Can’t send or receive emails? Connecting to a VPN server can result in your email client not being able to send or receive emails. This can happen for several reasons:

• The VPN provider you are connected to is blocking the ports the email client is using (SMTP).
• Your email service is blocking access to datacenter IPs
• Your email service is only allowing access to residential IPs
• Your email service is only allowing access to IPs of its own country
• Your email service is only allowing access to certain ISPs

Access the settings of your email client and change the SMTP port to 587 or 465.

Connect to a different VPN server. The process for changing servers is detailed in your provider’s setup instructions.

FlashRouters Privacy App

DD-WRT Manual VPN Configuration

Disconnect from VPN on the FlashRouter and use your ISP Internet connection when using email.

Dual router setup users can leave the VPN running on the FlashRouter and simply connect to the other router’s network when using email.

In some cases if you contact your VPN service provider they will be able to give you access to a specifically requested e-mail service.

A DNS Leak is an instance where your ISP receives DNS requests despite being connected to a VPN tunnel.

1. Perform the extended test on DNSLeakTest.com. Be sure to do so on multiple web browsers for best accuracy.
2. Here you should only find one server and your ISP should not be listed as your actual ISP.
3. If your actual ISP is not listed there is no DNS leak.

Updates to web browsers have added DNS settings capabilities, while this often makes your browsing experience more secure it can also effect the results of a DNS leak test. You can go into your browser’s settings and search for “DNS” and disable the DNS of the browser for more accurate DNS leak test results.

A simple web search for “DNS settings [browser name]” should return helpful information for finding the setting in your browser.

1. On the Setup > Basic Setup page of the DD-WRT settings check the Ignore WAN DNS box.

2. Lower on the same page check the Forced DNS Redirection box.

3. Click Apply Settings at the bottom of the page and then wait a full minute and power the FlashRouter off and back on. Reconnect to the FlashRouter’s network once it boots back up and then make sure you are connected to VPN by going to https://whatismyipaddress.com then perform the DNS leak test again.

The VPN connection on the FlashRouter will not drop in most instances however if the VPN stopped working follow the steps below.

1. If MyPage is not properly loading the FlashRouters Privacy App try reinstalling the FlashRouters Privacy App.
2. With the Auto Connect to VPN box checked simply power off the FlashRouter and power it back on to connect back to VPN.
3. Verify that you have the correct settings entered for your provider. A change in the user information used to authenticate the VPN connection will cause a disconnect.
4. Try a different VPN server location.
5. If applicable, switch from UDP to TCP or vice versa.
6. Make sure that you have any VPN/proxy apps and extensions turned off on all devices connected to the FlashRouter.

1. Verify that you have the correct settings entered for your provider. A change in the user information used to authenticate the VPN connection will cause a disconnect.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Apply Settings.
3. Try a different VPN server location.
4. If applicable, switch from UDP to TCP or vice versa. Check your VPN provider’s website to see if the port needs to change with the protocol.
5. Make sure that you have any VPN/proxy apps and extensions turned off on all devices connected to the FlashRouter.

The encryption provided by a VPN connection almost always results in slower connection speed. In some cases you may have noticed that your computer or tablet was working faster when running a VPN client application or program, that is because a computer has a processor that is normally about 4-6x times as strong as a the processor on a router, and that is for managing a single VPN connection. A router has a smaller processor and is managing an entire network of devices. Encrypting an entire network does take considerable processing power.

Speed test results while connected to VPN are never going to be accurate. A speed test measures the rate at which a data packet travels from one server to another, however when you are connecting to VPN the data packets travel to an extra server where they are encrypted and then sent back into the route. We strongly recommend disabling the FlashRouter’s VPN connection when testing speeds to make sure there isn’t and issue with the router.

Ethernet: Wired ethernet connections will almost always be the most stable and reliable connection. To speed up your internet connection, use an ethernet cable to wire your devices to the FlashRouter.

Wireless (5.0GHz): The 5.0GHz WiFi frequency has less range than the standard 2.4GHz WiFi, but also transmits your internet connection at a significantly faster speed. If you were previously using the 2.4GHz network and experiencing slow speeds please connect to the 5GHz wireless network which should improve your speed.

Our supported VPN providers offer many servers in different countries and regions. If a server has slower connection speed we recommend connecting to the server closest to your actual location.

The process for changing servers is detailed in your provider’s setup instructions.

FlashRouters Privacy App

DD-WRT Manual VPN Configuration

UDP servers do not authenticate every data packets the way TCP servers do which results in faster connection speeds.

Contact your VPN provider for a server recommendation that should provide the fastest speeds for you.

Most popular streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime block incoming VPN connections. This does not mean the VPN is not working, it simply means they have recognized you are connecting to a VPN server and filtered that server from being able to stream.

Below are several options for you to follow if you encounter this issue while connected to a VPN on your FlashRouter.

Contact your VPN provider for a server recommendation that is not blocked by popular streaming services. Be sure to mention that you are connecting to VPN via a router instead of the computer client. If your VPN provider does not have a helpful suggestion or server recommendation please try the below options or contact us for a solution.

The FlashRouters Privacy App has a VPN bypass by device feature that can be used on devices dedicated to streaming.

If access to streaming services not in your region is a higher priority for you then VPN encryption we recommend using a SmartDNS service on your FlashRouter to access the content you desire.