries

For Blu-rays, there are three region codes. Europe falls under Region B/2 and America under A/1.

 

Region A/1: North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia

Region B/2: Europe, Greenland, French territories, Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand

Region C/3: India, Nepal, Mainland China, Russia, Central and South Asia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you buy a region free DVD or Blu-ray player?

You can buy a region free Blu-ray or DVD player, such as the Panasonic DMP-BD84EB-K. Buying one might be the best option if you plan on watching lots of content with a different region code from your native one.

 

 

How to make Blu-ray player region free

If you prefer to try to change or remove the region code of your existing Blu-ray player, you can try any of the five different methods below.

 

 

Method 1: Blu-ray region code remover

Our first method allows you to remove the region code of most Blu-ray and DVD players:

1. Power ON the Blu-ray/DVD player with no disc
2. Wait for the “No Disc” message to show
3. Press PAUSE on the remote control
4. Enter 3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 9 on the remote control (CODE or FF appears on the TV)
5. Enter 0 on the Remote (0 = All Regions)
6. Press PAUSE on the remote control
7. Power the Blu-ray/DVD player OFF (wait 30 seconds)
8. Power Blu-ray/DVD player back on
9. Your Blu-ray/DVD player will now be region free.

 

If this code fails to work, wait until the player has displayed the “No Disc” message. Next, press STOP and then re-enter the code (3,1,4,1,5,9).

 

 

 

 

Method 2: Convert Blu-ray player to multi-region

If you have a Samsung or Panasonic Blu-ray and DVD player, this method should work. It’ll also work with some other players, so it is worth trying:

1. Power on Blu-ray/DVD Player
2. Open the Blu-ray/DVD tray
3. Push the info button on the remote one time
4. Numbers will appear
5. Press 9 for multi-region
6. Keep pressing 9 until you see the number 9 in the upper left
7. Power OFF the Blu-ray/DVD Player
8. Power ON the Blu-ray/DVD Player
9. Your Blu-ray/DVD will now be region free.

 

 

Method 3: Make your Blu-ray player region free

As this method works with most Sony Blu-ray and DVD players, it’s worth trying it with yours:

1. Turn your Blu-ray/DVD player OFF, ensuring it’s in standby mode
2. Press: TOP MENU
3. Press: CLEAR
4. Press: POWER
5. Choose option 2
6. Choose option 4
7. Type in: 12450 and press ENTER
8. Type in: 00000 and press ENTER
9. Power OFF Blu-ray/DVD player
10. Power ON Blu-ray/DVD player
11. Your Blu-ray/DVD player will now be region free.

 

 

Method 4: Make your LG Blu-ray player region free

Try this method if you have an LG Blu-ray or DVD player. It also works on many other players, including Sony, Samsung and Panasonic.

1. Turn your Blu-ray/DVD player ON without a disc in the tray
2. “No Disc” should appear on the screen
3. Press “Pause” using the remote control
4. On the remote control, press 3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 9
5. The screen will now show a prompt for a new code
6. Press “0” for universal code
7. Press “Pause” again
8. “No Disc” should appear on the screen
9. Your Blu-ray/DVD will now be region free.

 

 

 

 

Method 5: Region free Panasonic Blu-ray player

Turn your Panasonic Blu-ray or DVD player into a region free device.

1. Power on the player with no disk in
2. Point the remote control at the player
3. Press the remote buttons one at a time in order: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
4. The player will reset itself
5. Your Blu-ray/DVD will now be region free.

 

 

None of these methods work; what can I try?

After trying one or more of these methods, if your Blu-ray or DVD player can’t play your disc, don’t worry. Using the brand and model number of your Blu-ray/DVD player, visit the Video Help site (DVD Player and Blu-ray Player region codes) and search for your make and model number.

 

You’ll find thousands of up to date hacks on this website that will help you make your DVD or Blu-ray region free.

 

 

DISCLAIMER: How to make Blu-ray player region free

All of these methods are presented as is and for educational purposes only. Using these region removal hacks is not meant to break any laws. We are not liable for any damage caused by trying one or more of these hacks.