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PrivateInternetAccess (PIA) AsusWRT OpenVPN Setup

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Preparing for PIA AsusWRT Setup

Download your PIA .ovpn file

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

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

PIA login

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

3. On the OpenVPN Configuration Generator select the following:

OpenVPN Version: OpenVPN 2.4 or newer

Select Platform: Linux

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

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

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

PIA Generate .ovpn file

AsusWRT Router Setup for PIA

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

1. Navigate to the VPN tab.

Merlin VPN Tab

2. Navigate to the VPN Fusion tab.

Asus VPN Fusion

3. Click Add profile.

Asus Add profile

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

5. In the VPN Type dropdown select OpenVPN.

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

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

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

Asus PIA profile

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

Asus VPN devices
Asus VPN select devices

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

Asus PIA Connected

Verify a successful PIA connection

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

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

How to change the PIA server

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

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

How do I reset and reconfigure my FlashRouter?

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When is a router reset needed?

A reset of the FlashRouter should only be performed in the following instances:

  • You have exhausted all other troubleshooting methods and cannot access your router settings.
  • A backup file was saved of your previously working settings.
  • Username and password to access the FlashRouter’s settings are not working.
  • Power light on the router is blinking steadily.
  • Firmware upgrade was performed with Reset to Default settings selected.

Reset Router

Asus FlashRouters:

  1. While the router is powered off press and hold the WPS button on the back or side of the router. Power up the router while continuing to hold the WPS. Continue to hold for 15 seconds as the router powers on (note this could be up to 45 seconds on some models before lights flash).
  2. You will see the lights on the router flashing steadily and this is how you know you have reset the router.
  3. Let the router sit for about a minute and then reboot the router.

Linksys and Netgear FlashRouters:

  1. While the router is plugged in, find the reset button located on the back of the router. You will need a pin or pencil to hold down the button for 15 seconds.
  2. You will see the lights on the back of the router flash simultaneously and this is how you know you have reset the router.
  3. Let the router sit for about a minute and then reboot the router.

Access Router Settings

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

The wireless network will appear as “dd-wrt” and will likely not require a password to join. If it does require a password to join the password will be the default wireless password found on the bottom of the router.

2. Open your web browser and enter 192.168.1.1 in the URL.

Reset FlashRouters DD-WRT Settings Back to Default Settings

3. Delete the dots and enter the new administration login in the Router Username, Router Password, and Re-enter to confirm fields.

TYPE CAREFULLY when setting the administration login as a typo will result in needing to reset the router again.

Change Local IP Address and DNS

Navigate to Setup > Basic Setup

1. Set the Local IP Address to 192.168.11.1

2. Set the Static DNS 1 to 8.8.8.8

3. Set the Static DNS 2 to 8.8.4.4

4. Set the Static DNS 3 to 208.67.220.220

Enter New Local IP Address and DNS Servers After FlashRouter DD-WRT Reset

CLICK SAVE

Setup WiFi

Navigate to Wireless > Basic Settings

Find your FlashRouter model in the WiFi Setup section and replicate the wireless settings on this page.

CLICK APPLY SETTINGS

REBOOT ROUTER

Connect to the FlashRouter's network

You will be able to connect to the newly setup wireless network using the details you set. The router will now be accessible at 192.168.11.1

Back up your settings

  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.

Why is my router not connecting to internet?

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Router not connecting to the internet? Follow these simple steps!

  1. Make sure that you are not setting a WAN IP of 0.0.0.0 in the top right corner of your FlashRouter DD-WRT settings. If you do, then make sure your FlashRouter is wired correctly for Internet.
  2. Try power cycling your ISP modem, FlashRouter and any other router that may be in the setup. Power the modem back on first, wait for it to boot up fully, and then power the FlashRouter back on.
  3. Make sure you do not have Global Kill Switch enabled in the FlashRouters Privacy App and if you do make sure your VPN status is Connected.

Why is the power light on my FlashRouter blinking?

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A slowly blinking power light means that the FlashRouter was somehow put into Rescue/Restore/Recovery Mode. This usually happens if the reset button was held down for too long.

This may also happen if you have incorrectly tried to update the firmware on your FlashRouter. The first thing to try is a simple reboot of the router to see if it exits restore mode.

If a reboot does not clear up the issue then try to reset and reconfigure your FlashRouter.

My VPN stopped working on my FlashRouter.

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The VPN connection on the FlashRouter will not drop in most instances however if the VPN stopped working follow the steps below.

In order to use the FlashRouters Privacy App you need DD-WRT build 02/15/22 r48362 or 2/10/20 r42335.

Follow these instructions to upgrade the firmware to 02/15/22 r48362: How do I upgrade the DD-WRT firmware of my FlashRouter?

If you would like the fully featured FR Privacy App version with Simple Setup you must use firmware builds from 2/10/20 r42335.

FlashRouters Privacy App

Navigate to Status > MyPage

  1. If MyPage is not properly loading the FlashRouters Privacy App try reinstalling the FlashRouters Privacy App.
  2. With the Auto Connect to VPN box checked simply power off the FlashRouter and power it back on to connect back to VPN.
  3. Verify that you have the correct settings entered for your provider. A change in the user information used to authenticate the VPN connection will cause a disconnect.
  4. Try a different VPN server location.
  5. If applicable, switch from UDP to TCP or vice versa.
  6. Make sure that you have any VPN/proxy apps and extensions turned off on all devices connected to the FlashRouter.

DD-WRT Manual VPN

Navigate to Services > VPN

  1. Verify that you have the correct settings entered for your provider. A change in the user information used to authenticate the VPN connection will cause a disconnect.
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Apply Settings.
  3. Try a different VPN server location.
  4. If applicable, switch from UDP to TCP or vice versa. Check your VPN provider’s website to see if the port needs to change with the protocol.
  5. Make sure that you have any VPN/proxy apps and extensions turned off on all devices connected to the FlashRouter.