• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

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
    • WiFi Connectivity
    • Internet Connection Issues
    • General VPN Issues
    • DD-WRT Firmware
    • TeamViewer Remote Support
  • FAQs
    • Router FAQs
    • VPN FAQs
    • Warranty and Returns FAQs
    • Sales FAQs
    • Shipping FAQs
    • Service Plan FAQs
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Search Results for: show+service

Privacy Hero NordVPN Not Connecting or Showing Timeout Errors

Dave · Sep 22, 2026 ·

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

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out of service, account credentials change, or a previously saved NordVPN access token or manual service credential is no longer valid.

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


Jump to a Section

  • Confirm Privacy Hero Has Internet
  • Reconnect NordVPN
  • Try Another NordVPN Server
  • Update Your NordLynx Token
  • Update OpenVPN Credentials
  • Recent NordVPN Account Changes
  • Verify the VPN Connection

First: Confirm Privacy Hero Has Internet

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

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

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

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

Reconnect NordVPN

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

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

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

Try Another NordVPN Server

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

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

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

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

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

Update Your NordVPN Token for NordLynx

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

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

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

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

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

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

Update NordVPN Manual Service Credentials for OpenVPN

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

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

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

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

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

Did You Recently Change Your NordVPN Account Information?

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

This is especially important after changes such as:

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

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

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

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

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

Confirm Your NordVPN Subscription Is Active

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

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

Try Another VPN Protocol

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

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

Remember that changing protocols also changes the required NordVPN authentication:

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

Important: Do Not Run Two VPNs at Once

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

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

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

Verify the NordVPN Connection

Once Privacy Hero displays NordVPN as Connected:

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

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

NordVPN Is Connected but One Device Shows the Wrong IP

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

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

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

Related Privacy Hero Guides

  • Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch: No Internet or WiFi Troubleshooting
  • Privacy Hero VPN Kill Switch Setup
  • Privacy Hero NordVPN / NordLynx Setup
  • Device Privacy, DNS, VPN, and Security Settings That Can Interfere With Your Router VPN

NordVPN Merlin OpenVPN Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Jan 11, 2023 ·

Preparing for NordVPN Merlin Setup

Obtain your NordVPN manual Username and Password

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

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

NordVPN login

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

NordVPN setup manually

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

NordVPN verify code

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

NordVPN credentials

Download your NordVPN .ovpn file

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

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

NordVPN Recommended Server

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

NordVPN Download Specific Server

Merlin Router Setup for NordVPN

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

1. Navigate to the VPN tab.

Merlin VPN Tab

2. Navigate to the VPN Client tab.

Merlin VPN Client Tab

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

Merlin Choose File Upload

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

Merlin Automatic Start at boot time

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

Merlin NordVPN Description

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

Merlin Accept DNS configuration Redirect Internet and Kill Switch

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

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

Merlin VPN Username and Password

8. Click Apply at the bottom of the page.

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

Merlin Service State All Providers

Verify a successful NordVPN connection

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

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

How to change the NordVPN server

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

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

NordVPN Asus AX1800S OpenVPN Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Feb 26, 2024 ·

Preparing for NordVPN Asus AX1800S 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

Asus AX1800S Router Setup for NordVPN

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

1. Navigate to the VPN tab.

Merlin VPN Tab

2. Navigate to the VPN Client tab.

Asus AX1800S VPN Settings

3. Click Add Profile.

Asus AX1800S VPN Settings

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

Asus AX1800S OpenVPN upload

5. In the Description field enter in the name you’d like to use for this OpenVPN Client profile. We typically advise entering in the location or server number here.

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

7. Click the Activate button.

Verify a successful NordVPN connection

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

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

NordVPN Cudy OpenVPN Setup

TeamFlashRouters · Feb 29, 2024 ·

Preparing for NordVPN Cudy Setup

Obtain your NordVPN manual Username and Password

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

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

NordVPN login

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

NordVPN setup manually

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

NordVPN verify code

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

NordVPN credentials

Download your NordVPN .ovpn file

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

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

NordVPN Recommended Server

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

NordVPN Download Specific Server

Cudy Router Setup for NordVPN

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

1. Click General Settings.

Cudy General Settings

2. Click VPN.

Cudy VPN Tab

3. Toggle the Enable switch to On.

Cudy enable VPN

4. Select OpenVPN Client from the Protocol dropdown.

Cudy select OpenVPN Client

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

Cudy OpenVPN Browse button

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

Cudy NordVPN enter username and password

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

Verify a successful NordVPN connection

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

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

How to change the NordVPN server

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

TROUBLESHOOTING

Still having issues? Visit the VPN Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshoot Here

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

Primary Sidebar

  • Troubleshooting
  • Router Access
  • Internet Connection Issues
  • WiFi Connectivity
  • General VPN Issues
  • TeamViewer Remote Support
  • DD-WRT Firmware
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Footer