How to Set Up OpenVPN Client on GL.iNet Router¶
OpenVPN is an open-source VPN protocol that makes use of virtual private network (VPN) techniques to establish safe site-to-site or point-to-point connections.
We recommend WireGuard over OpenVPN because it is much faster. For set up a WireGuard Client, please check out here.
If you have already bought OpenVPN service from a provider, but you don't know how to get the configuration file, please refer to get configuration files from OpenVPN service providers or ask its support.
You can set up OpenVPN Client via web Admin Panel or mobile app. For the mobile app, it has already integrated NordVPN.
For set up via web Admin Panel, please follow the guide below.
On the left side -> VPN -> OpenVPN Client
You can log in by clicking the NordVPN button if you have a NordVPN membership, or by clicking Add Manually to upload the OpenVPN profiles.
Set Up NordVPN¶
NordVPN is the top online VPN service for speed and security.
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Login your NordVPN web account and get your service credentials
After login to Nord dashboard, click NordVPN on the left side, then click Set up NordVPN manually.
Then you will find the service credentials.
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Input your NordVPN account's service credentials you got in step 1 (Note: It is NOT the login account email/password), then click Save Credentials & Get Servers
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Select protocol, max server count of each location, locations, then click Apply.
It will download configuration files.
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Go to VPN Dashboard to enable the connection.
Toggle the switch to enable the connection.
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Update servers
NordVPN may maintain or shutdown some servers, it will make the connection failed, you can Update Servers to get the latest available servers.
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Edit credential
Click the cog icon to edit the credential.
Set Up OpenVPN Client¶
As of firmware 4.0, it brings grouping to manage OpenVPN profiles. Please make sure all the profiles in the same group with the same credentials. For example, if you are ExpressVPN user, you can add a group named expressvpn, then upload all the ExpressVPN OpenVPN profiles you wanted to this group. For another OpenVPN service provider, please create another group.
Next steps, we will use ExpressVPN as an example.
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Click Add Manually.
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It will create a group.
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Give the group a descriptive name, e.g. expressvpn.
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Upload your OpenVPN configuration file, then input the credential, click Apply.
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Supports 4 types of configuration files:
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File requires
askpassinput. -
File requires
usernameandpasswordinput. -
File requires
username,password, andaskpassinput (since v4.5). -
File requires no input.
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Click the three dots icon to start / delete the profile.
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Check the connection status by go to VPN Dashboard page.
Set Up OpenVPN Server on GL.iNet Router¶
You can get a GL.iNet router to set as OpenVPN server, and get another GL.iNet router to set as OpenVPN client. For set up OpenVPN server, please check out here.
Get Configuration Files from OpenVPN Service Providers¶
We have tested different OpenVPN service providers. Therefore, if you don't know how to get the configuration file, you can follow the instruction below. However, you have to contact your service provider for the configuration file if they are not listed below.
If you have any problem in the setup of OpenVPN, please contact support@glinet.biz or report in this forum post.
NordVPN
NordVPN¶
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Find your login details
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.
Login the Official Website, go to the Nord Account dashboard, where you will find the service credentials.
After login to Nord dashboard, click NordVPN on the left side, then click Set up NordVPN manually.
Then you will find the service credentials.
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Choose a NordVPN server
Go to NordVPN recommended server utility here. It will recommend a server base on your network, click Show available protocols to download the UDP or TCP config. Click here to see the difference.
You can download all servers configs here.
Tips: if the zip file is too big to upload, you can delete some .ovpn in .zip file or upload single .ovpn file.
You can also use mobile app to setup NordVPN.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN¶
Information quoted from Expressvpn official instruction
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Go to ExpressVPN website, and log in with your ExpressVPN credentials.
Enter the verification code that is sent to your email.
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In the "Set up your devices" section, click on More.
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Click on Manual Configuration.
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You will see your username, password, and a list of OpenVPN configuration files.
Click the location(s) you want in order to download the .ovpn file(s).
Keep this browser window open. You will need this information for the setup later.
PIA (Private Internet Access)
PIA¶
Download directly.
Tips: if the zip file is too big to upload, you can delete some .ovpn in .zip file or upload single .ovpn file.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost¶
Information quoted from CyberGhost official instruction
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Login your CyberGhost VPN online account.
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Select "VPN" from the left-side menu, then click "Configure Device" and create your server configuration, as described below:
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Now create your server configuration, as described below:
- Protocol : OpenVPN
- Country : Since native protocol connections may only be used with exactly one server you now have to choose the country you want to surf from; the server to be used in this country will be chosen by CyberGhost automatically.
- Server group : Choose the server group and the OpenVPN protocol (UDP or TCP) you want to use
OpenVPN UDP allows higher speed than the TCP version but can result in broken downloads in some cases. This is the default setting.
OpenVPN TCP allows more stable connections than the UDP version but is a bit slower. Choose this version, if you have recurrent connection issues such as sudden disconnections.
Once the desired parameters are chosen, save them with Save Configuration
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To view the OpenVPN credentials that are generated for you on the configuration dashboard, press View Configuration.
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After setting up your connection preferences, please take note of the following:
- Server Group : This is the address of the country (server) you want to be connected with, e.g. '12345-1-ca.cg-dialup.net'. This address changes with every country you have chosen in the step before. The actual single server to be used will be chosen automatically by CyberGhost.
- Username : A solely for this protocol generated user name. This is NOT your regular CyberGhost account user name, it's used only to authenticate with CyberGhost servers via Manual Configurations. You will need this when set up OpenVPN on GL.iNet routers.
- Password : A solely for protocol usage generated password. This is NOT your regular CyberGhost account password, it's used only to authenticate with CyberGhost servers via Manual Configurations. You will need this when set up OpenVPN on GL.iNet routers.
Once done, please download the configuration file. For that click on Download Configuration and download the config file to your computer
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN¶
Download directly.
Here is the official download link. Due to a bug encountered while importing the router, the file name inside contains special characters 'Bogotá'. We have renamed it and provided the download link above. We will fix this bug in future versions.
Tips: if the zip file is too big to upload, you can delete some .ovpn in .zip file or upload single .ovpn file.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN¶
Proton VPN has WireGuard service, we recommend to use WireGuard, checkout here.
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Login your Proton VPN account.
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Click Download in the left-hand side.
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Choose Router platform, protocol etc, find your target country to download configuration file.
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The credential for connect OpenVPN is not the one that login Proton website's dashboard. You can find the crdential at Account -> OpenVPN/IKEv2 username
PureVPN
PureVPN¶
To set up an OpenVPN client using PureVPN, you will need your OpenVPN username and password and a configuration file, which you can find in your PureVPN account.
- Sign in to your PureVPN account.
- From the left sidebar, click Subscriptions.
- Scroll down to find your OpenVPN username and password.
- From the left sidebar, click Manual Configuration.
- Select a VPN location and click Download to download the configuration file.
GL.iNet routers don't support the dedicated IP feature of PureVPN, because it needs PPTP.
Surfshark
Surfshark¶
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Find your login details
Surfshark service credentials are different from your Surfshark account credentials, namely your email address and your password. You'll need Surfshark service credentials to connect to the VPN using the manual OpenVPN configuration method in the router.
Login the Official Website, go to this page, where you will find all of the details required for a manual connection.
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Choose a Surfshark server
Select the Locations tab, where you will see all of the Surfshark servers.
It will ask to choose TCP or UDP. Click here to see the difference.
You can download all configs here directly.
Tips: if the zip file is too big to upload, you can delete some .ovpn in .zip file or upload single .ovpn file.
StrongVPN
StrongVPN¶
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Login with your StrongVPN account and then you will be able to see VPN Accounts Summary. Click Account Setup Instructions”.
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Find the Manual setup section, follow the steps to get configuration.
OVPN
OVPN¶
Just login, then you can easily get the OpenVPN configurations file by click the menu below.
Choose the server and download.
The username and password are the same you login OVPN.
AirVPN
AirVPN¶
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Login your AirVPN acoount
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Choose Config Generator on the left and then choose Linux as your operating system. Next, choose your preferred server.
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You will be able to see the download page of the configuration file.
Astrill
Astrill¶
Information quoted from Astrill official instruction
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Generate and Download Astrill Openvpn configuration ZIP
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Type a Description like OPENVPN_GUI.
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Click on ADD to my certificates button.
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Once OpenVPN certificate is added, click on Download button.
BolehVPN
BolehVPN¶
Login in Dashboard, download your configuration files and select the Linux_iOS inline format. Extract the zip files after completing the download.
Tips: if the zip file is too big to upload, you can delete some .ovpn in .zip file or upload single .ovpn file.
FastestVPN
FastestVPN¶
Download FastestVPN Config Files zip folder for OpenVPN TCP and UDP from here
Tips: if the zip file is too big to upload, you can delete some .ovpn in .zip file or upload single .ovpn file.
FinchVPN
FinchVPN¶
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Login your FinchVPN account.
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Go to the Download page and click Download under FinchVPN OpenVPN Config.
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Choose Linux
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Choose the protocol based on your preference. Generally, you can choose the first one Port 8484 over UDP
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Remember to tick the box to include your username and password before download the file.
HideIPVPN
HideIPVPN¶
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Login your HideIPVPN account.
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Go to Package on the left side, click the your package, make sure it is active.
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On the VPN tab, there is VPN Login Details of username and password, this is for login when OpenVPN connection
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Scroll down to download OpenVPN config files.
Hide.me VPN
Hide.me VPN¶
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Login your Hide.me account, find the Server Locations on the left side.
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Download the OpenVPN Configuration for Windows.
Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield¶
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Go to https://www.hotspotshield.com/ and click on Account. Sign in if you're asked.
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Go to https://app.hotspotshield.com/app/hotspotshield/router
Go to the Select location dropdown and pick the virtual location that the router will use. Now click on "Download file". The configuration file (config.ovpn) will be downloaded to your computer. The username and password will need to be entered when you set up the OpenVPN client on the router.
IPVANISH
IPVANISH¶
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You can download all of the config files for all of the servers from here, it contain all the server config file(.ovpn) and a certificate file(.crt). The .zip file maybe a little big for some models, please delete the configuration(.ovpn) of the server that you will not use.
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You can also download individual server configuration files here, but you will need to download ca.ipvanish.com.crt as well. Before uploading to the router, you need to compress the ca.ipvanish.com.crt and .ovpn configuration files into a .zip archive.
IVACY
IVACY¶
To set up an OpenVPN client using Ivacy, you will need the following:
- Your username for the OpenVPN manual configuration, shown in the "Download Configuration" prompt
- Your password (same as the one you used to sign in to your Ivacy account)
- An OpenVPN configuration file
IVPN
IVPN¶
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Download the OpenVPN config files.
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Find the Account ID on IVPN Client Area.
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When drag the config file to Add a New OpenVPN Configuration, you will be asked to enter User Name and Password. The User Name is your Account ID that begins with letters ivpn. The password can be anything, like ivpn
OysterVPN
OysterVPN¶
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Access the OysterVPN server list page, click Download .ovpn file to download the configuration file.
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The username and password for OpenVPN connection are the same as the one you use to login OysterVPN.
Tips: if the zip file is too big to upload, you can delete some .ovpn in .zip file or upload single .ovpn file.
PrivadoVPN
PrivadoVPN¶
Just login, then you can easily find the Download VPN Configuration.
Tips: if the zip file is too big to upload, you can delete some .ovpn in .zip file or upload single .ovpn file.
StarVPN
StarVPN¶
StarVPN has WireGuard service, we recommend to use WireGuard, checkout here.
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Register an account with StarVPN
Head on over to their pricing plan options and choose a VPN plan that suits your needs. You can register on checkout or directly here
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VPN Login Information
Log into the StarVPN member area dashboard. You can find your VPN username and password for each slot in the Manage Slots Section or dashboard area.
For multiple slots, the VPN configuration settings and credentials can be located in the “Manage Slots” section.
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Download OpenVPN Configuration File
The next step, you must download the VPN server configuration files necessary so that the OpenVPN Software knows where to connect to. Download the configuration file in the members area dashboard.
Some GL.iNet routers do not support IPv6 or DNS Leak Protection, as a result you may experience an IP or connection error. Edit the ovpn configuration file and disable IPv6 by performing these simple tasks.
StreamVPN
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Login with your StreamVPN account and then you will be able to see your subscription information. Click Install & Guides.
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Click VPN Router, it will download a .zip archive file called
StreamVPN.zip.
Note: Only the configuration file name contains "Primary" work.
VPNGate
VPNGate¶
The OpenVPN configuration files are listed on the VPN Gate website according to the server location.
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Click OpenVPN Config file under the column OpenVPN.
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You will see the download page.
VPN Unlimited(KeepSolid)
VPN Unlimited(KeepSolid)¶
Information quoted from VPN unlimited official instruction
Start out by logging in to your User Office, press Manage for the VPN Unlimited service, and follow a few simple steps:
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Select a device
Pick a device from the list or create a new one. If you are out of free slots, delete an old device or buy extra slots.
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Choose the desired server location
VPN Unlimited offers a large variety of servers, namely 400+ in 70+ locations. In this case, let it be Germany.
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Select the VPN protocol
selece OpenVPN protocol.
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Create a configuration
Press Generate and you will get all the data required to set up a VPN connection.
VyprVPN
VyprVPN¶
VyprVPN offers the OpenVPN files here: Where can I find the OpenVPN files? – VyprVPN Support
The provided zip file contains two folders with the .ovpn files. One called OpenVPN160 one OpenVPN256. Just delete the OpenVPN160 folder from the zip file then upload it to GL.iNet router as usual.
ZoogVPN
ZoogVPN¶
Sign in its official website, then access the OpenVPN configuration files page, you will find all the servers here. Download the configuration file in the TCP column or UDP column.
Then follow the guide to setup OpenVPN Client on GL.iNet router, the username and password are the same as the ones used to log into ZoogVPN website.
Still have questions? Visit our Community Forum.