NORD OPENVPN connecting problems

[Warpy55]

Hi, I have spent hours and hours and hours on this and cannot get anywhere so hopefully someone can steer me in the right direction.
I have an ASUS RT-AC86U router on which I am trying to set up NORD OPENVPN. I am running 386.14_2 ASUSWRT Merlin freeware.
I have enlisted the help of ASUS and NORDVPN through chat and email and have not resolved the issue of trying to connect to VPN.
I have accessed VPN client on my router, upload and had confirmed complete the ovpn file, added in the NORD issued username and
password changed settings as per ASUS online chat and still cannot connect.
I want to use NORDVPN I have had it since last September and never had it operating.
I have followed both NORDVPN and ASUS suggestions and haven't been able to connect.
Any help on this out there?

 

[Tech9]

Unable to connect or no client on your network is using it?

The router has System Log. If the VPN Client can't connect the System Log will contain messages with the reason why. You are using Asuswrt-Merlin 3rd party firmware and Asus Support have nothing to do with it. This firmware by default routes nothing through the VPN connection. In VPN Director you have to specify what is using this VPN connection. More information here:

VPN Director

Third party firmware for Asus routers (newer codebase) - RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com

 

[Ripshod]

When I first started with the VPN clients on merlin-asuswrt I struggled too, until I realised I was missing one important setting. If you miss it the client won't start.

This, along with @Tech9's advice should get you working.

If this is not the problem ignore me.

 

[Warpy55]

Unable to connect or no client on your network is using it?

The router has System Log. If the VPN Client can't connect the System Log will contain messages with the reason why. You are using Asuswrt-Merlin 3rd party firmware and Asus Support have nothing to do with it. This firmware by default routes nothing through the VPN connection. In VPN Director you have to specify what is using this VPN connection. More information here:

VPN Director

Third party firmware for Asus routers (newer codebase) - RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com

Hi Tech9
I tried above but still no go. I can access the system log and run it and read it but it doesn't make much sense to me. I understand ASUS don't support AsusMerlin as it is third party. I am just a bit out of my depth with this but keen to try and figure it out. There are so many settings to work with in VPN. If I send through the system log and screen captures of the configuration would this help or am I pretty much on my own to try and sort it out. I am new to the forum so just let me know the protocol.

 

[Tech9]

Copy/paste OpenVPN related syslog messages in a text file, make screenshots of your GUI settings. Attach both to your next post and someone may be able to spot the issue and give you advice what to do. Also mention what do you want to use the VPN connection for, network-wide or specific clients only. Keep in mind your router can't do OpenVPN faster than ~180Mbps.

If all the efforts are about privacy and security - one of the many discussions about commercial VPNs here:

News - Don't use VPN providers - use your own...

Interesting take on things... https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29 Personally, I do use VPN (quite a bit) but that is inbound to my router from my clients when I'm outside - I do have a VPS in the cloud (DigitalOcean at present, I was on Oracle Public Cloud for quite some...

www.snbforums.com

 

[Warpy55]

Hi Tech9, Thanks so much. I have attached the screen shots and also the system log I just saved. My intended use of VPN is for network-wide application.
Hope someone can help I have burnt probably 20 odd hours on it so far. I had three other captures but can only load 5 if others needed I can send those as well.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Hi Tech9, Thanks so much. I have attached the screen shots and also the system log I just saved. My intended use of VPN is for network-wide application.
Hope someone can help I have burnt probably 20 odd hours on it so far. I had three other captures but can only load 5 if others needed I can send those as well.

You have "Username / Password Auth. Only" set to Yes when it should be No.

 

[TimmyL]

How about the Crypto Settings : Keys and Certifiicates - Static Key , Certificate Authority
& Custom Configuration setting ?

 

[ColinTaylor]

How about the Crypto Settings : Keys and Certifiicates - Static Key , Certificate Authority
& Custom Configuration setting ?

Those should all be set correctly from the .ovpn file that you import. The only exception would be if the VPN server pushes IPv6 parameters (and you don't have IPv6) in which case you need to add the following lines to the Custom Configuration box.

pull-filter ignore "ifconfig-ipv6"
pull-filter ignore "route-ipv6"

As far as I know NordVPN doesn't support IPv6 so the parameters above are not necessary.

 

[Tech9]

My intended use of VPN is for network-wide application.

In this case fix the connection with certificate and make a subnet rule. One of your screenshots showing VPN Server is unrelated to your VPN Client issue. For network-wide application expect WAN speed drop to 160-180Mbps (depending on server load) and increased latency. Also expect applications complaining about traffic going to/from commercial VPN. Good luck!