Router Configurations For VPN

To allow your VPN, such as Proton VPN, to work smoothly, certain router settings may need to be adjusted, especially if your router has security features like Parental Controls, firewalls, or other network restrictions that may block VPN traffic. Here are some key settings to check and modify:

 

1. Disable Parental Controls (or Whitelist VPN Traffic)

Many routers offer Parental Controls to filter content or block certain websites. These controls can inadvertently block VPN traffic, preventing the VPN from functioning properly.

• Solution:
  • Temporarily disable Parental Controls to test if Proton VPN works. If it does, you can either keep Parental Controls off or selectively whitelist the VPN application or IP addresses Proton VPN uses to allow traffic through while keeping other restrictions in place.
  • Look for options to allow specific services or IP addresses to bypass Parental Controls in your router’s settings.

 

2. Allow VPN Passthrough

Routers may block certain VPN protocols, such as PPTP, L2TP, or IPSec, by default. This is especially common in older routers that don’t support newer VPN technologies or have built-in security settings that limit them.

• Solution:
  • Go to the router’s settings and ensure VPN Passthrough is enabled for the following protocols:
    • IPSec Passthrough
    • PPTP Passthrough
    • L2TP Passthrough
  • These settings allow VPN traffic to pass through your router without being blocked.

 

3. Disable Web Filtering or Adjust Firewall Settings

Some routers have web filtering features or restrictive firewalls that block certain types of traffic, including VPN connections. These can interfere with Proton VPN’s ability to establish a secure tunnel.

• Solution:
  • Disable web filtering if it’s active, or modify the settings to allow Proton VPN traffic.
  • Adjust the firewall settings to ensure that VPN traffic is allowed. You can usually do this by adding exceptions for UDP/TCP ports that the VPN uses (e.g., Proton VPN typically uses UDP 1194 or TCP 443 for OpenVPN).
  • Lower the firewall’s overall security level, or create a custom rule to allow VPN-related traffic.

 

4. Enable Port Forwarding

Some VPNs, including Proton VPN, may benefit from port forwarding to allow incoming and outgoing traffic more freely. If Proton VPN’s connection is unstable or fails to connect, opening specific ports on your router might help.

• Solution:
  • Open the router’s Port Forwarding section and forward ports used by your VPN service. Proton VPN generally uses:
    • UDP 1194 and TCP 443 for OpenVPN connections.
  • If using other protocols like IKEv2/IPSec, you may need to open UDP ports 500 and 4500.

 

5. Disable DNS Filtering

Some routers may use DNS filtering services like OpenDNS, CleanBrowsing, or Norton ConnectSafe that block access to VPN-related domains or IPs, preventing the VPN from functioning.

• Solution:
  • Either disable DNS filtering on your router or switch to a neutral DNS provider like Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1).
  • Alternatively, Proton VPN offers its own Secure Core DNS servers, which can be manually configured in the app to avoid third-party DNS filtering.

 

6. Disable Geo-Blocking or Country Restrictions

Some routers come with settings that block traffic from specific regions or countries. If Proton VPN servers are in a restricted region, this feature may prevent access.

• Solution:
  • Disable any geo-blocking or country restrictions in your router settings.
  • If your router allows you to whitelist specific IPs or services, add Proton VPN servers to the whitelist.

 

7. Set Up Static IP or Dynamic DNS (Optional)

If you experience frequent disconnections with Proton VPN, setting up a static IP or using a Dynamic DNS service on your router might help stabilize your connection.

• Solution:
  • Set a static IP address for the device you’re using with Proton VPN.
  • Alternatively, configure Dynamic DNS (DDNS) on your router to ensure your IP address remains constant, which can help with maintaining a more reliable VPN connection.

 

8. Firmware Updates

Outdated router firmware can lead to incompatibilities with VPN protocols and settings.

• Solution:
  • Ensure that your router’s firmware is up to date. Firmware updates can resolve security issues and improve support for features like VPN passthrough.

 

Conclusion

To ensure Proton VPN works smoothly with your router, you may need to tweak Parental Controls, allow VPN passthrough, adjust firewall or web filtering settings, and manage port forwarding. These adjustments ensure that your VPN traffic can flow through the router without unnecessary interruptions or restrictions, while maintaining security for your network.