How to set up ExpressVPN on a TP-Link router with L2TP

This tutorial guide will show you how to set up a VPN on your TP-Link router with the L2TP protocol.

Note:  The testing setup for this tutorial was done on the following router: TP-Link TL-WR940N (c 3.16.9 Build 150311 Rel.62186n). Because there are so many models of TP-Link routers, not all of them were tested. Additionally, some TP-Link routers only allow IP addresses instead of ExpressVPN server names. ExpressVPN cannot provide IP addresses for setup on those routers.

Please note that not all TP-Link router models are supported. If you are encountering difficulties with your specific TP-Link router model, please contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

Before you begin, you may wish to make note of your default internet settings. This will help you revert to your original internet settings when the VPN is not required.

Note: The video below was captured using the Archer C7 router.

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Find your ExpressVPN account credentials
Configure your TP-Link router with the VPN
Disconnect from the VPN server

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Find your ExpressVPN account credentials

In order to use ExpressVPN on your TP-Link router, you will need a server address and your account credentials. This section of the tutorial will show you how to find this information.

Open the Welcome Email you received when you signed up for ExpressVPN. Click the link in the email.

If you can’t find the link, sign in to your ExpressVPN account.

Once you’ve clicked the link in the welcome email or signed in to the website, click on Set Up on More Devices.

Click on Manual Config on the left side of the screen and then select PPTP & L2TP-IPsec on the right. This will show you your username, password, and a list of server addresses around the world.

Please note this information as you will need it to configure your TP-Link router.

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

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Configure your TP-Link router with the VPN

Access your router’s control panel by typing the URL to the router admin panel in your browser’s address bar. (You can find this URL in the documentation that came with your router.) Log in with your router’s username and password.

At the top of the page, click on the Advanced tab.

On the sidebar, go to Network > Internet.

Set the Internet Connection Type to L2TP.

Enter the following information:

• Username: Paste the manual configuration username you found earlier.
• Password: Paste the manual configuration password you found earlier.
• VPN Server IP/Domain Name: Paste the manual configuration server address you found earlier.

Make sure the Secondary Connection is set to Dynamic IP.

Leave the MTU Size at 1460 (the default).

Set the Connection Mode to Manually.

Set the Max Idle Time to 0 minutes.

Click Connect.

You can click Save to save all your settings.

IMPORTANT: You will need to wait for the connection to be completed. After hitting “Connect,” scroll up and check that IP Address and Primary Address do NOT display 0.0.0.0. You will only be able to access the internet when both fields are not showing 0.0.0.0.

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

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Disconnect from the VPN server

To disconnect from the VPN server, click on the Advanced tab.

On the sidebar, go to Network > Internet.

Near the bottom of the page, click Disconnect.

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

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