FlashRouters Support Portal

Prioritizing Privacy

WiFi Connectivity

Separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands on ExpressVPN/Aircove firmware

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By default ExpressVPN firmware bonds the 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless networks to a single wireless network name. Your device will automatically choose which one will provide the best connection. You can separate these networks to have unique Wi-Fi names so you can control which network your devices will use.

1. Connect to the FlashRouter’s network via ethernet cable or wireless.

2. Open your web browser and enter expressvpnrouter.com or 192.168.132.1 in the URL.

ExpressVPNrouter.com
192.168.132.1

3. Login with your ExpressVPN FlashRouter admin password.

ExpressVPN Router admin login

4. Select Network Settings on the left hand side of the menu.

ExpressVPN Network Settings

5. Select Wi-Fi Settings on the left hand side of the menu.

ExpressVPN WiFi Settings

6. Click the toggle for Separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi.

ExpressVPN Separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz

7. Separate Wi-Fi details for the 5GHz band will now display. You can change the name and password if you so choose or leave it with the default name and password with “-5GHz” added to the name. Click Save. Click Continue.

ExpressVPN 5GHz added

Change Wireless Channels on ExpressVPN/Aircove firmware

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Changing the wireless channel on your ExpressVPN FlashRouter can help with WiFi stability and allows you to use a wireless channel with less traffic in your local environment.

1. Connect to the FlashRouter’s network via ethernet cable or wireless.

2. Open your web browser and enter expressvpnrouter.com or 192.168.132.1 in the URL.

ExpressVPNrouter.com
192.168.132.1

3. Login with your ExpressVPN FlashRouter admin password.

ExpressVPN Router admin login

4. Select Network Settings on the left hand side of the menu.

ExpressVPN Network Settings

5. Select Wi-Fi Settings on the left hand side of the menu.

ExpressVPN WiFi Settings

6. Select Advanced Settings.

ExpressVPN WiFi Advanced Settings

7. Select the Channel Width and Main Channel you want your ExpressVPN FlashRouter to use. Note that higher 5GHz Wi-Fi channels will not be compatible with older devices. Click Save. Click Continue.

ExpressVPN WiFi Channels

How do I change my Wireless Network Name (SSID)?

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Change the FlashRouter’s wireless network name to any name you like.

Navigate to Wireless > Basic Settings

Changing SSID in DD-WRT Wireless Basic Settings page
  1. Click into the Wireless Network Name (SSID) field and enter in the new wireless name you would like to use.
  2. Click Apply Settings.
  3. Reconnect to the wireless network using your new wireless network name.

How do I change my Wireless Password?

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Change the FlashRouter’s wireless network password to any password you like.

Navigate to Wireless > Wireless Security

Changing Wireless password in DD-WRT Wireless Security Settings
  1. Click Unmask next to the Shared Key field to see what you are typing and enter in the new wireless password you would like to use.
  2. Click Apply Settings.
  3. Reconnect to the wireless network using your new password.

My 2.4GHz network is not showing up

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If you ever have an issue with WiFi, you can always wire directly into the FlashRouter to verify and/or update your current WiFi settings.

Enter the recommended wireless settings

Our team has tested the wireless functionality for each FlashRouter that we offer and shared our recommended wireless settings in our Wifi Setup area. Replicate the settings for your FlashRouter model found on that page if the 2.4GHz is not showing.

Change the wireless channel

Navigate to Wireless > Basic Settings

Change the wireless channel setting for the 2.4GHz band that is not appearing. The most broadly compatible channels are 6 and 11.

CLICK APPLY SETTINGS

Refresh your device's network adapter

In rare instances the wireless adapter for your device may stop picking up WiFi networks and must be reset. This will be different for each device, that is why the best way to refresh your wireless adapter is to simply reboot any device in question and see if the adapter now picks up your WiFi networks.

Review wireless Status

Navigate to Status > Wireless

The readouts on this page can help tell if there are errors with the FlashRouter’s wireless. View our article on how to read the Wireless Status page for more information.

My 5.0GHz network is not showing up

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Verify the device supports 5GHz

5.0GHz networks are not compatible with all devices so first make sure that you device’s wireless adapter supports 5GHz wireless frequencies.

If you are not sure, find out if your device support 5 GHz via Google search or by looking in the wireless hardware details in the device’s network settings. If you see Wireless a/b/g/n support then you have a compatible device. If you are missing the Wireless a then this means there is no 5 GHz support.

Enter the recommended wireless settings

Our team has tested the wireless functionality for each FlashRouter that we offer and shared our recommended wireless settings in our Wifi Setup area. Replicate the settings for your FlashRouter model found on that page.

Lower the wireless channel

Some devices do support 5.0GHz connections but not the higher channels that DD-WRT firmware offers.

Navigate to Wireless > Basic Settings

Lower the wireless channel setting for the 5.0GHz band that is not showing. Based on our tests the most broadly compatible channels are 36, 48 and 161.

CLICK APPLY SETTINGS

Refresh your device's network adapter

The easiest way to accomplish this is by rebooting your device as the settings to reset your adapter may vary on all types of internet connected devices.

Review wireless Status

Navigate to Status > Wireless

The readouts on this page can help tell if there are errors with the FlashRouter’s wireless. View our article on how to read the Wireless Status page for more information.

My WiFi password is not working

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Keep in mind that passwords are case sensitive.

The preset DD-WRT FlashRouter WiFi password is Wireless#[First 5 characters of your router MAC]. The router MAC can be found on the bottom of your router. For e.g. if your MAC is 1459C07E70A8 then your WiFi password is Wireless#1459C

Verify wireless password

Connect an ethernet cable from a numbered port on the FlashRouter to a computer and access the FlashRouter’s settings.

Navigate to Wireless > Wireless Security

Check the Unmask box and note the wireless password that is entered.

Verify the wireless settings

Make sure that you have WPA2 Personal / AES set as the security settings for all bands. For some router models make sure the CCMP-128 (AES) box is checked for all bands.

Forget network on your device

Wireless devices usually offer a “forget” network feature to remove a wireless network from the saved information of the wireless adapter. If you have updated your WiFi password and are trying to connect on a device that previously used the old WiFi password then removing the wireless network and then trying to connect fresh can help with this issue.

Why did my WiFi SSID change to ‘dd-wrt’?

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If you are seeing ‘dd-wrt’ in your available wireless networks instead of your regular FlashRouter24 and FlashRouter50 wireless network names (SSID) this means the router has been reset to default DD-WRT firmware settings.

Follow our instructions for Resetting and Reconfiguring your FlashRouter to get setup again.

Do not confuse your SSID being replaced by ‘dd-wrt’ with ‘dd-wrt vap’ appearing alongside your regular wireless network names.

If you are seeing ‘dd-wrt vap’ it likely means you did not rename your network when attempting to setup a guest network.

How do I boost my Wireless Transmission power?

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Boost the wireless transmission power if you need to increase the wireless range of the FlashRouter.

Important Information

We recommend reading the entry in the DD-WRT Wiki to familiarize yourself with what TX Power values represent.

Broadcom routers

  • Netgear R8500
  • Netgear R7000
  • Netgear R6400 V2
  • Netgear R6300 V2
  • Asus RT-AC5300
  • Asus RT-AC66U
  • Asus RT-AC56U

Navigate to Wireless > WL# or ath# Advanced

  1. Set the TX Power to the desired value.
  2. Click Apply Settings.
Boost TX Power in DD-WRT Advanced Wireless Settings page to Increase Wireless Transmission

Atheros routers

  • Netgear R9000
  • Netgear R7800
  • Linksys WRT3200ACM
  • LinksysWRT32X
  • Linksys WRT1900AC/v2/ACS
  • LinksysWRT1200AC

Navigate to Wireless > Basic Settings

  1. Check Advanced Settings under the wireless interface you would like to boost.
  2. Set the TX Power to the desired value.
  3. Click Apply Settings.
Boost TX Power in DD-WRT Advanced Wireless Settings page to Increase Wireless Transmission

We advise to proceed with caution when setting the TX Power. This has been known to negatively effect the hardware if set too high.

Why are devices disconnecting from Wireless?

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If you find that wireless devices are routinely disconnecting from the FlashRouter’s network we recommend that you do the following:

  1. On the Wireless > Wireless Security page make sure you are using WPA2 Personal / AES as your security settings.
  2. On the Wireless > Basic Settings adjust the Wireless Channel. Select a wireless channel with less interference. The best channel will depend on your wireless environment.

Why is my WiFi signal weak?

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If you find that wireless signal strength is weak while connected to the FlashRouter’s network we recommend that you do the following:

  1. Make sure that you have the external antennas fully connected to the FlashRouter.
  2. “Forget” the wireless network on the device and then rejoin with a fresh connection. This will be different for each device but can be effective.
  3. Make sure you are within an appropriate range for the network you are using. Keep in mind that a 2.4GHz network will always have better range than 5GHz networks. Devices further away from the router should use the 2.4GHz network.
  4. Interference from your wireless environment can also cause this issue. On the Wireless > Basic Settings adjust the Wireless Channel for the network you are experiencing the issue for. Channel interference is a likely cause for weak signal strength.

Why can’t I connect to WiFi using the WPS button feature?

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DD-WRT firmware automatically disables the WPS feature as it is a known security vulnerability. This makes your router more secure with DD-WRT than with factory firmware.

For any device that uses a WPS WiFi connection there should always be an alternate method to connect the device via WiFi.

How do I connect a Wireless Extender to my FlashRouter network?

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The settings of your FlashRouter do not need to change to connect an extender to the FlashRouter’s network. Simply access the settings of the extender device and enter the FlashRouter’s wireless network name and the correct wireless password.

The extender will then connect via wireless to the FlashRouter and add wireless range to your network.

To use a DD-WRT router as an extender follow our Advanced Wireless Setup Guides.

It is also easy to setup a Mesh system like Orbi or Velop and send your entire Mesh network through the FlashRouter VPN Network, for a VPN connected Mesh Network.

Simply connect from an open LAN port on your FlashRouter to the WAN port on your Mesh base station and then use your Mesh smart apps to complete the setup from there.

How do I read my Wireless status?

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The wireless status page is very helpful in diagnosing where a wireless issue stems from. Make sure the settings displayed on this page match the actual settings you have set in the DD-WRT Wireless settings. Review our recommended wireless settings for your FlashRouter if you are not getting accurate readouts.

Navigate to Status > Wireless

Interface

Select from the wireless interface that you want to view the readouts for.

MAC Address

Used to identify the wireless interface.

Chipset

Displays the wireless hardware that your FlashRouter uses.

Radio

Should always be set to Radio is On unless you have intentionally disabled the wireless on the FlashRouter. If this is displaying Radio is Off for certain wireless interfaces we recommend adjusting the Wireless Channel on the Wireless > Basic Settings page.

Mode

This should read as AP unless you are using an Advanced Wireless setup such as a Repeater, Client, or Repeater Bridge.

Network

Displays the wireless network mode that you have set for a specific wireless interface.

SSID

Displays the wireless network name that you have set for a specific wireless interface.

Channel

Displays the channel that you have set for a specific wireless interface. If this reads as Unknown it is best to select a new wireless channel or reboot the FlashRouter and check again.

TX Power

Displays the wireless transmit power that you have set for a specific wireless interface. If this reads as Unknown it is best reboot the FlashRouter and check again.

Rate

Displays an approximation of the max wireless speed available on a wireless band.

ACK Timing

Displays the ACK Timing that you have set for a specific wireless interface. If this reads as Unknown it is best reboot the FlashRouter and check again.

Encryption

Should always read as Enabled, WPA2 Personal.

Received (RX)

If this appears as 0% and there are no errors then it means that no devices have connected to the wireless interface yet. If this appears as 0% and the errors match the amount of OK packets you will need to adjust the wireless settings on the Wireless > Basic Settings page.

Transmitted (TX)

If this appears as 0% you will need to adjust the wireless settings on the Wireless > Basic Settings page.