Intermediate
How to set up on router on Surfshark
Quick Answer
Setting up Surfshark on your router requires downloading OpenVPN or WireGuard configuration files from your Surfshark account and configuring them in your router's VPN settings. This protects all devices connected to your network automatically.
Prerequisites
- Active Surfshark subscription
- Router with VPN support (OpenVPN or WireGuard)
- Admin access to router settings
- Basic networking knowledge
1
Log into your Surfshark account
Visit the Surfshark website and log into your account dashboard. Navigate to VPN section and click on Manual setup. You'll need your Surfshark credentials for the router configuration.
Tip
Write down your Surfshark username and password as you'll need them for router setup
2
Download router configuration files
In the manual setup section, select Router as your device type. Choose your preferred protocol (OpenVPN or WireGuard) and select a server location. Click Download configuration to get the .ovpn or .conf file for your chosen server.
Tip
Choose a server location close to your physical location for better speeds
3
Access your router's admin panel
Open a web browser and navigate to your router's IP address (typically
192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Log in with your router's admin credentials. Look for VPN, VPN Client, or Advanced Settings in the menu.Tip
If you don't know your router's IP, run 'ipconfig' on Windows or 'ifconfig' on Mac/Linux to find the default gateway
4
Configure OpenVPN settings
In your router's VPN section, select OpenVPN Client or Add VPN Connection. Upload the downloaded .ovpn configuration file or manually enter the settings. Set the Username and Password to your Surfshark credentials from step 1.
Tip
Some routers allow you to paste the entire .ovpn file content into a text field instead of uploading
5
Apply DNS settings
In the VPN configuration, set the DNS servers to Surfshark's DNS:
Primary DNS:
Secondary DNS:
This prevents DNS leaks and ensures all traffic goes through Surfshark's servers.
Primary DNS:
162.252.172.57Secondary DNS:
149.154.159.92This prevents DNS leaks and ensures all traffic goes through Surfshark's servers.
Tip
You can also use public DNS like 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 if Surfshark's DNS causes issues
6
Enable and test the connection
Click Apply or Save to activate the VPN connection. Wait for the connection status to show Connected or Established. Test your connection by visiting
whatismyipaddress.com to verify your IP has changed to the VPN server location.Tip
Router VPN connections can take 1-2 minutes to establish, so be patient
7
Configure device routing
In your router's VPN settings, choose which devices use the VPN. Select All devices for complete protection, or use Policy-based routing to select specific devices. Save your settings and reboot the router to ensure all changes take effect.
Tip
Policy-based routing lets you exclude devices like smart TVs that might have issues with VPN connections
Troubleshooting
VPN connection fails to establish
Verify your Surfshark username and password are correct. Try a different server location or switch from OpenVPN to WireGuard protocol. Check if your router firmware supports the latest VPN protocols.
Internet speeds are very slow
Choose a server closer to your location. Switch to WireGuard protocol for better performance. Check if your router has hardware acceleration for VPN and enable it in VPN Settings > Hardware Acceleration.
Some websites don't work
Clear your browser cache and cookies. Try switching to a different VPN server location. Disable IPv6 in your router settings under Advanced > IPv6 to prevent IP leaks.
VPN disconnects frequently
Enable VPN reconnection or Auto-reconnect in your router's VPN settings. Update your router firmware to the latest version. Try using TCP instead of UDP in the OpenVPN configuration.
Ready to get started with Surfshark?
Put this tutorial into practice. Visit Surfshark and follow the steps above.
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