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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Hi, thank you very much for the update, you mentioned that you are in contact with our senior engineer, thus I've checked with the senior engineer and confirmed that he will continue to follow up on your case.
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Just a quick update:
I was able to get some limited success. If I delete the "port 1194" and "allow-compression" I get a connection.
The strange thing is that the VPN connection only works with WiFi 6E (6ghz) (only my phone has WiFi 6E)
The L2TP/IPsec still doesn't connect (only connecting)
L2TP/IPsec connects just file if I use the Win11 connection on my laptop.
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Jose8946 wrote
Router:AXE5400
Trying to use as a vpn client and it is stuck on connecting.
ovpn file does not have encrypted key and starts with -----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY-----
Any help here?
Hi, please ensure you've followed the steps in the original post, if the problem still exists now, please 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? like NordVPN or others
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. Troubleshooting you've done before
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@Kevin_Z ooh, so this is how to use this VPN for PT Link, I've searched everywhere and can't find it and I managed to find a solution, thank you 
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@danoffline since there is no line ENCRYPTED in the key its not same issue as mine but if u scroll few posts u can see my replies to another where i show a functioning .ovpn for me that had otherwise had issues with TP Link.. and few posts up is a support email for TP Link.. thry sorted me by inspecting my ovpn and in my case it was the encrypted passkey phrase.. check my ovpn and do a duplicate of urs.. remove some commands and match and try with ur data instead see if u can get it to connect..
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@SteiniPe Private
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@SteiniPe Thanks for all your time and help. I have been in contact with Noah for more than a week and he is doing his best. I've tried installing some beta firmware he sent but still can't get any better results.
There are two (2) things that seem strange.
1) I get the same results when I try to use L2TP/IPSsec protocol.
2) When I remove compression it will say connected but it's not and I get a ? saying server: null and dns:10.80.0.1
All of the generated .ovpn files work with the OPVNClient.
I've sent log files from both the OPVNClient and TPLink (adding "log-append /tmp/smb/G/log.txt" will generate a log to the usb drive) file.
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@MrHalfpint Have you tried contacting the support, I know they want to "raise a ticket" sometimes but maybe you could reach out to them, Guy named Noah Wng (Get it, this forum doesnt allow me to spell his name with a "a" because its profanity ;D) sorted me through email support.forum@tp-link.com, im not sure if you are allowed to contact noah directly as I have his email from that ticket as he was CC'd, but if you reach out to them raise a ticket about this forum post, provide them with the details they may be able to help. Just make sure to include the "openVPN configuration file" without IP and Port, he can verify your options if they require fixing.
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@danoffline Your <Key> does it start with BEGIN PRIVATE KEY or BEGIN ENCRYPTED PRIVATE KEY
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