In this video, you’ll find everything you need to know about VPN on your router.
Why do you need it?
How does it work?
How can you set it up?
Tips and tricks.
And frequently asked questions.
Three reasons why you need a VPN on your router.
One. Uninterrupted privacy and security.
With a VPN on your router, you’ll always be connected to a secure VPN server.
If your devices initiate an automatic connection - like an update for a personal finance app
- they will be secured even when you’re sleeping.
Two. Comprehensive home security.
Every device connected to your home router will be secured by the VPN connection.
It will protect new devices with no additional setup, and it will secure your guests when
they connect to your Wi-Fi.
VPN on your router will cover even those devices that don’t support VPNs. And there’s plenty
of those.
Internet of Things devices are especially vulnerable. Without an extra layer of encryption,
your smart fridge, smart fire alarm, or smart lock could become a digital entry point for
a cybercriminal. Three. Connect more devices.
With NordVPN, you can protect up to 6 devices at the same time. With NordVPN on your home
router, you’ll be able to protect ALL your home devices while using up only one slot.
How VPN works on a router
A VPN is a tool that secures the connection between your device and the internet. It does
so by directing the device’s online traffic through a secure tunnel.
A router connects all your home devices into a network. When you set up a VPN on it, all
the connected devices reach the internet through the VPN tunnel.
Encryption occurs on the router, so the data traveling between the device and the router
isn’t encrypted. But this is not an issue if the router is properly protected, and you
don’t allow random strangers to connect to your Wi-Fi.
How to set up VPN on your router
The installation process is different for every router, but you can follow these general
steps.
Step one.
Make sure that your router supports the VPN functionality. Enter the name of your router
in the search box of NordVPN's tutorial page at NordVPN.com/tutorials to
find out.
Step two. Log into your router.
Usually, you’ll have to enter your router’s IP address into your address bar and log in.
Find out how to find your router’s IP address on NordVPN.com/blog/find-router-ip-address
Step three. Configure your router.
This step will depend on the router you use.
Some routers have an integrated VPN functionality, while others have to be reconfigured manually.
The best place to find specific instructions will be on the NordVPN tutorial page or the
router manufacturer’s manual or website. For your ASUS router set up please check out
the link in description or this card
Still having trouble setting up NordVPN on your router?
Get in touch with our 24/7 customer support. Contact them at support@nordvpn.com
Tips and tricks.
Avoid double coverage.
If you use NordVPN on your devices AND your router at the same time, your traffic will
be sent through two VPN tunnels.
NordVPN isn’t designed to work this way and it will result in a much lower speed or
unstable connection.
Bookmark your router settings page.
It will save you a lot of time and headache.
Set up a separate router.
One home, two routers - one with NordVPN and one without. This will let you secure a network
of connected devices and access the internet with your real IP when needed.
And now it’s time for the Frequently asked questions. You ask, we answer.
Does NordVPN support my router?
To find out, enter the name of your router in the search box of NordVPN’s tutorial
page at NordVPN.com/tutorials.
What’s the best router for a VPN setup?
You can get a pre-configured router with NordVPN already on it. Just head to NordVPN.com/flashrouters
If you don’t mind configuring the router yourself, we recommend Asus routers:
They have a built-in OpenVPN client, so setting them up is easy.
Why did you stop supporting L2TP and PPTP protocols?
L2TP and PPTP protocols are largely obsolete and unsecure. If you’re looking for the
security provided by a VPN, you’ll have to upgrade your router first.
The good news is, even budget-level routers are starting to support more advanced protocols.
If you’re looking for quality, you can buy a top-notch VPN router from our partners at
flashrouters.com.
Can I automatically change the virtual location on my router?
No. But you can change your location manually.
The process is similar to setting up VPN on your router. Go to NordVPN.com/servers/tools
There you can choose the preferred location, and our algorithm will recommend the best
server.
You’ll find the server hostname under the server title. Download UDP or TCP configuration
files (whichever you prefer) and enter them in your router’s control panel.
In case you forgot how, find detailed instructions on how to set up VPN on your router at
NordVPN.com/tutorials. Just enter the name of your router in the search box.
Which configuration is better: UDP or TCP?
UDP is mainly used for online streaming and downloading. TCP is more reliable but a little
slower, so it’s usually used for web browsing.
For the best connection speed, we recommend the UDP config.
Why is my internet connection slower after I set up VPN on my router?
NordVPN does not set any speed or bandwidth limits. However, since all your internet traffic
is routed through a remote server, you cannot avoid some reduction in speed.
Usually, it is not significant.
If you do experience a heavy reduction in speed, there are many factors that could have
influenced it.
Check your internet speed without the VPN and make sure you have no underlying issues.
Connection speed also depends on the VPN server distance and server load. If you keep experiencing
this issue, please contact our support team at support@nordvpn.com.
Can you set up NordVPN on a mesh router?
It depends. A mesh router has to support tunneling protocols used by NordVPN and be powerful
enough to run them.
Where can I find WireGuard configuration files?
Please contact our support team at support@NordVPN.com.
Why should I set up VPN on my router when I can use NordVPN apps on my devices?
We do recommend using NordVPN apps. You can protect up to 6 devices at the same time,
on all major platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux.
However, setting up VPN on your router has its own advantages. More about it on: why
do you need a VPN on your router? section of this video.
NordVPN. Online security starts with a click