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ExpressVPN Manual OpenVPN Setup

· ·

Preparing for Manual ExpressVPN 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

ExpressVPN Server Addresses

Americas

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

Europe

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

Asia Pacific

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

Middle East and Africa

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

DD-WRT Router Setup for ExpressVPN

Navigate to Services > VPN

Enter ExpressVPN 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 ExpressVPN connection locations, THE ONLY SETTING YOU NEED TO CHANGE IS THE EXPRESSVPN SERVER ADDRESS.*

Port

1195

Tunnel Device

TUN

Tunnel Protocol

UDP

Encryption cipher

AES-256-CBC

Hash Algorithm

SHA512

User Pass Authentication

Enable

Username

Enter the Username you found in the Manual Config section.

Password

Enter the Password you found in the Manual Config section.

Advanced Options

Enable

TLS Cipher

None

LZO Compression

Adaptive

NAT

Enable

Firewall Protection

Enable

nsCertType verification

Checked

TLS Auth Key

-----BEGIN OpenVPN Static key V1-----
48d9999bd71095b10649c7cb471c1051
b1afdece597cea06909b99303a18c674
01597b12c04a787e98cdb619ee960d90
a0165529dc650f3a5c6fbe77c91c137d
cf55d863fcbe314df5f0b45dbe974d9b
de33ef5b4803c3985531c6c23ca6906d
6cd028efc8585d1b9e71003566bd7891
b9cc9212bcba510109922eed87f5c8e6
6d8e59cbd82575261f02777372b2cd4c
a5214c4a6513ff26dd568f574fd40d6c
d450fc788160ff68434ce2bf6afb00e7
10a3198538f14c4d45d84ab42637872e
778a6b35a124e700920879f1d003ba93
dccdb953cdf32bea03f365760b0ed800
2098d4ce20d045b45a83a8432cc73767
7aed27125592a7148d25c87fdbe0a3f6
-----END OpenVPN Static key V1-----

Additional Config

persist-key
persist-tun
fragment 1300
mssfix 1450
keysize 256

Policy Based Routing

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

CA Cert

-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
MIIF+DCCA+CgAwIBAgIBATANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQ0FADCBhDELMAkGA1UEBhMCVkcx
DDAKBgNVBAgMA0JWSTETMBEGA1UECgwKRXhwcmVzc1ZQTjETMBEGA1UECwwKRXhw
cmVzc1ZQTjEWMBQGA1UEAwwNRXhwcmVzc1ZQTiBDQTElMCMGCSqGSIb3DQEJARYW
c3VwcG9ydEBleHByZXNzdnBuLmNvbTAeFw0xNTEwMjEwMDAwMDBaFw0yNjA0MDEy
MTEyMDBaMIGEMQswCQYDVQQGEwJWRzEMMAoGA1UECAwDQlZJMRMwEQYDVQQKDApF
eHByZXNzVlBOMRMwEQYDVQQLDApFeHByZXNzVlBOMRYwFAYDVQQDDA1FeHByZXNz
VlBOIENBMSUwIwYJKoZIhvcNAQkBFhZzdXBwb3J0QGV4cHJlc3N2cG4uY29tMIIC
IjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAg8AMIICCgKCAgEAxzXvHZ25OsESKRMQFINHJNqE
9kVRLWJS50oVB2jxobudPhCsWvJSApvar8CB2RrqkVMhXu2HT3FBtDL91INg070q
AyjjRpzEbDPWqQ1+G0tk0sjiJt2mXPJK2IlNFnhe6rTs09Pkpcp8qRhfZay/dIlm
agohQAr4JvYL1Ajg9A3sLb8JkY03H6GhOF8EKYTqhrEppCcg4sQKQhNSytRoQAm8
Ta+tnTYIedwWpqjUXP9YXFOvljPaixfYug24eAkpTjeuWTcELSyfnuiBeK+z9+5O
YunhqFt2QZMq33kLFZGMN2gHRCzngxxphurypsPRo7jiFgQI1yLt8uZsEZ+otGEK
91jjKfOC+g9TBy2RUtxk1neWcQ6syXDuc3rBNrGA8iM0ZoEqQ1BC8xWr3NYlSjqN
+1mgpTAX3/Dxze4GzHd7AmYaYJV8xnKBVNphlMlg1giCAu5QXjMxPbfCgZiEFq/u
q0SOKQJeT3AI/uVPSvwCMWByjyMbDpKKAK8Hy3UT5m4bCNu8J7bxj+vdnq0A2HPw
tF0FwBl/TIM3zNsyFrZZ0j6jLRT50mFsgDBKcD4L/J5rjdCsKPu5rodhxe38rCx2
GknP1Zkov4yoVCcR48+CQwg3oBkq0/EflvWUvcYApzs9SomUM/g+8Q/V0WOfJmFW
uxN9YntZlnzHRSRjrvMCAwEAAaNzMHEwHQYDVR0OBBYEFIzmQGj8xS+0LLklwqHD
45VVOZRJMB8GA1UdIwQYMBaAFIzmQGj8xS+0LLklwqHD45VVOZRJMA8GA1UdEwEB
/wQFMAMBAf8wCwYDVR0PBAQDAgEGMBEGCWCGSAGG+EIBAQQEAwIBFjANBgkqhkiG
9w0BAQ0FAAOCAgEAbHfuMKtojm1NgX7qSU2Rm2B5L8G0FuFP0L40dj8O5WHt45j2
z8coMK90vrUnQEZNQmRzot7v3XjVzVlxBWYSsCEApTsSDNi/4BNFP8H/BUUtJuy2
GFTO4wDVJnqNkZOHBmyVD75s1Y+W8a+zB4jkMeDEhOHZdwQ0l1fJDDgXal5f1UT5
F5WH6/RwHmWTwX4GxuCiIVtx70CjkXqhM8yZtTp1UtHLRNYcNSIes0vrAPHPgoA5
z9B8UvsOjuP+mfcjzi0LGGrY+2pJu0BKO2dRnarIZZABETIisI3FokoTszx5jpRP
yxyUTuRDKWHrvi0PPtOmC8nFahfugWFUi6uBsqCaSeuex+ahnTPCq0b1l0Ozpg0Y
eE8CW1TL9Y92b01up2c+PP6wZOIm3JyTH+L5smDFbh80V42dKyGNdPXMg5IcJhj3
YfAy4k8h/qbWY57KFcIzKx40bFsoI7PeydbGtT/dIoFLSZRLW5bleXNgG9mXZp27
0UeEC6CpATCS6uVl8LVT1I02uulHUpFaRmTEOrmMxsXGt6UAwYTY55K/B8uuID34
1xKbeC0kzhuN2gsL5UJaocBHyWK/AqwbeBttdhOCLwoaj7+nSViPxICObKrg3qav
GNCvtwy/fEegK9X/wlp2e2CFlIhFbadeXOBr9Fn8ypYPP17mTqe98OJYM04=
-----END CERTIFICATE-----

Public Client Cert

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

Private Client Key

-----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY-----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-----END RSA PRIVATE KEY-----

CLICK APPLY SETTINGS

Leave all settings not mentioned above as their default setting.

Verify a successful ExpressVPN connection

Navigate to Status > OpenVPN.

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED SUCCESS 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.

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 ExpressVPN server

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

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Why are some of my devices not connecting to the internet?

· ·

  1. Make sure you are not using any device VPN device application or proxy on devices that are connected to the FlashRouter’s network as this can cause a conflict. Make sure the FlashRouter’s VPN connection is the only active VPN connection in your network.
  2. Check that static settings are not configured on your device.
  3. Certain devices require port forwarding rules to be properly setup before full connectivity. This may apply to devices like VOIP or smart cameras. If this is the case you may need to contact the manufacturer for more specific information.
  4. Check that the FR Privacy App feature for a device specific Kill Switch is not set for the device, and if kill switch is setup, then make sure the VPN connection is active.

Router FAQs

· ·

Router FAQs

What is an IP Address?

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

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

What is DNS?

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

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

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

What is DNSMasq?

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

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

What is Throughput and How Do I Improve it?

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

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

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

What is PPPoE?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Are FlashRouters Affected By the Shellshock Bug?

No.

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

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

Surfshark TP-Link WireGuard Setup

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Preparing for Surfshark TP-Link 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

TP-Link Router Setup for Surfshark

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 WireGuard Client profile. We typically advise entering in the location. Our example server was New York so I have entered in Surfshark New York.

Set the VPN Type to WireGuard.

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

TP-Link Surfshark WireGuard

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 Surfshark WireGuard 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. 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

Surfshark TP-Link OpenVPN Setup

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Preparing for Surfshark TP-Link Setup

Download your Surfshark .ovpn 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 OpenVPN as the Protocol.

Surfshark OpenVPN Protocol

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

Surfshark OpenVPN credentials

6. Click Location and 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 UDP .ovpn file for this Surfshark server location.

Surfshark download .ovpn file

TP-Link Router Setup for Surfshark

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 Surfshark New York.

Set the VPN Type to OpenVPN.

In the Username and Password fields paste in the Surfshark username and password we obtained earlier.

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

TP-Link Surfshark OpenVPN

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 Surfshark OpenVPN 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. 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