Troubleshooting VPN Client on Wi-Fi Router Is Not Working
This Article Applies to:
All the Wi-Fi Routers that support VPN Client, such as Archer AX20, Archer AX21, Archer AX90, etc.
Issue Description/Phenomenon:
The Wi-Fi Routers that are being discussed here are the models that support VPN Client, which allows users to connect to a VPN server without the need to install VPN software on each device. If you are unable to connect to a VPN server when trying to configure the VPN client on the TP-Link router, this article provides some suggestions that may help you out.
However, if VPN server on TP-Link router is not working, please follow this thread for troubleshooting: VPN Server Doesn't Work Properly on TP-Link Wi-Fi Routers
Troubleshooting Suggestions & Solution:
Step 1
For OpenVPN, please follow this FAQ How to get configuration files from OpenVPN service providers to get correct configuration file and your VPN service credentials, which is the key to accessing the VPN service.
Step 2
Ensure you can successfully connect to the VPN server using a third-party VPN client software like OpenVPN Connect or OpenVPN or WireGuard App for WireGuard VPN on the local PC/Smartphone. This can ensure the .opvn or .conf file is configured and exported correctly.
For example, If you are trying to connect to NordVPN, please don't use NordVPN App since it doesn't require the .opvn at all.
Note: NordVPN service credentials are different from your NordVPN account credentials, namely your email address and your password. You'll need NordVPN service credentials to connect to the VPN using the manual OpenVPN configuration method in the router.
Step 3
If step 2 is confirmed good, but it still fails to connect to the VPN server when uploading the .opvn file into the TP-Link router, be sure the router's firmware is up-to-date. You can check for the updates on the Tether app or on the router web GUI, or you can download it from the local official website and then install it manually.
Step 4
If it still fails, please check the size of the VPN configuration profile you are trying to upload to the router, and how large that file is. You may download and install the Notepad+ application to delete the useless comment in the profile if that is too large, then try uploading it into the router again.
Step 5
It's also suggested to try TCP protocol on the VPN server if it's currently using UDP, then save the file and upload it into the TP-Link router again to check if that works.
If the VPN connection still fails, please comment below on this topic and be sure to provide the following information:
1. Model number, hardware, and firmware version of your TP-Link Router.
2. What kind of VPN server you are connecting to?
3. What kind of VPN type are you choosing on the TP-Link router, OpenVPN, or PPTP VPN?
4. What kind of VPN Client software you were using on the local PC or phone when it was connecting fine? Please test and make sure you can connect to the server with third-party software, such as OpenVPN Connect for OpenVPN and WireGuard App for WireGuard VPN.
5. Which step did you stuck in, any error message or screenshot?
6. Troubleshooting you've done before, and be sure the .opvn file for OpenVPN or .conf file for WireGuard is included when emailing to support.
Related Articles:
If you are not familiar with the VPN, visit Introduction and Configuration Guide of VPN Function on TP-Link Wireless Routers
If you want to check which model supports the VPN Client, visit Routers supporting the VPN Client.
If you are unable to connect CyberGhost OpenVPN Server, please try Manually create the unified format for OpenVPN profile(CyberGhost OpenVPN Server)
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We have reported the issue to the support engineers, they will likely reach out to you via email to continue to troubleshoot your issue. Please check your email box and confirm.
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Hello I have the Archer ax73 model V1.6 and I am having trouble connecting to my Surfshark VPN client using the VPN client feature. I have it set to openvpn and logins/configuration files have been uploaded but its stuck on "connecting". Please help. Firmware is 1.3.5 Build 20230922 rel.71211(5553)
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Jello98 wrote
Hello I have the Archer ax73 model V1.6 and I am having trouble connecting to my Surfshark VPN client using the VPN client feature. I have it set to openvpn and logins/configuration files have been uploaded but its stuck on "connecting". Please help. Firmware is 1.3.5 Build 20230922 rel.71211(5553)
Hi, please refer to this guide to verify your Surfshark service credentials and the configuration file again:
How to get configuration files from OpenVPN service providers
Then refer to this guide to set up the OpenVPN Client to see if it will work properly: How to set the Surfshark OpenVPN manually on TP-Link Wireless Router
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@Kevin_Z Hi Kevin,
my TP Link router: Archer 1750 C7
FW: 1.2.1 Build 20220715 rel.19099(4555)
HW version: Archer C7 v5.0
I want to install NordVPN to the router, but there is no "VPN Client" section in my routers' menu. Only a "VPN-Server" section. In there, I cannot add any VPN servers or type in my NordVPN credentials? I added a picure of the menu. Also searched for any new FW, but I'm on the latest as it seems.
Any idea how I can get NordVPN running on my C7 please?
Thanks very much in advance
HTR
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HTR1211 wrote
@Kevin_Z Hi Kevin,
my TP Link router: Archer 1750 C7
FW: 1.2.1 Build 20220715 rel.19099(4555)
HW version: Archer C7 v5.0
I want to install NordVPN to the router, but there is no "VPN Client" section in my routers' menu. Only a "VPN-Server" section. In there, I cannot add any VPN servers or type in my NordVPN credentials? I added a picure of the menu. Also searched for any new FW, but I'm on the latest as it seems.
Any idea how I can get NordVPN running on my C7 please?
Thanks very much in advance
HTR
@HTR1211 Archer C7 doesn't support VPN Client, you may refer to the following link for the VPN Client routers:
https://www.tp-link.com/home-networking/wifi-router/?filterby=AND%7C6112
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Hello Kevin,
Recently I bought router for purpose of using always active vpn connection for all devices in my home network.
My problem is simillar to post #72, which am describing below:
1. Model number, hardware, and firmware version of your TP-Link Router.
Firmware Version:
1.2.2 Build 20230927 rel.58345(4555)
Hardware Version:
Archer AX72 v1.0
2. What kind of VPN server you are connecting to?
Custom (my own openvpn server)
3. What kind of VPN type are you choosing on the TP-Link router, OpenVPN, or PPTP VPN?
OpenVPN
4. What kind of VPN Client software you were using on the local PC or phone when it was connecting fine? Please test and make sure you can connect to the server with third-party software, such as OpenVPN Connect for OpenVPN and WireGuard App for WireGuard VPN.
Works fine from android and windows with openvpn connect
5. Which step did you stuck in, any error message or screenshot?
Router is succesfully connected to the vpn server.
But the problem is in routing, i have one more subnet beside the default one that vpn is using.
I pushed route in server config and client config but the router is not picking those routes (this works fine on windows and android).
The VPN default subnet is 10.10.11.x, and i can ping GW and any address fine because route is added when vpn is connected which you can see on 2nd picture.
The subnet am trying to access is 192.168.1.x, which is pushed in client and server config.
If i enable VPN Access in Device List the other subnet becomes available, but the problem seems to be that all traffic is then going thru vpn which i don't want.
This is problematic because i dont have access to the internet and other local wan network (192.168.3.x).
Using internet thru vpn is not an option, because i just need access to two subnets from it.
As mentioned above this picture is showing added routes, which enables me to see marked subnet without adding device to vpn access.
The route that i pushed 192.168.1.0 is not here.
Static route could probably fix my problem but i cant add route to VPN interface because its not available in the list.
Hope you can help, thanks in advance!
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kind reminder
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Hi, please add the following 4 lines on the .ovpn file and configure the OpenVPN Client again:
route 0.0.0.0 192.0.0.0 net_gateway
route 64.0.0.0 192.0.0.0 net_gateway
route 128.0.0.0 192.0.0.0 net_gateway
route 192.0.0.0 192.0.0.0 net_gateway
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Thank you so much!
Didn't know i can do it this way.
I have one more question if you can help me:
So, vpn clients can see each other while connected, considering my router is now 10.10.11.x and not my pc, which is 192.168.0.x, how can other vpn users access my pc by at least one port?
Can i achive this somehow ?
I tried to add port forwarding which could be enough, but i guess it only works for wan and not vpn.
If am not mistaken i need something like ip forwarding on router, on windows or linux ip_forward would do the trick.
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Hi, I'm having problems with my Archer AX55 and Cyberlink router. I have done what is recommended in this post and I have formatted the file according to this guide https://www.tp-link.com/it/support/faq/3338/?fbclid=IwAR1MMMGSYpuUzsJH-70YCsSqScKQu7SZeMspoxW5g3F7py7b3eq9vKs7GC8
I tried with manual configuration on cyberghost both tcp, udp and ipsec
as requested:
1. Archer ax55, hardware v1, and firmware 1.2.6 build 20231130 rel 36135
2.premium servers (both udp and tcp or ipsec)
3. What kind of VPN : OPENVPN
4. CYBERGHOST with starlink as provider
5. always on "connecting" but it won't connect
6. Troubleshooting:I tried both entering the user id and password provided on the manual cyberghost configuration (not my personal userid and pass for cyberghost) and without. Either with the ca file formatted on the OVPN or inserted separately together with the OVPN in the router screen...
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