FIX: VPN not working with Asus router (5 tested solutions)
- If you have an Asus router that refuses to work with VPN connections, we're here to help. Discover our quick-fix guide below.
- Make sure to update your router firmware to the newest version and make an exception for your VPN service in the firewall, among other solutions.
- Check out our Router guides to fix various router-related problems.
- Join our VPN Troubleshooting Hub for more VPN issues.
Some users have reported that their VPN is not working with their Asus router. This problem seems to apply to a wide range of Asus routers, both old and new.
Encountering this issue when you need access to the Internet is extremely annoying, especially if it worked fine until that moment.
But you can easily resolve it, no matter what router you have, by following our instructions below.
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What to do if VPN doesn’t work with Asus router?
Check and update your Asus router firmware to the latest version
- Open a web browser and go to router.asus.com (available for Asus routers)
- Log in to the Asus control panel
- Go to Administration > System
- Select Check to find out if there are any updates available
- Click on Firmware Upgrade
- Wait for the process to complete
- Power off your router for 30 seconds
- Check if your VPN connection works
It’s critical to keep your firmware updated to the latest version, whether we’re talking about Asus or any other kind of router.
Add an exception in the system firewall
- Press the Start button, type firewall, and click Firewall & network protection
- Click Allow an app through firewall
- Click Change settings (you need admin rights)
- Locate your VPN app on this list.
- Enable the Private and Public options for your VPN
- If your VPN isn’t here, click Allow another app to find it
These instructions ensure that your system firewall doesn’t block VPN traffic. It should help fix VPN connection issues, but the solution isn’t dependent on the router.
Check if your antivirus is blocking VPN traffic
If you have another anti-malware installed besides Windows Defender, then it might be blocking your VPN application.
In this case, all you have to do is add your VPN service to the whitelist of your antivirus solution to ensure that it won’t get blocked again.
Use a reliable VPN client
If you’re looking for a VPN solution to secure your online privacy and protect your home network from eavesdroppers, we suggest opting for a premium VPN service like Private Internet Access.
You can install PIA on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and even Asus routers. If your Asus firmware supports OpenVPN, you can use PIA in manual configuration mode to install the VPN at the router level.
Plus, PIA has an exclusive DNS resolver that fixes any DNS-related. It also comes with a kill switch and a built-in malware blocker for web browsers.
More about PIA:
- Supports OpenVPN and WireGuard
- No identifying logs
- 10 simultaneous device connections
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee (no free trial)
Private Internet Access
Use this premium VPN to install OpenVPN directly on your Asus router and avoid connectivity issues.
Allow VPN passthrough on your Asus router
- Using a web browser, access your Asus router panel at 192.168.1.1
- Log in with your credentials (default is admin for username and password)
- Go to Advanced Settings > WAN > NAT Passthrough
- Depending on which VPN protocol you use, enable PPTP Passthrough, L2TP Passthrough, or IPsec Passthrough
- Click Apply
Your VPN connection will not work on your Asus router unless you enable NAT Passthrough, depending on which VPN protocol you use to establish the connection (PPTP, L2TP, and IPsec only).
But you shouldn’t enable passthrough for all protocols if you won’t use them. It will only expose your home network to security risks, making it one of the few risks of using a VPN on a router.
Conclusion
To sum up, if your VPN connection gets blocked by your router, whether it’s Asus or something else, then you can update your router firmware to the newest edition and make an exception for your VPN service in the firewall.
You can also check if your anti-malware solution is blocking VPN traffic, as well as enable VPN passthrough at the router level.
But we also recommend using a reliable VPN service like Private Internet Access (buy here) because it’s less likely to cause VPN connectivity issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, Asus is one of the best brands as far as VPN routers are concerned. It has ASUSWRT as the default firmware, which supports VPN server connections in PPTP, L2TP, and IPsec. But you can replace it with Asuswrt-Merlin third-party firmware, which supports VPN client mode.
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Your Asus router firmware must support VPN client mode if you want to use NordVPN or any other premium VPN service. Asuswrt-Merlin is a good example. You simply enter your NordVPN login credentials and server information in the VPN section of your router’s admin panel.
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No, Asus routers don’t update automatically. You have to allow firmware updates manually after accessing the router admin panel.
