How to set up on router on Surfshark

intermediate 12 min read Updated 2026-03-19

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.

Get 87% Off Surfshark → Partner

Try Surfshark Full Surfshark Review

Prerequisites

Active Surfshark subscription
Router with VPN support (OpenVPN or WireGuard)
Admin access to router settings
Basic networking knowledge

Step-by-Step Instructions

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.

Write down your Surfshark username and password as you'll need them for router setup

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.

Choose a server location close to your physical location for better speeds

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.

If you don't know your router's IP, run 'ipconfig' on Windows or 'ifconfig' on Mac/Linux to find the default gateway

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.

Some routers allow you to paste the entire .ovpn file content into a text field instead of uploading

Apply DNS settings

In the VPN configuration, set the DNS servers to Surfshark's DNS:
Primary DNS: 162.252.172.57
Secondary DNS: 149.154.159.92
This prevents DNS leaks and ensures all traffic goes through Surfshark's servers.

You can also use public DNS like 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 if Surfshark's DNS causes issues

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.

Router VPN connections can take 1-2 minutes to establish, so be patient

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.

Policy-based routing lets you exclude devices like smart TVs that might have issues with VPN connections

Common Issues & 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.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Surfshark website before purchasing.

Visit Surfshark View Surfshark Pricing