How to Set up a VPN on Your Router?

To secure your entire network’s online data, learning how to set up a VPN on a router is the most efficient method. With a single installation, you can protect all devices connected to the router, including PCs, phones, TVs, and even Xbox and PlayStation.

In this blog, we’ll introduce the VPN router and show you the whole installation process – Don’t miss out!

What Is a VPN Router?

Essentially, a VPN router is a router that is configured to extend full VPN protection to every device connected to the internet. 

Imagine not needing to download and configure the VPN app individually on your phone, tablet, laptop, or PC. Instead, just install a VPN router, and every device nearby can enjoy robust VPN security and privacy benefits via the internet/Wi-Fi.

It’s particularly advantageous for environments with multiple devices, such as family and office. VPN installation on a router eliminates the hassle of installing and managing a VPN app on each gadget, freeing up storage space and simplifying your digital life. Moreover, a VPN router can also bring VPN protection to smart refrigerators, Xbox, PS4/5, or other smart devices that can not install a VPN.

How Does a VPN Router Work?

When you connect your device to a VPN router, all data from apps, browsers, games, etc. is transmitted encrypted between the device and the VPN server. This encryption ensures your online anonymity and privacy, and can even help you unlock global content easily.

Here is a brief workflow of a VPN router:

・Connect Internet: A VPN router first needs to perform the tasks of a normal router, connecting the LAN to the Internet and forwarding messages or packets by directing traffic between the devices and the ISP.

・VPN Configuration: To establish a VPN connection, the router needs to complete the VPN configuration using detailed info, including server address, username, password, VPN protocol, and so on.

・Build Tunnel: When your devices connect to the VPN router, the VPN will establish a secure VPN tunnel between the router and the VPN server for data transmission and to prevent third-party snooping.

・VPN Encryption: During data transmission, the VPN encrypts your data to ensure that only authenticated recipients (VPN servers) can decrypt and read the packets, effectively preventing hackers from stealing or tampering with the data.

💡To know more details about VPN encryption, read this one – VPN Encryption: How It Works?

・Data Routing: When you surf, your data will be routed through the VPN server, hiding your real IP address. This not only hides your real identity but also helps you solve geo-restrictions and access global content.

With these steps, the VPN router provides you with a simple but powerful solution to enjoy the security and freedom for all your connected devices.

3 Types of VPN Routers

As the market grows and expands, the current mainstream VPN routers contain roughly 3 types:

VPN-compatible Routers

This type of VPN router offers excellent compatibility, supporting various VPN providers in setting up their products. 

🔥Examples: TP-Link AX6600, ASUS RT-AC68U.

😆Pros: High flexibility due to a wide selection of brands and models available.

😣Cons: Needs slightly more complex manual VPN setup.

VPN-enabled Routers

Routers with pre-installed VPN software or the needed VPN configurations.

🔥Examples: Express Aircove, Vilfo.

😆Pros: VPN setup can be completed in a very short time.

😣Cons: Higher price.

VPN Router Boxes 

A compact-styling router with a built-in VPN that is usually needed to connect to your main router using the Ethernet cable.

🔥Examples: Shellfire Box, GL-MT300N-V2

😆Pros: Highly portable with minimal setup steps.

😣Cons: Performance not comparable to traditional routers.

We recommend choosing a VPN-compatible router for your VPN setup. This type of router is likely already available in your home or office, saving you additional costs and providing more robust and stable performance compared to the other two types. 

Although manual VPN installation might seem complex, our easy-to-follow tutorial will simplify the process for you.

How to Check If Your Router Supports VPN?

With an increased focus on data security, many router brands like to offer VPN-compatible models. However, not all routers support VPNs. So it’s essential to verify your router’s compatibility before it all starts.

Here are some simple ways for you:

・Check the manual: Check your router’s manual for an explanation of VPN compatibility.

・Web Search: Use your browser to search for the router model, and find detailed info about the product.

・Seek Help: Contact the router manufacturer, or online customer service for assistance.

What If Your Router Is Not VPN-compatible?

If you find that your VPN doesn’t support router setup, you can upgrade your router to VPN-compatible via a custom firmware. 

There are currently 3 mainstream free and open-source custom firmware for VPNs.

・DD-WRT: Provides extensive customization of the router to get flexible VPN support, better performance, stability, and wider wireless range.

・OpenWrt: Has very strong stability and the ability to support many devices. Allows users to install various software packages and configure VPNs at the router.

・Tomato: Focuses on ease of use and user-friendliness, offering routers with more VPN protocol support and robust VPN configuration.

To get your router upgraded to VPN-compatible status, it requires you to replace the default firmware on your router with a VPN custom firmware. Below are the brief steps for your easy reference:

Step 1. Pick a custom firmware and download it on your computer.

Step 2. Connect the router you want to upgrade to your PC/laptop.

Step 3. Boot the router up and navigate to the IP address provided at the bottom of the router via a browser.

Step 4. Navigate to Administration or Maintenance to find the Firmware Upgrade section.

Step 5. Upload the customized firmware file you downloaded and follow the on-screen instructions to start the flashing process.

Step 6. Your router will reboot automatically after the update is complete. Wait for few minutes.

With the steps above, you can connect to a VPN server through your router. However, this method comes with some drawbacks. It can be complex to implement in practice, and flashing your router may also void its warranty. Therefore, for users who are less experienced with networking, purchasing a new VPN-compatible router instead will be better.

How to Setup VPN on Router?

After ensuring that you have a VPN-compatible router, the next step is to choose a VPN provider that supports router connections. With excellent compatibility, blazing-fast speeds, and a wealth of features, X-VPN is a very solid choice.

But please note, that configuring a VPN on a router requires great technical skills, so most VPN providers offer this service only to premium users. Click the button below to learn more about the X-VPN Premium plan and get a 30-day free trial with a zero-risk refund guarantee.

While the specifics of setting up X-VPN on different router models may vary, the basic process is similar. Below, we will use the tutorial on how to set up X-VPN on ASUS routers as an example.

💡We also provide detailed VPN setup tutorials for other router models. You can just scroll down to find the corresponding entrance.

Step 1. Enter X-VPN User Page

Navigate to the X-VPN official site and sign in with your X-VPN account.

⚠️Re-emphasize: VPN configuration on Routers is only for premium, if you do not have a premium account, hit the link to enjoy all advanced benefits: Go premium.

Step 2. Generate Your Router Configuration

On your Account web page, head to Router Settings. And now you should select the protocol based on your router model and actual need. 

For ASUS routers, the 3 types are available.

・OpenVPN: Famous VPN protocol, known for its high security, stability, and compatibility.

・L2TP: VPN protocol commonly paired with IPsec for secure, reliable VPN tunneling over networks.

・Flashed Firmware: X-VPN provides direct firmware support for some router models, to bring more flexible, feature-rich support such as server location options from 65+ countries.

In the demo, we will select OpenVPN> ASUS, and hit the Generate your router configuration to continue the tutorial.

Step 3. Get Credentials and Choose Location

On the X-VPN configuration page, first, you need to reconfirm your router model and VPN protocol and copy the matching credentials X-VPN provided.

💡You can also click on the Get Setup Guide button to check the detailed demo of the exact procedure that suits your router.

Then, select a specific location you want to connect, and hit the icon to download the “.ovpn” files.

Step 4. Login to Your Router

Navigate to the router IP address via a browser and enter the Username and password. For ASUS routers, the default IP is http://192.168.50.1/, and the default username and password are both “admin“.

💡If something is wrong, you can check the label at the bottom of the router or read this guide: How to access your Wi-Fi router’s settings？

Step 5. Configure the VPN Client

When you enter the Quick Internet Setup page, head to Advanced Settings> VPN, and choose VPN Client> Add profile.

On the pop-up window, enter the Username and Password you got in Step 3, and hit the button to upload the “.ovpn” files you downloaded before. Then tap OK.

Step 6. Activate the VPN Connection

Now, click “Activate” to finish our work. Check your Connection Status and navigate to this IP Address Checker to verify that the VPN is working. 

Below are all tutorial portals for setting up X-VPN for various router models paired with different protocols.

Router Model	OpenVPN	L2TP	Flashed Firmware
ASUS	ASUS-OpenVPN	ASUS-L2TP	ASUS-OpenWrt Firmware
TP-Link	–	TP-Link-L2TP	–
Huawei	–	Huawei-L2TP	–
DD-WRT	DD-WRT-OpenVPN	–	–
Tomato	Tomato-OpenVPN	–	–
Xiaomi	–	Xiaomi-L2TP	–
Linksys	–	Linksys-L2TP	Linksys-OpenWrt Firmware
D-Link	–	D-Link-L2TP	–
Netgear	–	–	Netgear-OpenWrt Firmware

Set up VPN on Router: Pros and Cons

Now that you’ve learned how to install a VPN on a router, it’s time to weigh the pros/cons of this practice before you proceed.

Pros

・Constant Security: When using a VPN router, your device will always be protected by the VPN as long as it is connected to the Wi-Fi network. Even while sleeping, your devices will be in a secure and private network environment.

・Total Device Protection: Any internet-connected smart device can enjoy the security shield of a VPN. There is no need for additional VPN setup on new devices, and the security shield will cover all devices in the zone.

・Avoid Compatibility Limitations: Some non-VPN-compatible smart devices, such as Xbox, can benefit from your VPN router.

・Reduce Power Consumption: Since the VPN is only set up on the router, the device will not add to the battery load when using the VPN to establish encrypted data transfer.

・Connect More Devices: Providers often limit simultaneous connections (e.g., X-VPN supports 5), but an X-VPN router counts as one device and protects all connected devices, expanding VPN usefulness.

Cons

・Complicated Setup Process: Installing a VPN on a router involves several complex steps that can be challenging for novice users to follow.

・Limited Detail Control: Using a VPN router makes it harder to make detailed adjustments to VPN features, like changing specific servers or protocols.

・Compatibility Limitations: Even though most reputable router manufacturers aim for higher compatibility and functionality, some routers still do not support VPN setups.

・Security Restrictions: Most VPN routers currently support only basic encryption and few VPN protocols, meaning the highest level of security may not be available.

Pro Tips About Using a VPN Router

Setting up a VPN on a router is an extraordinary way to protect your entire home or office network from cyber risks.

You can get a better experience using a VPN router with the tips we have provided below:

1. Choose the Closest Server: Less speed loss occurs with nearby VPN servers. Check your provider’s server list for geographic info.
2. Avoid Duplicate Connection: Don’t run the VPN app on your devices after setting up the VPN router to prevent speed issues
3. Bookmark Router Settings: Add your router’s IP address to your browser bookmarks for easy VPN adjustments.
4. Set Strong Password: Use a strong password to prevent others from accessing your router maliciously – a free password generator is recommended.
5. Stay Up-to-date: Keep your VPN router or firmware updated for security patches and performance improvements.
6. Beware of Free: Please be cautious with free VPNs. They may insert ads/malware or sell your data to cover the cost. Therefore, prioritize a reputable and quality VPN service.

💡There are several quality free VPNs available today. Although they don’t offer router compatibility for free users, you can still protect a single device with a standalone download. Refer to the following REVIEWS for more free VPNs:

• 6 Best Free VPNs for PC 
• 7 Best 100% Free VPNs for Mac in 2024
• Best Free VPN for Windows 2024: TOP 5
• 6 Best 100% Free VPNs for iPhone
• Best 5 Free VPNs for Android in 2024

Conclusion

Now you’ve mastered how to set up a VPN on your router! While the installation steps may be tedious, the convenience a VPN router offers is undeniable. Click the button to purchase the X-VPN premium plan and get instant access to comprehensive online security!

💡To set up a VPN on other devices, check these blogs:

• How to Set Up a VPN on Windows 10/11?
• How to Set Up a VPN on MacOS?
• How to Set Up a VPN on iOS Devices – iPhone and iPad?
• How to Set up a VPN on Android in 2024

FAQs