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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

Surfshark Setup for Privacy Hero

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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

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

PrivateInternetAccess (PIA) Cudy OpenVPN Setup

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Preparing for PIA Cudy 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

Cudy Router Setup for PIA

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

1. Click General Settings.

Cudy General Settings

2. Click VPN.

Cudy VPN Tab

3. Toggle the Enable switch to On.

Cudy enable VPN

4. Select OpenVPN Client from the Protocol dropdown.

Cudy select OpenVPN Client

5. Click Browse and select the .ovpn file you downloaded earlier. You should see the server file name listed next to Current Config File after doing so.

Cudy OpenVPN Browse button

6. Enter your PIA account login username and password in the Username and Password.

Cudy PIA enter username and password

7. Click Save & Apply at the bottom of the page.

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

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

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

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

PrivateInternetAccess (PIA) Asus AX1800S OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for PIA Asus AX1800S 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

Asus AX1800S Router Setup for PIA

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

1. Navigate to the VPN tab.

Merlin VPN Tab

2. Navigate to the VPN Client tab.

Asus AX1800S VPN Settings

3. Click Add Profile.

Asus AX1800S VPN Settings

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

Asus AX1800S OpenVPN upload

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.

6. Enter your PIA account username and password.

7. Click the Activate button.

Verify a successful PIA connection

  1. You should now see a check mark in the Connection Status area.
  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.
  3. Be sure to deactivate a previously active connection before activating the new one. You do not want to connect to two at the same time.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

PrivateInternetAccess (PIA) TP-Link OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for PIA TP-Link 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

TP-Link Router Setup for PIA

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

1. Navigate to the Advanced tab.

TP-Link Advanced settings

2. Navigate to the VPN Client tab.

TP-Link VPN Client

3. Check the Enable box next to VPN Client. Then click Save at the bottom of the page.

TP-Link VPN Client enable

4. Click the Add button in the Server List area.

TP-Link Add server button

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. Our example server was New York so I have entered in PIA New York.

Set the VPN Type to OpenVPN.

In the Username and Password fields paste in the PIA username and password you use to successfully login to your PIA website account.

Click Browse and select the .ovpn file you downloaded earlier. Then click Save.

TP-Link PIA

By default no devices will be assigned to the VPN Tunnel. With TP-Link firmware you must manually assign the devices that you want connected to the VPN tunnel. Proceed with the next steps to do so for all devices you want connected to VPN.

6. Click the Add button in the Device List area.

TP-Link add devices to VPN tunnel

7. A list of devices connected to the FlashRouter’s network will appear. Check the devices that you want to connect to VPN. Then click OK.

TP-Link select devices to add to VPN tunnel

8. Now that the devices have been assigned to the VPN connection click the Enable toggle in the Server List area.

TP-Link PIA Connected

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

PrivateInternetAccess (PIA) AsusWRT OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for PIA AsusWRT 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

AsusWRT Router Setup for PIA

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

1. Navigate to the VPN tab.

Merlin VPN Tab

2. Navigate to the VPN Fusion tab.

Asus VPN Fusion

3. Click Add profile.

Asus Add profile

4. In the Connection Name 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 PIA New York.

5. In the VPN Type dropdown select OpenVPN.

6. Click Import .ovpn file and select the .ovpn file you downloaded earlier. Then click Upload.

7. In the Username and Password fields paste in the PIA username and password you use to successfully login to your PIA website account.

8. Click Apply and Enable at the bottom of the page.

Asus PIA profile

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 click into the profile and disable Apply to all devices. Then click Devices and select the devices that you want to connect to VPN.

Asus VPN devices
Asus VPN select devices

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

Asus PIA Connected

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

VPN Unlimited Manual OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for Manual VPN Unlimited Setup

Verify your VPN Unlimited login information

If you are not already a VPN Unlimited user Sign Up Now.

Log in to your account on the VPN Unlimited website.

VPN Unlimited Website Login

Generate your VPN Unlimited OVPN Configuration Files

1. Navigate to the VPN Unlimited section in the dropdown on the top left.

VPN Unlimited Website Login

2. Set Device to “Manually create new device…”

3. Name your device.

4. Select Server.

5. Set Protocol to OpenVPN.

FlashRouters DD-WRT Privacy App - Create Open VPN Configuration files

6. Open the ‘.OVPN’ file in a word processing program.

NOTE: We highly recommend using Notepad++ for Windows or TextEdit for Apple to open these files in order to preserve text format.

DD-WRT Router Setup for VPN Unlimited

Navigate to the Services > VPN

Enter VPN Unlimited settings

OpenVPN Client

Start OpenVPN Client

If you wish to disable your VPN connection simply set this to Disable at any time and click Apply Settings.

Server IP/Name

At the bottom of the .ovpn file you downloaded above, you can find your server address, it should look something like us-la.vpnunlimitedapp.com

Port

1194 for Tunnel Protocol UDP
80 for Tunnel Protocol TCP

Tunnel Device

TUN

Tunnel Protocol

UDP or TCP

Encryption cipher

Blowfish-CBC

Hash Algorithm

SHA1

User Pass Authentication

Disabled

Advanced Options

Enable

TLS Cipher

None

LZO Compression

Adaptive

NAT

Enable

Firewall Protection

Enable

nsCertType verification

Checked

Additional Config

persist-key
persist-tun

Policy Based Routing

This field can be used for split VPN and Dual Gateway routing.

CA Cert

—–BEGIN CERTIFICATE—–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—–END CERTIFICATE—–

Public Client Cert

Copy and Paste all contents in between the <cert> and </cert> lines from your .ovpn file starting and ending with:
—–BEGIN CERTIFICATE—–
…
—–END CERTIFICATE—–

Private Client Key

Copy and Paste all contents in between the <key> and </key> lines from your .ovpn file starting and ending with:
—–BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY—–
…
—–END RSA PRIVATE KEY—–

CLICK APPLY SETTINGS

Leave all settings not mentioned above as their default setting.

Verify a successful VPN Unlimited connection

Navigate to the Status > OpenVPN

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED SUCCESS message.
  2. Visit to WhatIsMyIPAddress 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 VPN Unlimited.

Back up your settings

Navigate to the 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.

How to change the VPN Unlimited server

  1. Follow Steps 1-6 to Generate an .OVPN file for the server you wish to connect to and open it a word processing program.
  2. Copy and paste the server IP Address into the Server IP/Name field.
  3. Copy and paste the <cert> into the Public Client Cert field.
  4. Copy and paste the <key> into the Private Client Key field.
  5. Click Apply Settings.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

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

AirVPN Manual OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for Manual AirVPN Setup

Obtain your AirVPN OpenVPN Information

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

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

AIRVPN OpenVPN Client Login for FlashRouter DD-WRT VPN Configuration

2. Click on the Client Area tab.

AIRVPN OpenVPN Client Area for FlashRouter DD-WRT VPN Configuration

3. Click on the Config Generator subtab.

AIRVPN OpenVPN Configuration Generator for FlashRouter DD-WRT VPN Configuration

4. Click on the Router icon under Choose your Operating System.

AIRVPN OpenVPN FlashRouter DD-WRT VPN Configuration

5. Select a Protocol under the Protocols section. We recommend UDP.

Select AIRVPN OpenVPN Encryption Protocol for FlashRouter DD-WRT VPN Configuration

6. Select one option under the Choose Servers section. AirVPN sorts these servers by Planet, Continent, Country, and Single servers. Choose whichever best suits your needs.

Sort AIRVPN OpenVPN Specific Certificates for FlashRouter DD-WRT VPN Configuration

7. Scroll down towards the bottom of the page and click on Generate.

Generate AIRVPN OpenVPN Specific Certificates for FlashRouter DD-WRT VPN Configuration

Open the file that was downloaded with NotePad++ for Windows or TextEdit for Apple. You will be copying the Server IP/Name, client.crt and client.key from this file.

Please note, all VPN servers have different keys and certificates. If you wish to change servers in the future, you will have to go through steps 1-7 again.

DD-WRT Router Setup for AirVPN

Navigate to Services > VPN

Enter AirVPN settings

OpenVPN Client

Start OpenVPN Client

If you wish to disable your VPN connection simply set this to Disable at any time and click Apply Settings.

Server IP/Name

Copy and paste the server you selected in your account. Be sure there are no extra spaces or characters.

Port

443

Tunnel Device

TUN

Tunnel Protocol

UDP or TCP

Encryption cipher

AES-256-CBC

Hash Algorithm

SHA1

User Pass Authentication

Disable

Advanced Options

Enable

TLS Cipher

None

LZO Compression

No

NAT

Enable

Firewall Protection

Enable

nsCertType verification

Checked

Policy Based Routing

This field can be used for split VPN and Dual Gateway routing.

TLS Auth Key

—–BEGIN OpenVPN Static key V1—–
7bb7a23a0f5f28d01e792df68f1764ab
f2688719288808bf58e8a2d4f9354ecf
132625dfb895fc3f6330ae1e868e4dfa
c164c0931593d7f9a7da9595cf353433
8896e1d0a987a0d19838944af8fea4e5
215a3a0c76f4c67d5a4aee6a53be66a4
c88b84f850030840fb30f8550ed8068f
35c1ef34ee8f40a0ea5862dfb6f8d3c5
7ab5e27ac2799cf93e8765ff63cd8cd8
6b391b813925cd373bb202796f64d16f
003d042ca828d1b07f18ba1d0cb0323d
df3ee9287e9e084e655699efb3cffa92
3626946fa372e7beee245e7a95b4c1d8
7d16cae685218d4b8afc019b22e41083
476ee9883fe666d236301e55b2062551
4d91c8a69467a758293994df1e6fa7ae
—–END OpenVPN Static key V1—–

CA Cert

—–BEGIN CERTIFICATE—–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—–END CERTIFICATE—–

Public Client Cert

Copy and paste all contents between <cert> and </cert> make sure to also include the following lines when copying and pasting:
—–BEGIN CERTIFICATE—–
…
—–END CERTIFICATE—–

Private Client Key

Copy and paste all contents between <key> and </key> make sure to also include the following lines when copying and pasting:
—–BEGIN PRIVATE KEY—–
…
—–END PRIVATE KEY—–

CLICK APPLY SETTINGS

Leave all settings not mentioned above as their default setting.

Verify a successful AirVPN connection

Navigate to Status > OpenVPN

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED SUCCESS message.
  2. Visit whatismyipaddress.com 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 AirVPN.

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.

How to change the AirVPN server

  1. Follow the instructions for obtaining the OpenVPN information from above.
  2. Enter the new Server Address in the Server IP/Name field.
  3. Enter the new client.key and private.key
  4. Click Apply Settings.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Surfshark AsusWRT WireGuard Setup

· ·

Preparing for Surfshark AsusWRT Setup

Copy your Surfshark Private Key

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

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

Surfshark Account Login

2. Click VPN Manual Setup.

Surfshark VPN Manual Setup

3. Select Router as the Setup method.

Surfshark setup method Router

4. Select WireGuard as the Protocol.

Surfshark select WireGuard

5. Select I don’t have a key pair.

Surfshark No Key Pair

6. Enter FlashRouter as the name of the connection and click Next.

Surfshark Connection Name

7. Click Generate a new key pair.

Surfshark Generate new Key Pair

8. A Public Key and Private Key will then appear. Use the copy box to copy the Private Key. You will not need the public key.

Surfshark Private Key

AsusWRT Router Setup for Surfshark

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

1. Navigate to the VPN tab.

Merlin VPN Tab

2. Navigate to the VPN Fusion tab.

Asus VPN Fusion

3. Click Add profile.

Asus Add profile

4. In the Connection Name field enter in Surfshark.

5. In the VPN Type dropdown select Surfshark.

6. In the Region dropdown select the Surfshark location you want to connect to.

7. In the Private Key field paste in the Surfshark Private Key obtained earlier.

8. Click Apply and Enable at the bottom of the page.

Asus Surfshark profile

If you only want certain devices to connect to the Surfshark profile you are setting up instead of all the devices connected to the FlashRouter’s network click into the profile and disable Apply to all devices. Then click Devices and select the devices that you want to connect to VPN.

Asus VPN devices
Asus VPN select devices

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

Asus Surfshark Connected

Verify a successful Surfshark connection

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED message.
  2. Visit Surfshark’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 Surfshark.

How to change the Surfshark server

  1. Use the profile service state toggle to disconnect the currently connected location.
  2. Then click into the Surfshark profile in the router’s settings.
  3. Then adjust the Region dropdown to a new location.
  4. Click Apply all settings.
  5. Use the profile service state toggle to connect the new location.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

How to Reset a Failed VPN Connection on Privacy Hero

· ·

If your Privacy Hero VPN connection shows Failed, you can use the new Reset button to clear the saved third-party VPN settings and return the router to its available default connection. This is useful when a VPN setup is stuck or you want to start again without manually removing the existing third-party VPN configuration.

Important: A VPN reset removes all saved third-party VPN settings from Privacy Hero. You will need to configure that provider again if you want to use it later. The connection Privacy Hero uses after resetting depends on your subscription plan.

When Should You Use the VPN Reset Button?

Use Reset when the current VPN connection is in a Failed state and you want to remove the third-party VPN setup and restore a working default connection. It is a more complete action than simply retrying the same VPN server.

  • Use it if the third-party VPN settings are no longer working and you want to start over.
  • Use it if you no longer want the saved third-party VPN configuration.
  • Do not use it if you need to preserve the existing VPN configuration. First try reconnecting or choosing a different VPN server or protocol.

The Reset action addresses the VPN configuration. It does not repair a disconnected WAN cable, an ISP outage, or a router that cannot reach the Privacy Hero cloud.

How to Reset a Failed VPN Connection

  1. Open app.privacyhero.com in a browser and sign in to your Privacy Hero account.
  2. Select your Privacy Hero router, then open its VPN settings.
  3. Confirm the existing VPN connection is showing Failed.
  4. Find the new Reset button in the failed VPN connection area. Before clicking, be aware that this action will remove all third-party VPN settings saved on the router.
  5. Click Reset. If a confirmation message appears, review it before confirming. Allow the dashboard to apply the reset and update the VPN connection status.
  6. Check the resulting connection using the subscription comparison below, then verify internet access from a device connected to Privacy Hero.

Dashboard access during a Kill Switch block: Privacy Hero permits access to app.privacyhero.com over its WiFi or LAN even when the VPN Kill Switch blocks ordinary internet traffic, as long as the router maintains its upstream/cloud connection. You can also manage the router from cellular data or another working internet connection.

What Happens After Reset? Privacy Premium vs. Privacy Core

VPN Reset: Side-by-Side Plan Comparison
Privacy Premium Active subscription Privacy Core
Third-party VPN settingsRemoved Third-party VPN settingsRemoved
Connection after resetBuilt-in Privacy Hero VPN Connection after resetNormal ISP internet
VPN protection afterwardYes, when the built-in VPN is connected VPN protection afterwardNo router VPN is active

Privacy Core users: After resetting, your normal internet access is not VPN-protected by Privacy Hero. If you want a third-party VPN again, you must configure it again in Privacy Hero.

Privacy Premium users: Check that the built-in Privacy Hero VPN shows Connected before assuming your traffic is going through the VPN. A working upstream internet connection and active Premium subscription are still required.

What Information Does the Reset Remove?

The VPN Reset button clears the third-party VPN configuration stored in Privacy Hero. This means any saved third-party provider details will need to be entered or imported again before that provider can be used.

Depending on the provider and protocol you had configured, this may include the saved VPN provider selection, server details, credentials or tokens, and custom OpenVPN or WireGuard settings. Have your provider login or configuration materials available if you plan to set up that VPN again.

This is a VPN configuration reset, not a request to cancel your third-party VPN subscription. It should not be confused with a full router factory reset.

How to Verify Internet and VPN Status After Reset

  1. Refresh the Privacy Hero dashboard and reopen VPN.
  2. If you have Privacy Premium, verify that the built-in Privacy Hero VPN is selected and shows Connected.
  3. If you have Privacy Core, verify that the third-party VPN configuration is gone and ordinary internet access is available through your ISP connection.
  4. Connect a computer or phone to the Privacy Hero WiFi or LAN. To test the router by itself, turn off any VPN application running directly on that device.
  5. Load a regular website, then check your public IP address using ipleak.net. Premium should show a VPN IP if its built-in VPN is connected; Core will normally show your ISP public IP.

If you have Streaming Relocation enabled, some streaming services may use their separately selected location; that is not necessarily the same location shown by a general public IP check.

Reset Complete but Still No Internet?

  1. Check the VPN Kill Switch. If it is still enabled while there is no working VPN connection, it may block ordinary internet traffic. Review the Kill Switch setting before assuming the router has lost WiFi.
  2. Check the connection status. A router listed as Offline may have a WAN, ISP, or cloud-communication problem. The VPN reset cannot fix an upstream internet outage.
  3. Check the network wiring. Confirm your main router or ISP gateway has internet access and the cable is connected to the Privacy Hero WAN/Internet port.
  4. Check a device on Privacy Hero WiFi or LAN. Make sure you are testing the Privacy Hero network rather than another WiFi or cellular connection.
  5. Check your subscription. An active Privacy Premium subscription is required for the built-in Privacy Hero VPN fallback described above. Privacy Core returns to ordinary ISP internet access.

For Kill Switch behavior and restoring internet, see Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch: No Internet or WiFi Troubleshooting. To learn when to enable the feature, see Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch Setup.

Related Privacy Hero Articles

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

VyprVPN Manual OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for Manual VyprVPN Setup

Verify your VyprVPN login information

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

Log in to your account on the VyprVPN website.

VyprVPN - Website Login

VyprVPN Server Addresses

United States

Los Angeles, CA us1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Washington, DC us2.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Austin, TX us3.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Miami, FL us4.vpn.goldenfrog.com
New York City, NY us5.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Chicago, IL us6.vpn.goldenfrog.com
San Francisco, CA us7.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Seattle, WA us8.vpn.goldenfrog.com

United Kingdom

 London uk1.vpn.goldenfrog.com

Canada

Toronto ca1.vpn.goldenfrog.com

Australia

Sydney au1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Melbourne au2.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Perth au3.vpn.goldenfrog.com

Germany

Frankfurt de1.vpn.goldenfrog.com

Rest of the World

UAE – Dubai ae1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Argentina – Buenos Aires ar1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Austria – Vienna at1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Belgium – Brussels be1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Bulgaria – Sofia bg1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Bahrain – Manama bh1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Brazil – São Paulo br1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Switzerland – Zurich ch1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Colombia – Bogotá co1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Costa Rica – San José cr1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Czech Republic – Prague cz1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Germany – Frankfurt de1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Denmark – Copenhagen dk1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Algeria – Algiers dz1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Egypt – Cairo eg1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Spain – Madrid es1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Netherlands – Amsterdam eu1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Finland – Helsinki fi1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
France – Paris fr1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Greece – Athens gr1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Hong Kong – Hong Kong hk1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Indonesia – Jakarta id1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Ireland – Dublin ie1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Israel – Tel Aviv il1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
India – Mumbai in1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Iceland – Reykjavík is1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Italy – Rome it1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Japan – Tokyo jp1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
South Korea – Seoul kr1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Liechtenstein – Schaan li1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Lithuania – Vilnius lt1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Luxembourg – Luxembourg City lu1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Latvia – Riga lv1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Marshall Islands – Majuro mh1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Macao – Macao mo1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Maldives – Malé mv1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Mexico – Mexico City mx1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur my1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Norway – Oslo no1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
New Zealand – Auckland nz1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Panama – Panama City pa1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Philippines – Manila ph1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Pakistan – Karachi pk1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Poland – Warsaw pl1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Portugal – Lisbon pt1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Qatar – Doha qa1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Romania – Bucharest ro1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Russia – Moscow ru1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Saudi Arabia – Riyadh sa1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Sweden – Stockholm se1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Singapore – Singapore sg1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Slovenia – Ljubljana si1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Slovakia – Bratislava sk1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
El Salvador – San Salvador sv1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Thailand – Bangkok th1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Turkey – Istanbul tr1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Taiwan – Taipei tw1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Ukraine – Kiev ua1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Uruguay – Montevideo uy1.vpn.goldenfrog.com
Vietnam – Hanoi vn1.vpn.goldenfrog.com

DD-WRT Router Setup for VyprVPN

Navigate to Services > VPN

VyprVPN offers two different Encryption levels:

Default Encryption (Blowfish-CBC) typically provides faster speeds.

Strong Encryption (AES-256) provides stronger encryption.

Follow the table below of the one that fits your needs.

Enter VyprVPN settings (Default Encryption)

OpenVPN Client

Start OpenVPN Client

If you wish to disable your VPN connection simply set this to Disable at any time and click Apply Settings.

Server IP/Name

Copy and paste the server you would like to connect to from the server list above. Be sure there are no extra spaces or characters.

If you wish to change VyprVPN connection locations, THIS IS THE ONLY FIELD YOU NEED TO CHANGE.

Port

1194

Tunnel Device

TUN

Tunnel Protocol

UDP

Encryption cipher

Blowfish-CBC

Hash Algorithm

SHA1

User Pass Authentication

Enable

Username

Enter the Username you successfully logged in to your VyprVPN account with.

Password

Enter the Password you successfully logged in to your VyprVPN account with.

Advanced Options

Enable

TLS Cipher

None

LZO Compression

Adaptive

NAT

Enable

Firewall Protection

Enable

Additional Config

resolv-retry infinite
keepalive 10 60
persist-key
persist-tun
persist-remote-ip
nobind

Policy Based Routing

This field can be used for split VPN and Dual Gateway routing.

CA Cert

-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----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==
-----END CERTIFICATE-----

CLICK APPLY SETTINGS

Leave all settings not mentioned above as their default setting.

Enter VyprVPN settings (Strong Encryption)

OpenVPN Client

Start OpenVPN Client

If you wish to disable your VPN connection simply set this to Disable at any time and click Apply Settings.

Server IP/Name

Copy and paste the server you would like to connect to from the server list above. Be sure there are no extra spaces or characters.

If you wish to change VyprVPN connection locations, THIS IS THE ONLY FIELD YOU NEED TO CHANGE.

Port

443

Tunnel Device

TUN

Tunnel Protocol

UDP

Encryption cipher

AES-256-CBC

Hash Algorithm

SHA256

User Pass Authentication

Enable

Username

Enter the Username you successfully logged in to your VyprVPN account with.

Password

Enter the Password you successfully logged in to your VyprVPN account with.

Advanced Options

Enable

TLS Cipher

None

LZO Compression

Adaptive

NAT

Enable

Firewall Protection

Enable

Additional Config

resolv-retry infinite
keepalive 10 60
persist-key
persist-tun
persist-remote-ip
nobind
tls-cipher TLS-DHE-RSA-WITH-AES-256-CBC-SHA

Policy Based Routing

This field can be used for split VPN and Dual Gateway routing. Learn more here.

CA Cert

-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----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==
-----END CERTIFICATE-----

CLICK APPLY SETTINGS

Leave all settings not mentioned above as their default setting.

Verify a successful VyprVPN connection

Navigate to the Status > OpenVPN

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED SUCCESS message.
  2. Visit to WhatIsMyIPAddress 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 VyprVPN.

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.

How to change the VyprVPN server

  1. Copy the new VyprVPN server address from the above server list.
  2. Paste the server into the Server IP/Name field and Click Apply Settings.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Change WiFi name and password on Asus

· ·

Set a custom WiFi network name and password for your devices to join the Asus FlashRouter’s network.

View our guide for more instructions on how to access AsusWRT firmware settings.

1. Under General select Network Map.

Merlin Wifi change name and pass

2. In the Network name (SSID) field enter the name you want your Asus WiFi to appear as. This can be the same or different for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. We typically advise setting different names for each so you can connect your streaming devices to the 5GHz band as that is the faster WiFi band.

3. In the WPA-PSK key field enter the password you want to join your devices to the Asus WiFi network. If your WiFi names are the same for 2.4GHz and 5GHz make sure they have the exact same wireless password set.

4. Click Apply and then rejoin the new wireless network.

NordVPN Setup for GL.iNet Routers

· ·

You can connect to NordVPN on your GL.iNet router using NordLynx, OpenVPN, or a Dedicated IP.

Quick Options

  • NordLynx: Choose your preferred city or country from NordVPN’s server list

  • OpenVPN: Choose your preferred city or country from NordVPN’s server list.

  • Dedicated IP (optional): Enter your unique configuration file if you’ve been assigned a static NordVPN IP.

:point_right: If you are not already a NordVPN user Sign Up Now.

NordVPN NordLynx Setup for GLiNet

1. Get your NordVPN Access Token for NordLynx connections. Log in to your NordVPN account and select NordVPN from your list of Services.

NordVPN Services Section

2. At the bottom of the page click Get Access token and you will receive a code via email. Enter this code to proceed.

NordVPN Access Token

3. After you enter the email code select Generate new token and set it to Doesn’t expire. Copy this token.

NordVPN Generate new token
NordVPN Copy Token

4. Login to GL.iNet firmware settings (usually 192.168.8.1) in a browser on any computer or smart device connected to the GL.iNet FlashRouter’s network.

View our guide for more instructions on how to access GL.iNet firmware settings.

5. Navigate to the VPN tab and select Wireguard Client then choose NordVPN. Enter your Token then click Save and Continue

GLiNet NordVPN Wireguard

6. Select your preferred server locations, and click Apply.

GLiNet Select NordLynx Servers

7. Start a connection by clicking the 3 dots (…) > Start next to your chosen server.

GLiNet NordLynx Start

8. A green dot confirms success. You can also switch between Global Mode or Policy Mode for routing in the VPN Dashboard.

GLiNet NordLynx Connected

NordVPN OpenVPN Setup for GLiNet

1. Get your NordVPN manual service credentials for OpenVPN connections. Log in to your NordVPN account and select NordVPN from your list of Services.

NordVPN Service

2. At the bottom of the page in the Manual Setup section click Setup NordVPN manually then under the Configuration section go to Service credentials. Click Verify email to receive a code via email and enter the code to view and copy your credentials.

NordVPN Manual OpenVPN
NordVPN Service Credentials

3. Login to GL.iNet firmware settings (usually 192.168.8.1) in a browser on any computer or smart device connected to the GL.iNet FlashRouter’s network.

View our guide for more instructions on how to access GL.iNet firmware settings.

4. Navigate to the VPN tab and select OpenVPN Client.

GL.iNet VPN OpenVPN Client

5. Select the NordVPN group, enter your manual credentials, then click Save Credentials & Get Servers.

GL.iNet NordVPN Group
GL.iNet NordVPN Login

6. Choose UDP (recommended), select your preferred server locations, and click Apply.

GL.iNet NordVPN select servers

7. Start a connection by clicking the 3 dots (…) > Start next to your chosen server.

NordVPN GLiNet OpenVPN Start

8. A green dot confirms success. You can also switch between Global Mode or Policy Mode for routing in the VPN Dashboard.

GLiNet VPN Dashboard

NordVPN Dedicated IP Setup for GLiNet

1. Get your NordVPN manual service credentials for OpenVPN connections. Log in to your NordVPN account and select NordVPN from your list of Services.

NordVPN Service

2. At the bottom of the page in the Manual Setup section click Setup NordVPN manually then under the Configuration section go to Service credentials. Click Verify email to receive a code via email and enter the code to view and copy your credentials.

NordVPN Manual OpenVPN
NordVPN Service Credentials

3. Login to GL.iNet firmware settings (usually 192.168.8.1) in a browser on any computer or smart device connected to the GL.iNet FlashRouter’s network.

View our guide for more instructions on how to access GL.iNet firmware settings.

4. Navigate to the VPN tab and select OpenVPN Client.

GLiNet VPN Dashboard

5. Download your Dedicated IP configuration file from the NordVPN website.

6. Click +New Group and name your NordVPN Dedicated IP connection, then upload the configuration file, enter your manual service credentials and click Apply.

GLiNet Dedicated IP Address Load

7. Start a connection by clicking the 3 dots (…) > Start next to your chosen server.

GLiNet Dedicated IP

8. A green dot confirms success. You can also switch between Global Mode or Policy Mode for routing in the VPN Dashboard.

GLiNet Dedicated IP Dashboard
  1. You should now see information appear in the Server Address, Server Listen Port, Traffic Statistics, and Client Virtual IP areas.
  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.

🚫📱Do not run NordVPN apps on devices connected to your NordVPN router. Using the app at the same time as the router VPN may cause conflicts and connection issues.

Still having issues?

Feel free to submit a ticket and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Windscribe Manual OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for Manual Windscribe Setup

Verify your Windscribe login information

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

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

2. Click on the Download link at the top of the page.

3. Scroll down to the Config Generators section and Click on the OpenVPN link.

Windscribe Website - Generate OpenVPN Configuration Files

4. Click on Get Credentials and copy the Username and Password. This information will be used later on in the configuration.

Windscribe Website OpenVPN Specific Username and Password

Windscribe Server Addresses

United States

US East:
us-east.windscribe.com
US West:
us-west.windscribe.com
US Windflix:
wf-us.windscribe.com

Canada

Canada:
ca.windscribe.com
Canada West:
ca-west.windscribe.com

Additional Servers

Australia:
au.windscribe.com
Austria:
at.windscribe.com
Belgium:
be.windscribe.com
Brazil:
br.windscribe.com
Bulgaria:
bg.windscribe.com
Czech Republic:
cz.windscribe.com
Denmark:
dk.windscribe.com
Egypt:
eg.windscribe.com
Finland:
fi.windscribe.com
France:
fr.windscribe.com
Germany:
de.windscribe.com
Hong Kong:
hk.windscribe.com
Hungary:
hu.windscribe.com
India:
in.windscribe.com
Ireland:
ie.windscribe.com
Italy:
it.windscribe.com
Japan:
jp.windscribe.com
Latvia:
lv.windscribe.com
Luxemburg:
lu.windscribe.com
Malaysia:
my.windscribe.com
Mexico:
mx.windscribe.com
Netherlands:
nl.windscribe.com
Norway:
no.windscribe.com
Poland:
pl.windscribe.com
Romania:
ro.windscribe.com
Russia:
ru.windscribe.com
Singapore:
ch.windscribe.com
South Africa:
za.windscribe.com
South Korea:
kr.windscribe.com
Spain:
es.windscribe.com
Sweden:
se.windscribe.com
Switzerland:
ch.windscribe.com
Taiwan:
tw.windscribe.com
Turkey:
tr.windscribe.com
Ukraine:
ua.windscribe.com
United Kingdom:
uk.windscribe.com

DD-WRT Router Setup for Windscribe

Navigate to Services > VPN

Enter Windscribe settings

OpenVPN Client

Start OpenVPN Client

If you wish to disable your VPN connection simply set this to Disable at any time and click Apply Settings.

Server IP/Name

Copy and Paste the server you would like to connect to from the server list above. Be sure there are no extra spaces or characters.

If you wish to change Windscribe connection locations, THIS IS THE ONLY FIELD YOU NEED TO CHANGE.

Port

443

Tunnel Device

TUN

Tunnel Protocol

UDP

Encryption cipher

AES-256-CBC

Hash Algorithm

SHA512

User Pass Authentication

Enable

Username

Enter your OpenVPN specific Username.

Password

Enter your OpenVPN specific Password.

Advanced Options

Enable

TLS Cipher

None

LZO Compression

Adaptive

NAT

Enable

Firewall Protection

Enable

TLS Auth Key

-----BEGIN OpenVPN Static key V1-----
5801926a57ac2ce27e3dfd1dd6ef8204
2d82bd4f3f0021296f57734f6f1ea714
a6623845541c4b0c3dea0a050fe6746c
b66dfab14cda27e5ae09d7c155aa554f
399fa4a863f0e8c1af787e5c602a801d
3a2ec41e395a978d56729457fe6102d7
d9e9119aa83643210b33c678f9d4109e
3154ac9c759e490cb309b319cf708cae
83ddadc3060a7a26564d1a24411cd552
fe6620ea16b755697a4fc5e6e9d0cfc0
c5c4a1874685429046a424c026db672e
4c2c492898052ba59128d46200b40f88
0027a8b6610a4d559bdc9346d33a0a6b
08e75c7fd43192b162bfd0aef0c716b3
1584827693f676f9a5047123466f0654
eade34972586b31c6ce7e395f4b478cb
-----END OpenVPN Static key V1-----

Additional Config

tun-mtu-extra 32
mssfix 1450
persist-key
persist-tun

Policy Based Routing

This field can be used for split VPN and Dual Gateway routing.

CA Cert

-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
MIIFozCCA4ugAwIBAgIBATANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQ0FADBAMQswCQYDVQQGEwJDSDEV
MBMGA1UEChMMUHJvdG9uVlBOIEFHMRowGAYDVQQDExFQcm90b25WUE4gUm9vdCBD
QTAeFw0xNzAyMTUxNDM4MDBaFw0yNzAyMTUxNDM4MDBaMEAxCzAJBgNVBAYTAkNI
MRUwEwYDVQQKEwxQcm90b25WUE4gQUcxGjAYBgNVBAMTEVByb3RvblZQTiBSb290
IENBMIICIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAg8AMIICCgKCAgEAt+BsSsZg7+AuqTq7
vDbPzfygtl9f8fLJqO4amsyOXlI7pquL5IsEZhpWyJIIvYybqS4s1/T7BbvHPLVE
wlrq8A5DBIXcfuXrBbKoYkmpICGc2u1KYVGOZ9A+PH9z4Tr6OXFfXRnsbZToie8t
2Xjv/dZDdUDAqeW89I/mXg3k5x08m2nfGCQDm4gCanN1r5MT7ge56z0MkY3FFGCO
qRwspIEUzu1ZqGSTkG1eQiOYIrdOF5cc7n2APyvBIcfvp/W3cpTOEmEBJ7/14RnX
nHo0fcx61Inx/6ZxzKkW8BMdGGQF3tF6u2M0FjVN0lLH9S0ul1TgoOS56yEJ34hr
JSRTqHuar3t/xdCbKFZjyXFZFNsXVvgJu34CNLrHHTGJj9jiUfFnxWQYMo9UNUd4
a3PPG1HnbG7LAjlvj5JlJ5aqO5gshdnqb9uIQeR2CdzcCJgklwRGCyDT1pm7eoiv
WV19YBd81vKulLzgPavu3kRRe83yl29It2hwQ9FMs5w6ZV/X6ciTKo3etkX9nBD9
ZzJPsGQsBUy7CzO1jK4W01+u3ItmQS+1s4xtcFxdFY8o/q1zoqBlxpe5MQIWN6Qa
lryiET74gMHE/S5WrPlsq/gehxsdgc6GDUXG4dk8vn6OUMa6wb5wRO3VXGEc67IY
m4mDFTYiPvLaFOxtndlUWuCruKcCAwEAAaOBpzCBpDAMBgNVHRMEBTADAQH/MB0G
A1UdDgQWBBSDkIaYhLVZTwyLNTetNB2qV0gkVDBoBgNVHSMEYTBfgBSDkIaYhLVZ
TwyLNTetNB2qV0gkVKFEpEIwQDELMAkGA1UEBhMCQ0gxFTATBgNVBAoTDFByb3Rv
blZQTiBBRzEaMBgGA1UEAxMRUHJvdG9uVlBOIFJvb3QgQ0GCAQEwCwYDVR0PBAQD
AgEGMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBDQUAA4ICAQCYr7LpvnfZXBCxVIVc2ea1fjxQ6vkTj0zM
htFs3qfeXpMRf+g1NAh4vv1UIwLsczilMt87SjpJ25pZPyS3O+/VlI9ceZMvtGXd
MGfXhTDp//zRoL1cbzSHee9tQlmEm1tKFxB0wfWd/inGRjZxpJCTQh8oc7CTziHZ
ufS+Jkfpc4Rasr31fl7mHhJahF1j/ka/OOWmFbiHBNjzmNWPQInJm+0ygFqij5qs
51OEvubR8yh5Mdq4TNuWhFuTxpqoJ87VKaSOx/Aefca44Etwcj4gHb7LThidw/ky
zysZiWjyrbfX/31RX7QanKiMk2RDtgZaWi/lMfsl5O+6E2lJ1vo4xv9pW8225B5X
eAeXHCfjV/vrrCFqeCprNF6a3Tn/LX6VNy3jbeC+167QagBOaoDA01XPOx7Odhsb
Gd7cJ5VkgyycZgLnT9zrChgwjx59JQosFEG1DsaAgHfpEl/N3YPJh68N7fwN41Cj
zsk39v6iZdfuet/sP7oiP5/gLmA/CIPNhdIYxaojbLjFPkftVjVPn49RqwqzJJPR
N8BOyb94yhQ7KO4F3IcLT/y/dsWitY0ZH4lCnAVV/v2YjWAWS3OWyC8BFx/Jmc3W
DK/yPwECUcPgHIeXiRjHnJt0Zcm23O2Q3RphpU+1SO3XixsXpOVOYP6rJIXW9bMZ
A1gTTlpi7A==
-----END CERTIFICATE-----

CLICK APPLY SETTINGS

Leave all settings not mentioned above as their default setting.

Verify a successful VPN connection

Navigate to Status > OpenVPN

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED SUCCESS message.
  2. Visit WhatIsMyIPAddress to verify your new IP address, virtual location, and status as Protected at the top of the page.

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 Windscribe VPN.

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.

How to change the Windscribe server

  1. Copy and paste the server IP Address from the server list above into the Server IP/Name field.
  2. Click Apply Settings.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Cudy Change Wi-Fi name and password

· ·

Follow this guide to change the Wi-Fi name and password on your Cudy FlashRouter.

1. Connect your computer, phone, or tablet to the Cudy router via wireless (FlashRouter24 / FlashRouter50) or via ethernet cable to one of the LAN ports on the router.

The FlashRouter WiFi password is printed on the sheet that came with the router and is set to Wireless#[First 5 characters of your router MAC]. The router MAC can be found on the bottom of your router if you cannot locate the sheet. For e.g. if your MAC is 1459C07E70A8 then your WiFi password is Wireless#1459C

Be sure to capitalize the W.

2. Once connected via wireless or ethernet on your device open your browser and go to 192.168.10.1

Cudy local IP access

3. Enter openwrt as the admin password to access the Cudy firmware settings.

Cudy router access

3. Click General Settings.

Cudy General Settings

4. Click Wireless.

Cudy Wireless tab

5. Change the SSID and Password fields for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.The SSIDs should be unique and NOT a duplicate of an existing network. Click Save & Apply.

Cudy Change Wifi Name and password

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Flint/Slate GL.iNet PureVPN WireGuard Setup

· ·

Preparing for PureVPN GL.iNet Setup

Obtain PureVPN WireGuard file

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

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

PureVPN Login

2. Select Manual Configuration.

PureVPN Manual Configuration

3. Select the Server Location you want to connect to and then click Download.

PureVPN select server location

4. In the Select Protocol dropdown choose WireGuard.

PureVPN WireGuard

5. In the Select Device dropdown choose DD-WRT. Then click Generate Configuration. This will save a .conf file to your computer.

PureVPN Generate Config

GL.iNet Router Setup for PureVPN

Login to GL.iNet firmware settings in a browser on any computer or smart device connected to the GL.iNet FlashRouter’s network. For more instructions on how to access the firmware settings view our guide here.

1. Navigate to the VPN tab and select WireGuard Client.

GL.iNet VPN WireGuard Client

2. Click New Group.

GL.iNet WireGuard New Group

3. Enter PureVPN and click the check mark.

GL.iNet PureVPN group name

4. Select the .conf file you downloaded earlier and upload it here.

GL.iNet VPN select file

5. Click Apply.

6. Select VPN Dashboard.

GL.iNet VPN Dashboard

7. Set the Enable toggle to On to begin the PureVPN connection.

GL.iNet PureVPN WireGuard enable

Verify a successful PureVPN connection

  1. You should now see information appear in the Server Address, Server Listen Port, Traffic Statistics, and Client Virtual IP areas.
  2. Visit PureVPN’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 PureVPN.

How to change the PureVPN server

Replicate the steps above with a new location.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

NordVPN Cudy OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for NordVPN Cudy 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

Cudy Router Setup for NordVPN

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

1. Click General Settings.

Cudy General Settings

2. Click VPN.

Cudy VPN Tab

3. Toggle the Enable switch to On.

Cudy enable VPN

4. Select OpenVPN Client from the Protocol dropdown.

Cudy select OpenVPN Client

5. Click Browse and select the .ovpn file you downloaded earlier. You should see the server file name listed next to Current Config File after doing so.

Cudy OpenVPN Browse button

6. 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.

Cudy NordVPN enter username and password

7. Click Save & Apply at the bottom of the page.

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 Cudy OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for ExpressVPN Cudy 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

Cudy Router Setup for ExpressVPN

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

1. Click General Settings.

Cudy General Settings

2. Click VPN.

Cudy VPN Tab

3. Toggle the Enable switch to On.

Cudy enable VPN

4. Select OpenVPN Client from the Protocol dropdown.

Cudy select OpenVPN Client

5. Click Browse and select the .ovpn file you downloaded earlier. You should see the server file name listed next to Current Config File after doing so.

Cudy OpenVPN Browse button

6. 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.

Cudy ExpressVPN enter username and password

7. Click Save & Apply at the bottom of the page.

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. 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 Cudy OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for IPVanish Cudy 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

Cudy Router Setup for IPVanish

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

1. Click General Settings.

Cudy General Settings

2. Click VPN.

Cudy VPN Tab

3. Toggle the Enable switch to On.

Cudy enable VPN

4. Select OpenVPN Client from the Protocol dropdown.

Cudy select OpenVPN Client

5. Click Browse and select the .ovpn file you downloaded earlier. You should see the server file name listed next to Current Config File after doing so.

Cudy OpenVPN Browse button

6. Enter your IPVanish account login email and password that you obtained earlier in the Username and Password.

Cudy IPVanish enter username and password

7. Click Save & Apply at the bottom of the page.

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

Surfshark Merlin WireGuard Setup

· ·

Preparing for Surfshark Merlin Setup

Download your Surfshark .conf file

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

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

Surfshark Account Login

2. Click VPN Manual Setup.

Surfshark VPN Manual Setup

3. Select Router as the Setup Method.

Surfshark setup method Router

4. Select WireGuard as the Protocol.

Surfshark select WireGuard

5. Select I don’t have a key pair.

Surfshark No Key Pair

6. Enter FlashRouter as the name of the connection and click Next.

Surfshark Connection Name

7. Click Generate a new key pair.

Surfshark Generate new Key Pair

8. Click Choose a location.

Surfshark Choose a Location

9. Select the server location you want to connect to. Unless you need a specific location we recommend using Surfshark’s recommended Fastest server. Click Download to download the .conf file for this Surfshark server location.

Surfshark download conf file

Merlin Router Setup for Surfshark

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. Select WireGuard as the VPN Protocol.

Merlin VPN Client WireGuard

4. Click Choose file and select the .conf file you downloaded earlier. Then click Upload.

Merlin WireGuard Choose File Upload

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

Merlin WireGuard ProtonVPN Description

6. Set Enable WireGuard to Yes.

Merlin Enable WireGuard

7. Click Apply at the bottom of the page and you should then see a Connected message appear.

Merlin WireGuard Connected

8. By default no devices are assigned to the new active WireGuard connection profile. Click the VPN Director tab to assign specific devices to the new WireGuard profile. Your IP will not be changed on your devices yet.

WireGuard select VPN Director

9. On the VPN Director page click the + symbol next to Add new rule.

WireGuard VPN Director Add new rule

10. Select the new WireGuard profile in the Interface dropdown.

WireGuard VPN Director select Interface

11. In the Local IP field enter in 192.168.50.0/24 if you want ALL devices connected to the FlashRouter’s network to use the WireGuard VPN connection. Click OK.

If you only want certain devices to connect to the WireGuard Client profile you have setting up instead of all the devices connected to the FlashRouter’s network please complete the instructions on our VPN Director guide.

12. Then click Apply at the bottom of the page.

Verify a successful Surfshark connection

Visit Surfshark’s IP Check from a private/incognito browsing window 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 Surfshark.

How to change the Surfshark server

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

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Separate your WiFi 2.4GHz and 5GHz Merlin networks

· ·

Change your Merlin FlashRouter’s WiFi Network Name to different names for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands so they can be joined separately.

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

1. Under General select Network Map.

2. In the Network name (SSID) field enter two different names for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

Merlin Separate 2.4 and 5

3. Click Apply and then rejoin the new wireless network.

NordVPN Setup for AsusWRT: Token, WireGuard & OpenVPN

· ·

Set up NordVPN on an ASUS router using AsusWRT VPN Fusion. Supported ASUS firmware offers three different VPN types: NordVPN (access-token integration), WireGuard (downloadable .conf file), and OpenVPN (manual service credentials plus an .ovpn file). Choose the method that matches your needs and your router’s available options.

All configuration is completed directly through your ASUS router’s administration interface using VPN Fusion. Before starting, make sure your router is connected to the internet, your firmware supports VPN Fusion, and you have an active NordVPN subscription.

Which NordVPN Option Should You Choose?

1. NordVPN

NordVPN access token and a country/region dropdown. The built-in ASUS/NordVPN integration is the simplest approach if you only need a country, not an exact server file.

Follow token setup →

2. WireGuard

Import a NordVPN .conf configuration file for a server selected in Nord Account. Useful when you want a downloaded profile for a particular server.

Follow WireGuard setup →

3. OpenVPN

Import a NordVPN .ovpn server file and enter your separate manual service username and password. Also used for NordVPN Dedicated IP.

Follow OpenVPN setup →

Option 1: NordVPN Dropdown — Token-Based NordLynx

Select the NordVPN type inside VPN Fusion. This is the integrated token-based setup and offers a country/region selection, rather than a manually imported server file.

  1. In Nord Account, open NordVPN Access Tokens and complete email/account verification if requested.
  2. Generate an access token, choose an expiry period if NordVPN offers that setting, and copy the token immediately (it may only be displayed once).
  3. On your ASUS router, open VPN > VPN Fusion > Add profile.
  4. Set VPN Type to NordVPN. Name the profile, select your preferred Region, and paste the token.
  5. Choose Apply to all devices if you want it as the default route, or assign only selected devices (see the VPN Fusion guide below).
  6. Click Apply and Enable / Apply all settings, as shown in your firmware, and verify the profile connects.
ASUS VPN Fusion NordVPN VPN type with Region and Token fields
Keep: existing ASUS NordVPN region/token form (remove any private token before publishing).

Need a specific server? Use the separate WireGuard file method below or the OpenVPN configuration-file method. Do not expect the token-based country dropdown to accept a .conf or .ovpn file.

Option 2: WireGuard Dropdown — Import a NordVPN .conf File

NordVPN now provides downloadable WireGuard configuration files through its manual server recommendation page. This is different from the built-in NordVPN token option in VPN Fusion.

  1. Sign in to Nord Account and open NordVPN Server Recommendation.
  2. Choose your preferred country and server; use the available filters if you need to narrow the list. Select a currently available server.
  3. Choose Get setup configuration, select WireGuard from the protocol menu, and click Download config. Save the downloaded .conf file.
  4. In your ASUS router settings open VPN > VPN Fusion > Add profile, then set VPN Type to WireGuard (not NordVPN).
  5. Use the ASUS Import configuration / file-import control to select the NordVPN .conf file. Confirm the imported parameters and save the profile.
  6. Choose the target devices or enable the default/all-devices route. Click Apply and Enable, then check the VPN status and your public IP.


NordVPN’s official instructions: How to download WireGuard and OpenVPN configuration files.

Option 3: OpenVPN Dropdown — Credentials + .ovpn File

OpenVPN requires two separate items: the configuration file for your desired server and NordVPN’s manual service credentials. Your normal Nord Account email/password is not the correct credential pair for this method.

  1. Open NordVPN Manual Service Credentials and copy the service username and service password after any required verification.
  2. Open NordVPN OpenVPN Configuration Files and choose a server/location. Download its UDP .ovpn file, or TCP .ovpn if UDP does not work on your network.
  3. On ASUS, go to VPN > VPN Fusion > Add profile and set VPN Type to OpenVPN.
  4. Enter a connection name, Import .ovpn file, and paste the NordVPN manual service username and password in the corresponding fields.
  5. Choose devices or Apply to all devices, then click Apply and Enable. Confirm VPN Fusion shows a successful connection.
ASUS VPN Fusion OpenVPN VPN type with OVPN import and username password fields
Keep: existing ASUS OpenVPN profile form. New screenshots should use a larger clean capture if available.

Server selection: The location is controlled by the server named in the imported .ovpn file. To switch locations, import another server file or use a separate OpenVPN profile.

NordVPN Dedicated IP — OpenVPN Only

If you have purchased and activated the NordVPN Dedicated IP add-on, use your specific Dedicated IP OpenVPN configuration file. Do not select the ordinary NordVPN token integration or a regular shared server.

  1. In your Nord Account, open the Dedicated IP details and download the assigned server’s OpenVPN UDP or TCP configuration file, following NordVPN Dedicated IP manual configuration instructions.
  2. Open NordVPN Manual Service Credentials and copy the manual username and password.
  3. In ASUS VPN Fusion > Add profile, choose OpenVPN.
  4. Import the Dedicated IP .ovpn file, enter manual service credentials, save, enable, and verify the public IP matches your assigned Dedicated IP.

Assign Devices, Verify the VPN, and Troubleshoot

One VPN for everyone, or different VPNs for different devices?

VPN Fusion lets you use a VPN profile as the default connection for all devices or assign specific client devices to different profiles. Some supported ASUS models can maintain one WireGuard tunnel alongside multiple OpenVPN profiles, but the number of simultaneous tunnels is model/firmware dependent; creating multiple profiles does not mean all can be active simultaneously.

For step-by-step device assignments, default routing, profile conflicts, and bypassing the VPN, see How to Use ASUS VPN Fusion and Assign Devices to VPN Profiles. For a dedicated WiFi network with VPN or ISP routing, see ASUS Guest Network VPN / No-VPN Setup.

Verify the IP of the actual device

  1. Confirm your chosen profile shows Connected in VPN Fusion.
  2. Join the ASUS WiFi or LAN using a device that is actually assigned to that VPN profile.
  3. Open NordVPN IP Address Check and compare the public IP/location with the intended server or Dedicated IP.
  4. If the device shows an ISP IP, first check Apply to all devices and the per-device assignments in VPN Fusion.
  5. Disconnect a NordVPN app, Apple iCloud Private Relay, browser VPN/proxy, or other device-level network service during testing. Follow Router VPN Shows Wrong IP? Check Device Settings.

If VPN Fusion will not connect

  1. Temporarily disable the failing profile and confirm the ASUS router works using its normal ISP internet connection.
  2. For NordVPN type, check that the access token is valid and hasn’t expired; regenerate if needed.
  3. For WireGuard, import a fresh .conf from the Nord server recommendation page and make sure the profile is enabled.
  4. For OpenVPN, double-check manual service credentials (not website credentials) and try a different server file or TCP instead of UDP.
  5. Check that device-assignment rules point to the intended active profile, then retest with one clean device.

NordVPN Routers & Offers

Shop NordVPN-Ready FlashRouters

Compare ASUS and Privacy Hero router options and choose the hardware that fits your VPN and network requirements.

Browse NordVPN Routers →

NordVPN Partner Offer

Need NordVPN service? See the current FlashRouters NordVPN promotional offer. Subscription pricing and terms are shown on the offer page.

See NordVPN Offer →

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 →

StrongVPN WireGuard Setup

· ·

DD-WRT Router Setup for StrongVPN WireGuard

StrongVPN Wireguard DD-WRT setup is now officially supported by FlashRouters. Follow the steps below to gather all the required information to complete your Wireguard router setup.

Navigate to Security > Firewall

Set SPI Firewall to Disable.

Wireless Client Bridge Setup on FlashRouter DD-WRT - Disable Firewall

Click Save at the bottom of the page.

Select your actual time zone for you physical location from the dropdown and enter 1.pool.ntp.org in the Server IP/Name dropdown.

WireGuard for StrongVPN DD-WRT set Time Zone

Click Apply Settings at the bottom of the page.

Preparing for StrongVPN WireGuard Setup

Obtain your StrongVPN WireGuard Information

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

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

WireGuard for StrongVPN account login

2. Select Router icon as the Platform

Select Router for StrongVPN WireGuard Platform

3. Select the Advanced Options dropdown and then check Exclude LAN Traffic and set any value between 52000 and 60000 in the Custom Port field.

WireGuard for StrongVPN set Custom Port

4. Select the Server Location from the dropdown that you would like to connect to.

Select the StrongVPN Wireguard server location

5. Select the Generate at the bottom of the page.

6. Click the DD-WRT installer script box to copy.

DD-WRT installer script WireGuard for StrongVPN

Enter StrongVPN WireGuard Script

Navigate to Administration > Commands

Paste the StrongVPN Script that was copied in the empty Commands Shell.

WireGuard for StrongVPN install script

Delete the very last line sleep 8 && reboot.

Click Save Custom (or Save Custom Script may appear depending on your firmware build, they are the same thing)

Copy the line below and paste into the empty Commands Shell.

WireGuard for StrongVPN script 2
sh /tmp/.rc_custom

Click Run Commands.

Wait two minutes and then power the FlashRouter off and back on. Reconnect to the FlashRouter’s network when it has booted back up.

Verify a successful StrongVPN WireGuard connection

Navigate to Setup > Tunnels

  1. You should now see that page filled in with WireGuard info.
  2. Visit StrongVPN’s IP Check to verify your new IP address and virtual location.

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

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