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FlashRouters Support Portal

Prioritizing Privacy

  • SETUP GUIDES
    • Privacy Hero Router Setup Guide
    • ASUS-WRT Router Setup Guide
    • AsusWRT-Merlin Router Setup Guide
    • DD-WRT Router Setup Guide
    • ExpressVPN Router Setup Guide
    • GL.iNet Router Setup Guide
    • Roqos Core Router Setup Guide
  • TROUBLESHOOTING
    • Router Access
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    • Internet Connection Issues
    • General VPN Issues
    • DD-WRT Firmware
    • TeamViewer Remote Support
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    • VPN FAQs
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ProtonVPN Merlin WireGuard Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Mar 30, 2023 ·

Preparing for ProtonVPN Merlin Setup

Download your ProtonVPN .conf file

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

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

ProtonVPN Account Sign in

2. Click Downloads.

ProtonVPN Downloads

3. Scroll down to WireGuard configuration and name the device FlashRouter.

ProtonVPN WireGuard Configuration Name

4. Select Router as the platform.

ProtonVPN WireGuard select Platform

5. Select the VPN options that best fit your needs. We typically use the settings as seen in the screenshot here if you are unsure.

ProtonVPN WireGuard VPN options

6. Next select the server that you would like to connect to and click Create. At the top of the page you’ll see ProtonVPN’s recommended server which we recommend using unless you need to connect to a specific location.

If you need a specific server location find it in the list and click Create.

ProtonVPN WireGuard recommended server
ProtonVPN WireGuard specific server

7. After clicking Create a new window will appear. Click Download to download the .conf file to your computer.

Merlin Router Setup for ProtonVPN

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 US-NY#61 so I have entered in ProtonVPN NY-61.

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 ProtonVPN connection

Visit ProtonVPN’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 ProtonVPN.

How to change the ProtonVPN 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

IPVanish Manual OpenVPN Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Apr 5, 2019 ·

Preparing for Manual IPVanish Setup

Verify your IPVanish login information

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

Log in to your account on the IPVanish website.

IPVanish Server Addresses

View a full list of IPVanish servers.

America

Ashburn:
iad-a01.ipvanish.com
through
iad-a78.ipvanish.com

Atlanta:
atl-a01.ipvanish.com
through
atl-a88.ipvanish.com

Boston:
bos-c01.ipvanish.com
through
bos-c27.ipvanish.com

Chicago:
chi-a01.ipvanish.com
through
chi-a58.ivpanish.com

Cleveland:
cle-c01.ipvanish.com
through
cle-c20.ipvanish.com

Dallas:
dal-a01.ipvanish.com
through
dal-a79.ipvanish.com

Denver:
den-c01.ipvanish.com
through
den-c13.ipvanish.com

Jackson:
jan-c01.ipvanish.com
through
jan-c15.ipvanish.com

Las Vegas:
las-c11.ipvanish.com
through
las-c20.ipvanish.com

Los Angeles:
lax-a01.ipvanish.com
through
lax-a60.ipvanish.com

Miami:
mia-a01.ipvanish.com
through
mia-a34.ipvanish.com

Milwaukee:
mke-c01.ipvanish.com
through
mke-c19.ipvanish.com

New York:
nyc-a01.ipvanish.com
through
nyc-a51.ipvanish.com

Phoenix:
phx-a01.ipvanish.com
through
phx-a24.ipvanish.com

Salt Lake City:
slc-c01.ipvanish.com
through
slc-c12.ipvanish.com

San Jose:
sjc-a01.ipvanish.com
through
sjc-a27.ipvanish.com

Seattle:
sea-a01-ipvanish.com
through
sea-a41.ipvanish.com

St. Louis:
stl-c01.ipvanish.com
through
stl-c18.ipvanish.com

United Kingdom

London:
lon-a01.ipvanish.com
through
lon-a69.ipvanish.com

lon-c01.ipvanish.com
through
lon-c58.ipvanish.com

Manchester:
man-c01.ipvanish.com
through
man-c09.ipvanish.com

DD-WRT Router Setup for IPVanish

Navigate to Services > VPN

Enter IPVanish 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 IPVanish 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 IPVanish account with.

Password

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

Advanced Options

Enable

TLS Cipher

None

LZO Compression

Adaptive

NAT

Enable

Firewall Protection

Enable

Additional Config

persist-key
persist-tun
persist-remote-ip
keysize 256

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.

Verify a successful IPVanish connection

Navigate to Status > OpenVPN

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED SUCCESS 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.

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 IPVanish server

  1. Copy the new IPVanish 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

ExpressVPN TP-Link OpenVPN Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Apr 8, 2024 ·

Preparing for ExpressVPN TP-Link 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

TP-Link Router Setup for ExpressVPN

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 or server number here. Our example server was in New York so I have entered in ExpressVPN New York.

Set the VPN Type to OpenVPN.

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

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

TP-Link ExpressVPN setup

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 ExpressVPN toggle VPN on

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

Surfshark Merlin WireGuard Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Mar 30, 2023 ·

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

TeamFlashRouters · Jan 19, 2022 ·

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.

ExpressVPN/Aircove FlashRouter Internet Setup and Activation

TeamFlashRouters · Mar 16, 2022 ·

Follow this article when you receive your new ExpressVPN FlashRouter to connect your FlashRouter to the Internet via ExpressVPN and customize your network so it is ready to use.

Obtain your ExpressVPN Activation Code

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

1. Visit ExpressVPN’s website login page.

ExpressVPN on FlashRouters Privacy App Setup - Sign Into ExpressVPN Dashboard

2. Copy your ExpressVPN Activation code and paste it into a document or leave this page open while you proceed with the instructions.

Access Router Settings

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

The wireless network will appear as “Aircove”, “Linksys##”, “Netgear##”, or “Asus” and the password to join the network will be the default wireless password printed on the bottom of the router.

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

ExpressVPNrouter.com
192.168.132.1

3. Click Get Started on the ExpressVPN page that is displayed.

ExpressVPN Get Started

4a. If your FlashRouter is wired to the Internet correctly then you will be prompted to enter your ExpressVPN Activation Code found in your ExpressVPN account. Paste that in and click Sign in to ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN Activation Code

4b. If your FlashRouter is not wired correctly or is not receiving Internet properly make sure you are wired as detailed in the diagram that appears. If you are stuck at this screen we recommend powering off your ISP modem and any other router that the ExpressVPN FlashRouter is wired to and then powering them back up one by one.

Proceed with step “4a” above once the router is receiving Internet and you are prompted to enter the Activation Code.

ExpressVPN Wiring

5. Select if you want to share anonymous crash report data with ExpressVPN to help them improve the firmware for future releases.

ExpressVPN Share Crash Report

6. Set the WiFi name and password your wireless devices will use to connect to the FlashRouter’s network. Make sure the WiFi name is unique and not a duplicate of an existing WiFi name if you change it. You can also leave it as the default information if you like. Click Continue.

ExpressVPN Set WiFi Name and Password

7. Enter the admin password you will use to access the ExpressVPN router settings. Be sure to TYPE CAREFULLY when setting the admin password as a typo will result in needing to reset the router again. Note this password in a secure location or commit it to memory.

ExpressVPN admin password

8. Your ExpressVPN FlashRouter is now fully setup!

ExpressVPN Connected

DNS Setup for Asus Merlin

TeamFlashRouters · Jan 19, 2022 ·

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

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

1. Under Advanced Settings select LAN.

2. Click the DHCP Server tab.

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

Merlin DNS Setup

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

VPN Killswitch for Asus Merlin

TeamFlashRouters · Jan 19, 2022 ·

Once you have OpenVPN connected on your Merlin FlashRouter you can enable the VPN Killswitch so that no internet traffic passes through your router that is not encrypted by the VPN tunnel.

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

1. Under Advanced Settings select VPN.

2. Click the VPN Client tab.

3. Set Killswitch – Block routed clients if tunnel goes down to Yes.

Merlin Accept DNS configuration Redirect Internet and Kill Switch

4. Click Apply.

Change VPN Protocols on ExpressVPN/Aircove firmware

TeamFlashRouters · Mar 16, 2022 ·

Changing the VPN protocol your ExpressVPN FlashRouter is using can help with obtaining faster speeds while connected to VPN and connectivity issues in some regions of the world. A great advantage of using ExpressVPN firmware is the ability to use multiple protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, and ExpressVPN’s own protocol Lightway.

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

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

ExpressVPNrouter.com
192.168.132.1

3. Login with your ExpressVPN FlashRouter admin password.

ExpressVPN Router admin login

4. Select VPN Options on the left hand side of the menu.

ExpressVPN VPN Options

5. Select VPN Preferences on the left hand side of the menu.

ExpressVPN VPN Preferences

6. Choose the VPN protocol that best suits your needs. We typically see the fastest speeds while using the Lightway – UDP or IKEv2 protocols. Click Save.

ExpressVPN Protocols

7. Click OK and then select Dashboard.

ExpressVPN Dashboard

8. Click Disconnect to turn the VPN connection off.

ExpressVPN Disconnect

9. Click Connect to turn the VPN connection back on so it is using the new Protocol you selected.

ExpressVPN Connect

VPN Director for Asus Merlin

TeamFlashRouters · Jan 19, 2022 ·

Once you have OpenVPN connected on your Merlin FlashRouter you can manage your VPN connections by device or by VPN servers or even VPN providers. This is a major advantage of Asus Merlin firmware as it allows up to 5 VPN connections at the same.

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

Setup multiple VPN clients

1. Under Advanced Settings select VPN.

2. Click the VPN Client tab.

3. In the Select Client instance dropdown select a new client instance to setup and follow your VPN providers setup guide.

VPN Director select client instance

4. Name the client in the Description field for more clarity for which server or provider is being setup.

VPN Director Description

5. Set the Redirect Internet traffic through tunnel dropdown to VPN Director.

VPN Director Policy

Start or Stop VPN Client

1. Under Advanced Settings select VPN.

2. Click the VPN Director tab.

Merlin VPN Director

3. With multiple VPN clients connected you can start and stop them as needed from this page.

VPN Director

Assign a device to a specific VPN client

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

VPN direct add new rule

2. Select the Interface that you want to add the device to.

VPN director select interface

3. Click the Local IP dropdown and a full list of devices connected to the Merlin FlashRouter should appear. Select the device you want to assign to this VPN client.

VPN director select device

4. Click OK and click Apply.

Privacy Hero Streaming Relocation

TeamFlashRouters · Apr 3, 2023 ·

Your Privacy Hero router uses Cloud Based router management which means you can access the router settings from anywhere on any device that has an internet connection. You can follow these steps while connected to your phone, other Wi-Fi network, or the Privacy Hero network.

Use these steps change your location for popular streaming services allowing you to access to regionally restricted content. Privacy Hero uses DNS routing to change your location which is a great way around VPN streaming blocks.

1. From any device that has a browser such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet visit app.privacyhero.com

App.PrivacyHero.com

2. Enter your Privacy Hero account email and password. Click Login.

Privacy Hero Access Settings

3. Click the Streaming symbol.

Privacy Hero Streaming

4. Set the Streaming Relocation toggle to On.

Privacy Hero enable Streaming Relocation

5. Click the flag of the country you would like the listed streaming service to use.

Privacy Hero select Region

This streaming relocation feature will not change your IP address in the way that a VPN does. This is why it is not able to be blocked in the same way that a VPN connection can be.

The listed services on the streaming relocation page will not be connected to VPN even if the Privacy Hero has an active VPN connection. These services are set to bypass the router’s VPN tunnel to avoid streaming blocks.

Toggling the streaming relocation feature On will also relocate many other streaming services automatically. They will be automatically optimized for the best connection with no manual selection needed for:
ABC
Adult Swim
All 4
Apple TV Channels
BBC
Britbox
CBC Gem
CBS Sports
Crackle
DirecTV Stream
DSTV Now
Filmrise
Freeform
Freevee
Frndly TV
F1 TV
FX Now
ITV
MGM+
Molotov.TV
My 5
NBC
NBC Sports
Now E
Now TV
Pandora
Paramount+
PBS
Peacock
Philo
Pluto TV
Showmax
Sling
SonyLIV
S Sports Plus
Starz
Stirr
TBS
Tennis Channel
The CW
Tubi
TVPlayer
Vudu
Xumo
Zattoo

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

NordVPN Manual OpenVPN Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Apr 8, 2019 ·

Preparing for Manual NordVPN Setup

Verify your NordVPN login information

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

Log in to your account on the NordVPN website.

NordVPN Server Addresses

For a NordVPN server recommendation visit their Recommend Server page.

Once you have selected the server you want to connect to, download the UDP .ovpn file containing the Server IP Address, TLS Auth Key, and CA Cert referenced below.

Open the .ovpn file that is downloaded to your computer with NotePad++ for Windows or TextEdit for Apple. You will only need the Server IP Address, TLS Auth Key, and CA Cert from this file. All NordVPN servers and .ovpn files have different IP Addresses, keys, and certificates.

DD-WRT Router Setup for NordVPN

Navigate to Services > VPN

Enter NordVPN 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 top of the .ovpn file you downloaded above, there is a line e.g.:
remote 206.226.72.27 1194
206.226.72.27 is your NordVPN server IP address. Enter the IP Address in this field.

Port

1194

Tunnel Device

TUN

Tunnel Protocol

UDP

Encryption cipher

AES-256-CBC

Hash Algorithm

SHA512

Userpass Authentication

Enable

Username

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

Password

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

Advanced Options

Enable

TLS Cipher

None

LZO Compression

Adaptive

NAT

Enable

Firewall Protection

Enable

TLS Auth Key

In the .ovpn file copy and paste all contents in between the <tls-auth> and </tls-auth> lines from your .ovpn file starting and ending with:
—–BEGIN OpenVPN Static key V1—–
…
—–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

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

CLICK APPLY SETTINGS

Leave all settings not mentioned above as their default setting.

Verify a successful NordVPN connection

Navigate to Status > OpenVPN

  1. You should now see a CONNECTED SUCCESS message.
  2. Visit NordVPN’s website 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 NordVPN.

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 NordVPN server

  1. Download and open a new .ovpn file from NordVPN.
  2. Copy and paste the server IP Address into the Server IP/Name field.
  3. Copy and paste the TLS Auth Key into the TLS Auth Key field.
  4. Copy and paste the CA Cert into the CA Cert field.
  5. Click Apply Settings.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Privacy Hero VPN Setup Guide for Privacy Hero

TeamFlashRouters · Apr 3, 2023 ·

Your Privacy Hero router uses Cloud Based router management which means you can access the router settings from anywhere on any device that has an internet connection. You can follow these steps while connected to your phone, other Wi-Fi network, or the Privacy Hero network.

Use these steps to connect to Privacy Hero’s own WireGuard VPN servers. You will automatically be connected to the ideal USA or Canada server based on your location.

1. From any device that has a browser such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet visit app.privacyhero.com

App.PrivacyHero.com

2. Enter your Privacy Hero account email and password. Click Login.

Privacy Hero Access Settings

If you have not created your Privacy Hero account yet please follow these instructions.

3. Click the VPN symbol.

Privacy Hero Setup VPN

4. Set the VPN toggle to On.

Privacy Hero Enable VPN

5. Connect to the Privacy Hero’s via wireless or ethernet connection on your device and visit What is my IP Address from a private/incognito browser to verify your new IP address and virtual location.

Privacy Hero’s cloud based router settings access makes it so you can change settings while not connected to the Privacy Hero network so if your IP Address has not changed be sure to double check that you are indeed connected to the Privacy Hero network on the device you are checking your IP from.

Keep in mind that the VPN connection will not change the location of the streaming services listed in the Streaming Relocation area of the Privacy Hero settings.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

NordVPN TP-Link OpenVPN Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Apr 16, 2024 ·

Preparing for NordVPN TP-Link 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

TP-Link Router Setup for NordVPN

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 or server number here. Our example server was us6821 so I have entered in NordVPN us6821.

Set the VPN Type to OpenVPN.

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

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

TP-Link NordVPN

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 NordVPN connected

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

Change Wireless Channels on ExpressVPN/Aircove firmware

TeamFlashRouters · Mar 16, 2022 ·

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

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

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

ExpressVPNrouter.com
192.168.132.1

3. Login with your ExpressVPN FlashRouter admin password.

ExpressVPN Router admin login

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

ExpressVPN Network Settings

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

ExpressVPN WiFi Settings

6. Select Advanced Settings.

ExpressVPN WiFi Advanced Settings

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

ExpressVPN WiFi Channels

PureVPN Merlin WireGuard Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Jul 20, 2023 ·

Preparing for PureVPN Merlin Setup

Download your PureVPN .conf 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

Merlin Router Setup for PureVPN

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.

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 PureVPN connection

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

  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

NordVPN Setup on Roqos

TeamFlashRouters · Dec 24, 2021 ·

Preparing for NordVPN Setup

Obtain your NordVPN manual Username and Password

If you are not already a 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

Connecting to NordVPN in the Roqos Core

Access the Roqos Core UI

1. Login to the Roqos Core web app in a browser on any computer or smart device.

2. Click VPN from the navigation menu and then click VPN OUT.

Roqos VPN Out

3. Click the Connect to box.

Roqos NordVPN Connect to

4. In the Connect dropdown choose 3rd Party VPN Providers and for the VPN Provider dropdown choose NordVPN.

Roqos NordVPN select provider

Enter your NordVPN information

In the Username and Password field enter the NordVPN OpenVPN Username and Password that you obtained.

NordVPN credentials
Roqos NordVPN enter username and password

Select a NordVPN server

Navigate to NordVPN server recommendation page. Click Recommended server and select the country you want to connect to and note the server number that appears.

Click the Location dropdown and type in or scroll to the preferred server country.

Roqos NordVPN Select Location

Click the Server dropdown and type in or scroll to the server number that was recommended. Select the UDP version of the server.

Roqos NordVPN select server number

Click the Save button.

Roqos NordVPN Save Settings

Connect to NordVPN

Once you click Save you will be returned to the VPN OUT menu.

Click the Connect button to start your NordVPN connection. Please be patient as the router connects your entire network through VPN.

Roqos VPN Connect

Assign devices to connect to VPN

By default there are no devices assigned to the VPN tunnel. Click Included Devices. From this page you can choose if all devices should connect to NordVPN or only certain devices.

Roqos NordVPN Included Devices

From the dropdown select Include all devices if you want every device that connects to the Roqos to connect to NordVPN. Then click Save.

Roqos VPN Include All Devices

If you only want specific devices to connect to NordVPN while others bypass the VPN connection select Include selected devices from the dropdown and then toggle the sliders for the devices you want connected to VPN. Click Save.

Roqos VPN Include Selected devices

Verify a successful NordVPN connection

Make sure you are connected to the Roqos network via WiFi or ethernet connection on your device.

Visit NordVPN’s website to verify your new IP Address and Protected Status at the top of the page.

You should see Connected at the top of the page underneath NordVPN.

Connect to a different NordVPN server

To change your server click Disconnect on the VPN OUT page then return to the Connect To section to select a new server from the Server dropdown and click Save. Now click Connect once again on the VPN Out page.

Disconnect from NordVPN

To disconnect from NordVPN click the Disconnect button.

TROUBLESHOOTING

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

Troubleshoot Here

Change WiFi name and password on Merlin

TeamFlashRouters · Jan 19, 2022 ·

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

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

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 Merlin 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.

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

TeamFlashRouters · Mar 16, 2022 ·

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

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

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

ExpressVPNrouter.com
192.168.132.1

3. Login with your ExpressVPN FlashRouter admin password.

ExpressVPN Router admin login

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

ExpressVPN Network Settings

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

ExpressVPN WiFi Settings

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

ExpressVPN Separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz

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

ExpressVPN 5GHz added

VPN FAQs

admin · Jan 29, 2019 ·

VPN FAQs

General VPN FAQ Answers

What is a VPN?

VPN is an acronym for ‘Virtual Private Network’, historically used by private organizations to seamlessly link geographically diverse locations via the Internet. A VPN ‘tunnels’ traffic between two devices by transmitting it over a secure network. There are also clearly identifiable benefits to individual Internet users accessing a VPN.

  • A VPN provides you with top-level security and privacy for all your Internet downloading, streaming and browsing. As long as you are signed into your VPN account, all data you transmit over the Internet is encrypted.
  • A VPN encrypts your device by hiding the IP address assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and replacing it with the IP address of your choosing from the list of server locations belonging to your VPN provider. This masks your identity when visiting sites that geo-restricted content, and helps you avoid devious local Internet marketing and advertising schemes that track you through your IP address.

Will a FlashRouter with a built-in VPN client speed up my connection?

FlashRouters are relatively new models that may enhance data transfers across your home network or extend the range of your Wireless signal. However, the speed at which you download or stream content can not exceed the speed of the connection you pay for through your ISP. Purchasing a FlashRouter or signing up for VPN service WILL NOT transform your regular connection into a high-speed broadband connection.

At the same time, if you do have a broadband connection, a FlashRouter with a VPN connection may slow down your transfer speeds due to the processor encrypting all of your data. In certain cases a FlashRouter with a VPN can also prevent throttling by an ISP of specific service like Netflix or Amazon Video.

Which VPN provider should I use?

Our routers have been tested to perform with many of the most popular VPN providers such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, IPVanish, PrivateInternetAccess & CyberGhost among 50+ VPN providers so that subscribers can get the maximum benefit from their VPN service. If you prefer another provider, that is not an issue at all. You can still use a DD-WRT VPN FlashRouter with any VPN provider that offers DD-WRT router integration support. Contact our team for further information about using our routers with your VPN service of choice or if you need a VPN provider recommendation based on your location.

Should my FlashRouter replace my old router?

A FlashRouter will work as a standalone router by connecting your modem to its Wide Area Network (WAN) port, or using it in a Dual Router Network by connecting it to your existing router through a Local Area Network (LAN)/Ethernet port. Either way a FlashRouter can be configured to tunnel all traffic through the VPN server of your choosing.

If you would like to set up your Home Network so that some devices are being tunneled through a VPN server, and others are connecting to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) within your home country, then using your FlashRouter as an auxiliary device is recommended.

VPN Security FAQ Answers

Can I change my IP address to one in another country?

YES! The countries that you can change your IP address to depend on the offerings of your specific VPN providers. Prices and server locations vary across all VPN providers.

If you choose to purchase a FlashRouter then you will not have to install any VPN client software on your computer to change your IP address; the VPN will already be configured within the router. Therefore, any device you plug into this FlashRouter is automatically assigned the IP address of your selected VPN server.

When is my connection secure?

As long as the VPN account preset into your FlashRouter is active, any device that is connected to the Internet through this router has its network traffic encrypted, and IP address masked. With a FlashRouter you never have to physically login to your VPN account, as the settings have been stored in the router’s DD-WRT firmware.

Don’t worry though! If you are not at home, and using Wi-Fi in a public location, you can still use your VPN account on a laptop or mobile device through various other methods.

How can I be sure my connection is safe and encrypted?

In order to make sure that the connection on your FlashRouter is being rerouted appropriately through your VPN service, visit What is my IP address and make sure the location listed is the one you have chosen in your VPN settings, NOT your actual location.

If you wish, there is an Internet Kill Switch available as well for your router which will block the internet whenever you disconnect from VPN.

What VPN connection standards are supported on a FlashRouter?

Currently we support the OpenVPN protocol for VPN client connections. PPTP VPN has been deemed as insecure by the privacy community and so we no longer offer support for PPTP VPN connections.

Technical VPN FAQ Answers

What operating systems do you support?

A FlashRouter can be used with any operating system, be it Windows, Mac OS or Linux. A FlashRouter can also be used as a wireless access point for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices.

Our routers also work in conjunction with any other brand of router of ADSL or DSL modem/router combo from ISPs across the world.

Can I set up a VPN on a PS4, Xbox One, Kindle Fire, Roku, AppleTV or other devices without native VPN support?

THAT’S WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR!

If you purchase one of our FlashRouters loaded with DD-WRT firmware, you can run the client VPN connection from your router. Once you do this every device connected to the router will tunnel through the VPN.

Now you can stream content like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Pandora Hulu, or Amazon Instant to your TV through any of these devices, instead of being constrained to streaming content on your computer!

If you need a recommendation for a VPN service with a specific streaming platform do not hesitate to contact our support team.

Sales FAQs

admin · Jan 29, 2019 ·

Sales FAQs

Can My Router Be Preconfigured With My VPN Information?

Plug and Play VPN Support

Yes you can!

To receive a plug and play with VPN device, you will need to provide our team with the credentials from your VPN provider subscription.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not required but recommended for users who wish to have the simplest, most seamless experience when the FlashRouter arrives. You can always change the password when the device arrives if you wish as well.

 

To have your router VPN preconfigured:

  1. Check the “Connect To VPN For Me” box under VPN – Preconfiguration on the Product Page during check out.
  2. Select your VPN provider. If you don’t see your VPN listed select “Other” and you will see an additional field to input who your provider is.
  3. You’ll receive an email after purchase with detailed instructions. If you have any questions our team is happy to help!
Please note:  If you do give a server location, we will automatically start the device with the closest/optimal server for the location we are shipping the device by default. A location has to be added to the initial configuration for plug and play encryption security to occur on the device.

 

Privacy Hero 2 Only:

While our team isn’t able to pre-configure the Privacy Hero 2 VPN Router before shipping it out since you’ll have to make a Privacy Hero user account and register your router, we can assist you with the VPN set up process once you receive the router and create your Privacy Hero user account via 1-on-1 remote session, email, or live chat on our site.

You can also use our step-by-step Privacy Hero VPN Router Setup Guide to complete the process.

Can I Use My Dedicated IP Address With A FlashRouter?

Dedicated IP Addresses from NordVPN, SurfShark, & TorGuard are supported on almost all of our FlashRouter options.

Check out our Dedicated IP Addresses Blog Post for more details!

Can I Use A FlashRouter With My Current Mesh System?

Yes!

You will be able to connect the FlashRouter of your choosing to your current mesh router via ethernet port as shown below:

ISP Modem/Router —- FlashRouter (VPN) —- Main Mesh Router (VPN from FlashRouter) 

This setup will allow you to keep your mesh network with added VPN protection, as well as add the FlashRouter wireless network for your devices.

You can disable the wifi on the FlashRouter also if you only wanted to use the mesh network for wifi.

Can You Flash My Router and Connect me to VPN?

At FlashRouters, we offer expert router flashing and VPN configuration services through our Flash My Router plans. Whether your router needs custom firmware flashing or just a VPN configuration, we ensure it’s set up for maximum security, privacy, and streaming performance with your chosen VPN provider.

The appointment will take place via remote software. During the appointment, our team will also answer any questions you may have about using the VPN on the router. Flashing is done out of the East Coast of the United States – we will do our best to accommodate your time zone difference if you are located in another part of the United States or another country.

👉 Explore our Flash My Router plans:
🔗 Flash My Router Plans


🔹 How It Works

✅ Flashing vs. Configuration: Some routers require custom firmware (flashing) to enable VPN, while others can be configured without flashing.
✅ Fully Optimized: Our team ensures your router is ready to securely connect to your VPN, block ISP tracking, and enhance your streaming experience.
✅ Remote Assistance Available: Get expert help setting up your VPN connection remotely if needed.


Flashing vs. Configuration: Router Compatibility

At FlashRouters, we handle VPN setup differently based on your router brand and model. Some routers require flashing custom firmware (like DD-WRT or AsusWRT-Merlin), while others can be configured without flashing.

🛠 Router Setup Types by Brand

🔹 Flashing Required (Custom Firmware Installation)

These routers require firmware flashing (DD-WRT or AsusWRT-Merlin) to enable VPN compatibility.

  • Asus – Flashed with AsusWRT-Merlin or updated to the latest AsusWRT build. Some models only require configuration.
  • Linksys – Flashed with DD-WRT firmware.
  • Netgear – Flashed with DD-WRT firmware.

🔹 Configuration Only (No Flashing Required)

These routers have built-in VPN support and only require proper setup.

  • TP-Link – Configured without flashing.
  • GL.iNet – Configured without flashing.
  • Cudy – Configured without flashing.

📌 Other brands are not supported at this time. If you have a different router, we recommend checking out our pre-flashed router options.


✅ Supported VPN Providers

We work with a wide range of VPN providers, including:

  • NordVPN
  • ExpressVPN
  • Surfshark
  • CyberGhost
  • IPVanish
  • Private Internet Access (PIA)
  • VyprVPN
  • ProtonVPN
  • PureVPN
  • Windscribe
  • IVPN
  • Mullvad
  • StrongVPN
  • AzireVPN
  • AstrillVPN
  • HotspotShield VPN

(If your provider isn’t listed, reach out – we may still be able to support it!)


🔗 Get Started Today!

👉 Explore our Flash My Router plans:
🔗 Flash My Router Plans

🔹 Need help selecting the right option? Contact our support team! We’re happy to assist.

How Can I Add The 1 Year NordVPN Service From My FlashRouters.com Order To My Current NordVPN Account?

You can easily combine the free 1 year of NordVPN included with your FlashRouter purchase once you receive the NordVPN Activation Code Email from FlashRouters.com. The email is typically received within 24 hours of order completion and will contain a link as well as an activation code.

This code can be entered at nordvpn.com/activate with the email address associated with your current NordVPN account to add the 1 year of free service to your existing service.

 

Privacy Hero 2 Only:

You can easily combine the free 1 year of NordVPN included with the Privacy Hero 2 VPN Router during the router activation process.

After activating the router, you’ll receive a NordVPN activation code within your privacy hero account dashboard. This code can be entered at nordvpn.com/activate with the email address associated with your current NordVPN account to add the 1 year of free service to your existing service.

What Are the Differences Between New, Recertified, And Open Box FlashRouters?

New

  • Direct from manufacturer, in new box.
  • Custom flashed on demand at time of the order.
  • 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee / 1 Year Warranty.

Recertified (RM)

  • Direct from manufacturer/reseller, may be reboxed.
  • Custom flashed on demand at time of the order.
  • Specialists tested to guarantee same functionality as NEW routers.
  • 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee / 1 Year Warranty.

Open Box

  • Limited quantity, discount items reboxed that may have cosmetic imperfections.
  • Same testing and functionality level and New and RM.
  • 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee / No Warranty.

Will a FlashRouter Work With My Internet Service Provider?

US Customers (Single Router Solution):

Almost all Internet Service Providers(ISPs) require a modem in place to establish a connection to their service, however a modem by itself doesn’t provide the wifi connectivity needed in the home or office. A FlashRouter can connect directly to all known modems provided by major ISPs to create a wireless network so long as there is an Ethernet port on the modem to connect to the FlashRouter Internet port. 

US Customers (Dual Router Solution): 

Yes, FlashRouters are compatible with your ISP in what is called a Dual Router Set Up.

For this type of setup, you would use your current router or modem router to connect to your local ISP while using a FlashRouter to connect to your VPN. This is recommended as you will not overhaul your network with a new router, and you will be able to use your selected VPN service on the devices you wish to use it with.

This set up would result in the creation of two networks, which can be seen as the “Local Network” and the “FlashRouter Network”. All devices connected to the FlashRouter Network will go through the VPN service. 

For any device you would prefer to use without a VPN, you can connect to the local network. The chain of devices would be connected from LAN ton your modem or modem/router to WAN on the FlashRouter, with your current router connected to the FlashRouter via Ethernet cable. 

 

International Customers (Single Router Solution):

Almost all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) require a modem in place to establish a connection to their service, however a modem by itself doesn’t provide the wifi connectivity needed in the home or office. A FlashRouter can connect directly to all known modems provided by major ISPs to create a wireless network so long as there is an Ethernet port on the modem to connect to the FlashRouter Internet port. 

International Customers (Dual Router Solution):

ISPs should all be compatible. Some providers require VLAN tagging/VID settings when wiring directly from modem to FlashRouter. 

For this type of setup, you would use your current router or modem router to connect to your local ISP while using a FlashRouter to connect to your VPN. This is recommended as you will not overhaul your network with a new router, and you will be able to use your selected VPN service on the devices you wish to use it with.

This set up would result in the creation of two networks, which can be seen as the “Local Network” and the “FlashRouter Network”. All devices connected to the FlashRouter Network will go through the VPN service. 

For any device you would prefer to use without a VPN, you can connect to the local network. The chain of devices would be connected from LAN ton your modem or modem/router to WAN on the FlashRouter, with your current router connected to the FlashRouter via Ethernet cable. 

What Stock Firmware Features Will I Lose If I Flash My Router

Open Source firmware like DD-WRT or Assu Merlin has many features equivalent to what stock firmware has, in addition to adding new features to a router. However, some features are lost from the stock firmware when a router is flashed.

These are typically features that are put into the stock firmware by the manufacturers themselves. Things like the Linksys App and the NetGear Genie are examples of what would not be available or compatible on the router after flashing.

Most routers also have a WPS button. By default, the WPS button’s functionality is disabled when a router is flashed as it can be vulnerable and a security risk. It can be re-enabled by following this guide but we do not recommend it.

Does a FlashRouter or Service Plan Purchase Include a VPN Subscription?

A subscription to a VPN does not come with a FlashRouter or Service plan. If you are planning to use a VPN, you would need to sign up for one separately, directly from a provider.

Need assistance in finding a VPN Provider? Please visit our recent VPN Provider Best Seller List.

Plug and Play VPN Support

Unlike other VPN Router providers, FlashRouters is proud to offer free VPN service integration with any purchase.

To receive a plug and play with VPN device, you will need to provide our team with the credentials from your VPN provider subscription.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not required but recommended for users who wish to have the simplest, most seamless experience when the FlashRouter arrives. You can always change the password when the device arrives if you wish as well.

Shows what to look for when you want to preconfigure your router.

To have your router VPN pre-configured:

  1. Select Yes from the “Want Your Router Preconfigured?” on the Payment Page during checkout.
  2. Select your VPN provider. If you don’t see your VPN listed select “Other” and you will see an additional field to input who your provider is.
  3. Enter your your VPN username and password
  4. For ExpressVPN Firmware Routers there will be an additional box for your activation code.

Please note:  If you do not enter a server location request in “Order Comments”, we will automatically start the device with the closest/optimal server for the location we are shipping the device by default. A location has to be added to the initial configuration for plug and play encryption security to occur on the device.

Can I Use A FlashRouter To Work From Home?

Yes! A large number of our customers use their FlashRouters to “work from home” no matter where your travels take you. Check out our Working Remotely Blog Post for more details.

What is the Difference Between Business VPNs and VPN Services?

Location: VPN Services offer many server locations to encrypt your traffic through. They are located in several countries worldwide for creating a private VPN tunnel for your online activities. A business VPN connects to specific central servers for data or directly to your office, creating a direct tunnel for accessing sensitive work documents and information.

Logging: Most VPN services offer log-free connections for total anonymity and security when connected (it is important to check out their terms of service and privacy policy for full details). A business VPN is monitored and maintained by employers such as corporations, hospitals or universities.

Protection: VPN services secure your family’s personal data while using computers, SmartTVs and various Internet of Things devices. Business VPNs protect the data of the company while you are tunneling into work.

Are There VPN Service Providers That Offer VPN for Business?

There are in fact several trusted VPN providers that have services specially tailored for business use. NordVPN Teams and VyprVPN for Business offer a full suite of solutions like user management tools, dedicated IPs, personal product managers, global server access, business pricing, and more.

These solutions allow you to quickly deploy a safe and secure corporate network without building and maintaining your own servers. If you are a small business looking to quickly secure remote workers as they shift to work from home, and you do not have an in-house IT expert, then you should consider NordVPN Teams or VyprVPN for Business.

Even better, when choosing a business VPN provider like NordVPN or VyprVPN, employees can use routers with direct NordVPN and VyprVPN integration already included through the FR Privacy App. Meaning that a full network kill switch, routing by device, automatic connections, and more are all included as features with your business VPN connection.

Can I use a VPN on a FlashRouter With My Work/Corporate VPN?

Many of our customers have found that they can connect to both their corporate and personal VPN, however due to the variables beyond our control, we cannot guarantee this for every unique situation.

Using two VPNs at once can lead to unpredictable results. Bouncing your network traffic to multiple servers before finally arriving at it’s intended destination can sometimes introduce speed and connection issues.

Please consider that some employers and agencies are more vigilant regarding third party VPN use than others. There are tools readily available that detect the use of VPN services.

While these tools cannot decrypt and view your network traffic, they can tell your employer that you are potentially using a VPN, which can be against company policy.

If your corporate and personal VPN do not work together, then you can always set the computer using your work VPN to bypass the FlashRouter’s VPN tunnel by accessing the router admin panel for your device.

This way, your computer would only use the work VPN. Keep in mind however, your location would appear as your actual location to your work.

Every FlashRouter also comes with a 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee.

If in the event you determine the FlashRouter is not working out for you, you can return the device within the first 30 Days. A $25 restocking fee does apply.

Can I Use a FlashRouter to Connect to a Dedicated Business VPN Network?

Of course! If you have an OpenVPN server running on a local machine or hosted on a cloud provider like Amazon Web Services (AWS), FlashRouters can create a custom router client configuration to connect the entire router and all connected devices to your OpenVPN server. Instead of employees connecting device-by-device, a router-based VPN connection allows for always-on secure VPN tunneling.

Our service team is here to work with you to test and ensure compatibility before purchasing. Interested in a router based custom client VPN solution for your remote workers? Please do not hesitate to contact us.

And, if you’re looking for a specific router, take a look at some of our most popular options!

How can I Reset the Password for My FlashRouters.com Customer Account?

To reset your password, you’ll want to click the “Account” icon in the upper right hand corner on our main website (Flashrouters.com). Once clicked, a menu will open where you can enter your login information, or select the “Forgot Password” button to trigger a reset email.

If you’re still having issues accessing your FlashRouters.com customer account after attempting a password reset, please reach out to us at support@flashrouters.com for further assistance.

What Payment Methods does FlashRouters Accept?

We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and all major cred/debit card providers on our payment method options page during checkout.

 

If you’d like to complete a purchase using PayPal as a payment method, please contact our team at support@flashrouters.com to request an invoice.

Can I Make Change/Update/Cancel My Order?

We strive to process and ship all orders within one business day. If you wish to make changes or cancellations, please contact us within 24 hours of placing your order at support@flashrouters.com with your order number and the changes you’d like to make.

While we will do our best to accommodate your request, please note that we cannot guarantee changes or cancellations.

Please note that if you need to update the shipping address, the order will require reapproval through our fraud prevention system with the new address.

Trouble Checking Out

Some customers have found that trying the methods below have helped solve any checkout errors they may have encountered:

⚡️Clearing cache
⚡️Refreshing web page
⚡️Switching web browsers
⚡️Using an incognito/private window
⚡️Confirming all billing information is accurate
⚡️Disable VPN if one is enabled
⚡️Disable Ad & Script Blockers if enabled
⚡️If you’re using a mobile device, switching to a computer or laptop would be ideal.

Using Device Groups to bypass VPN on ExpressVPN/Aircove firmware

TeamFlashRouters · May 12, 2022 ·

Bypassing the ExpressVPN tunnel on certain devices allows you to have multiple IP Addresses while connected to the same router. This feature is very helpful with certain websites where VPN is blocked such as streaming services and banking information.

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

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

ExpressVPNrouter.com
192.168.132.1

3. Login with your ExpressVPN FlashRouter admin password.

ExpressVPN Router admin login

4. Select VPN Off on the right hand side of the menu.

ExpressVPN select No VPN

5. Click and drag the device that you want to bypass the VPN tunnel to the No VPN area.

ExpressVPN No VPN select device
ExpressVPN No VPN select device 2

The devices assigned to No VPN will now correct directly to your ISP internet while the devices in the VPN group will remain connected to the VPN server.

Privacy Hero Adblocking Malware and Phishing Prevention Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Apr 3, 2023 ·

Your Privacy Hero router uses Cloud Based router management which means you can access the router settings from anywhere on any device that has an internet connection. You can follow these steps while connected to your phone, other Wi-Fi network, or the Privacy Hero network.

Use these steps to enable Privacy Hero’s adblocking, malware, and phishing prevention settings to add extra security to your network.

1. From any device that has a browser such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet visit app.privacyhero.com

App.PrivacyHero.com

2. Enter your Privacy Hero account email and password. Click Login.

Privacy Hero Access Settings

If you have not created your Privacy Hero account yet please follow these instructions.

3. Click the VPN symbol.

Privacy Hero Setup VPN

4. Toggle the Adblocking and Malware & Phishing switches to On.

Privacy Hero Adblocking Malware and Phishing

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Using Device Groups to connect to multiple VPN locations on ExpressVPN/Aircove firmware

TeamFlashRouters · May 12, 2022 ·

ExpressVPN offers a great feature of connecting the FlashRouter to multiple ExpressVPN servers at the same time. You can then assign your devices to the location that you wish.

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

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

ExpressVPNrouter.com
192.168.132.1

3. Login with your ExpressVPN FlashRouter admin password.

ExpressVPN Router admin login

4. Select Add Group and name the new group or select one of the pre-named groups below.

ExpressVPN Add Group

5. Click the three dots next to the new server location and type in the location you want to connect to. Click the new location to connect.

ExpressVPN Change server
ExpressVPN select new server

5. Click and drag the device that you want assigned to the VPN New Group.

ExpressVPN select device
ExpressVPN device assigned

The devices assigned to new group will now connect to that location while the devices in the first VPN group will remain connected to the VPN server selected in that area.

Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Apr 3, 2023 ·

Your Privacy Hero router uses Cloud Based router management which means you can access the router settings from anywhere on any device that has an internet connection. You can follow these steps while connected to your phone, other Wi-Fi network, or the Privacy Hero network.

Use these steps to enable Privacy Hero’s VPN Kill Switch to make sure that no traffic goes through your router unless it is connected to VPN.

1. From any device that has a browser such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet visit app.privacyhero.com

App.PrivacyHero.com

2. Enter your Privacy Hero account email and password. Click Login.

Privacy Hero Access Settings

If you have not created your Privacy Hero account yet please follow these instructions.

3. Click the VPN symbol.

Privacy Hero Setup VPN

4. Toggle the VPN Kill Switch setting to On.

Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Surfshark TP-Link WireGuard Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Apr 29, 2024 ·

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

Change server locations on ExpressVPN/Aircove firmware

TeamFlashRouters · May 12, 2022 ·

You can change the ExpressVPN server location at any time so your Internet connection appears as originating from that location.

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

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

ExpressVPNrouter.com
192.168.132.1

3. Login with your ExpressVPN FlashRouter admin password.

ExpressVPN Router admin login

4. Click the three dots next to the server location.

ExpressVPN change server 1

5. Type in the location you want to connect to. Click the new location to connect.

ExpressVPN change server 2

6. You are now connected to the new server location.

ExpressVPN change server 3

ExpressVPN offers servers in locations all over the world. Typically for speeds it is best to connect to the server closest to your actual location. Clicking a country instead of a city will connect you to the ideal city in that country.

Privacy Hero Change VPN Providers

TeamFlashRouters · Apr 3, 2023 ·

Your Privacy Hero router uses Cloud Based router management which means you can access the router settings from anywhere on any device that has an internet connection. You can follow these steps while connected to your phone, other Wi-Fi network, or the Privacy Hero network.

Each Privacy Hero router comes with a year free of Privacy Hero WireGuard VPN and can be setup for NordVPN and Surfshark users as well. Use these steps to change between the VPN providers to find the best connection for your needs.

1. From any device that has a browser such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet visit app.privacyhero.com

App.PrivacyHero.com

2. Enter your Privacy Hero account email and password. Click Login.

Privacy Hero Access Settings

If you have not created your Privacy Hero account yet please follow these instructions.

3. Click the VPN symbol.

Privacy Hero Setup VPN

4. Click the Change button and select the VPN provider that you want to use.

Privacy Hero Change VPN Providers

Follow our guides for connecting to NordVPN or Surfshark. If you are switching to Privacy Hero VPN just select it from dropdown and toggle the VPN switch to On.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Privacy Hero Creating User Profiles and Adding Devices to Profiles

TeamFlashRouters · Apr 3, 2023 ·

Your Privacy Hero router uses Cloud Based router management which means you can access the router settings from anywhere on any device that has an internet connection. You can follow these steps while connected to your phone, other Wi-Fi network, or the Privacy Hero network.

The Privacy Hero router allows for User Profile creation. Doing so allows you to group different user’s devices together to customize the following rules:

  • Internet access scheduler (Bedtime settings)
  • Internet Safe Search
  • Youtube Safe Search
  • Block Adult Content

This makes the Privacy Hero a great router option for families and internet addicts.

1. From any device that has a browser such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet visit app.privacyhero.com

App.PrivacyHero.com

2. Enter your Privacy Hero account email and password. Click Login.

Privacy Hero Access Settings

If you have not created your Privacy Hero account yet please follow these instructions.

3. Click the Profiles symbol.

Privacy Hero Profiles

4. Click Create New Profile.

Privacy Hero Create New Profile

5. Set the Profile Name, select the Profile Icon, and click Save.

Privacy Hero Set Profile Name

6. Click the name of the User Profile.

Privacy Hero Select Profile

7. Select Devices.

Privacy Hero Select Devices

8. Select Manage Devices.

Privacy Hero Select Manage Devices

9. If you have not already connected your devices to the Privacy Hero network via wireless or ethernet you can do so now. Refresh the page after connecting a new device and it will appear in the list where you can select Move to “Profile Name” to move the device to the appropriate profile. By default new devices are in the Shared profile.

Privacy Hero Move to User Profile

If your devices were already connected to the Privacy Hero network and you are having issues identifying them I would recommend the following steps:

  1. Click the Devices icon.
  2. Select the device in question.
  3. Click Nerd and note down the IP Address of the device.
  4. Go to the network settings of your device where it will display the local IP Address and match that to the IP Address noted in Privacy Hero.

This is how you can identify a device that is not properly named.

10. Now that your devices are assigned you can set the Bedtime Settings (Internet Scheduler) and Safe Surf settings for your new Profile.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

Surfshark TP-Link OpenVPN Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Apr 29, 2024 ·

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
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