Stuck on Connecting

 

Hi @Kevin_Z 

 

I have problem when connecting to Cloudflare Wireguard using VPN Client Feature, the status just keep Connecting.

Here's the details:

 

1. Model number, hardware, and firmware version of your TP-Link Router.
Archer AX10 v3.0
1.0.8 Build 20240910 rel.37547(5553)

2. What kind of VPN server you are connecting to?

Cloudflare Wireguard

3. What kind of VPN type are you choosing on the TP-Link router, OpenVPN, or PPTP VPN?

Wireguard

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.

Using Wireguard App on my macOS, and it's tested and connecting fine.

5. Which step did you stuck in, any error message or screenshot?

Status stuck on Connecting, screenshot attached.

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.

Just to ensure the conf file is correct by testing it using Wireguard App.

  @Kevin_Z Hi, 
My just recently purchased TP-Link Archer AX73 Ver:2.0 (AX5400 WiFi 6) always stays on "connecting" while attempting to start VPN.

 

My VPN Server is CyberGhost now, but I could change to NordVPN if I should.

 

The ovpn file produced by CyberGhost had some issues which I managed to resolve (mostly following thread advices) and I can use the ovpn file from OpenVPN Connect windows client to properly connect (tested with IP, everything works great).

 

Firmware Version: 1.1.1 Build 20241031 rel.70279(4555)

I use OpenVPN protocol to connect.

 

Till now I have tried everything, including the openssl pkey -in client.key -out newkey.key command, which by the way I dont think it worked as both source (in) and produced (out) key files are identical. Unless I didnt use the toll right, as I had no previous experience on that.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

 

 

Hello

My VPN client stays in Connecting mode.

TP-Link Router Details:

Model: BE9300

Firmware Version: 1.1.2 Build 20250317 rel.18331(4555)

Hardware Version: Archer BE550 v1.0

VPN Connection Details:

Type of VPN Server: Private (Diskstation)

VPN Protocol Configured on the TP-Link Router: OpenVPN

VPN Client Software Used on PC or Phone: OpenVPN Connect

There is no error message displayed, only "Connecting" 

 

We have performed the following tests:

Verified that our .ovpn file works by testing it with the OpenVPN Connect software.

Updated the TP-Link router to the latest firmware version

Edited the .ovpn file to remove unnecessary comments and reduce its size to 4 kB

Modified our VPN server settings to switch the protocol to TCP

 

Can you help ?

 

Regards

***EDIT***

The support told me to removing the allow-compression instruction. Now it is working. Here is my ovpn file : 

 

client
dev tun
proto udp
remote **redacted** 1155
resolv-retry infinite
nobind
persist-key
persist-tun
tls-client

remote-cert-tls server
cipher AES-256-GCM
redirect-gateway def1
auth-user-pass

<ca>
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
**redacted**
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
**redacted**
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
</ca>

 

Hi  @Joseph-TP 

 

How can I follow up on this case?
Since no one has been able to contact me

 

Best regards,

  @Kevin_Z 

 

 

Good afternoon,

We are unable to establish a connection to our private VPN server using a TP-Link router. We have several routers from different brands that connect to our VPN without issues, but we have not been successful with the recently acquired TP-Link router.

We followed this guide: https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/270268?sortDir=DESC&page=1

VPN Client on Wi-Fi Router Is Not Working - Home Network Community 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, w community.tp-link.com

We have performed the following tests:

• Verified that our .ovpn file works by testing it with the OpenVPN Connect software.

• Updated the TP-Link router to the latest firmware version, as the previous version did not include the VPN Client option.

• Edited the .ovpn file to remove unnecessary comments and reduce its size.

• Modified our VPN server settings to switch the protocol from UDP to TCP, but the issue persists.

We appreciate your assistance in resolving this issue. Below is the requested information according to the guide:

TP-Link Router Details:

• Model: Archer AX73

• Firmware Version: 1.3.6 Build 20240325 rel.39241(5553)

• Hardware Version: Archer AX73 v1.0

VPN Connection Details:

• Type of VPN Server: Private

• VPN Protocol Configured on the TP-Link Router: OpenVPN

• VPN Client Software Used on PC or Phone: OpenVPN Connect

There is no error message displayed, and in the Status section of the router, the connection appears as established. However, there is no response from the server:

In the Routing section, the assigned IP address is displayed correctly:

 

Troubleshooting Steps Taken:

We have tested various configurations and modifications on the VPN server, but the issue remains unresolved.

Attached is the structure of the .ovpn file used:

client

dev tun

proto tcp

remote xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx 1194

resolv-retry infinite

nobind

user nobody

group nogroup

persist-key

persist-tun

remote-cert-tls server

cipher AES-256-GCM

auth SHA256

key-direction 1

verb 3

<ca>

-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----

 

-----END CERTIFICATE-----

</ca>

<cert>

-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----

 

-----END CERTIFICATE-----

</cert>

<key>

-----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY-----

 

-----END PRIVATE KEY-----

</key>

<tls-crypt>

-----BEGIN OpenVPN Static key V1-----

 

-----END OpenVPN Static key V1-----

</tls-crypt>

Could you please advise on what additional configuration or settings we should enable on the router to resolve this issue?

We look forward to your response.

 

  @Kevin_Z 

 

I have just purchased an Archer VX1800v and can't get it to connect to a NordVPN OpenVPN config.

 

• I've tried connecting to a UDP and TCP server that connects fine through the Nord app (Windows). 
• I've looked in the OpenVPN config file and I don't have any <key></key> sections as mentioned in the accepted response above. 
• When I try to connect using the OpenVPN Connect client, I get the following error message:

• Which I can get around by commenting out the offending ping-timer-rem command from the ovpn file as below, but I'm unable to get this to work on the tp-link device:

 

• The system log doesn't show me (not a network engineer) anything erroneous about the VPN connections. 

BBA Platform version:3.1.8-rc17
2016-01-01 00:00:51 [5] DHCPD: Recv REQUEST from 9E:23:81:A1:5E:4D
2016-01-01 00:00:52 [5] DHCPD: Recv REQUEST from 9E:23:81:A1:5E:4D
2016-01-01 00:00:53 [5] DHCPD: Recv DISCOVER from 28:8E:EC:AC:B7:A4
2016-01-01 00:00:53 [5] DHCPD: Send OFFER with ip 192.168.1.100
2016-01-01 00:00:54 [5] DHCPD: Recv REQUEST from 9E:23:81:A1:5E:4D
2016-01-01 00:00:54 [5] DHCPD: Send ACK to 192.168.1.104
2016-01-01 00:01:00 [4] IGMP: V2 igmp router occured! Not matching ours V3.
2016-01-01 00:01:00 [5] System: Enable IPv4 SPI Firewall
2016-01-01 00:01:00 [5] System: Enable IPv6 SPI Firewall
2016-01-01 00:01:01 [5] DHCPD: Recv DISCOVER from 00:13:43:4C:CE:21
2016-01-01 00:01:01 [5] DHCPD: Send OFFER with ip 192.168.1.101
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [PADT Host-Uniq(0x00000d7a) Session-Id(0x00005657)]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [Termination Host-Uniq(0x00000d7a) Session-Id(0x00005657)]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [PADI Host-Uniq(0x00000d7a)]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd  [PADO PeerMac(a0-b4-39-4b-c5-d4)]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [PADR Host-Uniq(0x00000d7a)]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd  [PADS SessionID(0x6ce9)]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x1 <mru 1480> <magic 0xa14d43c5>]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [LCP ConfReq id=0x1 <mru 1492> <auth pap> <magic 0xd98c07ec>]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [LCP ConfAck id=0x1 <mru 1492> <auth pap> <magic 0xd98c07ec>]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [LCP ConfNak id=0x1 <mru 1492>]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x2 <mru 1492> <magic 0xa14d43c5>]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [LCP ConfAck id=0x2 <mru 1492> <magic 0xa14d43c5>]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [LCP EchoReq id=0x0 magic=0xa14d43c5]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [PAP AuthReq id=0x1 user="holdingabird" password=<hidden>]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [LCP EchoRep id=0x0 magic=0xd98c07ec]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [PAP AuthAck id=0x1 ""]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x1 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns2 0.0.0.0>]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [LCP TermReq id=0x2]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [3] PPP: ppp0 LCP down
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [4] PPP: ppp0 LCP down
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [LCP TermAck id=0x2]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [IPCP ConfReq id=0x1 <addr 10.20.22.63>]
2016-01-01 00:01:09 [3] PPP: ppp0 
2016-01-01 00:01:11 [5] DHCPD: Recv REQUEST from E4:C7:67:CF:15:B1
2016-01-01 00:01:11 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : 9E:23:81:A1:5E:4D

2016-01-01 00:01:11 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : 50:57:9C:29:72:2D

2016-01-01 00:01:11 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : 28:8E:EC:AC:B7:A4

2016-01-01 00:01:11 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : 00:13:43:4C:CE:21

2016-01-01 00:01:11 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : 94:9F:3E:0E:50:36

2016-01-01 00:01:11 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : E4:C7:67:CF:15:B1

2016-01-01 00:01:12 [5] DHCPD: Recv REQUEST from E4:C7:67:CF:15:B1
2016-01-01 00:01:12 [5] DHCPD: Send ACK to 192.168.1.111
2016-01-01 00:01:18 [5] Mesh: Del Client : MAC : 28:8E:EC:AC:B7:A4

2016-01-01 00:01:18 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : 28:8E:EC:AC:B7:A4

2016-01-01 00:01:27 [5] Mesh: Del Client : MAC : E4:C7:67:CF:15:B1

2016-01-01 00:01:28 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : E4:C7:67:CF:15:B1

2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [PADT Host-Uniq(0x00000e1a) Session-Id(0x00005657)]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [Termination Host-Uniq(0x00000e1a) Session-Id(0x00005657)]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [PADI Host-Uniq(0x00000e1a)]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd  [PADO PeerMac(4c-e1-75-e6-d3-d4)]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [PADR Host-Uniq(0x00000e1a)]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd  [PADS SessionID(0x574f)]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x1 <mru 1480> <magic 0x4e2e4821>]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [LCP ConfReq id=0x1 <mru 1492> <auth pap> <magic 0x1b1dad2>]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [LCP ConfAck id=0x1 <mru 1492> <auth pap> <magic 0x1b1dad2>]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [LCP ConfNak id=0x1 <mru 1492>]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [LCP ConfReq id=0x2 <mru 1492> <magic 0x4e2e4821>]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [LCP ConfAck id=0x2 <mru 1492> <magic 0x4e2e4821>]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [LCP EchoReq id=0x0 magic=0x4e2e4821]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [PAP AuthReq id=0x1 user="holdingabird" password=<hidden>]
2016-01-01 00:01:29 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [LCP EchoRep id=0x0 magic=0x1b1dad2]
2016-01-01 00:01:30 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [PAP AuthAck id=0x1 ""]
2016-01-01 00:01:30 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x1 <addr 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns1 0.0.0.0> <ms-dns2 0.0.0.0>]
2016-01-01 00:01:30 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [IPCP ConfReq id=0x1 <addr 10.20.21.17>]
2016-01-01 00:01:30 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [IPCP ConfAck id=0x1 <addr 10.20.21.17>]
2016-01-01 00:01:30 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [IPCP ConfNak id=0x1 <addr 194.223.22.14> <ms-dns1 203.12.160.35> <ms-dns2 203.12.160.36>]
2016-01-01 00:01:30 [6] PPP: ppp0 sent [IPCP ConfReq id=0x2 <addr 194.223.22.14> <ms-dns1 203.12.160.35> <ms-dns2 203.12.160.36>]
2016-01-01 00:01:30 [6] PPP: ppp0 rcvd [IPCP ConfAck id=0x2 <addr 194.223.22.14> <ms-dns1 203.12.160.35> <ms-dns2 203.12.160.36>]
2016-01-01 00:01:31 [5] VoIP: enable SIP stack due to intf(194.223.22.14) is up.
2016-01-01 00:01:31 [5] VoIP: enable SIP stack due to intf(194.223.22.14) is up.
2016-01-01 00:01:34 [5] DHCPD: Recv REQUEST from C8:34:8E:77:F1:63
2016-01-01 00:01:34 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : C8:34:8E:77:F1:63

2016-01-01 00:01:35 [5] DHCPD: Recv REQUEST from C8:34:8E:77:F1:63
2016-01-01 00:01:35 [5] DHCPD: Send ACK to 192.168.1.109
2025-02-09 14:01:15 [5] Mesh: Del Client : MAC : E4:C7:67:CF:15:B1

2025-02-09 14:01:20 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : E4:C7:67:CF:15:B1

2025-02-09 14:01:34 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : EA:F8:03:1D:0A:66

2025-02-09 14:01:34 [5] DHCPD: Recv REQUEST from EA:F8:03:1D:0A:66
2025-02-09 14:01:34 [5] DHCPD: REQUEST ip c0a80168 already reserved by 9E:23:81:A1:5E:4D
2025-02-09 14:01:34 [5] DHCPD: Send NAK
2025-02-09 14:01:36 [5] DHCPD: Recv REQUEST from EA:F8:03:1D:0A:66
2025-02-09 14:01:36 [5] DHCPD: REQUEST ip c0a80168 already reserved by 9E:23:81:A1:5E:4D
2025-02-09 14:01:36 [5] DHCPD: Send NAK
2025-02-09 14:01:36 [5] DHCPD: Recv DISCOVER from EA:F8:03:1D:0A:66
2025-02-09 14:01:36 [5] DHCPD: Send OFFER with ip 192.168.1.102
2025-02-09 14:01:50 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : 86:EF:08:6B:13:9C

2025-02-09 14:01:52 [5] DHCPD: Recv REQUEST from 86:EF:08:6B:13:9C
2025-02-09 14:01:54 [5] DHCPD: Recv REQUEST from 86:EF:08:6B:13:9C
2025-02-09 14:01:54 [5] DHCPD: Send ACK to 192.168.1.115
2025-02-09 14:02:10 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : F0:EF:86:01:A8:78

2025-02-09 14:02:14 [5] Mesh: Del Client : MAC : F0:EF:86:01:A8:78

2025-02-09 14:09:04 [5] Mesh: Del Client : MAC : 00:13:43:4C:CE:21

2025-02-09 14:20:59 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : B6:E4:8D:2B:79:C8

2025-02-09 14:21:01 [5] DHCPD: Recv DISCOVER from B6:E4:8D:2B:79:C8
2025-02-09 14:21:01 [5] DHCPD: Send OFFER with ip 192.168.1.103
2025-02-09 14:23:11 [5] Mesh: Success Add Client : MAC : 74:84:69:92:D5:99

2025-02-09 14:23:11 [5] DHCPD: Recv DISCOVER from 74:84:69:92:D5:99
2025-02-09 14:23:11 [5] DHCPD: Send OFFER with ip 192.168.1.105
2025-02-09 14:23:19 [5] Mesh: Del Client : MAC : 74:84:69:92:D5:99

 

• System settings are as follows...

Firmware Version: 0.13.0 2.0.0 v6092.0 Build 240925 Rel.11089n 

Hardware Version: Archer VX1800v v1.0 00000000

 

• This is the contents of the OpenVPN file (redacted):

client
dev tun
proto udp
remote 144.48.38.163 1194
resolv-retry infinite
remote-random
nobind
tun-mtu 1500
tun-mtu-extra 32
mssfix 1450
persist-key
persist-tun
ping 15
ping-restart 0
#ping-timer-rem
reneg-sec 0
comp-lzo no
verify-x509-name CN=au761.nordvpn.com

remote-cert-tls server

auth-user-pass
verb 3
pull
fast-io
cipher AES-256-CBC
auth SHA512
<ca>
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
<<<<I don't know much, but I'm pretty certain I should't be posting this on the internet>>>>
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
</ca>
key-direction 1
<tls-auth>
#
# 2048 bit OpenVPN static key
#
-----BEGIN OpenVPN Static key V1-----
<<<<I don't know much, but I'm pretty certain I should't be posting this on the internet>>>>
-----END OpenVPN Static key V1-----
</tls-auth>

 

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!