Last updated:

This guide will show you other possible connection options if your router does not support OpenVPN manual configurations.

ExpressVPN manual configurations, used on devices that cannot run the ExpressVPN apps, support the OpenVPN protocol. PPTP and L2TP/IPsec are no longer supported as they provide minimal protection and are vulnerable to malicious attacks.

If your router does not support OpenVPN, consider using one of the connection options below.

I prefer to…

Set up the VPN with other router options
Set up the VPN on individual devices

Set up the VPN with other router options

If your router does not support OpenVPN manual configurations but you prefer to use the VPN on a router, consider these connection methods.

Use a dedicated VPN router

Note: This option requires purchasing additional hardware.

You can use a dedicated VPN router like ExpressVPN Aircove. The Aircove router comes with ExpressVPN already set up, so you don’t need to install or manage it manually.

Use ExpressVPN for routers

Important: This option requires purchasing an Asus, Linksys, or Netgear router.

You can use ExpressVPN on selected Asus, Linksys, and Netgear routers.

See instructions on setting up:

Use a virtual VPN router

Important: This option requires technical knowledge and may not be suitable for everyone.

You can set up a virtual VPN router on Windows with the OpenVPN protocol.

Set up your current router as a secondary router

If you already have access to a VPN-compatible router, you can connect it to your existing router instead of replacing your setup.

In this configuration, the primary router runs the VPN, and your current router acts as a secondary router for your devices.

To set this up:

  1. Set up the VPN on a compatible primary router (for example, a dedicated VPN router like ExpressVPN Aircove, which comes preconfigured, or a router that supports the ExpressVPN app for routers or a manual OpenVPN setup).
  2. Connect your current router to the primary router using an Ethernet cable.
  3. Connect your devices to your current (secondary) router as usual.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

Back to top

Set up the VPN on individual devices

If your router does not support OpenVPN, you can set up the ExpressVPN app individually on these supported platforms: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux.

With a single ExpressVPN subscription, you can connect to the VPN on up to 14 devices at the same time, regardless of platform (including virtual machines).

See instructions on setting up:

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

Back to top

Was this article helpful?

We're sorry to hear that. Let us know how we can improve.

Which router model do you need help with?

Examples: Linksys WRT1200AC, Asus RT-AC56R

A member of our Support Team will follow up on your issue.