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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yes done all that. Got and filled "service" credentials and not the account credentials. Tried ovpn files for different servers. Tried tcp as well as udp. The express vpn connects but not the nord vpn?????????
tried uploading ovpn from laptop as well as mobile. No luck. Did the same to try express vpn. That works fine. Odd????
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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.
You could refer to this guide to find the NordVPN service credentials and also configuration files: How to get configuration files from OpenVPN service providers
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Hi, we would like to escalate your case to the support engineers, and they will help follow it up, if you are willing to do further analysis, please check your inbox and respond.
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Hi
AXE75 version 1.0
Nord vpn not connecting. Tries uploading different server configuration files . No luck. Firmware: 1.1.9 build 20231115
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1)May I know if both IPv4 and IPv6 were enabled when you had the VPN client issue on the AX55?
Yes, IPv4 and IPv6 were both enabled
2)At that time, if you use OpenVPN client software on your phone or computer directly with IPv6 as well, were you able to connect the same cyberghost VPN?
Yes, I managed to connect BUT after the problem I tested the connection (with ipv4 and ipv6 activated and cyberghost on the PC) with ipleak: my IP was not hidden. Cyberghost does not handle IPv6
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Hi, thanks a lot for the update and glad to hear that you've solved the problem by disabling IPv6.
May I know if both IPv4 and IPv6 were enabled when you had the VPN client issue on the AX55? At that time, if you use OpenVPN client software on your phone or computer directly with IPv6 as well, were you able to connect the same cyberghost VPN?
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Turns out IPv6 was disabled, and turns out the router is AX5400 , not 7800, its the other router.
and
both IPv6 is disabled and the latest Firmware is installed, and it still can't connect to the internet the VPN, it is the router but I can't figure out WHY.
I have ensured Trigger port 1194 is allowed in case in the NAT and I have gone over every settings, I my routing table is
Network Destination Subnet Mask Gateway Interface
0.0.0.0
0.0.0.0
192.168.101.1
WAN
192.168.0.1
255.255.255.0
0.0.0.0
LAN
192.168.101.0
255.255.255.0
0.0.0.0
WAN
I have checked everything, even the private VPN server log shows no incoming entry from the router, and when I check the router system log no mention of the attempt to enable "Connect" on the vpn, this is the second time I purchase something from TP Link that has to have some implications.
I have verified through various appliances on the network they all connect fine, phones, laptops, ipads it all connects fine so its not a network issue. Why would the router not be able to go from "Connecting" to "Connected" state when importing the .ovpn, keep in mind I already tested my paid for VPN ExpressVPN .ovpn file, both are just Connecting.
Firmware Version:
1.0.12 Build 20231023 rel.42641(5553)
Hardware Version:
Archer AX73 v2.0
Firmware is the following above, any help would be appreciated here because usually after debugging for this long it is usually not something I can just resolve, Im starting to think its the router.
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@Federic0 Thanks for this, Im gonna go give that a try as well, been stuck at this "Connecting..." and tried everything as my reply above yours suggests, since you resolved yours with disabling IPv6 it could suggest that the router defaults to IPv6 if its ON, and your ISP is not supporting IPv6 and it may be disabled on the OpenVPN server. With that said, fingers crossed this is the issue.
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