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DNS Setup for DD-WRT FlashRouters

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The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the Internet. DNS resolves website domain names (www.website.com) to IP Addresses so you don’t have to remember the IP Address of every site you visit.

We setup each FlashRouter with Google DNS (8.8.8.8 , 8.8.4.4) and/or OpenDNS (208.67.220.220 , 208.67.222.222) to prevent your ISP DNS from leaking when connected to the FlashRouter.

By using a trusted DNS server like those listed below, or from your trusted VPN service provider, you can prevent ISP’S from compiling your browsing data and selling it to third parties without your consent.

Recommended DNS servers

GoogleDNS

Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8

Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4

OpenDNS

Primary DNS: 208.67.220.220

Secondary DNS: 208.67.222.222

Cloudfare

Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1

Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1

Level 3

Primary DNS: 209.244.0.3

Secondary DNS: 209.244.0.4

How to change the DNS on your FlashRouter

We preset each FlashRouter with GoogleDNS and OpenDNS so there is no need to change the DNS servers unless you have reset the FlashRouter or want to use different DNS servers.

Navigate to Setup > Basic Setup

DNS Setup on DD-WRT FlashRouters
  1. Scroll down to Network Address Server Settings (DHCP).
  2. Enter in any combination of valid DNS servers into Statict DNS fields 1, 2, and 3.
  3. Click Apply Settings at the bottom of the page.
  4. Power cycle your FlashRouter off and back on.

DNS Leak Test

We recommend checking to see if your DNS is leaking when using VPN.

What is a DNS leak and how can I prevent a DNS leak in my router?

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What is a DNS leak?

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

How do I check if my DNS is leaking?

  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.

How can I prevent a DNS leak in DD-WRT?

Check your device's browser settings

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.

Adjust DD-WRT settings

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

This setting may not appear in older DD-WRT firmware builds. If it is not appearing for you, upgrade your DD-WRT firmware.

DD-WRT Check Ignore WAN DNS

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

DD-WRT Check Forced DNS Redirection

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.

Adding your VPN provider’s DNS servers to the router’s configuration can be helpful as well. The DNS servers are typically found on the VPN provider’s website or you can reach out to their team for a recommendation of what DNS servers to enter.

DNS Setup for Asus Merlin

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Enter custom DNS servers in your Asus Merlin firmware to avoid using your ISP DNS, which will steal and collect your browsing data.

Login to Asus Merlin firmware settings in a browser on any computer or smart device.

1. Under Advanced Settings select LAN.

2. Click the DHCP Server tab.

3. In the DNS Server 1 and DNS Server 2 fields enter the DNS server that you wish to use.

Merlin DNS Setup

4. Click Apply and then reboot the router and reconnect to the network.

Router FAQs

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Router FAQs

What is an IP Address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) Address is a numerical assignment for each device (cell phone, iPad, laptop computer, printer etc) inside a network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Internet Protocol is responsible for routing information packets across network boundaries. It is the main protocol establishing the Internet.

An IP address serves two predominant functions. First is to host or network interface identification. Second, it provides location addressing. To put it bluntly, an IP address tells wherever you are connecting, to whom you are visiting, and where you are located.

What is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) is a protocol within the TCP/IP protocol that uses a set of standards for how computers exchange data on the Internet and on many private networks.

The basic job of DNS is to convert a user-friendly domain name into an IP address that computers use to identify one another. Think of DNS like your cellphone contact list; you tap the name and the phone contacts to a phone number.

It is easier to remember flashrouters.com, rather than its IP address. Imagine if you had to remember all of the IP addresses of your favorite websites!

What is DNSMasq?

DNSMasq is a local DNS server that speeds up host-name searches from your computer/Internet connection after pressing enter.

Basically, DNSMasq gives the router some advanced enterprise functionality – caching DNS records locally so you have a faster browsing experience. Your computer only has to go to the router instead of repeatedly scouring the web for a commonly visited site.

What is Throughput and How Do I Improve it?

Throughput is the average rate of successful delivery of messages through a network. Simply put, throughput measures the speed of message delivery inside a network. If you think about it in relationship to networks and Internet connections, throughput defines the user experience. The key to a pleasing user experience is uninterrupted service and smooth data transfer.

In order to improve throughput,  you should get a router with more memory. If you notice that your network is running slowly due to congestion, you could probably benefit by upgrading your router to one with more memory. FlashMemory and RAM on a router add more room to prevent network congestion and improve throughput.

Most of FlashRouters‘ high-end units come with at least 8 MB of Flash memory and 64 MB of RAM which should be more than capable for providing for the average home users’ or small business will need in the future.

What is PPPoE?

PPPoE stands for Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet, a network protocol for encapsulating Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) frames inside Ethernet frames. It is used mainly with DSL services where individual users connect to a DSL modem over Ethernet.

With PPPoE, users virtually “dial” from one machine to another over an Ethernet network, establish a point-to-point connection and then data packets are securely transported through the connection.

PPPoE offers an Internet service provider (ISP) an easier way to track exactly how much bandwidth you are using in case they want to charge for it in the future.

What is the Difference Between VPN Encryption and Wireless Network Security?

VPN Encryption: If you are connected to the VPN on your home network, then any data that flows over the Internet is entirely encrypted whether you are connected to the Internet either wired or wirelessly. This means that if your Local ISP was trying to see what you are browsing or downloading, they would not be able to see your data.

Wireless Network Security: If you leave your wireless network open or insecure, it does not matter whether Internet traffic is encrypted, because someone can directly see what you are doing on your network, or even worse, can go in and put a wireless password on your network, locking you out. They may also be able to access folders and files on your computer without your control.

Best thing to do is protect your wireless network with a WPA secured password along with your VPN connection.

Are FlashRouters Affected By the Shellshock Bug?

No.

According to our in-house testing and multiple DD-WRT community reports, we have found that the Shellshock vulnerability will not work on with DD-WRT or TomatoUSB installed router. The vulnerability is based on a shell called BASH (Bourne Again Shell) but DD-WRT & Tomato firmware use BusyBox which is confirmed to not have this issue.

Please be advised that if you are using Optware on your DD-WRT router there is a chance that implementation is BASH based. Only used trusted optware on your router.

Private Internet Access (PIA) Setup for Privacy Hero

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Privacy Hero supports Private Internet Access (PIA) with WireGuard (recommended) and OpenVPN. You need an active PIA subscription and your PIA VPN username and password.

Important difference: PIA WireGuard has a built-in provider integration in Privacy Hero. Choose Private Internet Access from the VPN provider list—not Custom WireGuard. No WireGuard configuration file or key generation is needed.

By default, Privacy Hero can automatically select an optimal available PIA server based on your location and server conditions. Alternatively, use Advanced Options to enter a specific PIA server hostname from the regional list below.

Privacy Hero is cloud-managed. You can configure your router from any device with an internet connection, whether or not you are on the Privacy Hero WiFi network.

Set Up PIA WireGuard in Privacy Hero (Recommended)

Unlike most other providers, PIA WireGuard does not use Custom VPN file uploads in Privacy Hero. The built-in PIA integration connects using your PIA account credentials and handles the WireGuard configuration for you.

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com and sign in to your Privacy Hero account.
  2. Open the VPN section. Select Change beside your current VPN provider.
  3. Choose Private Internet Access from the provider list. Do not select Custom for this WireGuard setup.
  4. Enter your PIA VPN account username and password (not your Privacy Hero dashboard credentials). You can check your account at PIA Client Control Panel.
  5. For automatic server selection, leave the optional server hostname unset, then click Save to connect. Wait until Privacy Hero displays Connected.
Privacy Hero built-in Private Internet Access provider login settings

Choose the Automatic Server or a Specific PIA Location

Privacy Hero offers two ways to select the PIA WireGuard server:

  • Automatic (recommended for most users): Leave the server hostname field blank. Privacy Hero selects an optimal available PIA location, generally favoring nearby servers and server conditions such as load. You do not need to manually maintain a server address.
  • Specific location: Enter a PIA region hostname under Advanced Options. This is useful when you need an IP address from a particular country or city.
  1. To use a specific location, open the existing Private Internet Access connection and select Advanced Options.
  2. Enter a complete PIA server hostname from the list below, for example us-newyorkcity.privacy.network or uk-london.privacy.network.
  3. Click Save, wait for Connected, then verify your new public IP address. If the selected location becomes unavailable, try another hostname or remove the hostname to return to automatic selection.
Privacy Hero Private Internet Access Advanced Options field for entering a VPN server hostname

PIA Server Hostname List by Region

Use these hostnames in PIA > Advanced Options when you prefer a specific location. Expand a region below and copy the complete hostname, including .privacy.network. This list is retained from the existing FlashRouters guide.

Server availability can change. Some hostnames, particularly those ending in -pf or marked for streaming, are specialized locations and may not be available for every connection. If a hostname no longer works, use automatic selection or check PIA’s current location list for available locations. PIA’s location list names regions; it does not necessarily provide matching hostnames.

North America (65 locations)
bahamas.privacy.networkca-ontario.privacy.networkca-toronto.privacy.networkca-vancouver.privacy.networkca-montreal.privacy.networkgreenland.privacy.networkgt-guatemala-pf.privacy.networkmexico.privacy.networkpanama.privacy.networksanjose.privacy.networkus-alabama-pf.privacy.networkus-alaska-pf.privacy.networkus-arkansas-pf.privacy.networkus-atlanta.privacy.networkus-california.privacy.networkus-chicago.privacy.networkus-connecticut-pf.privacy.networkus-denver.privacy.networkus-florida.privacy.networkus-houston.privacy.networkus-idaho-pf.privacy.networkus-indiana-pf.privacy.networkus-iowa-pf.privacy.networkus-kansas-pf.privacy.networkus-kentucky-pf.privacy.networkus-lasvegas.privacy.networkus-louisiana-pf.privacy.networkus-maine-pf.privacy.networkus-massachusetts-pf.privacy.networkus-michigan-pf.privacy.networkus-minnesota-pf.privacy.networkus-mississippi-pf.privacy.networkus-missouri-pf.privacy.networkus-montana-pf.privacy.networkus-nebraska-pf.privacy.networkus-new-hampshire-pf.privacy.networkus-new-mexico-pf.privacy.networkus-newyorkcity.privacy.networkus-north-carolina-pf.privacy.networkus-north-dakota-pf.privacy.networkus-ohio-pf.privacy.networkus-oklahoma-pf.privacy.networkus-oregon-pf.privacy.networkus-pennsylvania-pf.privacy.networkus-rhode-island-pf.privacy.networkus-seattle.privacy.networkus-siliconvalley.privacy.networkus-south-carolina-pf.privacy.networkus-south-dakota-pf.privacy.networkus-texas.privacy.networkus-tennessee-pf.privacy.networkus-vermont-pf.privacy.networkus-virginia-pf.privacy.networkus-washingtondc.privacy.networkus-west-virginia-pf.privacy.networkus-wisconsin-pf.privacy.networkus-wyoming-pf.privacy.networkus3.privacy.networkus-baltimore.privacy.networkus-honolulu.privacy.networkus-newjersey.privacy.networkus-saltlakecity.privacy.networkus-streaming-2.privacy.networkus-streaming.privacy.networkus-wilmington.privacy.network
South America (9 locations)
ar.privacy.networkbo-bolivia-pf.privacy.networkbogota.privacy.networkbr.privacy.networkec-ecuador-pf.privacy.networkpe-peru-pf.privacy.networksantiago.privacy.networkuy-uruguay-pf.privacy.networkvenezuela.privacy.network
Europe (51 locations)
al.privacy.networkad.privacy.networkaustria.privacy.networkbrussels.privacy.networkba.privacy.networksofia.privacy.networkzagreb.privacy.networkczech.privacy.networkde-berlin.privacy.networkde-frankfurt.privacy.networkdenmark.privacy.networkdenmark-2.privacy.networkspain.privacy.networkes-valencia.privacy.networkee.privacy.networkfi.privacy.networkfi-2.privacy.networkfrance.privacy.networkgr.privacy.networkhungary.privacy.networkitaly.privacy.networkitaly-2.privacy.networkis.privacy.networkireland.privacy.networkman.privacy.networklv.privacy.networkliechtenstein.privacy.networklt.privacy.networklu.privacy.networkmalta.privacy.networkmd.privacy.networkmonaco.privacy.networkmontenegro.privacy.networknl-amsterdam.privacy.networkmk.privacy.networkno.privacy.networkpoland.privacy.networkpt.privacy.networkro.privacy.networksweden.privacy.networksweden-2.privacy.networkrs.privacy.networksk.privacy.networkslovenia.privacy.networkswiss.privacy.networktr.privacy.networkuk-london.privacy.networkuk-manchester.privacy.networkuk-southampton.privacy.networkuk-2.privacy.networkua.privacy.network
Asia (26 locations)
ae.privacy.networkbangladesh.privacy.networkcambodia.privacy.networkchina.privacy.networkcyprus.privacy.networkgeorgia.privacy.networkhk.privacy.networkin.privacy.networkisrael.privacy.networkjakarta.privacy.networkjapan.privacy.networkjapan-2.privacy.networkkazakhstan.privacy.networkkr-south-korea-pf.privacy.networkkualalumpur.privacy.networkmacau.privacy.networkmongolia.privacy.networknp-nepal-pf.privacy.networkphilippines.privacy.networkqatar.privacy.networksaudiarabia.privacy.networksg.privacy.networksrilanka.privacy.networktaiwan.privacy.networkvietnam.privacy.networkyerevan.privacy.network
Oceania (7 locations)
au-adelaide-pf.privacy.networkau-australia-so.privacy.networkau-brisbane-pf.privacy.networkaus-melbourne.privacy.networkaus-perth.privacy.networkau-sydney.privacy.networknz.privacy.network
Africa (5 locations)
dz.privacy.networkegypt.privacy.networkmorocco.privacy.networknigeria.privacy.networkza.privacy.network

Set Up PIA OpenVPN in Privacy Hero

OpenVPN is the alternative when you need a manually uploaded connection or if the built-in PIA WireGuard method does not work on your network. OpenVPN uses Custom in Privacy Hero, unlike the built-in PIA WireGuard setup.

Download a PIA OpenVPN Configuration File

  1. Sign in to the PIA Client Control Panel using your PIA VPN account.
  2. Open Downloads and scroll to OpenVPN Configuration Generator or OpenVPN Configurations.
  3. If using the generator, choose OpenVPN 2.4 or newer and Linux when these options are offered, then choose an available server location.
  4. Select your preferred configuration. UDP / 1198 (AES-128-CBC) is a standard default. UDP / 1197 (AES-256-CBC) is an alternative. Use a PIA-provided TCP configuration if UDP does not work on your network.
  5. Click Generate or download a suitable pre-made configuration and save the resulting .ovpn file. Each server file is tied to its selected location/settings.

PIA also provides pre-made OpenVPN configuration bundles; see PIA’s OpenVPN file instructions.

Add PIA OpenVPN as a Custom VPN

  1. Open Privacy Hero, go to VPN, click Change, and select Custom.
  2. Choose OpenVPN and upload the PIA .ovpn file downloaded in the previous section.
  3. Enter your PIA VPN username and password in the Custom OpenVPN authentication fields.
  4. Click Save and confirm Privacy Hero shows Connected.
Privacy Hero Custom OpenVPN configuration with file upload and username password fields

Note: If OpenVPN UDP cannot connect, try a TCP profile from PIA or another server. When switching protocols, make sure you upload a matching PIA configuration file.

Verify Your Private Internet Access Connection

  1. Connect a device to the Privacy Hero WiFi or LAN network.
  2. Disconnect any PIA app or other VPN running directly on the device so the router VPN can be tested independently.
  3. Open a private/incognito browser window and visit PIA What Is My IP.
  4. Confirm that your public IP address reflects the VPN connection, and that the approximate location is consistent with either the selected hostname or Privacy Hero’s automatic server selection.

Privacy Hero VPN settings can be changed remotely, but the device used to verify the VPN IP must be connected to the Privacy Hero network.

Streaming Relocation and Your PIA Location

If Streaming Relocation is enabled for a supported service, that service may use the Streaming Relocation location instead of your PIA VPN server location. See Privacy Hero Streaming Relocation.

PIA VPN Not Connecting?

If Privacy Hero reports Failed, stays on Connecting, or connected devices lose internet access, try these checks:

  1. Confirm your PIA subscription is active and enter your PIA VPN login, not your Privacy Hero email/password.
  2. For built-in PIA WireGuard, verify the provider is Private Internet Access—not Custom. No downloaded WireGuard file is required.
  3. Remove any specific server hostname to test automatic server selection. If that connects, the previous hostname may be unavailable.
  4. For Custom OpenVPN, upload a fresh PIA .ovpn file, re-enter the PIA credentials, and try a different server or a TCP configuration.
  5. Turn off the router VPN temporarily to check that normal internet access works. If the VPN Kill Switch is blocking internet traffic, temporarily disable it for testing, then restore your preferred setting.
  6. Check whether a separate VPN app, iCloud Private Relay, Private DNS, proxy, or security software on the testing device is affecting your VPN IP results.

No Internet When the VPN Disconnects?

The Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch may intentionally block internet access if the VPN goes down. See Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch: No Internet or WiFi Troubleshooting.

VPN Connected but One Device Shows the Wrong IP?

If other devices show the expected VPN address, review device VPN apps, iCloud Private Relay, Private DNS, and security settings.

Related Privacy Hero Guides

IPVanish Setup for Privacy Hero

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Privacy Hero supports IPVanish VPN through WireGuard (recommended) and OpenVPN. Both are configured in Privacy Hero using the Custom VPN provider option. You will need an active IPVanish VPN subscription and the configuration file for the protocol and server location you select.

Choose your method: WireGuard uses a generated .conf file and generally provides better performance. OpenVPN uses a downloaded .ovpn file plus your IPVanish VPN username and password.

Privacy Hero is cloud-managed. You can sign in and adjust VPN settings from a computer, phone, or tablet connected to any internet connection. You do not need to be on the Privacy Hero WiFi network to configure the router.

Download an IPVanish WireGuard Configuration (Recommended)

Use the WireGuard configuration generator in your IPVanish account to create a server file for your router. A generated WireGuard file contains the connection keys and server details, so keep it private.

  1. Open the IPVanish account sign-in page and log in.
  2. Open WireGuard in the account navigation to access the WireGuard Configuration Generator.
  3. Select your preferred IPVanish server location and choose Generate to download the WireGuard configuration file. Save the downloaded .conf file to the device you are using for setup.

Important: Do not publicly share your WireGuard configuration file. To switch server locations later, generate and upload a new configuration.

Add IPVanish WireGuard to Privacy Hero

  1. Sign in to the Privacy Hero dashboard at app.privacyhero.com.
  2. Open the VPN section, select Change beside the provider, and choose Custom.
  3. Choose WireGuard and upload the IPVanish .conf file you just generated.
  4. Click Save to apply the settings. Wait for Privacy Hero to report Connected.
Privacy Hero Custom WireGuard configuration with WireGuard file upload

WireGuard authentication is contained in the generated configuration file; there is no separate OpenVPN username/password step in this method.

Download an IPVanish OpenVPN Configuration File

OpenVPN is a good alternative if WireGuard is unavailable or fails to connect on your network. It requires an IPVanish .ovpn configuration file and VPN login credentials.

  1. Open the IPVanish OpenVPN server configuration list.
  2. Download an .ovpn file for your preferred available server location. If IPVanish provides both UDP and TCP files, start with UDP and keep a TCP file as a fallback.
  3. Have your IPVanish account username and password available for the OpenVPN setup. Use the credentials accepted by your IPVanish VPN account; these are not Privacy Hero login credentials.

If the linked server directory has changed, check the latest manual OpenVPN configuration downloads offered by IPVanish before selecting a file.

Add IPVanish OpenVPN to Privacy Hero

  1. Sign in at app.privacyhero.com and open VPN.
  2. Select Change, choose Custom, and select OpenVPN.
  3. Upload the IPVanish .ovpn file you downloaded.
  4. Enter your IPVanish username and password in the Custom OpenVPN fields. Do not enter the Privacy Hero account login.
  5. Click Save and wait for the connection status to show Connected.
Privacy Hero Custom OpenVPN configuration showing server file upload and username and password fields

Tip: If OpenVPN UDP times out or cannot connect, try an available IPVanish OpenVPN TCP configuration or another server location.

Verify Your IPVanish VPN Connection

After Privacy Hero displays Connected, verify that a device on the router is actually using IPVanish.

  1. Connect the device you want to test to the Privacy Hero WiFi or LAN network.
  2. Temporarily disconnect any IPVanish app, other VPN app, or device-level VPN connection on that device so you test the router VPN alone.
  3. Open a new private/incognito browser window and visit IPVanish What Is My IP Address.
  4. Confirm that your public IP address and approximate location correspond to the VPN server you selected.

Note: Privacy Hero settings can be managed remotely, but the device used for this IP test must be on the Privacy Hero network.

Streaming Relocation and Your VPN Location

If Streaming Relocation is enabled for a supported streaming service, that service may use the configured Streaming Relocation location instead of the IPVanish server location. See Privacy Hero Streaming Relocation.

IPVanish Not Connecting?

If Privacy Hero remains on Connecting, displays Failed, or reports a timeout, check the following:

  1. Make sure your IPVanish subscription is active and that Custom is selected as the VPN provider in Privacy Hero.
  2. For WireGuard, generate a fresh configuration from your IPVanish account and upload that .conf file again.
  3. For OpenVPN, confirm your IPVanish username/password and upload a fresh .ovpn file for a different server.
  4. Try a different server location. With OpenVPN, also try switching between available UDP and TCP files.
  5. Temporarily disable the Privacy Hero VPN connection and test normal internet access. If enabled, temporarily turn off the VPN Kill Switch for this test, then restore your preferred Kill Switch setting.
  6. Check whether a device-level VPN app, private DNS, proxy, or security software is interfering with the router VPN connection.

VPN Disconnected and No Internet?

The VPN Kill Switch can intentionally block internet access when the VPN disconnects. Review Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch Setup.

VPN Connected but One Device Shows the Wrong IP?

If only one device shows an unexpected IP address, look for another VPN app, iCloud Private Relay, Private DNS, browser proxy/DNS settings, or security software on that device. See Device Settings That Can Interfere With Your Router VPN.

Related Privacy Hero Guides

Privacy Hero NordVPN Not Connecting or Showing Timeout Errors

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If NordVPN will not connect on Privacy Hero, shows a timeout error, remains stuck on Connecting, or displays Failed, the Privacy Hero router itself may still be working normally.

NordVPN connections can occasionally stop working when servers are placed into maintenance, removed or cycled out of service, account credentials change, or a previously saved NordVPN access token or manual service credential is no longer valid.

Start by confirming that Privacy Hero has normal internet access, then troubleshoot the NordVPN connection.

Jump to a Section

First: Confirm Privacy Hero Has Internet

Before changing your NordVPN settings, confirm that Privacy Hero itself has normal internet access.

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com.
  2. Open the VPN section.
  3. If the VPN Kill Switch is enabled, temporarily turn it Off.
  4. Turn the failed NordVPN connection off.
  5. Connect a device to the Privacy Hero network.
  6. Test normal internet access.

If internet access works normally with NordVPN and the Kill Switch disabled, the underlying Privacy Hero internet connection is working. Continue troubleshooting the NordVPN connection.

If your internet stopped working because NordVPN failed while the VPN Kill Switch was enabled, follow our Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch: No Internet or WiFi Troubleshooting guide.

Reconnect NordVPN

A temporary NordVPN server or connection issue may resolve without changing your account information.

  1. Open the VPN section at app.privacyhero.com.
  2. Turn the NordVPN connection off.
  3. Wait a few seconds.
  4. Turn NordVPN back on.
  5. Allow the connection time to establish.
  6. Check whether the VPN status changes to Connected.

If NordVPN still shows Failed, Connecting, or a timeout error, continue with the steps below.

Try Another NordVPN Server

NordVPN regularly maintains, replaces, and cycles servers in its network. A specific NordVPN server that worked previously may eventually be taken offline, removed, or temporarily unavailable.

If your Privacy Hero NordVPN connection is configured to use a specific server and suddenly stops working, try another server or return to the normal country selection.

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com.
  2. Open the VPN section.
  3. Select your NordVPN connection.
  4. If you previously entered a specific NordVPN server under Advanced Options, remove or replace that server.
  5. Select the country or location you want to use.
  6. Save the settings.
  7. Reconnect NordVPN.
  8. Check whether the status changes to Connected.

If you specifically need to use an individual NordVPN server, make sure that server is still active before continuing to use it.

Important: A previously working specific server should not be assumed to remain available indefinitely. NordVPN may change its server network over time.

Update Your NordVPN Token for NordLynx

Privacy Hero uses a NordVPN access token to authenticate NordLynx connections.

If the saved token is expired, revoked, replaced, or otherwise no longer valid, NordLynx may show Failed, Connecting, or a timeout error.

Generating a new token is a good troubleshooting step if your NordVPN account information has changed or the existing token is no longer working.

  1. Sign in to your NordVPN account.
  2. Open the NordVPN Access Tokens page.
  3. Generate a new access token.
  4. Select Doesn’t expire if NordVPN provides that option.
  5. Copy the new token.
  6. Open app.privacyhero.com.
  7. Open the NordVPN settings.
  8. Confirm that NordLynx is the selected protocol.
  9. Replace the existing token with the newly generated token.
  10. Save the settings.
  11. Reconnect NordVPN.

Important: NordVPN access tokens are sensitive account credentials. Do not post or share your token publicly.

For complete setup instructions, see Privacy Hero NordVPN / NordLynx Setup.

Update NordVPN Manual Service Credentials for OpenVPN

If you are using OpenVPN instead of NordLynx, Privacy Hero uses NordVPN’s Manual Service Credentials.

These are different from the email address and password you normally use to sign in to the NordVPN website or application.

If the saved credentials are no longer valid, update them:

  1. Sign in to your NordVPN account.
  2. Open NordVPN Manual Service Credentials.
  3. Copy the current service username and password.
  4. Open app.privacyhero.com.
  5. Open your NordVPN settings.
  6. Confirm that OpenVPN is the selected protocol.
  7. Replace the existing manual service credentials with the current credentials from NordVPN.
  8. Save the settings.
  9. Reconnect NordVPN.

Do not enter your regular NordVPN website email address and password in place of the manual service credentials.

Did You Recently Change Your NordVPN Account Information?

If NordVPN stopped connecting after an account change, update the authentication information stored in Privacy Hero.

This is especially important after changes such as:

  • Changing your NordVPN account password.
  • Changing or updating NordVPN account security settings.
  • Generating or replacing NordVPN access tokens.
  • Changes to NordVPN manual service credentials.
  • Renewing, changing, or restoring your NordVPN subscription.

The credentials used by Privacy Hero depend on the VPN protocol:

  • NordLynx: Uses a NordVPN access token.
  • OpenVPN: Uses NordVPN manual service credentials.

Your regular NordVPN website login should not be entered as the router’s OpenVPN credentials.

If you are unsure whether the existing authentication information is still valid, retrieve current credentials directly from your NordVPN account and update Privacy Hero.

Confirm Your NordVPN Subscription Is Active

Privacy Hero cannot establish a NordVPN connection if the NordVPN account being used no longer has active VPN service.

Sign in to your NordVPN account and confirm that your subscription is active before continuing with server, token, or credential troubleshooting.

Try Another VPN Protocol

If your NordVPN account, credentials, and server selection are correct but the connection still fails, try another NordVPN protocol available in Privacy Hero.

For example, if NordLynx is not connecting, testing OpenVPN can help determine whether the issue is specific to the protocol or authentication method.

Remember that changing protocols also changes the required NordVPN authentication:

  • NordLynx requires a NordVPN access token.
  • OpenVPN requires NordVPN manual service credentials.

Important: Do Not Run Two VPNs at Once

Do not leave the NordVPN application connected directly on your phone or computer while testing the Privacy Hero VPN.

Running a VPN application on the device while also routing that device through the Privacy Hero VPN creates a double-VPN connection and can cause routing, connectivity, or IP-location problems.

Disconnect the device-level NordVPN app before testing the router VPN.

Verify the NordVPN Connection

Once Privacy Hero displays NordVPN as Connected:

  1. Connect your device to the Privacy Hero WiFi.
  2. Make sure the NordVPN app on the device is disconnected.
  3. Open a fresh private/incognito browser window.
  4. Visit NordVPN What Is My IP.
  5. Confirm that the public IP address and location correspond to your selected NordVPN location.
  6. Test several websites or applications.

If you use the Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch, enable it only after confirming that NordVPN is connected and working.

NordVPN Is Connected but One Device Shows the Wrong IP

If Privacy Hero shows NordVPN as Connected and other devices display the correct VPN IP, the NordVPN connection itself is likely working.

Check the affected device’s Privacy Hero VPN assignment and review any VPN, privacy, DNS, browser, antivirus, firewall, or security settings running directly on that device.

See Device Privacy, DNS, VPN, and Security Settings That Can Interfere With Your Router VPN.

Related Privacy Hero Guides

How do I check for static network settings on my devices?

· ·

Static network settings set on a device from a previous connection will interfere with the FlashRouter’s network. Typically the FlashRouter’s network performs best when connected devices are set to automatically use the FlashRouter’s IP Address and DNS.

Make sure you are connected to the FlashRouter’s network via ethernet or WiFi. Keep in mind these instructions may vary based on your current software version.

Check for Static IP Address in Windows

1.  Open the Window search box, and search “Network Status”

Find Static DNS settings for FlashRouter DD-WRT in Windows Computer

2. Select “Change adapter optons”

Find Static DNS settings for FlashRouter DD-WRT in Windows Computer 2

3. Right click on the WiFi and/or ethernet adapter and select Properties.

Find Static DNS settings for FlashRouter DD-WRT in Windows Computer 3

4. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.

5. Delete the values entered for IP address, Subnet mask, Default gateway, Preferred DNS server, and Alternate DNS server.

6. Select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically.

7. Click OK.

Find Static DNS settings for FlashRouter DD-WRT in Windows Computer 4

Check for Static IP Address in Apple / Mac

1. Open System Preferences, and select Network.

Find Static DNS settings for FlashRouter DD-WRT Using a MAC Computer

2. Select the adapter that is connected via ethernet or wireless. This will vary based on your current connection.

3. Select Advanced.

Find Static DNS settings for FlashRouter DD-WRT Using a MAC Computer 2

4. Select the TCP/IP tab.

5. Set Configure IPv4 to Automatically.

Find Static DNS settings for FlashRouter DD-WRT Using a MAC Computer 4

6. Select the DNS field and highlight any DNS servers you see there. If they can be removed you should click the minus symbol below.

Find Static DNS settings for FlashRouter DD-WRT Using a MAC Computer 5

7. Click OK.

8. Click Apply.

Check for Static IP Address in iOS

1.  Open Settings

2. Select WiFi, and select the blue icon next to your current connection.

Select FlashRouters DD-WRT Wireless Network in order to Check Static IP Network Settings on iOS Mobile Device

3. Make sure Configure IP is set to Automatically.

Check Static IP Network Settings on iOS Mobile Device and set Configure IP to Automatic

Check for Static IP Address in Android

1. From the top of the screen, swipe down to display settings.

2. Select WiFi.

WiFi Icon and Settings in Android Mobile Device

3. Select your current network.

4. Select Advanced.

Advanced Settings Button in Android Mobile Device

5. Make sure that IP settings is set to DHCP.

Check Static IP DHCP Network Settings in Android Mobile Device

NordVPN Setup for Privacy Hero

· ·

Privacy Hero supports NordVPN using both NordLynx and OpenVPN.

NordLynx is recommended for most users. OpenVPN is also available and may be required for NordVPN Dedicated IP connections. Some Dedicated IP configurations require a private OpenVPN file imported as a Custom VPN.

Privacy Hero is cloud-managed, so you can complete the setup from any device with an internet connection. You do not need to be connected to Privacy Hero WiFi to change these settings.

NordVPN NordLynx Setup

NordLynx uses a NordVPN access token, not your regular NordVPN website email and password.

Open Privacy Hero and Select NordLynx

  1. From a computer, smartphone, or tablet, open app.privacyhero.com.
  2. Sign in with your Privacy Hero account email and password.
  3. Open the VPN section.
  4. Click Change and select NordVPN.
  5. Choose NordLynx.
NordVPN Protocol Privacy Hero

Generate Your NordVPN Access Token

  1. In another browser tab, open NordVPN Access Tokens and sign in to your NordVPN account.
  2. Complete any account or email verification requested by NordVPN.
  3. Select Generate new token; choose Doesn’t expire if available, then copy the token.

Important: Treat your NordVPN token as a password. Do not share it publicly.

Connect Privacy Hero to NordVPN

  1. Return to Privacy Hero, paste the token into the NordLynx token field, and click Save. The default country selection automatically chooses an available NordVPN server for that location.
  2. Wait for the VPN status to show Connected.
NordVPN Protocols Privacy Hero

NordVPN OpenVPN Setup

Use OpenVPN if you prefer the OpenVPN protocol or if your configuration requires it. OpenVPN requires NordVPN Manual Service Credentials, which are different from your website login email and password.

Select OpenVPN in Privacy Hero

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com and sign in.
  2. Open the VPN section.
  3. Click Change and select NordVPN.
  4. Select OpenVPN.
NordVPN Protocol Privacy Hero

Get Your Manual Service Credentials

  1. Open NordVPN Manual Service Credentials and sign in.
  2. Complete NordVPN’s verification if prompted, then copy the current Service Username and Service Password.

Important: Do not enter your normal NordVPN website email and password into Privacy Hero’s OpenVPN fields.

Save Your OpenVPN Connection

  1. Return to Privacy Hero and enter the manual service username and password in the OpenVPN credential fields. Click Save.
  2. Confirm Privacy Hero shows the connection as Connected.

Choose a NordVPN Country or Specific Server

Privacy Hero can select a NordVPN server automatically, or you can choose a country or specify a server hostname.

Choose a Country

  1. Open your NordVPN connection in Privacy Hero.
  2. Open the Country dropdown.
  3. Search for and select your preferred country.
  4. Click Save. Privacy Hero will use an available NordVPN server for the selected country.

Use a Specific NordVPN Server

  1. Open your NordVPN connection in Privacy Hero.
  2. Open Advanced Options.
  3. Enter the NordVPN server hostname, for example us12286.nordvpn.com.
  4. Click Save.

Use NordVPN’s server recommendation tool if you need a hostname. NordVPN servers can be retired or taken offline for maintenance; if your specific server stops working, choose another server or return to country selection.

NordVPN Dedicated IP Setup

NordVPN Dedicated IP can require either the regular NordVPN OpenVPN connection or a private .ovpn file imported as a Custom VPN.

Method 1: OpenVPN Advanced Options

Try this first if your Dedicated IP works with the standard NordVPN OpenVPN setup.

  1. Set up NordVPN → OpenVPN using your NordVPN Manual Service Credentials as described above.
  2. Open Advanced Options.
  3. Enter the Dedicated IP server hostname assigned to your account.
  4. Click Save and check whether the VPN connects.
  5. Verify that your public IP matches your assigned Dedicated IP.
Nord US Dedicated OpenVPN

If connected and the public IP matches, no additional configuration is needed.

Method 2: Custom VPN With a Private OpenVPN File

Some Dedicated IP servers require a private OpenVPN configuration file. If Method 1 does not connect, follow NordVPN’s Manual Dedicated IP Server Setup instructions.

Download Your Dedicated IP Configuration

  1. Sign in to the NordVPN account associated with the Dedicated IP.
  2. Locate your assigned Dedicated IP server using NordVPN’s manual setup instructions.
  3. Download its OpenVPN UDP configuration file.
  4. Save the .ovpn file to your computer or device.

Important: Use the private configuration file for your actual Dedicated IP, not a public NordVPN server file.

Upload the File as a Custom VPN

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com and select VPN → Change.
  2. Select Custom from the VPN provider dropdown, not NordVPN.
  3. Upload your Dedicated IP UDP .ovpn file.
  4. Enter your NordVPN Manual Service Username and Password.
  5. Save the configuration, enable the VPN, and wait for Connected.
  6. Verify the public IP matches your NordVPN Dedicated IP.

These are NordVPN’s separate manual service credentials, not your regular website login.

Verify Your NordVPN Connection

  1. Connect your testing device to the Privacy Hero WiFi.
  2. Disconnect any NordVPN or other VPN app running directly on that device.
  3. Open a fresh private/incognito browser window.
  4. Visit NordVPN What Is My IP.
  5. Confirm the public IP and location match your selected NordVPN server (or assigned Dedicated IP).

Running a VPN application directly on the device at the same time as the router VPN can produce double-VPN conflicts and unexpected IP or location results.

Streaming Relocation and VPN Location

If Streaming Relocation is enabled for a supported service, that service may use the Streaming Relocation region instead of your VPN server region. See Privacy Hero Streaming Relocation.

NordVPN Not Connecting?

If the VPN displays Failed, Connecting, or a timeout error, check for:

  • A server undergoing maintenance or no longer available.
  • An expired, revoked, or outdated NordLynx access token.
  • Incorrect or changed OpenVPN Manual Service Credentials.
  • Recent account changes or an inactive NordVPN subscription.
  • A protocol-specific issue.
  • A Dedicated IP that requires a private .ovpn file and Custom provider selection.

Follow Privacy Hero NordVPN Not Connecting or Showing Timeout Errors for troubleshooting.

No Internet After NordVPN Disconnects?

If internet access stops when the VPN disconnects, the VPN Kill Switch may be blocking normal traffic as intended. See Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch: No Internet or WiFi Troubleshooting.

VPN Connected, but One Device Shows the Wrong IP?

If other devices show the correct VPN IP, check the affected device’s VPN apps, Private Relay, Private DNS, antivirus, and browser settings. See Device Settings That Can Interfere With Your Router VPN.

Related Privacy Hero Guides

IVPN WireGuard Setup

· ·

Preparing for IVPN WireGuard Setup

Verify your IVPN login information

If you are not already a IVPN user Sign Up Now.

Log in to your account on the IVPN website.

IVPN website login

DD-WRT Router Setup for IVPN WireGuard

Navigate to Setup > Tunnels 

Enter IVPN WireGuard settings

1. Click Add Tunnel.

2. Set Tunnel to Enable.

Setup - Tunnel - Enable Tunnel

3. Select Wireguard from the dropdown.

Setup - Tunnel - Select Wireguard

3. Set MTU to 1412.

IVPN Wireguard MTU setting

4. Click Generate Key.

Setup - Tunnel - Generate Key

9. Copy the Local Public Key.

IVPN Wireguard Local Public Key

10. In a new tab (leave the DD-WRT settings opened), go to your IVPN Account and click WireGuard and then click WireGuard Key Management.

IVPN Wireguard Key Management

11. Click Add New Key.

IVPN Wireguard Add New Key

12. Paste the copied Local Public key to the Public Key field and click Add Key.

IVPN Wireguard Paste Public Key

13.Copy the IP Address assigned to your public key and add it to the IP Addresses/Netmask(CIDR) field followed by a /32 subnet mask.

IVPN Wireguard copy IP Address
IVPN Wireguard paste IP Address

Certain DD-WRT builds will show two separate fields here: IP Address and Subnet Mask. If that is the case set the IP Address field to the Address without the /32 added and set the Subnet Mask to 255.255.255.255

14. Click Add Peer.

Setup - Tunnel - Add Peer

15. Set the Peer Tunnel IP to 0.0.0.0. Set Peer Tunnel DNS to 172.16.0.1

IVPN Wireguard Peer Tunnel IP and DNS

16. Set Endpoint to Enable.

IVPN Wireguard Enable Endpoint

17. Go to the IVPN Server Status page and copy the server name for the WireGuard server location you want to connect to.

IVPN Wireguard Endpoint server

Be sure to copy the WireGuard server address and not the OpenVPN server address.

18. Paste the server name you copied into the Endpoint Address field and set the Port to 2049.

IVPN Wireguard Endpoint Address

19. On the IVPN Server Status page copy the Public Key of the server location you entered. Paste the Public Key into the Peer Public Key field.

IVPN Wireguard copy server Public Key
IVPN Wireguard enter Peer Public Key

20. Leave Allowed IPs as 0.0.0.0/0. Set Router Allowed IP’s via tunnel to Enable. Set Persistent Keep Alive to 25.

IVPN Wireguard Peer settings

21. At the bottom of the page click Save and then click Apply Settings.

Set IVPN DNS servers

Navigate to Setup > Basic Setup

Set Static DNS 1 to 172.16.0.1

Set Static DNS 2 to 198.245.51.147

IVPN Wireguard Static DNS

Click Apply Settings.

Reboot the FlashRouter

Navigate to Administration > Management

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the red Reboot Router button. Wait for the FlashRouter to reboot and then reconnect.

Verify a successful IVPN connection

Navigate to Setup > Tunnels

  1. You should Endpoint, Latest handshake, and Transfer in the WireGuard status area.
  2. Visit IVPN’s website to verify your status as using IVPN.

Back up your settings

Navigate to Administration > Backup

  1. Click the Backup button.
  2. A file named nvrambak.bin will be saved to your computer.
  3. You can load nvrambak.bin to restore your settings in the event of a reset.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

ExpressVPN Setup for Privacy Hero

· ·

Privacy Hero supports ExpressVPN using OpenVPN. To connect, you need your ExpressVPN Manual Configuration username and password and an OpenVPN (.ovpn) configuration file for your preferred server location.

Important: In Privacy Hero, choose Custom as the VPN provider. Upload the ExpressVPN .ovpn file and enter your separate Manual Configuration credentials, not your regular ExpressVPN website login.

Privacy Hero is cloud-managed, so you can complete setup from any computer, smartphone, or tablet with an internet connection. You do not need to be connected to Privacy Hero WiFi while changing the settings.

Get Your ExpressVPN Manual Configuration Credentials

ExpressVPN provides separate credentials for manual OpenVPN connections. These are different from your normal ExpressVPN website email and password.

  1. Open ExpressVPN Set Up Devices and sign in to your ExpressVPN account.
  2. In the left navigation, select Set Up Devices.
  3. Under Applications, expand Advanced setup and choose Manual Configuration.
  4. Find your unique Username and Password under Manual Configuration. Keep this tab open so you can copy them into Privacy Hero.

Important: Do not use your regular ExpressVPN account password, and do not share your manual configuration credentials publicly.

Download Your ExpressVPN OpenVPN Server File

Each available ExpressVPN location has its own OpenVPN configuration file. The file determines the server location used by Privacy Hero.

  1. On the same Manual Configuration page, locate the server regions, such as Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, or Middle East & Africa.
  2. Expand your preferred region and download the UDP .ovpn file for an available location. Save it to the device you are using to configure Privacy Hero.

Only locations offered on your ExpressVPN Manual Configuration page can be used for this setup. To change locations later, download the corresponding .ovpn file and upload it to Privacy Hero.

Add ExpressVPN to Privacy Hero as a Custom VPN

ExpressVPN uses Privacy Hero’s Custom VPN configuration rather than a dedicated ExpressVPN provider option.

Upload the OpenVPN File and Enter Credentials

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com and sign in to your Privacy Hero account.
  2. Open the VPN section.
  3. Click Change beside the VPN provider and choose Custom.
  4. Choose OpenVPN if prompted, then upload the UDP .ovpn file downloaded from ExpressVPN.
  5. Copy the separate ExpressVPN Manual Configuration Username and Password into the corresponding Privacy Hero fields.
Privacy Hero Custom OpenVPN configuration showing file upload and manual username and password fields

Check the UDP Configuration and Connect

  1. If Privacy Hero displays the OpenVPN configuration in an editor, confirm that the downloaded UDP configuration specifies proto udp. If the directive is missing, add proto udp at the beginning of the configuration. Do not add a conflicting second protocol directive.
  2. Click Save to apply the configuration and establish the VPN connection.
  3. Confirm Privacy Hero displays Connected for the Custom OpenVPN connection.
Privacy Hero Custom OpenVPN configuration editor with proto udp directive

Verify Your ExpressVPN Connection

After Privacy Hero reports Connected, check that devices on the Privacy Hero network are actually using the VPN.

  1. Connect the testing device to the Privacy Hero WiFi or LAN network.
  2. Disconnect the ExpressVPN app or any other VPN application running directly on that device.
  3. Open a fresh private/incognito browser window.
  4. Visit ExpressVPN What Is My IP.
  5. Confirm the public IP address and approximate location correspond to the ExpressVPN server selected in your .ovpn file.

Important: You can manage Privacy Hero’s VPN settings from another network or cellular data. However, to verify the router’s VPN IP, the testing device must be connected to the Privacy Hero network. Running another VPN app on the device can produce double-VPN results.

Streaming Relocation and VPN Location

If Streaming Relocation is enabled for a supported streaming service, that service may use its Streaming Relocation region instead of the location defined in the ExpressVPN configuration file. See Privacy Hero Streaming Relocation.

ExpressVPN Not Connecting?

If Privacy Hero shows Failed, stays on Connecting, or displays a timeout error, try these checks:

  1. Confirm your ExpressVPN subscription is active and you entered the separate Manual Configuration username and password.
  2. Check that you selected Custom in Privacy Hero, rather than another VPN provider.
  3. Download a fresh UDP .ovpn file for an available ExpressVPN server location and upload it again.
  4. Check that the OpenVPN configuration uses proto udp without conflicting protocol directives.
  5. Temporarily disable the VPN Kill Switch while testing whether normal internet access works without the VPN, then restore your preferred Kill Switch setting.
  6. Try another ExpressVPN server location or reconnect the VPN.

No Internet After the VPN Disconnects?

The Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch may intentionally block normal internet traffic when the VPN connection is unavailable. See Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch: No Internet or WiFi Troubleshooting.

VPN Connected, but One Device Shows the Wrong IP?

If other devices show the correct VPN IP, check the affected device’s VPN apps, iCloud Private Relay, Private DNS, antivirus filtering, browser proxy/DNS settings, or other security software. See Device Settings That Can Interfere With Your Router VPN.

Related Privacy Hero Guides

SmartDNSProxy SmartDNS Setup

· ·

SmartDNSProxy offers a SmartDNS service for unblocking geo-restricted content without the encryption of a VPN service. SmartDNS routes DNS servers to different regions which “tricks” the website to allow access to previously restricted content.

SmartDNS does not change your IP Address or provide the encryption that a VPN connection does. This can result in faster speeds and unblocked content.

SmartDNS and VPN should not be configured at the same time. When using a SmartDNS connection, make sure to disable your VPN connection on the FlashRouter.

Register your IP Address

If you are not already a SmartDNSProxy user Sign Up Now.

Click on Sign Up and fill in the requested information.

SmartDNSProxy SmartDNS Account Sign Up For DD-WRT FlashRouter

Access the e-mail you entered and Verify your new account.

SmartDNSProxy SmartDNS Activate DNS for DD-WRT FlashRouter

Your account will now be verified.

Activate SmartDNSProxy SmartDNS Service and Subscription

Login to SmartDNSProxy

SmartDNSProxy Server Location Addresses for FlashRouter DD-WRT Settings

Visit SmartDNSProxy’s DNS servers list and note the DNS servers of the location you would like to access content from.

Enter SmartDNSProxy SmartDNS servers on your FlashRouter

Navigate to Setup > Basic Setup

  1. Scroll down to Network Address Server Settings (DHCP).
  2. Enter in any combination of SmartDNSProxy SmartDNS servers you noted into Static DNS fields 1 and 2.
  3. Click Apply Settings at the bottom of the page.
  4. Reboot the FlashRouter.

Once the router is fully booted back up, you can access your desired regional content on any device that connects to the FlashRouter’s network.

ExpressVPN MediaStreamer SmartDNS Setup

· ·

ExpressVPN offers a SmartDNS service known as MediaStreamer for unblocking geo-restricted content without the encryption of a VPN service. SmartDNS routes DNS servers to different regions which “tricks” the website to allow access to previously restricted content.

SmartDNS does not change your IP Address or provide the encryption that a VPN connection does. This can result in faster speeds and unblocked content.

SmartDNS and VPN should not both be configured at the same time. When using a SmartDNS connection make sure to disable your VPN connection on the FlashRouter.

Login to ExpressVPN

If you are not already a ExpressVPN user Sign Up Now.

Visit ExpressVPN website login page and successfully login.

Register your IP with ExpressVPN

Navigate to the DNS Settings tab on top right of the ExpressVPN Dashboard.

ExpressVPN MediaStreamer DNS Settings

Click on Register my IP address.

Register IP for ExpressVPN MediaStreamer use on FlashRouter DD-WRT

Navigate to the ExpressVPN Dashboard.

Finding ExpressVPN MediaStreamer Specific DNS Servers in ExpressVPN Dashboard

Click on Set Up on More Devices.

Finding ExpressVPN MediaStreamer Specific DNS Servers

Scroll down and click on MediaStreamer and note the DNS servers that appear on the right side of the page.

ExpressVPN MediaStreamer Specific DNS servers

Enter MediaStreamer SmartDNS servers on your FlashRouter

Navigate to Setup > Basic Setup

  1. Scroll down to Network Address Server Settings (DHCP).
  2. Enter in the MediaStreamer SmartDNS servers you noted into Static DNS fields 1 and 2.
  3. Click Apply Settings at the bottom of the page.
  4. Reboot the FlashRouter.

Once the FlashRouter has fully rebooted, you can now access your desired regional content on any device that connects to the FlashRouter’s network.

Getflix SmartDNS Setup

· ·

Getflix offers a SmartDNS service for unblocking geo-restricted content without the encryption of a VPN service. SmartDNS routes DNS servers to different regions which “tricks” the website to allow access to previously restricted content.

SmartDNS does not change your IP Address or provide the encryption that a VPN connection does. This can result in faster speeds and unblocked content.

SmartDNS and VPN should not both be configured at the same time. When using a SmartDNS connection make sure to disable your VPN connection on the FlashRouter.

Login to Getflix

If you are not already a Getflix user Sign Up Now.

New customer Signup for GetFlix SmartDNS Service

Login to Getflix’s website login page.

Visit Getflix’s DNS servers list page and note the DNS servers of the location you would like to access content from.

Getflix DNS Server Location Addresses for FlashRouter DD-WRT Settings

Enter Getflix SmartDNS servers on your FlashRouter

Navigate to Setup > Basic Setup

  1. Scroll down to Network Address Server Settings (DHCP).
  2. Enter in any combination of Getflix SmartDNS servers you noted into Static DNS fields 1 and 2.
  3. Click Apply Settings at the bottom of the page.
  4. Reboot the FlashRouter.

Register your IP Address

When the router is fully booted back up visit your Getflix user dashboard and make sure your IP Address is registered with Getflix. If it is not click Force IP Update.

Register IP Address for Getflix use on FlashRouter DD-WRT

Once you are successfully registered you can now access your desired regional content on any device that connects to the FlashRouter’s network.

Surfshark Setup for Privacy Hero

· ·

Privacy Hero supports Surfshark through WireGuard and OpenVPN using the Custom VPN provider option.

WireGuard is recommended for most users. It requires a Surfshark WireGuard key pair and a downloaded server configuration file. OpenVPN uses a downloaded .ovpn file and Surfshark’s separate Manual Setup credentials, not your usual Surfshark login email and password.

Privacy Hero is cloud-managed. You can change these settings from any computer, smartphone, or tablet with an internet connection; you do not need to be on the Privacy Hero WiFi to configure the VPN.

Surfshark WireGuard Setup (Recommended)

WireGuard uses a key pair for authentication. A separate Surfshark username and password is not needed for the WireGuard configuration.

Create or Select Your Surfshark WireGuard Key Pair

  1. Sign in to your Surfshark account.
  2. Open VPN → Manual Setup, choose the Router setup option, and select WireGuard.
  3. If you already registered a key pair with Surfshark, select I have a key pair and follow the prompts to register your public key. Otherwise, select I don’t have a key pair.
  4. If generating a new key pair, enter a name and choose Generate a new key pair. Save the generated keys securely when prompted.

Important: Your WireGuard private key is sensitive. Do not publish or send it in a support ticket. Surfshark notes that you may not be able to view the generated keys again after leaving that screen.

Download a Surfshark WireGuard Server File

  1. After setting up the key pair, select Choose a location or open the Locations section.
  2. Choose an available Surfshark server and download its WireGuard configuration file to your device.

Do not download the WireGuard configuration before setting up the key pair. Surfshark warns that a file downloaded too early can be missing the required key information. For more detail, see Surfshark’s manual WireGuard router instructions.

Upload WireGuard to Privacy Hero

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com and log in to your Privacy Hero account.
  2. Open the VPN section, click Change, and choose Custom as the VPN provider.
  3. Select WireGuard and upload the Surfshark WireGuard configuration file you downloaded.
  4. Click Save and allow Privacy Hero to establish the connection. Confirm the VPN status shows Connected.
Privacy Hero Custom WireGuard configuration and file upload panel

Surfshark OpenVPN Setup

OpenVPN is an alternative to WireGuard. It requires a Surfshark Manual Setup username and password and a downloaded OpenVPN configuration (.ovpn) file.

Get Your Surfshark OpenVPN Credentials

  1. Sign in to your Surfshark account.
  2. Open VPN → Manual Setup, choose Router, and select OpenVPN.
  3. Open the Credentials tab. If credentials are not yet available, select Generate credentials.
  4. Copy the Manual Setup username and password, or keep the tab open to enter them into Privacy Hero later.

Important: These are not your regular Surfshark website email and password. Keep the service credentials private.

Download a Surfshark OpenVPN Server File

  1. In Surfshark’s OpenVPN Manual Setup area, open the Locations tab.
  2. Select a country or server and download its UDP .ovpn configuration file. UDP is the recommended starting option; a TCP configuration may be worth trying later if needed.

Download a new .ovpn file whenever you want to switch to a different Surfshark server location. See Surfshark’s manual server selection instructions.

Upload OpenVPN to Privacy Hero

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com, sign in, and select the VPN section.
  2. Click Change, select Custom, and choose OpenVPN.
  3. Upload the Surfshark UDP .ovpn file you downloaded.
  4. Enter the Surfshark Manual Setup username and password into the Custom OpenVPN fields.
  5. Click Save, then confirm the VPN status shows Connected.
Privacy Hero Custom OpenVPN screen with configuration file upload and username and password fields

Verify Your Surfshark Connection

Privacy Hero showing Connected confirms the router connection status. Test a device on the Privacy Hero network to confirm it is using Surfshark.

  1. Connect your device to the Privacy Hero WiFi or LAN.
  2. Disconnect the Surfshark app or any other VPN app running directly on the testing device.
  3. Open a fresh private/incognito browser window.
  4. Visit Surfshark’s IP address checker.
  5. Confirm the displayed public IP and approximate location correspond to your selected Surfshark server.

You can change Privacy Hero settings while using another WiFi network or cellular data, but the device performing this VPN IP test must be connected to Privacy Hero. Avoid running a separate VPN app on the same testing device, as that creates a double-VPN connection.

Streaming Relocation and Your VPN Location

When Streaming Relocation is enabled for a supported streaming service, that service may use its Streaming Relocation region instead of the Surfshark VPN server region. See Privacy Hero Streaming Relocation.

Surfshark Not Connecting?

If Privacy Hero displays Failed, remains on Connecting, or reports a timeout, try these steps:

  1. Confirm your Surfshark subscription is active and that Custom is selected as the VPN provider in Privacy Hero.
  2. If using WireGuard, confirm that the key pair was created or registered before downloading the server file. If necessary, generate a new key pair, download a fresh configuration, and upload it again.
  3. If using OpenVPN, double-check your separate Surfshark Manual Setup username and password, not your regular website login.
  4. Download a fresh server configuration for another available Surfshark location and try again.
  5. If OpenVPN UDP continues to fail, try a Surfshark TCP .ovpn configuration file to check for a protocol-specific issue.
  6. Temporarily disable the VPN Kill Switch while checking whether internet access works without the VPN, then restore your preferred Kill Switch setting.

No Internet After Surfshark Disconnects?

The VPN Kill Switch may intentionally block normal internet traffic when the VPN connection is unavailable. See Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch: No Internet or WiFi Troubleshooting.

VPN Connected but One Device Shows the Wrong IP?

If other Privacy Hero devices display the expected Surfshark VPN IP, review the affected device for VPN apps, iCloud Private Relay, Private DNS, proxy settings, antivirus filtering, or other security software. See Device Settings That Can Interfere With Your Router VPN.

Related Privacy Hero Guides

Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch Troubleshooting: No Internet or WiFi

· ·

If your Privacy Hero router suddenly loses internet access, devices report that WiFi has no internet, or devices will not stay connected after a VPN failure, the VPN Kill Switch may be blocking normal internet traffic.

The VPN Kill Switch is designed to prevent traffic from passing through Privacy Hero without VPN protection. If the VPN disconnects or fails while the Kill Switch is enabled, normal internet access is intentionally blocked.

Important: You can still access app.privacyhero.com to manage Privacy Hero, turn off the Kill Switch, or repair the VPN connection.

Privacy Hero is cloud-managed, so you do not need to be connected to the Privacy Hero WiFi to change these settings. You can also access the dashboard using cellular data, your main router’s WiFi, or another internet connection as long as Privacy Hero remains connected to the internet and Privacy Hero cloud.

Jump to a Section

Common Privacy Hero Kill Switch Symptoms

A failed VPN connection combined with an enabled Kill Switch can make the Privacy Hero network appear unavailable even though the router itself may still be functioning.

Common symptoms include:

  1. Your device connects to Privacy Hero WiFi but websites and apps will not load.
  2. Your phone, computer, television, or streaming device reports that WiFi has no internet.
  3. A device refuses to remain connected because it detects that the WiFi network does not currently provide normal internet access.
  4. Your phone automatically switches from Privacy Hero WiFi to cellular data or another saved WiFi network.
  5. Your computer displays “No Internet” or “Connected without Internet.”
  6. The VPN displays Failed, Disconnected, Connecting, or a timeout error.
  7. Privacy Hero was working normally and suddenly stopped providing internet access.

If the Privacy Hero WiFi network itself is completely missing and cannot be detected by any device, that is different from normal Kill Switch behavior. Continue with WiFi or router connectivity troubleshooting instead.

Restore Internet Access

The fastest way to determine whether the Kill Switch is responsible is to temporarily disable it and test Privacy Hero without VPN.

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com.
  2. Sign in to your Privacy Hero account.
  3. Open the VPN section.
  4. Check the current VPN status.
  5. If the VPN shows Failed or Disconnected, turn the VPN Kill Switch Off.
  6. Turn the failed VPN connection off.
  7. Connect a device to the Privacy Hero network.
  8. Test normal internet access.

If internet access returns with the VPN and Kill Switch disabled, Privacy Hero’s basic internet connection is working and the problem is isolated to the VPN connection.

Important: Disabling the Kill Switch allows normal non-VPN internet traffic through Privacy Hero. Leave it disabled only while troubleshooting if continuous VPN protection is required.

VPN Still Fails to Connect

Do not turn the Kill Switch back on until the VPN is connected and working.

If you are using NordVPN and the VPN shows Failed, Connecting, or a timeout error, continue with our dedicated Privacy Hero NordVPN Not Connecting or Showing Timeout Errors guide.

That guide covers:

  • Selecting a different NordVPN server.
  • Replacing a failed Auto Country connection with a specific NordVPN server.
  • Generating a new NordVPN NordLynx access token.
  • Verifying NordVPN OpenVPN manual service credentials.
  • Avoiding double-VPN conflicts while testing.

If you use another VPN provider, try another available VPN server or protocol and verify that your VPN account and credentials remain active.

Verify the VPN Before Re-Enabling the Kill Switch

Once the VPN reconnects:

  1. Confirm Privacy Hero displays the VPN as Connected.
  2. Connect a device to the Privacy Hero WiFi.
  3. Make sure a separate VPN application is not connected directly on the testing device.
  4. Check your public IP address.
  5. Confirm the IP address and location reflect the VPN server you selected.
  6. Test normal websites and applications.
  7. Return to Privacy Hero and enable the VPN Kill Switch.

If you enable the Kill Switch while the VPN is still failing, normal internet access will be blocked again.

What If Privacy Hero Appears Offline?

If Privacy Hero shows Offline in the dashboard, the router may not currently be communicating with the Privacy Hero cloud.

  1. Confirm Privacy Hero is powered on.
  2. Confirm the Ethernet cable from your ISP gateway or primary router is connected to the Privacy Hero WAN/Internet port.
  3. Confirm your ISP gateway or primary router has working internet access.
  4. Restart Privacy Hero and allow it to finish booting.
  5. Using another internet connection, open app.privacyhero.com.
  6. Check whether Privacy Hero returns online.

If the router returns online, check the VPN and Kill Switch status before enabling the VPN again.

Privacy Hero Has a WAN IP but Devices Have No Internet

Privacy Hero can receive an IP address from your ISP gateway while the Kill Switch is still blocking normal internet traffic.

Before changing IP Passthrough, bridge mode, firewall settings, or other ISP gateway settings:

  1. Check the VPN status.
  2. Check whether the Kill Switch is enabled.
  3. Disable the VPN and Kill Switch temporarily.
  4. Test internet access again.

If internet access returns, troubleshoot the VPN connection rather than changing the ISP gateway configuration.

Kill Switch, WiFi, or WAN Problem?

WiFi Connects but There Is No Internet

If the VPN shows Failed or Disconnected and the Kill Switch is enabled, the Kill Switch is likely blocking normal internet traffic.

Device Will Not Stay Connected to Privacy Hero WiFi

Some devices automatically leave a WiFi network when they detect that it does not provide internet access. Use cellular data or another internet connection to access app.privacyhero.com and check the VPN and Kill Switch.

Privacy Hero WiFi Is Completely Missing

The Kill Switch does not normally cause the WiFi network itself to stop broadcasting. If no devices can detect the Privacy Hero WiFi network, troubleshoot the WiFi or router connection separately.

Privacy Hero Is Not Receiving a WAN IP Address

Check the Ethernet connection between Privacy Hero and your ISP gateway or primary router and confirm the upstream internet connection is working.

VPN Shows Connected but One Device Has the Wrong IP

If the VPN works correctly on other devices, the Kill Switch is probably not the issue. Check that device’s Privacy Hero VPN assignment and its own VPN, privacy, DNS, or security settings.

See Device Privacy, DNS, VPN, and Security Settings That Can Interfere With Your Router VPN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Privacy Hero WiFi say no internet?

If the VPN has failed while the Kill Switch is enabled, normal internet traffic is intentionally blocked. Your device may therefore report that Privacy Hero WiFi has no internet.

Can I access Privacy Hero settings while the Kill Switch is blocking internet?

Yes. Open app.privacyhero.com. You can use the Privacy Hero network, cellular data, your main router’s WiFi, or another internet connection.

Do I have to be connected to Privacy Hero WiFi to change the settings?

No. Privacy Hero is cloud-managed and can be managed remotely while the router remains connected to the Privacy Hero cloud.

Why does my phone keep leaving the Privacy Hero WiFi?

Some phones automatically switch to cellular data or another saved WiFi network when the current WiFi connection does not provide normal internet access.

Should I turn the Kill Switch back on immediately?

Only after the VPN is connected and you have confirmed that your internet traffic is using the VPN.

Related Privacy Hero Guides

NordVPN Merlin OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for NordVPN Merlin Setup

Obtain your NordVPN manual Username and Password

If you are not already an NordVPN user Sign Up Now.

1. Log in to your account on the NordVPN website.

NordVPN login

2. Click NordVPN on the left hand side and then click Setup NordVPN manually.

NordVPN setup manually

3. Enter in the verification code that was sent to your email.

NordVPN verify code

4. Copy and paste your NordVPN manual username and password to a secure location. This is the username and password you will enter into the router settings to connect to NordVPN.

NordVPN credentials

Download your NordVPN .ovpn file

1. There are two options for obtaining the .ovpn file. The first and recommended is to navigate to NordVPN’s server recommendation page. Click Recommended Server to display the fastest server based on your actual location. You can adjust the country if you don’t want to connect to the recommended country.

Then click Show Available Protocols. Click Download Config next to OpenVPN UDP. This will download the .ovpn file to your computer for this server. Do not open this file.

NordVPN Recommended Server

The second method to obtain a server is for connecting to a specific server number that you know you want to use. This applies to NordVPN Dedicated IP servers if you are signed up for that service. Go to NordVPN’s .ovpn file page. Then search for the server number that you want to use and click Download UDP.

NordVPN Download Specific Server

Merlin Router Setup for NordVPN

Login to Asus Merlin firmware settings in a browser on any computer or smart device connected to the Merlin FlashRouter’s network.

1. Navigate to the VPN tab.

Merlin VPN Tab

2. Navigate to the VPN Client tab.

Merlin VPN Client Tab

3. Click Choose file and select the .ovpn file you downloaded earlier. Then click Upload.

Merlin Choose File Upload

4. Set Automatic Start at boot time to Yes if you want the VPN connection to begin automatically when the router is powered off and back on.

Merlin Automatic Start at boot time

5. In the Description field enter in the name you’d like to use for this OpenVPN Client profile. We typically advise entering in the location or server number here. Our example server was in us5835.nordvpn.com so I have entered in NordVPN us5835.

Merlin NordVPN Description

6. Set Accept DNS Configuration to Strict. Set Redirect Internet traffic through tunnel to Yes (all). Set Kill Switch to Yes or No depending on if you want the Internet to be killed if the VPN connection drops.

Merlin Accept DNS configuration Redirect Internet and Kill Switch

If you only want certain devices to connect to the OpenVPN Client profile you are setting up instead of all the devices connected to the FlashRouter’s network please set the Redirect Internet traffic through tunnel to VPN Director. Then complete the instructions on this page and then view our VPN Director guide.

7. Enter your NordVPN username and password that you obtained earlier in the Username and Password. Note that these are different from your NordVPN email login and password.

Merlin VPN Username and Password

8. Click Apply at the bottom of the page.

9. At the top of the page set the Service State toggle to ON to activate the VPN connection.

Merlin Service State All Providers

Verify a successful NordVPN connection

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED message.
  2. Visit NordVPN’s IP Check to verify your new IP address and virtual location.

In some cases you may notice that the location is not showing the same location as the server you have input in your router settings; this is because geo tracking tools are often tricked by VPN connections. As long as you see an IP address that is not the same as your normal Internet IP address then you are indeed connected to NordVPN.

How to change the NordVPN server

  1. Follow the steps at the top of the page to obtain a new .ovpn file.
  2. Then proceed with the settings same as initial setup.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

ExpressVPN Merlin OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for ExpressVPN Merlin Setup

Obtain your ExpressVPN OpenVPN Information

If you are not already an ExpressVPN user Sign Up Now.

1. Log in to your account on the ExpressVPN website.

ExpressVPN login page

2. Successfully log in with your account information. Select More.

3. Select Manual Configuration and copy the Username and Password that are displayed on the right hand side of the screen.

ExpressVPN Manual Configuration
ExpressVPN username and password

4. Click the Server Location that you want to connect to. This will download a .ovpn file to your computer that we will use later on. There is no need to open the file. For this example I have selected New York but feel free to select any server listed there.

ExpressVPN Download .ovpn file

Merlin Router Setup for ExpressVPN

Login to Asus Merlin firmware settings in a browser on any computer or smart device connected to the Merlin FlashRouter’s network.

1. Navigate to the VPN tab.

Merlin VPN Tab

2. Navigate to the VPN Client tab.

Merlin VPN Client Tab

3. Click Choose file and select the .ovpn file you downloaded earlier. Then click Upload.

Merlin Choose File Upload

4. Set Automatic Start at boot time to Yes if you want the VPN connection to begin automatically when the router is powered off and back on.

Merlin Automatic Start at boot time

5. In the Description field enter in the name you’d like to use for this OpenVPN Client profile. We typically advise entering in the location or server number here. Our example server was in New York so I have entered in ExpressVPN New York.

Merlin ExpressVPN Description

6. Set Accept DNS Configuration to Strict. Set Redirect Internet traffic through tunnel to Yes (all). Set Kill Switch to Yes or No depending on if you want the Internet to be killed if the VPN connection drops.

Merlin Accept DNS configuration Redirect Internet and Kill Switch

If you only want certain devices to connect to the OpenVPN Client profile you are setting up instead of all the devices connected to the FlashRouter’s network please set the Redirect Internet traffic through tunnel to VPN Director. Then complete the instructions on this page and then view our VPN Director guide.

7. Enter your ExpressVPN username and password that you obtained earlier in the Username and Password. Note that these are different from your ExpressVPN email login and password.

Merlin VPN Username and Password

8. Click Apply at the bottom of the page.

9. At the top of the page set the Service State toggle to ON to activate the VPN connection.

Merlin Service State

Verify a successful ExpressVPN connection

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED message.
  2. Visit ExpressVPN’s IP Check to verify your new IP address and virtual location.

In some cases you may notice that the location is not showing the same location as the server you have input in your router settings; this is because geo tracking tools are often tricked by VPN connections. As long as you see an IP address that is not the same as your normal Internet IP address then you are indeed connected to ExpressVPN.

How to change the ExpressVPN server

  1. Copy the new ExpressVPN server address from the below server list.
  2. Paste the server into the Server Address field.
  3. Click Apply at the bottom of the page.

ExpressVPN Server Addresses

Americas

usa-atlanta-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-boston-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-chicago-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-dallas-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-dallas-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-denver-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-kansascity-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-losangeles-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-losangeles-1-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-losangeles-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-losangeles-3-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-los-angeles-4-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-miami-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-miami-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-minneapolis-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-newjersey-1-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-newjersey-3-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-newyork-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
us-new-york-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-phoenix-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-saltlakecity-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-sanfrancisco-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-sanjose-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-seattle-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-tampa-1-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-virginia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-washingtondc-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
usa-washingtondc-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
canada-montreal-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
canada-toronto-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
canada-toronto-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
canada-vancouver-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
mexico-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
argentina-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
brazil-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
brazil-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
chile-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
colombia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
costarica-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
ecuador-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
guatemala-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
panama-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
peru-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
uruguay-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
venezuela-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com

Europe

uk-berkshire-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
uk-berkshire-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
uk-docklands-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
uk-east-london-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
uk-kent-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
uk-london-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
france-paris-1-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
france-paris-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
france-strasbourg-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
germany-darmstadt-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
germany-frankfurt-1-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
germany-frankfurt-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
germany-nuremberg-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
italy-cosenza-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
italy-milan-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
netherlands-amsterdam-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
netherlands-rotterdam-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
netherlands-thehague-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
spain-barcelona-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
spain-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
sweden-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
sweden-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
switzerland-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
switzerland-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
albania-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
andorra-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
armenia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
austria-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
azerbaijan-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
belarus-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
belgium-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
bosniaandherzegovina-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
bulgaria-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
croatia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
cyprus-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
czechrepublic-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
denmark-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
estonia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
finland-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
georgia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
greece-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
hungary-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
iceland-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
ireland-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
isleofman-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
jersey-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
latvia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
liechtenstein-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
lithuania-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
luxembourg-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
macedonia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
malta-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
moldova-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
monaco-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
montenegro-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
norway-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
poland-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
portugal-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
romania-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
serbia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
slovakia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
slovenia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
ukraine-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com

Asia Pacific

australia-brisbane-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
australia-melbourne-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
australia-perth-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
australia-sydney-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
australia-sydney-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
australia-sydney-3-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
hongkong-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
hongkong4-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
hongkong-1-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
japan-tokyo-1-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
japan-tokyo-2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
india-chennai-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
india-mumbai-1-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
singapore-cbd-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
singapore-jurong-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
southkorea-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
southkorea2-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
bangladesh-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
bhutan-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
brunei-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
cambodia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
indonesia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
kazakhstan-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
kyrgyzstan-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
laos-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
macau-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
malaysia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
mongolia-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
myanmar-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
nepal-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
newzealand-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
pakistan-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
ph-via-sing-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
srilanka-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
taiwan-3-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
thailand-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
vietnam-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com

Middle East and Africa

algeria-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
israel-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
kenya-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com
southafrica-ca-version-2.expressnetw.com

Merlin ExpressVPN change server location

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

ProtonVPN Setup for Privacy Hero

· ·

Privacy Hero supports Proton VPN through WireGuard and OpenVPN using the Custom VPN provider option.

WireGuard is recommended for most users. It uses a downloadable .conf configuration file. OpenVPN uses a downloadable .ovpn file and a separate Proton VPN OpenVPN username and password (not your regular Proton Account login).

Privacy Hero is cloud-managed. You can configure the VPN from a computer, smartphone, or tablet connected to any internet network; you do not need to be on the Privacy Hero WiFi to change settings.

Proton VPN WireGuard Setup (Recommended)

WireGuard uses a configuration file generated by Proton VPN. You do not need an OpenVPN username and password for this method.

Generate Your Proton VPN WireGuard Configuration

  1. Open your Proton VPN account and sign in.
  2. Go to Downloads → WireGuard configuration.
  3. Enter a recognizable configuration name and select Router as the platform.
  4. Choose your preferred VPN options and an available server or country. For a straightforward setup, select a standard server configuration.
  5. Click Create, then Download to save the generated WireGuard .conf file to your device.

Important: A WireGuard configuration contains a private key. Keep the downloaded file private; do not paste its contents into public posts or unprotected support messages. For detailed Proton account instructions, see Proton VPN: Download WireGuard Configuration Files.

Upload WireGuard to Privacy Hero

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com and log in to your Privacy Hero account.
  2. Open the VPN section, click Change beside the VPN provider, and choose Custom.
  3. Select WireGuard and upload the Proton VPN .conf file you downloaded.
  4. Click Save to apply the configuration and connect. Confirm that Privacy Hero reports Connected.
Privacy Hero Custom WireGuard configuration screen showing the configuration file upload

Proton VPN OpenVPN Setup

OpenVPN is an alternative to WireGuard. You need a Proton VPN OpenVPN-specific username and password and a server .ovpn configuration file.

Get Your Proton VPN OpenVPN Credentials

  1. Sign in to your Proton VPN account.
  2. Open Account → OpenVPN username to find your separate OpenVPN username and password.
  3. Copy these credentials or keep the page open. Do not use your usual Proton Account email and password for the manual OpenVPN connection.

For help locating these credentials, see Proton VPN: How to Sign In / OpenVPN Credentials.

Download Your Proton VPN OpenVPN Server File

  1. In your Proton VPN account, go to Downloads → OpenVPN configuration files.
  2. Select Router as the platform and UDP as the protocol (recommended starting point). If UDP does not work on your network, you can try a TCP configuration later.
  3. Select an available country or individual server from the standard configuration list, then click Download to save its .ovpn file.

For additional details about the file download options, see Proton VPN: Download OpenVPN Configuration Files.

Upload OpenVPN to Privacy Hero

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com and sign in to your Privacy Hero account.
  2. Open the VPN section, click Change, and select Custom as the VPN provider.
  3. Choose OpenVPN and upload the Proton VPN .ovpn file you downloaded.
  4. Enter your separate Proton VPN OpenVPN username and password into the Custom VPN fields.
  5. Click Save, then confirm Privacy Hero displays Connected.
Privacy Hero Custom OpenVPN setup with configuration file upload and separate VPN username and password fields

Verify Your Proton VPN Connection

After Privacy Hero reports Connected, confirm that a device on the router network is using your Proton VPN connection.

  1. Connect your testing device to the Privacy Hero WiFi or LAN network.
  2. Disable any Proton VPN app or other VPN application running directly on that device, so it does not create a second VPN connection.
  3. Open a private/incognito browser window.
  4. Visit Proton VPN’s IP Address Checker.
  5. Verify that the public IP address and approximate location correspond to the Proton VPN server configured in Privacy Hero.

Important: You can manage Privacy Hero from another WiFi network or cellular data. However, the device performing the VPN IP test must be connected to the Privacy Hero network.

Streaming Relocation and VPN Location

If Privacy Hero Streaming Relocation is enabled for a supported streaming service, that service may use its Streaming Relocation location rather than the country selected in your Proton VPN configuration. See Privacy Hero Streaming Relocation.

Proton VPN Not Connecting?

If Privacy Hero displays Failed, remains on Connecting, or reports a timeout, work through these checks:

  1. Confirm that you selected Custom as the VPN provider in Privacy Hero and chose the protocol that matches your configuration file.
  2. For WireGuard, create and download a fresh Proton VPN .conf file for an available server, then upload it again. Do not use an OpenVPN .ovpn file in the WireGuard section.
  3. For OpenVPN, verify that you entered Proton VPN’s separate OpenVPN username and password, not your regular Proton Account login.
  4. Download a fresh configuration for a different Proton VPN server and reconnect. Proton VPN occasionally changes server configurations.
  5. If using OpenVPN UDP and the connection still fails, download and try a TCP .ovpn configuration file to test for a protocol-related issue.
  6. Temporarily disable the VPN Kill Switch while checking whether internet works without the VPN. Re-enable your preferred Kill Switch setting once testing is complete.

VPN Disconnects and Devices Have No Internet?

The VPN Kill Switch may be intentionally blocking normal internet traffic when the VPN connection is unavailable. See Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch: No Internet or WiFi Troubleshooting.

VPN Connected but One Device Shows the Wrong IP?

Check the affected device for a second VPN app, iCloud Private Relay, Private DNS, browser proxy settings, or filtering software. See Device Settings That Can Interfere With Your Router VPN.

Related Privacy Hero Guides

Mullvad WireGuard Setup

· ·

Preparing for Mullvad WireGuard Setup

Verify your Mullvad login information

If you are not already a Mullvad user Sign Up Now.

Log in to your account on the Mullvad website.

Mullvad Login

Select Manage ports and WireGuard Keys displayed on the account page.

Mullvad Manage ports and WireGuard Keys

DD-WRT Router Setup for Mullvad WireGuard

Navigate to Setup > Tunnels 

Enter Mullvad WireGuard settings

1. Click Add Tunnel.

2. Set Tunnel to Enable.

Setup - Tunnel - Enable Tunnel

3. Select Wireguard from the dropdown.

Setup - Tunnel - Select Wireguard

4. Click Add Peer.

Setup - Tunnel - Add Peer

5. Set Endpoint to Enable.

Setup - Tunnel - Enable Endpoint

6. Set Router Allowed IP’s via tunnel and Use Pre-shared Key to Disable.

Setup - Tunnel - Disable Preshare Key and Allow IP

7. Click Generate Key.

Setup - Tunnel - Generate Key

8. Set Advanced Settings to Enable.

Setup - Tunnel - Enable Advanced Settings

9. Copy the Local Private Key.

Setup - Tunnel - Copy Local Private Key

10. In a new tab (leave the DD-WRT settings opened), go to your Mullvad Account and click Manage Ports and WireGuard Keys.

Mullvad Account - Manage ports and Wireguard Keys

11. Click WireGuard configuration file.

Mullvad - Wireguard configuration file

12. Select Linux as your Platform.

Mullvad - Select Linux

13. Click Manage Keys.

Mullvad - Manage Keys

14. Paste the copied Local Private key to the Manage WireGuard Keys field and click Import Keys.

Mullvad - Import Key

15. Select your Country, City, and Server number that you want to connect to.

Mullvad - Select Location

16. Click Advanced Settings.

Mullvad - Advanced Settings

17. Set the Tunnel Traffic to Only IPv4.

Mullvad - Only IPv4

18. Click Download File.

Mullvad - Download Config

19. Open the config file that was downloaded to your computer with NotePad or Notepad++ for Windows or TextEdit for Mac.

20. In the downloaded config file under [Interface] enter the Address into the IP Addresses/Netmask(CIDR) field in the DD-WRT settings.

Config File - Copy IP Address
Setup - Tunnel - IP Address Netmask Note

Certain DD-WRT builds will show two separate fields here: IP Address and Subnet Mask. If that is the case set the IP Address field to the Address without the /32 added and set the Subnet Mask to 255.255.255.255

21. In the config file under [Peer] copy the PublicKey and paste it into the Peer Public Key field in the DD-WRT Settings.

Config File - Copy PublicKey
Setup - Tunnel - Paste Public Key

22. In the config file under [Peer] copy the Endpoint and paste it into the Endpoint Address field.

Config File - Endpoint
Setup - Tunnel - Endpoint Address

23. At the bottom of the page click Save and then click Apply Settings.

Enter Mullvad WireGuard Commands

Navigate to Administration > Commands

1. Copy and paste the text below and click Save Startup.

sleep 30
echo "Update route table on startup..."
WGSERVER=$(/usr/sbin/nvram get oet1_rem0)
WANGW=$(/usr/sbin/nvram get wan_gateway)
WANIF=$(/usr/sbin/nvram get wan_iface)
route add -host $WGSERVER gw $WANGW dev $WANIF
route del default
route add default dev oet1
ip route flush cache
mkdir -p /tmp/etc/config
ln -s /tmp/custom.sh /tmp/etc/config/wg-route-fix.wanup
echo "... Done route table update."

2. Copy and paste the text below and click Save Custom.

#!/bin/sh
sleep 5
echo "Update route table on wanup ..."
WGSERVER=$(/usr/sbin/nvram get oet1_rem0)
WANGW=$(/usr/sbin/nvram get wan_gateway)
WANIF=$(/usr/sbin/nvram get wan_iface)
route add -host $WGSERVER gw $WANGW dev $WANIF
route del default
route add default dev oet1
ip route flush cache
echo "... Done route table update."

3. Copy and paste the text below and click Save Firewall.

WANIF=$(/usr/sbin/nvram get wan_iface)
iptables -t nat -I POSTROUTING -o oet1 -j MASQUERADE
iptables -I FORWARD -i br0 -o $WANIF -m state –state NEW -j REJECT –reject-with icmp-host-prohibited
iptables -I FORWARD -i br0 -p tcp -o $WANIF -m state –state NEW -j REJECT –reject-with tcp-reset

Set Mullvad DNS servers

Navigate to Setup > Basic Setup

Set Static DNS 1 to 10.64.0.1

Set Static DNS 2 to 193.138.218.74

Setup - Basic Setup - Mullvad DNS

Click Apply Settings.

Reboot the FlashRouter

Navigate to Administration > Management

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the red Reboot Router button. Wait for the FlashRouter to reboot and then reconnect.

Verify a successful Mullvad connection

Navigate to Setup > Tunnels

  1. You should see Endpoint, Latest handshake, and Transfer in the WireGuard status area.
  2. Visit Mullvad’s IP Check to verify your status as using Mullvad.

Back up your settings

Navigate to Administration > Backup

  1. Click the Backup button.
  2. A file named nvrambak.bin will be saved to your computer.
  3. You can load nvrambak.bin to restore your settings in the event of a reset.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Wireless Guest Network Setup – Bridged (Advanced)

· ·

If you would like to prevent visitors from connecting to your main WiFi network then you can create a Bridged Guest Network that will prevent access to the main router. This setup also allows you to create different rules for different WiFi SSID’s in your home ranging from QoS controls, access restrictions, VPN network segmentation, and more.

Preparing for Wireless Guest Network Setup

If you have a Dual-band or Tri-Band router you can setup a WiFi Guest Network, creating a separate VLAN (virtual local area network) for your visitors, or in order to segment your VPN networks on any band you like. We recommend using the 2.4GHz network for your DD-WRT Guest Wireless Network so it is compatible with the most possible WiFi devices. Setting up a guest network for visitors in your home allows you to keep them off of your main WiFi network.

We recommend performing this setup while connected to the FlashRouter via ethernet cable. If your computer does not have an ethernet port and you must proceed via wireless connection to the FlashRouter pay attention to the wireless connection as you may need to rejoin the FlashRouter’s network after making changes.

DD-WRT Router Setup for Wireless Guest Network

Enter Wireless settings

Navigate to Wireless > Basic Settings

Bridged Wireless Guest Network Setup on DD-WRT FlashRouter – Setting SSID for Guest Network
  1. Under the 2.4GHz or 5GHz Interface click the Add button.
  2. In the Wireless Network Name (SSID) field enter the unique network name of the guest network.
  3. Click Save.

Enter Wireless Security settings

Navigate to Wireless > Wireless Security

Bridged Wireless Guest Network Setup on DD-WRT FlashRouter – Setting Guest Network Wireless Password
  1. Duplicate the wireless security settings that are set for the other bands for the newly created virtual interface.
  2. Click Apply Settings.
  3. Reboot your router.

Create Bridge

Navigate to Setup > Networking

Bridged Wireless Guest Network Setup on DD-WRT FlashRouter – Create Bridge
  1. Under Create Bridge click Add. Name the newly created bridge br1.
  2. Click Apply Settings

Assign to Bridge

Bridged Wireless Guest Network Setup on DD-WRT FlashRouter – Assign Bridge
  1. Under Assign to Bridge select br1 from the Assignment dropdown. Select wl1.1 or ath1.1 depending on your router model.
  2. Click Apply Settings.

Depending on the router model and WiFi band you are using, the wireless interfaces will be labelled differently.

This setting can be labelled wl1.1, ath0.1, wl2.1, and so on. Make sure when you get up to the bridge assignment section that you are using the correct guest network Virtual Interface.

Network Configuration br1

Bridged Wireless Guest Network Setup on DD-WRT FlashRouter – Configure Bridge DNS Redirection
  1. Under Network Configuration br1 select Enable for Forced DNS Redirection.
  2. Set Optional DNS Target to 208.67.220.220
  3. Set IP Address to 192.168.12.1
  4. Set Subnet Mask to 255.255.255.0
  5. Click Apply Settings.

Multiple DHCP Server

Bridged Wireless Guest Network Setup on DD-WRT FlashRouter – Configure DHCP Server Settings
  1. Under Multiple DHCP Server click Add.
  2. Set the first dropdown to br1.
  3. Click Apply Settings.
  4. Reboot your router.

Firewall Rules

Navigate to Administration > Commands

  1. Copy the fire script from below and paste into the empty Commands shell
  2. Click Save Firewall.
  3. Wait one minute and then reboot your router.

iptables -I FORWARD -i br1 -o br0 -m state –state NEW -j DROP
iptables -I FORWARD -i br0 -o br1 -m state –state NEW -j DROP
iptables -I INPUT -i br1 -p tcp –dport telnet -j REJECT –reject-with tcp-reset
iptables -I INPUT -i br1 -p tcp –dport ssh -j REJECT –reject-with tcp-reset
iptables -I INPUT -i br1 -p tcp –dport www -j REJECT –reject-with tcp-reset
iptables -I INPUT -i br1 -p tcp –dport https -j REJECT –reject-with tcp-reset

You will now have a working Bridged Guest Network on the FlashRouter. By inputting the firewall rules, this will also prevent any guests on your network from gaining access to your router settings.

Back up your settings

Navigate to Administration > Backup

  1. Click the Backup button.
  2. A file named nvrambak.bin will be saved to your computer.
  3. You can load nvrambak.bin to restore your settings in the event of a reset.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit our Troubleshooting section to diagnose common problems here.

Troubleshoot Here

PrivateInternetAccess (PIA) Merlin OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for PIA Merlin Setup

Download your PIA .ovpn file

If you are not already a PIA user Sign Up Now.

1. Log in to your account on the PIA website.

PIA login

2. Successfully log in with your account information then go to PIA’s OpenVPN Config Generator.

3. On the OpenVPN Configuration Generator select the following:

OpenVPN Version: OpenVPN 2.4 or newer

Select Platform: Linux

Select Region: Choose the server location you’d like to connect to

Select Port: Typically we recommend UDP/1198 RSA-2048 AES-128-CBC SHA1 for best speeds but feel free to select the one you want to use.

4. Click Generate to download the .ovpn file. Do not open this file once it is downloaded.

PIA Generate .ovpn file

Merlin Router Setup for PIA

Login to Asus Merlin firmware settings in a browser on any computer or smart device connected to the Merlin FlashRouter’s network.

1. Navigate to the VPN tab.

Merlin VPN Tab

2. Navigate to the VPN Client tab.

Merlin VPN Client Tab

3. Click Choose file and select the .ovpn file you downloaded earlier. Then click Upload.

Merlin Choose File Upload

4. Set Automatic Start at boot time to Yes if you want the VPN connection to begin automatically when the router is powered off and back on.

Merlin Automatic Start at boot time

5. In the Description field enter in the name you’d like to use for this OpenVPN Client profile. We typically advise entering in the location here. Our example server was in US East Streaming so I have entered in PIA US East Streaming.

PIA Description

6. Set Accept DNS Configuration to Strict. Set Redirect Internet traffic through tunnel to Yes (all). Set Kill Switch to Yes or No depending on if you want the Internet to be killed if the VPN connection drops.

Merlin Accept DNS configuration Redirect Internet and Kill Switch

If you only want certain devices to connect to the OpenVPN Client profile you are setting up instead of all the devices connected to the FlashRouter’s network please set the Redirect Internet traffic through tunnel to VPN Director. Then complete the instructions on this page and then view our VPN Director guide.

7. Enter your PIA account username and password.

Merlin VPN Username and Password

8. Click Apply at the bottom of the page.

9. At the top of the page set the Service State toggle to ON to activate the VPN connection.

Merlin Service State All Providers

Verify a successful PIA connection

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED message.
  2. Visit PIA’s IP Check to verify your new IP address and virtual location.

In some cases you may notice that the location is not showing the same location as the server you have input in your router settings; this is because geo tracking tools are often tricked by VPN connections. As long as you see an IP address that is not the same as your normal Internet IP address then you are indeed connected to PIA.

How to change the PIA server

  1. Follow the steps at the top of the page to obtain a new .ovpn file.
  2. Then proceed with the settings same as initial setup.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

IPVanish Merlin OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for IPVanish Merlin Setup

Download your IPVanish .ovpn file

If you are not already an IPVanish user Sign Up Now.

1. Log in to your account on the IPVanish website.

IPVanish login

2. Successfully log in with your account information then go to IPVanish .ovpn file page.

3. Click on the .ovpn file for the server location you want to use to dowloand the .ovpn file. Do not open this file.

IPVanish download ovpn

Merlin Router Setup for IPVanish

Login to Asus Merlin firmware settings in a browser on any computer or smart device connected to the Merlin FlashRouter’s network.

1. Navigate to the VPN tab.

Merlin VPN Tab

2. Navigate to the VPN Client tab.

Merlin VPN Client Tab

3. Click Choose file and select the .ovpn file you downloaded earlier. Then click Upload.

Merlin Choose File Upload

4. Set Automatic Start at boot time to Yes if you want the VPN connection to begin automatically when the router is powered off and back on.

Merlin Automatic Start at boot time

5. In the Description field enter in the name you’d like to use for this OpenVPN Client profile. We typically advise entering in the location here. Our example server was in nyc-a50 so I have entered in IPVanish a-50.

IPVanish Description

6. Set Accept DNS Configuration to Strict. Set Redirect Internet traffic through tunnel to Yes (all). Set Kill Switch to Yes or No depending on if you want the Internet to be killed if the VPN connection drops.

Merlin Accept DNS configuration Redirect Internet and Kill Switch

If you only want certain devices to connect to the OpenVPN Client profile you are setting up instead of all the devices connected to the FlashRouter’s network please set the Redirect Internet traffic through tunnel to VPN Director. Then complete the instructions on this page and then view our VPN Director guide.

7. Enter your IPVanish account email/username and password.

Merlin VPN Username and Password

8. Click Apply at the bottom of the page.

9. At the top of the page set the Service State toggle to ON to activate the VPN connection.

Merlin Service State All Providers

Verify a successful IPVanish connection

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED message.
  2. Visit IPVanish’s IP Check to verify your new IP address and virtual location.

In some cases you may notice that the location is not showing the same location as the server you have input in your router settings; this is because geo tracking tools are often tricked by VPN connections. As long as you see an IP address that is not the same as your normal Internet IP address then you are indeed connected to IPVanish.

How to change the IPVanish server

  1. Follow the steps at the top of the page to obtain a new .ovpn file.
  2. Then proceed with the settings same as initial setup.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

How to Use ASUS VPN Fusion: Assign Devices and Multiple VPNs

· ·

ASUS VPN Fusion lets supported AsusWRT routers run VPN client profiles and decide which connected devices use each VPN connection. You can send the entire network through one VPN, use separate VPN profiles for selected devices, or leave certain devices on the regular ISP connection.

This guide covers how to use ASUS VPN Fusion to assign devices to specific VPN connections, manage multiple VPN profiles simultaneously, and choose which devices use a VPN or connect directly through your ISP. These features work with supported VPN providers and protocols, including WireGuard and OpenVPN.

Open VPN Fusion

  1. Connect your computer or phone to your ASUS FlashRouter’s WiFi or LAN.
  2. Open http://www.asusrouter.com or the router’s LAN IP (often 192.168.50.1) and log in. See How to Access Your AsusWRT FlashRouter Settings.
  3. Go to VPN > VPN Fusion. Add and configure at least one working VPN client profile before assigning devices.
ASUS VPN Fusion page with Add Profile and Internet Connection
VPN Fusion displays your saved VPN profiles and the Add Profile option.

Method 1: Apply One VPN to All Devices

Use this option when you want the selected VPN profile to be your router’s default connection.

  1. In VPN Fusion, open the VPN profile that should provide the default internet route.
  2. Enable Apply to all devices (or Default Connection in firmware that uses that label).
  3. Click Apply all settings, then enable the VPN profile.
  4. Connect a test device to the router and check its IP. If you use per-device overrides, verify those rules separately.
ASUS VPN Fusion Apply to all devices setting and device count
Enable Apply to all devices to use the selected VPN as the default connection.

Method 2: Send Only Selected Devices Through a VPN

  1. In VPN Fusion, turn off Apply to all devices for a profile when you do not want that VPN used network-wide.
  2. Open the profile’s Device area using the pencil/edit icon or the firmware’s device-assignment control.
  3. Select the intended devices (for example, a TV and streaming box), confirm with OK, then click Apply all settings.
  4. Enable the VPN profile and verify the selected devices’ public IPs.
  5. For devices that should use the normal ISP internet, leave them on the Internet Connection route or explicitly set the Internet/bypass rule available in your firmware. Remove any conflicting VPN assignments.

Important: A device being connected to ASUS WiFi does not guarantee that it is assigned to the desired VPN. Check the assigned profile and the actual public IP.

How Multiple VPN Connections Work

On supported models, VPN Fusion can keep several VPN connections active and route different devices through different providers at the same time. For example:

TVNordVPN — WireGuard
LaptopProton VPN — OpenVPN
Streaming deviceSurfshark — OpenVPN
Work computerRegular ISP connection

You may be able to run one WireGuard profile and multiple OpenVPN profiles concurrently, but connection limits and supported combinations vary by ASUS router model and firmware. Adding many saved OpenVPN profiles is not the same as having all of them connected at once.

  1. Create separate profiles with clear names, such as Nord-US-WG, Proton-US-OVPN, and Surfshark-UK-OVPN.
  2. Enable only the profiles you need and confirm each shows connected.
  3. Assign each client device to the appropriate active profile; avoid applying conflicting default routes.
  4. Verify each device’s observed IP and server country. If one tunnel fails, test it individually with the other profiles temporarily disabled.

ASUS reference: How VPN Fusion handles multiple tunnels and devices.

Confirm a Device Is Actually Using the VPN

  1. In VPN Fusion, confirm the target profile’s connection status is active.
  2. Check the device’s assignment in the ASUS VPN Fusion interface.
  3. On that same device, visit IPLeak.net or another public-IP checker.
  4. Compare the reported public IP and location with the VPN server assigned to that device.
  5. If the device still shows your ISP IP, test with its own VPN app and iCloud Private Relay / Private DNS / browser proxy disabled. Use Device Settings That Can Interfere With Your Router VPN.

Quick isolation test

  1. Turn off VPN Fusion routing for a test device and confirm ISP internet works.
  2. Turn on just one known-working VPN profile for that device.
  3. Recheck public IP. If it now works, reintroduce other profiles/assignments individually.

Want a Separate WiFi Network With or Without VPN?

Rather than selecting devices one at a time, supported ASUS routers offer Guest Network Pro or Network > VPN Network features that can associate a WiFi SSID with VPN routing. See ASUS Guest WiFi With or Without VPN: Setup Guide.

On routers with only the traditional Guest Network feature, available VPN-by-SSID behavior may differ; do not assume the standard guest SSID bypasses a network-wide VPN default.

Related AsusWRT Guides

Upgrade your ASUS router

Explore the Latest WiFi 7 ASUS FlashRouters

Looking for a newer ASUS router? Browse WiFi 7 models available from FlashRouters and compare features to find the right fit for your home or office. VPN Fusion and other features vary by router model and firmware.

Shop ASUS WiFi 7 Routers →

CyberGhost Merlin OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for CyberGhost Setup

Obtain your CyberGhost OpenVPN information

If you are not already a CyberGhost user Sign Up Now.

1. Log in to your account on the CyberGhost website.

CyberGhost Website Login

2. Select VPN.

CyberGhost VPN

3. Click Configure New Device.

CyberGhost Configure Device

4. Set Protocol to OpenVPN. Select the Country you would like to connect to. Select the Server Group. Name the device in the Device Name field. Click Save Configuration.

CyberGhost protocol and location

5. Press View configuration.

CyberGhost view configuration

6. Copy the Username, and Password that appear to a notepad, since you will need this information later in the setup process. Click Download Configuration.

CyberGhost Website OpenVPN Configuration Files Generator 1

Open the folder that was downloaded. Then open the ca.crt the client.crt, and client.key files with NotePad++ for Windows or TextEdit for Apple. All CyberGhost servers have different keys and certificates.

Merlin Router Setup for CyberGhost

Login to Asus Merlin firmware settings in a browser on any computer or smart device connected to the Merlin FlashRouter’s network.

1. Navigate to the VPN tab.

Merlin VPN Tab

2. Navigate to the VPN Client tab.

Merlin VPN Client Tab

3. Click Choose file and select the .ovpn file from the folder you downloaded earlier. Then click Upload.

Merlin Choose File Upload

4. Set Automatic Start at boot time to Yes if you want the VPN connection to begin automatically when the router is powered off and back on.

Merlin Automatic Start at boot time

5. In the Description field enter in the name you’d like to use for this OpenVPN Client profile. We typically advise entering in the location here. Our example server was in USA so I have entered in CyberGhost USA.

Merlin CyberGhost Description field

6. Set Accept DNS Configuration to Strict. Set Redirect Internet traffic through tunnel to Yes (all). Set Kill Switch to Yes or No depending on if you want the Internet to be killed if the VPN connection drops.

Merlin Accept DNS configuration Redirect Internet and Kill Switch

If you only want certain devices to connect to the OpenVPN Client profile you are setting up instead of all the devices connected to the FlashRouter’s network please set the Redirect Internet traffic through tunnel to VPN Director. Then complete the instructions on this page and then view our VPN Director guide.

7. Enter your CyberGhost OpenVPN username and password that you obtained earlier. Do not enter your account login.

Merlin VPN Username and Password

8. Click the Edit button in the Keys and Certificates area.

Merlin Keys and Certificates Edit button

9. In the Certificate Authority field paste in the entire content of the ca.crt file.

—– BEGIN xxx —– / —– END xxx —– block (including those two lines).

Merlin Certificate Authority

10. In the Client Certificate field paste in the entire content of the client.crt file.

—– BEGIN xxx —– / —– END xxx —– block (including those two lines).

Merlin Client Certificate

11. In the Client Key field paste in the entire content of the client.key file.

—– BEGIN xxx —– / —– END xxx —– block (including those two lines).

Merlin Client Key

12. Click Save at the bottom of that window.

13. Click Apply at the bottom of the page.

14. At the top of the page set the Service State toggle to ON to activate the VPN connection.

Merlin Service State All Providers

Verify a successful CyberGhost connection

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED message.
  2. Visit What is my IP Address from a private/incognito browser to verify your new IP address and virtual location.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the FR Privacy App Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch Setup

· ·

The Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch prevents regular internet traffic from passing through your router if its VPN disconnects or fails to connect. This helps prevent devices from using your normal ISP connection without VPN protection.

Before enabling: Make sure your VPN is already Connected and that internet access works through the VPN. The Kill Switch is optional, but useful if you prefer internet access to stop rather than continue unprotected when the VPN goes down.

Privacy Hero is managed at app.privacyhero.com. You can make changes using a computer, phone, or tablet.

How to Enable the VPN Kill Switch

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com and sign in using your Privacy Hero account. If the router has not been activated yet, follow the Privacy Hero Activation and Setup guide first.
  2. Open the VPN section of your Privacy Hero settings.
  3. Confirm that your selected VPN provider is active and its connection status shows Connected. If the VPN is failing, fix the connection before proceeding.
  4. Find VPN Killswitch (VPN Kill Switch) and move its toggle to On (orange). The setting is enabled when its toggle is On.
  5. Keep a device connected to the Privacy Hero WiFi or LAN and confirm that ordinary websites work with the VPN connected.
Privacy Hero Security and Privacy VPN Killswitch toggle enabled, highlighted on the right side of the settings page
In Privacy Hero, the VPN Killswitch toggle is shown directly below the VPN provider setting.

Tip: To check the router’s VPN IP address, use a browser on a device connected to Privacy Hero, not on a phone using cellular data or another WiFi network. Disable any separate VPN app on the test device so you can verify the router VPN independently.

What Happens When the Kill Switch Is On?

VPN status Kill Switch Normal internet traffic
Connected On Allowed through the VPN
Disconnected or Failed On Blocked until the VPN reconnects or you turn the Kill Switch off
Disconnected or Failed Off May use the normal ISP connection without VPN protection

The Kill Switch does not turn off the WiFi network. Your device may stay connected to Privacy Hero WiFi but report No Internet when the VPN is unavailable. Some phones and computers may automatically switch to cellular data or another saved WiFi network.

Access Privacy Hero Even When the Kill Switch Is Blocking Internet

Important: Privacy Hero includes a built-in exception for its cloud management dashboard. If the VPN is down and the Kill Switch blocks normal internet traffic, you can still access app.privacyhero.com while connected to the Privacy Hero WiFi or LAN network, provided the router itself still has its upstream/cloud connection.

This means you can sign in, check the VPN status, change the server or protocol, or switch off the Kill Switch without first leaving the Privacy Hero network.

You can also access the cloud dashboard through another working WiFi connection or cellular data. If the router shows Offline in the dashboard, that indicates a separate WAN or cloud-connectivity problem rather than normal Kill Switch behavior.

How to Turn Off the Kill Switch or Restore Internet

If your VPN has stopped connecting and you need to restore ordinary internet access temporarily:

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com, including from the Privacy Hero network if the Kill Switch is blocking regular internet.
  2. Open VPN and check the current VPN status.
  3. Move VPN Killswitch to Off.
  4. If the VPN remains Failed or Disconnected, temporarily switch the VPN connection Off and test internet access using a device on the Privacy Hero network.
  5. Repair the VPN connection, confirm Connected, and verify that ordinary internet traffic works through the VPN before turning the Kill Switch back On.

Security note: With the Kill Switch off, devices may access the internet without VPN protection if the VPN is disconnected. Re-enable it after testing if preventing non-VPN traffic is your goal.

VPN showing Failed? Privacy Hero includes a Reset option that removes all saved third-party VPN settings. With an active Privacy Premium subscription, the router reconnects using the built-in Privacy Hero VPN. With Privacy Core, it returns to your normal ISP connection without a router VPN.

Before using Reset, see our How to Reset a Failed VPN Connection on Privacy Hero guide.

For a complete diagnosis of WiFi connected but no internet, VPN failures, and router Offline status, follow the Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch: No Internet or WiFi Troubleshooting guide.

Related Privacy Hero Guides