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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tp-link support helped me. CyberGhost's OpenVPN didn't work. Removing "ncp-disable" line from the config file helped.
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Hello,
My brother has a AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Router and he configured the VPN Server with PPTP
I can access his VPN Server from Windows PC and from Android tablet without any problem
I have a AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 Router and I configured the Client VPN to acces my brother's VPN and I added 2 devices to use the VPN connection
When I enable VPN access for Dani-PC, I can't access webpages anymore from my PC.
If I try to ping by names, I cannot resolve the IP address
If I know the IP address the ping respond fine.
I suspect this is a DNS issue but I don't know how to solve it.
I added to my Network Adapter IPv4 Internet Protocol alternate DNS 10.0.0.10 and 8.8.8.8
I also added 192.168.1.1 as DNS but none of this attempts solve the issue.
When I enable VPN Access to a device, that device cannot access the internet anymore. When I disable VPN Access, everything works fine.
The firmware is up to date
Can you assist me please?
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Hi, to assist you efficiently, I've forwarded your case to the TP-Link support engineers who will contact you with your registered email address later. Please pay attention to your email box for follow-up.
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I am trying to connect the Archer AX55 with Nord VPN, the firmware is up to date, upload of the ovpn file went well (its a 3kb file), but the status of the VPN in the TP Link webpage settings is all the time in Connecting and never gets connected
I triple checked the password, username, does not work
Any ideas
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Hi, if you use OpenVPN Connect software on your client device directly and use the same username and password along with the same .ovpn file, does it connect the NordVPN successfully?
Please note that the username and password you should use on the router or OpenVPN Connect software is different from that used on NordVPN App, the NordVPN App requires your account ID and password which is different from your username and password.
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@Sunshine thanks
I do not have Open VPN Connect software (maybe I should ?)
I have Nord VPN subscription, I have a TP Link AX55 router, followed the instructions from both TP Link (and Nord VPN) . I used the OpenVPN type from the Dropdown menu, entered my NordVPN pass and username (altthough it states optional)....
Uploaded the ovpn fron Nord VPN
Let me know if that makes sense
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Nick_1978 wrote
@Sunshine thanks
I do not have Open VPN Connect software (maybe I should ?)
I have Nord VPN subscription, I have a TP Link AX55 router, followed the instructions from both TP Link (and Nord VPN) . I used the OpenVPN type from the Dropdown menu, entered my NordVPN pass and username (altthough it states optional)....
Uploaded the ovpn fron Nord VPN
Let me know if that makes sense
Hi, please install OpenVPN Connect on your client device to test if the same username and password along with the .ovpn file works or not, which is quite important.
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Hi, I can connect to the VPN server but the devices I add connect normally, as if there's no VPN set up.
I've tried disabling wifi on the devices and re-enabling but same thing.
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@Sunshine because the IP address on the connected devices is my regular public IP not the IP of the VPN server. Also, i can't access things i would be able to if connected through a VPN
UPDATE: I found beta firmware for my router (Archer AX55 v1.0) and now the VPN is working.
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