How to Set Up VPN on a Router

VPNs are essential for your online privacy, but despite what some say, they’re not just for computers and smartphones. Connecting a smart TV to a VPN, for example, can unlock a broader selection of streaming content. The same goes for connecting TV boxes and gaming consoles.

Most people think that VPNs are only for PCs and phones because those are the only ones that typically support VPN apps. You can’t download a VPN app to your Roku, for instance. However, there is a way you can protect any internet-connected device with a VPN. All you have to do is set up a VPN on your router.

We’ve tested dozens of VPN router configurations. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to connect all your devices to a VPN using just your router. No technical expertise is required.

How Do I Set Up a VPN on My Router?

Before we begin, keep in mind that not every router can run a VPN. Some routers come with built-in VPN support. Others need special firmware or won’t work at all. If your router came from your internet provider and is locked to their service, you’ll likely need to get a separate VPN-compatible router to connect alongside it. We made a list of the best VPN routers here.

Even with a compatible router, the exact setup process varies based on your router’s brand, model, and firmware version. We’ve found that newer routers support VPN protocols right out of the box, but older models need a firmware update or replacement firmware altogether.

Your best starting point for specifics is to look at both your VPN company’s website and the manual that came with your router (Google the router model name plus “manual” if it’s long gone). However, a few common steps will apply to most situations for setting up a VPN on a router:

1. Download your VPN app on your computer to ensure that your account is working. Do not connect to the VPN at this point.
2. Log in to your router.
3. Find your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and enter it into your browser’s address bar to access the admin panel.
4. Once you’re in, set up the VPN according to the router manual or instructions from your VPN provider.

To Get Your Router IP Address on Windows

1. Type “CMD” into your search bar and select Command Prompt.
2. Type “ipconfig.”
3. You’ll see your router’s IP address under Default Gateway.

To Get Your Router IP Address on Mac

1. Click on the Apple icon in the main menu bar and go to System Settings.
2. Click Network.
3. Select the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to and click Advanced.
4. Click on the TCP/IP tab.
5. You’ll see your router’s IP under Router (don’t confuse this with your regular IP address).
6. Enter your router login. If you don’t have this information, look for your model’s manual on the manufacturer’s website — you may not have changed the default login, which you can usually find online.
7. Configure your router. This part will depend on whether your router came with out-of-the-box VPN compatibility.

If you’re using a router designed for VPN compatibility, the next steps will vary by device and VPN. You should be able to find specific instructions for your router in the manual or online. Many VPN websites also have instructions for connecting to specific VPN router models.

Configuring a Router Designed for VPN Compatibility

If your router doesn’t natively support VPNs, you’ll need to install custom firmware. This process is called “flashing.” We don’t recommend it as flashing firmware can permanently damage your router if done incorrectly. It will also void your warranty.

1. First, be sure that you’re ready to take on this risk. Installing firmware can void your router’s warranty, and you run the risk of permanently destroying the device’s function.
2. Check if your router works with popular custom firmware like DD-WRT, OpenWrt, or Tomato. DD-WRT has an extensive database of compatible routers on their website.
3. Download the bin files from the DD-WRT website that match your specific router model.
4. Find the firmware installation page on your router settings page.
5. Upload the DD-WRT file.
6. Enter the default DD-WRT IP address (192.168.1.1) into your browser and set up a username and password.
7. Go to the VPN tab on the router settings page. It looks a little different on each router, but you should now see a setting that enables VPN use. Once you’ve found that, confirm that you’d like to enable the setting.

How to Test That Your VPN Is Working

Now that you’ve set up your VPN, make sure it’s running properly and ready to protect your web traffic. The VPN is doing its job if it changes the IP address that appears when you surf the web, keeping prying eyes from identifying your traffic. Luckily, testing your VPN only requires a few simple steps:

1. Check that your internet is working.
2. Before you connect your router VPN, find your device’s public IP address and write it down. You can use our What’s My IP Address tool to help you out.
3. Connect your VPN, and make note of the location of the server you chose.
4. Go back to our IP address lookup tool. It should now display a different number and a location that matches the server you chose in your VPN app.
5. Perform a DNS leak test to see if your web traffic and information is exposed when you visit websites.
6. Visit DNSleaktest.com and run their standard test to check for DNS leaks.
7. The test will show you a series of IP addresses and server locations. Scroll down past the addresses and the website will tell you whether or not your personal IP address is accessible.
8. Perform a WebRTC leak test to check if you can see your real, private IP address. If you can see it, all the sites you visit can see it too.
9. Use BrowserLeaks.com’s WebRTC test or similar tools to verify your real IP isn’t exposed.
10. Compare the IP address number the page shows to the one you wrote down before connecting your VPN. They should not match if your VPN is connected.

If you have any WebRTC or DNS leaks, your VPN is either not set up correctly or not a reliable solution, and your data isn’t safe. Try reconnecting, and reach out to the VPN’s support if you continue to run into trouble.

What Is a Router VPN?

When set up on a router, a virtual private network (VPN) protects all traffic on that Wi-Fi network without requiring individual devices to connect to the Your ISP only sees encrypted data flowing to a VPN server. They can’t see which websites you’re visiting or what devices you’re using.

Why Do I Need a VPN Router?

It’s always smart to use a reliable VPN on your devices to protect your personal information. Connecting each device individually can be tedious. This is especially true if you’re like us and have smart home gadgets, streaming devices, and guests constantly joining your network. A router VPN eliminates this hassle while offering these key benefits:

• Your traffic will be safe from the prying eyes of your ISP, snoops, and hackers.
• You can get around certain countries’ internet censorship restrictions.
• Since a router VPN protects traffic across all devices on the network, device limitations do not apply, and any visitors to your network are also protected.
• A router VPN will protect traffic that goes through devices without native VPN support, like gaming consoles and smart TVs.
• You can connect to servers in countries around the world. This is useful if you’d like to change your Netflix region or access content that’s only available in a certain country.

How Does a VPN Work With a Router?

A router VPN works exactly like a regular VPN. Your router acts as the single VPN client for your entire network. When any device connects to your Wi-Fi, its traffic automatically flows through the encrypted VPN tunnel your router has established.

» Learn more: About ISP Throttling

What Are the Pros and Cons of Installing VPN on a Router?

Like everything else in life, router VPNs have pros and cons. Understanding both sides of the equation can help you decide whether a router VPN is the right choice for your security needs.

How to Optimize Your VPN Router

Getting the best performance from your router VPN comes down to smart server selection and proper configuration. VPN encryption requires processing power, which means your router’s CPU can become a bottleneck.

• Choose the closest server to you that your VPN offers.
• If that doesn’t help, test a couple of nearby servers.
• Switch to WireGuard protocol if available. We found it’s faster than OpenVPN while maintaining strong security.
• Consider upgrading to a router with at least a dual-core 1.5GHz processor if you experience slowdowns with multiple devices.

How Do I Know if My Router Is Compatible With VPNs?

The simplest way to find out if your device is compatible with VPNs is to look at the manual or Google the exact model plus “VPN compatible.” Most ISP-provided routers don’t support VPNs due to firmware restrictions. However, you can add a VPN-compatible router to your existing setup by connecting it to your ISP’s modem or gateway device.

Some VPN companies offer co-branded routers, which offer the easiest setup. Currently, these companies include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. These pre-configured routers cost between $200 and $400. The bonus is they save hours of setup time and come with dedicated support. Alternatively, you can pick a router that is compatible with a VPN protocol (most often OpenVPN) and choose from multiple VPN options that work with that protocol. While it’s possible to configure some routers that are not set up for VPN compatibility through a process called “flashing,” this is risky and can fry the router if done incorrectly.

How Do I Choose Which VPN to Use on My Router?

There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing a VPN. We’ve compiled a VPN comparison so you can understand what to look for. When you’re shopping for a router VPN specifically, see what VPN protocol your router works with, and make sure you get that protocol. The most common protocols for routers are OpenVPN and WireGuard. We recommend WireGuard as it offers better speeds for most people.

It’s also worth looking at several different VPNs’ websites to see what level of support and information they provide for connecting to routers. Ideally, the VPN you choose will have specific instructions for connecting to the type of router you own. If you aren’t ready to commit, there are plenty of free VPN trials you can use to make sure the router VPN setup works for you.

When we’re looking for a VPN to use with a router, these are a few things we consider besides compatibility with the device:

• Streaming: Does the VPN allow streaming? Not all do, but we’ve made a list of the best streaming VPNs.
• Privacy: Does the VPN sell or share information with third parties? Always read the privacy policy to see what information it stores; ideally, it should not store your web activity or device IP address.
• Jurisdiction: Is the VPN company based in a country that is part of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or 14 Eyes security alliances? If it is, it may be obligated to share your data with the government.
• Encryption: What encryption standard does the VPN use? Make sure it’s an up-to-date method, like AES-256.
• Location: Make sure the VPN has servers close to you to ensure top speeds.
• Budget: VPNs vary significantly in price, and you often get what you pay for. We recommend signing up for the best VPN that you can fit into your budget. If you’re willing to sign up for a two- or three-year plan, you can get reliable VPN service for just a few dollars a month. If you prefer to pay monthly, you can expect rates ranging from $8 to $12 per month.

Recap

Connecting your router to a VPN provides stable protection across your entire wireless network, no matter what types of devices you connect. However, it’s important to be aware of how your router will work with a VPN as well as the potential downsides of the router VPN approach. Fortunately, the actual process of connecting a compatible router to a VPN is a simple way to keep your data safe.