How to use OpenVPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers (new logo) (2024)

This Article Applies to:

Archer C1200 , Archer C5400 , Archer A2600 , Archer AX55 , Archer AX53 , Archer AX10 , Archer AX51 , Archer AX96 , Archer AXE95 , Archer AX10000 , Archer AX50 , Archer C3150( V2 ) , Archer C6( V2 ) , Archer C7( V4 V5 ) , Archer AX90 , Archer AX6000 , Archer C5400X , Archer A20 , Archer AX1800 , Archer AX206 , Archer AX4200 , Archer C3200( V2 ) , Archer AX75 , Archer AX4400 , Archer AX73 , Archer A10 , Archer AX4800 , Archer A2300 , Archer AXE75 , Archer A6( V2 V3 ) , Archer A7 , Archer AX72 , Archer AXE200 Omni , Archer GX90 , Archer A9 , Archer AX68 , Archer C2300 , Archer AX5300 , Archer AX23 , Archer AX20 , Archer C3150 V2 , Archer C4000 , Archer AX21 , Archer AXE300 , Archer AX1500 , Archer AX60 , Archer AX11000 , Archer AX3200 , Archer AX3000


Recent updates may have expanded access to feature(s) discussed in this FAQ. Visit your product's support page, select the correct hardware version for your device and check either the Datasheet or the firmware section for the latest improvements added to your product.

In the OpenVPN connection, the home network can act as a server, and the remote device can access the server through the router which acts as an OpenVPN Server gateway. To use the VPN feature, you should enable OpenVPN Server on your router, and install and run VPN client software on the remote device. Please follow the steps below to set up an OpenVPN connection.

You may refer to the video first:

Case 1: Only one router in the home network map

How to use OpenVPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers (new logo) (1)

Step1. Set up OpenVPN Server on Your Router

1. Log in to the web-based interface of the router. If you don’t know how to do that, please refer to

How do I log into the web-based Utility (Management Page) of TP-Link wireless router?

2. Go to Advanced > VPN Server > OpenVPN, and select Enable VPN Server.

How to use OpenVPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers (new logo) (2)

Note:

  • Before you enable VPN Server, we recommend you configure Dynamic DNS Service (recommended) or assign a static IP address for the router’s WAN port and synchronize your System Time with the internet.
  • For the CG-NAT ISP: Comporium and Direct link - radio service, provide the customer a private IP, that will cause you can’t use the OpenVPN and affect the NAT Type. You can contact the ISP and ask them to offer a Statis IP address.
  • The first time you configure the OpenVPN Server, you may need to Generate a certificate before you enable the VPN Server.

3. Select the Service Type (communication protocol) for OpenVPN Server: UDP, TCP.

4. Enter a VPN Service Port to which a VPN device connects, and the port number should be between 1024 and 65535.

5. In the VPN Subnet/Netmask fields, enter the range of IP addresses that can be leased to the device by the OpenVPN server.

6. Select your Client Access type. Select Home Network Only if you only want the remote device to access your home network; select Internet and Home Network if you also want the remote device to access internet through the VPN Server.

7. Click Save.

8. Click Generate to get a new certificate.

How to use OpenVPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers (new logo) (3)

Note:

If you have already generated one, please skip this step, or click Generate to update the certificate.

9. Click Export to save the OpenVPN configuration file which will be used by the remote device to access your router.

How to use OpenVPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers (new logo) (4)

Step 2. Configure OpenVPN Connection on Your Remote Device

1. Visit http://openvpn.net/index.php/download/community-downloads.html to download the OpenVPN software, and install it on your device where you want to run the OpenVPN client utility.

Note:

You need to install the OpenVPN client utility on each device that you plan to apply the VPN function to access your router. Mobile devices should download a third-party app from Google Play or Apple App Store.

2. After the installation, copy the file exported from your router to the OpenVPN client utility’s “config” folder (for example, C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config on Windows). The path depends on where the OpenVPN client utility is installed.

3. Run the OpenVPN client utility and connect it to OpenVPN Server.

Case 2: Two or more routers in the home network map

How to use OpenVPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers (new logo) (5)

Step1. Set up OpenVPN Server on Your Router

1. Log in to the web-based interface of the router. If you don’t know how to do that, please refer to

How do I log into the web-based Utility (Management Page) of TP-Link wireless router?

2. Go to Advanced > VPN Server > OpenVPN, and select Enable VPN Server.

How to use OpenVPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers (new logo) (6)

Note:

• Before you enable VPN Server, we recommend you configure Dynamic DNS Service (recommended) or assign a static IP address for router’s WAN port and synchronize your System Time with internet.

• The first time you configure the OpenVPN Server, you may need to Generate a certificate before you enable the VPN Server.

3. Select the Service Type (communication protocol) for OpenVPN Server: UDP, TCP.

4. Enter a VPN Service Port to which a VPN device connects, and the port number should be between 1024 and 65535. Please write down the Service Port.

5. In the VPN Subnet/Netmask fields, enter the range of IP addresses that can be leased to the device by the OpenVPN server.

6. Select your Client Access type. Select Home Network Only if you only want the remote device to access your home network; select Internet and Home Network if you also want the remote device to access internet through the VPN Server.

7. Click Save.

8. Click Generate to get a new certificate.

How to use OpenVPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers (new logo) (7)

Note:

If you have already generated one, please skip this step, or click Generate to update the certificate.

9. Click Export to save the OpenVPN configuration file which will be used by the remote device to access your router.

How to use OpenVPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers (new logo) (8)

10. Set up Virtual Server/Port Forwarding for Router 2 on Modem Router/Router 1, please refer to

Port forwarding: how to set up virtual server on TP-Link Wi-Fi Routers (tp-link.com)

Note:

  1. Please make sure the Internal Port is the same as the VPN Service Port you wrote down before.
  2. Enter and write down the External Port.

11. Go to the Management Interface of the Modem Router/Router1, and write down the WAN IP address.

12. Right-Click the OpenVPN configuration file, open it with the Notepad.

Please modify the following two characters:

  1. Modify the remote address to the WAN IP address of the Modem Router/Router1 you wrote down in Step 11.
  2. Modify the Port number to External Port you set for the Router2 in Step 10.

How to use OpenVPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers (new logo) (9)

13.Save the OpenVPN configuration file.

Step 2. Configure OpenVPN Connection on Your Remote Device

1. Visit http://openvpn.net/index.php/download/community-downloads.html to download the OpenVPN software, and install it on your device where you want to run the OpenVPN client utility.

Note:

You need to install the OpenVPN client utility on each device that you plan to apply the VPN function to access your router. Mobile devices should download a third-party app from Google Play or Apple App Store.

2. After the installation, copy the file exported from your router to the OpenVPN client utility’s “config” folder (for example, C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\config on Windows). The path depends on where the OpenVPN client utility is installed.

3. Run the OpenVPN client utility and connect it to OpenVPN Server.

Get to know more details of each function and configuration please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.

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How to use OpenVPN to access your home network through the Wi-Fi Routers (new logo) (2024)

FAQs

Can I use OpenVPN to connect to home network? ›

In the OpenVPN connection, the home network can act as a server, and the remote device can access the server through the router which acts as an OpenVPN Server gateway. To use the VPN feature, you should enable OpenVPN Server on your router, and install and run VPN client software on the remote device.

How do I use OpenVPN on my router? ›

How to set up a VPN on your router
  1. Open your router's firmware. To start, open your router's firmware in a browser. ...
  2. Enable the VPN service. ...
  3. Set up a free DDNS account. ...
  4. Return to the settings for VPN. ...
  5. Install a VPN client. ...
  6. Rename the network connection for the new VPN network. ...
  7. Look for OpenVPN Tap. ...
  8. Connect.
6 days ago

How do I connect to my home wifi with VPN? ›

How to set up a VPN on your router
  1. Log into your router. You can access your router configuration panel by entering your router's IP address in your browser's URL bar. ...
  2. Look for the “VPN client” tab in the advanced settings of your router. ...
  3. Follow your VPN client's guidelines to set up the VPN on your router.
Jan 12, 2024

Why use OpenVPN on a router? ›

OpenVPN's principal strengths include cross-platform portability across most of the known computing universe, excellent stability, scalability to hundreds or thousands of clients, relatively easy installation, and support for dynamic IP addresses and NAT.

Is OpenVPN free for home use? ›

No matter what solution you choose, you can use our free connections until you're ready to scale. Those VPN connections are free for life. We're that confident you'll trust OpenVPN to manage your network security.

Should I run a VPN on my home network? ›

Yes, you need a VPN to protect your online activity, hide your IP addresses, and keep your data safe. A VPN should be the cornerstone of your online privacy and security at home, work, or public places.

Why can't i connect to VPN on my home Wi-Fi? ›

Update the VPN app: Ensure that your VPN application is updated to the latest version, as outdated apps may lead to connectivity problems. Try a different network: If you're on Wi-Fi, try switching to cellular data, or vice versa, to see if the issue is related to a specific network.

Can I use a VPN to connect to my home network from anywhere? ›

Yes, VPN tunneling allows users to access all devices connected to their home network, including computers, smart devices, and storage drives, from anywhere with an internet connection.

Is it safe to use VPN with home Wi-Fi? ›

Home VPNs Can Protect Your Privacy

There are lots of good reasons a home VPN might be a valuable addition to your security and privacy arsenal, but what's most important is whether you use it. If you find yourself too frustrated with reduced internet speeds, or juggling streaming devices, don't use a VPN at home.

Is OpenVPN safe to use on router? ›

The web server built into OpenVPN Access Server uses HTTPS SSL encryption. This secures the connection between the web browser and the web server. Any credentials you enter on the web interface can't be intercepted by a "man-in-the-middle" attack or seen in plain text on the network connection.

Should I enable VPN passthrough on my router? ›

You don't need a VPN passthrough unless you're determined to use older VPN protocols. Modern protocols allow VPN traffic to pass through NAT unhindered, so setting up a VPN passthrough on your router isn't necessary. Using up-to-date protocols also provides better speeds and more robust security.

How to use OpenVPN as a VPN? ›

The diagram above shows how you can get started with OpenVPN Connect by following several simple steps:
  1. Install the app for your operating system.
  2. Import the connection profile from your VPN provider.
  3. (Optional) Customize the app settings if needed.
  4. You're ready to go with a fast, secure connection.

How do I connect to another network using VPN? ›

To use a VPN, follow these steps: install and launch the client on your device, select a server with an IP address on the same network as the remote one you want to access, or located in the region you want to appear in; connect to the server using credentials if needed; verify your IP address matches the one of the ...

How to setup OpenVPN on home server? ›

To setup your home router as a VPN server:
  1. Open up your preferred browser.
  2. Enter your router's LAN (internal) IP address into the search bar. ...
  3. Enter the router's username and password. ...
  4. Go into Settings (or Advanced Settings) > VPN Service.
  5. Enable the VPN Service.
Jul 31, 2023

Can I use OpenVPN as a VPN? ›

So, the OpenVPN protocol can be used anywhere a VPN connection is needed, such as accessing a virtual server or creating a private network. Encrypting data over the internet.

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