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VPN Router Compatibility

Not all routers are compatible with VPNs, and vice versa. Some don’t support VPNs at all, while others support protocols that may not be available on your go-to VPN. Before you begin the installation, you must confirm whether the router is compatible with VPNs. 

Go to the router’s manufacturer website or check the product manual to confirm that it’s compatible. While you’re at it, also confirm the VPN protocols your router can work with to simplify your search for a compatible VPN. If your router isn’t compatible, see if you can upgrade it with third-party router firmware such as DD-WRT or Tomato software.

That said, be cautious when flashing your router with third-party firmware, as it can void your warranty. You could also “brick” the router, which would render it unusable.  

Setup: 8 Steps to Install Your VPN on a Router

If you have confirmed that the router and VPN are compatible, the next step is to get them to work together. In this section, we’ll show you how to install a VPN on your router. Keep in mind that the process may differ based on the router model and the VPN service, but it should be broadly similar. For this example we used a Huawei router and Surfshark to illustrate the process. 

1. Open the Router’s Login Page

   Type the router’s internet protocol (IP) address into your web browser’s search bar and hit “enter.” If you don’t know the router’s IP (for Windows 10), open the Command Prompt app on your computer, type“ipconfig”and press “enter.” Find the router’s IP address in the “default gateway” line.

   

2. Log In to the Router’s Control Panel 

   Enter the router’s login credentials and hit “enter” or click “log in”:

   

3. Locate the VPN Tab

   Open the router’s “advanced” tab and go to “router” to locate the VPN tab. Check the “enable VPN” box to open the configuration options. The location of the VPN client will vary across router models and brands.

   

4. Log In to Your VPN Account

   Log in to your VPN account and go to “manual setup.” Select “router” and open the protocol corresponding to the connection type your router supports. For example, if your router supports OpenVPN, select that protocol in the VPN provider dashboard to access the configuration details.

   

5. Fill In the Relevant Details

   Copy and paste the username and password in the “PPP username” and “PPP password” boxes on the router’s VPN setup page. Fill in the other details as follows:

   

6. Complete the Configuration

   Double-check every detail and click “save.” If everything is okay, the connection status will change to “connected.” That’s it; every device connected to your home network — from mobile devices to your printer — will now leverage VPN protection.

   

7. Change the Server Address

   The VPN will always be connected to the VPN server selected during configuration. If you need a different IP address, go to your VPN account and choose a different server. Input the VPN server IP address or name in the “LNS address” section.

   

8. Turn Off the VPN Router

   To turn off the VPN on the router, uncheck the “enable VPN” box. This option may vary across router models and brands.

   

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Connecting a VPN on a Router

In this section, we’ll show you how to set up VPN software on the most popular router models. If your router’s not on this list, check out our guides for installing DD-WRT or Tomato Firmware on any router.

Set Up a VPN on an ASUS Router

ASUS routers support secure protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, which makes them compatible with top-tier VPNs like ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark. Here’s a quick guide on how to set up a VPN on an ASUS router:

1. Type “192.168.1.1” or “router.asus.com” into your browser URL bar and hit “enter.” Log in to the ASUS router control panel, select “VPN client” and click “add profile.”
2. In the pop-up window, select your preferred connection type and fill in the description, username, password and auto reconnection fields accordingly. You can find the VPN’s username and password in the VPN account dashboard. 
3. Download the VPN firmware for your ASUS router model from the VPN’s website. Go to the router interface, select “VPN client” → “OpenVPN” and click “choose file” in the pop-up window. Locate and double-click the configuration file you just downloaded. 
4. Once the upload is complete, uncheck the box that says “import the CA file or edit the .ovpn file manually” and click “OK.” 
5. In the VPN client tab, click “activate” to complete the VPN setup. If everything is okay, the connection status column should have a blue checkmark. 

Pros and Cons of Using a VPN on a Router

The most significant benefit of using a VPN on a router is that it helps protect all devices at home, from personal computers and smart TVs to smart doorbells and Nintendo Switches. There are other benefits, but also a few drawbacks. 

The Best VPN for Routers

ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark are some of the best VPNs for routers. You can start a free trial with one of these providers or make the most of their 30-day money-back guarantees to familiarize yourself with the VPN functionality risk-free. 

• ExpressVPN: This is a secure VPN with unmatched streaming capabilities. It works with different router models that support OpenVPN and is one of the best VPNs with a router management portal. Learn more in our full ExpressVPN review. 
• NordVPN: This VPN delivers top-notch security and is the fastest VPN out there. Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN ditched the less secure protocols, meaning it’s only compatible with routers that support modern protocols. Read our comprehensive NordVPN review to learn more. 
• Surfshark: This is a budget-friendly alternative to ExpressVPN and NordVPN. It’s compatible with various router models that support secure protocols like OpenVPN. Learn more in our Surfshark review. 

Final Thoughts

Setting up a VPN on your router requires more effort than installing a native client on desktop or mobile devices. However, the time and effort expended on the configuration process yields notable benefits, such as bypassing the simultaneous device limit and ensuring all home devices are protected. 

The VPN-router combo may be for you if you don’t need to frequently change router settings for online activities. If you need to access different global streaming sites, which entails constantly changing the VPN server, install the VPN app on individual devices. If various members of your household need to connect to different servers, this combination won’t be effective. 

Have you ever installed a VPN on your router? Which VPN service and router model did you use? What were the most significant advantages and disadvantages of using the VPN-router combination? We’d like to hear about it in the comments. As always, thanks for reading.