How to Install VPN on a Router: Step-by-Step Virtual Private Network setup

How to install VPN on a router: Step by step guide for easy installation of VPN on any router

We all love privacy and security in our networks. This ensures that we can carry out our online activities without a fear. Be it gaming, online banking, children’s online activities, and storing material online, getting privacy and security is so crucial these days. You can install VPN on a router for the best privacy and security by following these steps.

  • Connect a computer to your router via an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection
  • OpenVPN will automatically open on your computer. If not, go find the file where you downloaded the VPN software
  • Click “Next” in the window that pops up and select “No” when it asks if you want to start OpenVPN Server
  • Choose whether or not you want to start OpenVPN Client and click “Yes.”

A mention of installing a virtual private network (VPN) to a router may bring chills to most people since it seems like a hugely technological activity. However, that can’t be further from the truth.

The installation process for the best VPN for routers is quite a straightforward activity. As long as you have the requirements for the activity, your installation process should be pretty seamless.

Why should you install a VPN on your router?

There are several advantages of installing a VPN on a router. These advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Let us go through them together.

1. Security and privacy on your network are assured all the time

When you install a VPN on your router, you are assured of privacy and security at all times when using your network. This is unlike when the VPN is installed on one device and thus using another device can leave you vulnerable.

You will therefore never leave yourself exposed as long as you are using the router for your network. This is because you will be part of the VPN tunnel.

The other thing to note is that even when you are sleeping, your devices will be covered. This is because there are some activities that take place automatically. These activities including account balance updates for a personal finance app will take place in a secure environment.

2. All the devices will get a private secure network

When you install a VPN on your router, you are assured that all your devices will get all the privacy and security required. This is unlike setting up a VPN on some devices at home.

The benefit of this is that even when you decide to use a different device from your regular devices, your connection will still be secured.

The feature is quite important since we may not always remember to set up VPN services for every device we have at our home.

Finally, the VPN will also cover your guests when they use your internet connection.

Protects devices without VPN capabilities

Additionally, there are other devices that have no VPN installation capabilities. These include home media systems where some features are blocked from users in some areas. Netflix, Apple TV, or Chromecast blocks out some content in some areas.

For you to access the features in those areas, a VPN is necessary. However, it is not possible to install a VPN on a TV thus installing it on a router is easier and very useful.

3. The router-installed VPN will cover more devices

Installing a VPN on your router covers more devices with one slot on your subscription. This is because some VPN services have a fixed number of devices per subscription.

For example, NordVPN covers 6 devices. Installing NordVPN on a router counts as one device. This is different from installing the VPN on different laptops, computers, and other smart devices. In that case, reaching 6 devices in our current smart homes is quite easy.

However, there is a demerit in this in that it lowers the internet speeds for your router. However, comparing the number of devices covered vs the decrease in speed makes it worthwhile to install the VPN on a router.

How to install VPN on a Router: Step-by-step installation

Installing a VPN on a router is a pretty straightforward activity. This is especially so for the newer router models. For the installation you will require the following:

  • A VPN that can be installed on a router
  • A compatible router: The compatibility is dependent on the type of VPN you want to install. You can check the best routers for NordVPN if you are looking for a router that will give you an easy installation process.
  • Your router login details: This will be used to access the router’s configuration panel by typing in your IP address into your web browser’s address bar.

For ease in the installation of VPN on your routers, you may need to first get a router that can support OpenVPN. If your router is not compatible, then you can use open-source firmware such as DD-WRT, Tomato, or OpenWRT.

The most preferred router firmware for OpenVPN capabilities is the DD-WRT. You can install DD-WRT if your router is compatible or get a router pre-flashed with DD-WRT. DD-WRT is the most mature firmware and is easier to install in most routers.

Alternatively, you may acquire the best router for tomato or the best OpenWRT router. These routers will give you all the possibilities in router performance and also set you up for the best privacy and security.

So you can install the open-source router firmware on your device for ease in installation of the VPN if the router is not pre-flashed. After the installation, the router will be ready for VPN installation.

The following are the steps that you can follow to install the VPN on your router:

1. Acquire your preferred VPN

This is the first step even before planning for installation. You need to get a VPN subscription from the provider of your choice.

You need to consider if the VPN service can be installed on a router before going for it. As soon as you get the subscription, download the installation requirements. These include the set-up process and the firmware.

For the best service, get a paid VPN subscription such as NordVPN. The paid subscription makes it necessary for the provider to be updated and to give you the best service.

If not you can easily change from this provider to another. Thus a paid subscription will offer an exceptional product with even better customer care.

2. Log in to the router settings

Login to the router settings to set up VPN on a router

For the open-source router with an app such as Linksys, you can use the mobile app to get to the router settings. For the other routers, you can access the settings by visiting a web dashboard.

To login into the web dashboard, you will need to use a browser to log in. This is easily done by using putting in the router’s IP address at the URL bar on your browser.

Once that is done, the browser will request the login name and password. The information is provided at the back of the router or on the manufacturer’s website.

For Linksys router, you can install it from any browser. For example, on Microsoft Windows 10 you will select the Start menu. From the start menu, you can search for Command Prompt. When you select the command prompt, you can thereafter search for ipconfig and select it. After this step, you will get access to a page similar to the screenshot below. However, for your router, your address number will be different. The default IP address for the Linksys router or gateway will be 192.168.13.1.

Command prompt: How to install VPN on a Linksys router

For some routers, the user may have changed the login details. Be sure to check if you changed the login details.

You can also change the password afterward to a more secure password.

If you can’t locate the login details for your router on the back of your router, you can call customer service for your router. You will therefore receive the default IP address and login details for your router model.

3. Configure the router with VPN

When you login into the admin pages of your router, you will have a straightforward process of setting up the VPN. Both the router dashboard and the app can be used easily to set up the VPN on your router. For instance, if you need to get a VPN for the TP-Link router, you may use Tether APP.

For you to install a VPN on your router, you will be required to select the configuration icon that gives you the configuration process. You can do this easily by following the user manual that is provided by the VPN provider.

You may get some challenges with the app when installing the VPN. This is because some manufacturers do not give too much functionality to the app. In this case, you can redirect the settings toward a traffic server.

In this case, you redirect the settings and point the traffic to a VPN server such as the NordVPN server.

4. Test the performance

Once the VPN has been set up, you can test the router’s functionality. You can use the mobile app to do a simple test. As you are taking the tests, be sure to check the ability to control your router settings.

The VPN client can control the settings of your router to control most functions. If the process does not work for your VPN client, you can repeat the process more carefully.

However, for some routers, this may prove difficult meaning that you need professional help. You can seek help if you have tried these steps and even followed the setup process in the manual to the letter without any results.

5. Contact the router’s customer support

For most routers, dedicated customer support is available to assist in such functions. For routers like Linksys models, you can call, chat with, or email customer support for assistance.

In addition, you can reach out to your VPN provider’s customer support. For example, NordVPN customer support is ready and willing to assist in case you are using NordVPN as your VPN.

Of note is that there is always a way to set up a VPN on most routers. Reach out to your customer service in case you can’t do it on your own.

Related post: How to restrict downloading on a WiFi router

How to setup VPN on router TP-Link

The first step is to download and install the VPN program onto your PC. Then, all you need to do is log into your router’s settings with a username and password.

After logging into your router’s settings, you will be able to know what type of firmware it is running. You can then download the appropriate VPN for that firmware.

Now, one thing to keep in mind is some routers only let you install an app through a USB drive or CD-ROM drive on your computer, so you’ll need to make sure your VPN provider offers installation through those methods.

After downloading the correct VPN software for installation on your router, go back to the main screen of your router settings.

Then select the option for installing an app from a USB drive or CD-ROM drive and follow the instructions given by your VPN provider.

Once that installation process is complete, you’ll be able to use this VPN through any device connected to your home network!

How to setup VPN on router Netgear

How to setup VPN on router Netgear

VPNs offer a wide variety of benefits. It can protect your browsing history, hide your IP address, bypass firewalls to access blocked sites, and even change your physical location.

If you want to learn more about installing a VPN on your Netgear router in 4 easy steps, read on.

Step 1: Access Control Panel

If the default administrator password was not changed when first setting up the router, the control panel can be accessed by opening a web browser and typing the following URL http://192.168.1.1 into the address bar.

If entering this URL does not work or displays an error message, try other known default passwords (admin/password).

Step 2: Setting Up Your Router as a Wireless Hotspot

Your next step is going to be configuring your wireless network settings so that it becomes an internet hotspot for all devices in your home network.

This will allow all of those devices to connect to the VPN at once with just one login. To do this go ahead and click “Connectify Hotspot” from the main menu on your screen under “Wireless Settings”.

This should automatically set up a virtual WiFi network as well as make it so you’re able to connect from any device in range and still have it go through any firewall restrictions that would usually prevent such connections altogether.

How to setup VPN on router DLink

The Dlink DIR-868L is a terrific router for use with a VPN. You can configure it to relay all your internet traffic through the VPN so that every device connected to the router benefits from the protection of the VPN.

It’s important to note that this process will not affect any connections made by connecting directly to the router and accessing the internet on a laptop or PC, but rather only devices that connect wirelessly. If you want to know how to install a VPN on your D-Link router, follow these 4 steps:

  1. Connect your PC or laptop to your home network via an Ethernet cable and then power up the router.
  2. Enter https://192.168.1.1 in your browser’s address bar and then click Enter
  3. Log in with your default username ‘admin’ and password ‘admin’.
  4. Scroll down until you see ‘Virtual Server’ and select Enable, followed by Save Settings at the bottom of the screen

How to setup VPN on Asus router

How to setup VPN on router Asus

VPNs offer a wide variety of benefits. It can protect your browsing history and hide your IP address, it can bypass firewalls to access blocked sites, and it can even change your physical location. These are the steps to install a VPN on an Asus router.

1. Find the setting

The first step is finding the setting for the connection type on your Asus router. To do this, go to the “Administration” tab found at the top and then select “Router Settings.”

2. Set up a static IP address

Once you find the connection setting for your Asus router, set up a static IP address (optional). This will help ensure that your IP doesn’t change when your modem turns off or enters sleep mode.

When entering an IP address, make sure it’s outside of the range used by other devices in the network; this helps prevent interference from other devices in your network when using VPN services.

Go to VPN settings on your router web user interface dashboard. You need to add servers- profiles to ensure that you get a service page for the VPN that you are using. Please use manual configuration for the connection.

3. Enter “Client Mode”

Next, enter “Client Mode”. To do this go to the “WAN Connection Type” field and click the drop-down menu under “Select a protocol.” From there, choose “Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) or Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)

Loggin in into Asus web user interface

Use OpenVPN which is more secure or PPTP which is able to do faster downloads. This will enable you to use the configuration that suits you at different times.

Then you need to copy the VPN server name of the location you want to be and then key in your username and password.

How to setup VPN on router Google Nest

When you are connecting to a VPN, your traffic is routed through the internet via a remote server. However, some ISPs track when you connect to a VPN.

This is why you may want to use your home WiFi router with VPN protection instead of using your PC to protect your browsing history and IP address.

Fortunately for Google Nest, this can be done in 4 easy steps:

  1. Follow the instructions for setting up a wireless router from the manufacturer’s website (most routers come with an installation CD that walks you through it step by step).
  2. Once the router is set up and connected to the internet, find it on your computer and set the WiFi network name to something unique like “VPN-Network”.
  3. Install a VPN client on your computer or smartphone (just type “VPN” into Google Play or iTunes).
  4. Start your VPN client and enter all of the details needed for remote access (password, username, etc.).

How to install a VPN on a Linksys router

If you want to use a VPN on your router, you’ll need to sign up for a service and then download the VPN software onto the router (unless, of course, it has VPN pre-installed). Once you’ve signed up and downloaded the software onto your computer, follow these steps to install a VPN on your router:

  1. Connect a computer to your router via an Ethernet cable or WiFi connection
  2. OpenVPN will automatically open on your computer. If not, go find the file where you downloaded the VPN software
  3. Click “Next” in the window that pops up and select “No” when it asks if you want to start OpenVPN Server
  4. Choose whether or not you want to start OpenVPN Client and click “Yes.”

Disadvantages of installing VPN on your router

As you install the VPN on your router, you will also need to check the cons. These will help you to make a decision of if the pros outweigh the cons.

The following are the disadvantages of instlling VPN on your router.

1. Management of the VPN may be harder for some routers

Some routers do not have a comprehensive user interface or app. These routers are controlled using simple buttons on the router or user interface. In these routers, the management of VPN services may be quite hard.

Therefore, as you install the VPN on your router, you will need to check the router control features. Since using the VPN mobile app to control the location and usage of VPN services is easier and more preferred, when VPN is installed on these routers you may get a headache when trying to manage the VPN services.

The management can be done on the router, however, it will be harder to do. This is because you will require a third-party device to control the VPN services on your basic router.

2. Traffic between your router and the devices is unregulated

The VPN services installed on your router will screen out the connections between your ISP and your router. However, the connection between your router and the home/ office devices is not regulated.

This may be a challenge if a user can get access to your network by other means. For example, if you had given the username and password for your network to a stranger. It will also be a problem if your mobile devices are set to auto-connect to any network.

In this case, your devices will not be protected when they access the other network.

3. You will not get a record of blocked connections

Since the VPN is set up on the router side, it will block some incoming connections without a record. This is unlike computers and mobile devices where you will get an email or record of all blocked connections.

This is particularly important since some blocked connections may be beneficial to you. You can get access to them and change the settings on your devices.

However, this is very hard for a VPN installed on a router.

What is a VPN?

A VPN stands for a virtual private network. A VPN can be described as a secure tunnel over the internet that goes from your PC or mobile device to a server.

The server then connects you to one of its many other servers, and you get to browse the internet anonymously and securely.

Conclusion

Following the above steps, you will be able to easily install a VPN on your router. The pros and cons of installing the VPN on your router should give you a guide on whether you need to do it or not.

In most cases, you may require to install open-source firmware such as DD-WRT, Tomato, or OpenWRT firmware for you to easily install the VPN on your router.

The firmware gives you so much control and performance improvement. They also enable you to easily connect your VPN clients.

If you’re looking to stay safe, it’s important to install a VPN on your router. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an essential tool for anyone who is concerned about their privacy.

A VPN encrypts all of the data coming out of your device and transmits that data through an encrypted tunnel. This helps protect your sensitive information from hackers and spies because it’s impossible for them to decrypt data that has been encrypted with such strong encryption.

So what are the benefits of installing a VPN on a router? Well, first off, it’s more secure this way because all traffic will be routed through the VPN. Second, if you have children or employees who use public Wi-Fi connections, they’ll have better security as well since all of their traffic will also be encrypted by the VPN. 

FAQs

Is it safe to install a VPN on the router?

A VPN is a virtual private network. It’s secure because it encrypts your data and hides your IP address. A VPN is safe for anyone to use, but there are specific risks for those using one on their router. If you’re not careful about the type of VPN you use, you might accidentally connect to a malicious website or download malware unknowingly. You could also be at risk of exposing sensitive information to third parties that you wouldn’t want other people in your home seeing.