After firmware update AX5400 will not connect to my VPN - stuck in "connecting"

After firmware update AX5400 will not connect to my VPN - stuck in "connecting"

After firmware update AX5400 will not connect to my VPN - stuck in "connecting"
After firmware update AX5400 will not connect to my VPN - stuck in "connecting"
2026-05-07 02:49:47 - last edited 2026-05-08 02:29:10
Model: Archer AX72 Pro  
Hardware Version: V1
Firmware Version: 1.4.6 Build 20260112 rel.66206(5553)

I had a firmware update this afternoon and now my router will no longer connect to my VPN.
I bought this router specifically for the VPN connection it offers. This is a BIG issue.
I need it fixed ASAP. Please HELP
 

.

  0      
0
#1
Options
1 Accepted Solution
Re:After firmware update AX5400 will not connect to my VPN - stuck in "connecting"-Solution
2026-05-07 03:06:01 - last edited 2026-05-08 02:29:10

  @ceo1968 
If anyone has this issue - delete and set up the connection in your client list. Do the manual connection if you use a dedicated IP address. 
 

Recommended Solution
  1  
1
#2
Options
5 Reply
Re:After firmware update AX5400 will not connect to my VPN - stuck in "connecting"-Solution
2026-05-07 03:06:01 - last edited 2026-05-08 02:29:10

  @ceo1968 
If anyone has this issue - delete and set up the connection in your client list. Do the manual connection if you use a dedicated IP address. 
 

Recommended Solution
  1  
1
#2
Options
Re:After firmware update AX5400 will not connect to my VPN - stuck in "connecting"
3 weeks ago - last edited 3 weeks ago

  @ceo1968 I too am having this issue. So far I've tried the following, all without success:

  • Deleted the client + server list and recreating them
  • Added brand new VPN server details (different to the original)
  • Completed a full factory reset of my router and set up everything from scratch
  • Made sure that time is being syncronized with internet (as recommended on TP Link help pages)

 

Has anyone else managed to resolve this issue? I'm located in Australia for what it's worth in case the update was different for my location.

  0  
0
#3
Options
Re:After firmware update AX5400 will not connect to my VPN - stuck in "connecting"
a week ago

  @ceo1968 Same problem.  No solutions are working.  

 

Recreated everything and still have the same problem.

 

AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router

Archer AX73 v2.0
1.3.1 Build 20260430 rel.48448(5553)

  0  
0
#4
Options
Re:After firmware update AX5400 will not connect to my VPN - stuck in "connecting"
a week ago

@ceo1968 I ended up going back and forth with TP Link support several times and eventually found a solution after they went through the error logs on my router. This has now fixed the eternal "connecting" issue.

 

Support recognised that this is a consistent issue and that engineers are working to fix it from a firmware level, so hopefully this fix won't be needed in the future. In the mean time, see below their workaround:
 
Resolution / Workaround (Manual File Edit):
For many users, this issue can be resolved by manually editing the .ovpn configuration file:
Open the .ovpn file on your computer using a standard text editor (e.g., Notepad).
Locate any lines that contain two consecutive hash symbols (##) with a line break between them.
Delete these lines entirely.
Save the file and re-import it into the router's OpenVPN settings.
 
Please give this file modification a try on your profiles, delete the old entries from the dashboard, and see if it successfully clears the "Connecting" hang.
 
For me, this fix worked. 

 

  0  
0
#5
Options
Re:After firmware update AX5400 will not connect to my VPN - stuck in "connecting"
Thursday - last edited Thursday

That worked! All of their downloads are broken right now becuase of this. Its these lines that you need to delete. Makes the field for the static key on the router settings invalid. 

 

#
# 2048 bit OpenVPN static key
#

  0  
0
#6
Options