How to Set Up a VPN on Your Router: Complete UK Guide

Why Install a VPN on Your Router?

The primary advantage of a router-level VPN is blanket coverage. Every device that connects to your WiFi network automatically receives VPN protection, including devices that do not support VPN applications natively. Smart TVs, games consoles, IoT devices like smart speakers and security cameras, and even guest devices all benefit from the encrypted connection without any additional configuration.

A router VPN also counts as a single connection against your VPN provider’s simultaneous device limit. Most VPN subscriptions allow five to eight simultaneous connections. In a busy UK household with multiple smartphones, laptops, tablets, and streaming devices, you can easily exceed this limit. By running the VPN on your router, the provider sees only one connection regardless of how many devices are connected behind it.

There is also a convenience factor. Once the router is configured, the VPN runs continuously without anyone needing to remember to connect. Family members who might not understand VPN technology or children who should not be browsing without protection are all covered automatically. It is a set-and-forget solution that provides peace of mind.

Compatible UK Routers

Not all routers support VPN client functionality, and this is an important distinction to understand before you begin. The router provided by your ISP, such as the BT Smart Hub, Sky Q Hub, or Virgin Media Hub, almost certainly does not support VPN client installation. These ISP-supplied routers use locked-down firmware that prevents users from adding VPN configurations. You can still use them alongside a VPN-capable router by connecting the VPN router to the ISP router in bridge mode or as a secondary access point.

ASUS routers are the most VPN-friendly consumer routers available in the UK. Models like the ASUS RT-AX86U and RT-AX88U come with built-in VPN client support in their stock firmware. You can configure OpenVPN or WireGuard directly through the ASUS web interface without flashing any custom firmware. This makes ASUS the recommended brand for anyone who wants a straightforward setup experience.

TP-Link and Netgear routers are also popular in the UK but generally require custom firmware to support VPN clients. Higher-end TP-Link models with OpenWrt support and Netgear Nighthawk routers that are compatible with DD-WRT firmware are viable options. Linksys routers, particularly the WRT series, were specifically designed with open-source firmware compatibility in mind and are excellent choices for DD-WRT or OpenWrt installations.

Step-by-Step Router VPN Setup

The exact steps vary depending on your router and VPN provider, but the general process follows a consistent pattern. Before you begin, ensure you have your VPN provider’s OpenVPN configuration files or WireGuard configuration details, which are typically available in your account dashboard on the provider’s website.

First, log in to your router’s administration panel. This is usually accessible by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into your web browser. For ASUS routers, the default address is typically router.asus.com. Enter your administrator username and password. If you have never changed these, check the sticker on the bottom of your router for the defaults.

For ASUS routers with stock firmware, navigate to VPN in the left sidebar, then select the VPN Client tab. Click Add Profile, choose OpenVPN, and upload the configuration file from your VPN provider. Enter your VPN username and password, then click OK and Activate. The router will connect to the VPN server, and all traffic will be encrypted within moments.

For routers running DD-WRT firmware, the process involves navigating to Services, then VPN. Enable the OpenVPN Client and paste the contents of your configuration file into the appropriate fields. DD-WRT separates the server address, port, certificate authority, client certificate, and client key into individual fields, so you will need to extract these from the configuration file. Apply the settings and check the Status tab to confirm the connection is active.

If you prefer WireGuard for its speed advantages, ASUS routers with the latest Merlin firmware support WireGuard natively. Navigate to VPN, select WireGuard, and enter the configuration details provided by your VPN service. WireGuard connections establish almost instantly and generally provide better throughput than OpenVPN on router hardware.

VPN Providers with Router Support

Not all VPN providers make router setup equally easy. ExpressVPN stands out with its dedicated router firmware called ExpressVPN Aircove. This custom firmware can be installed on select routers and provides a full graphical interface for managing VPN connections, splitting traffic by device, and switching server locations, all from a user-friendly dashboard that feels just like using the desktop app. ExpressVPN also sells pre-configured routers for those who want a plug-and-play experience.

NordVPN provides detailed setup guides for dozens of router models and offers OpenVPN and WireGuard configuration files that work with ASUS, DD-WRT, Tomato, and OpenWrt routers. Their customer support team is trained to assist with router configurations, which is helpful for users who are not comfortable with advanced networking settings.

Surfshark, Private Internet Access, and IPVanish all offer router support as well, though the quality of documentation and ease of setup varies. When evaluating providers for router use, prioritise those with comprehensive setup guides, responsive customer support, and configuration files that are easy to locate in your account dashboard. Our comparison tool highlights which providers offer the best router support.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

The most common issue after setting up a router VPN is a noticeable drop in internet speed. Consumer routers have limited processing power compared to dedicated computers, and encrypting all network traffic places significant demands on the router’s CPU. If your speeds drop below acceptable levels, try switching to a server closer to your location, using WireGuard instead of OpenVPN where possible, or upgrading to a router with a more powerful processor.

DNS leaks are another common problem. Even with the VPN connected, your router may still use your ISP’s DNS servers, which means your ISP can see which domains you are visiting despite the VPN tunnel. To prevent this, manually set your router’s DNS servers to your VPN provider’s DNS addresses or use a trusted third-party DNS service like Cloudflare at 1.1.1.1 or Google at 8.8.8.8.

If certain websites or services stop working after enabling the VPN, the issue may be related to the VPN server’s IP being blocked by that service. Banking websites and some UK government services may flag VPN IP addresses. The solution is to either switch to a different VPN server or, if your router supports it, set up policy-based routing to exclude specific devices or traffic from the VPN tunnel.