General questions about VPN function on TP-Link Routers and Deco

Q1. What is VPN?

A: VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A VPN helps you access internet resources remotely, securely, and privately with tunneling technology. You might use a VPN for Enhanced Security, Privacy Protection, and Remote Access.

Enhanced Security: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, protecting your data from potential eavesdropping or unauthorized access.

Privacy Protection: VPNs hide your IP address and location, making it difficult for websites, advertisers, or malicious actors to track your online activities.

Remote Access: VPNs enable secure access to your home or office network from remote locations, allowing you to access files, printers, or other network resources.

You may go to Introduction of VPN to get more information

Q2. How to select the VPN functions on the TP-Link Wi-Fi Router and Deco Mesh Wi-Fi System

A: TP-Link routers offer two types of VPN function: VPN client and VPN server. VPN client allows users to connect to a VPN server, establishing a secure connection for accessing resources. VPN server acts as a gateway, accepting client connections and providing secure access to a network.

The table below lists common use cases.

Please note that some router models may only support VPN server function, check it here:

Wi-Fi Routers | TP-Link

TP-Link Deco Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi Routers

Q3. What VPN protocols do TP-Link Wi-Fi Router and Deco Mesh Wi-Fi System support?

A: TP-Link VPN routers and Deco devices support multiple VPN protocols, including: PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard, with compatibility varying by model.

Please go to the product [Specifications] of the models listed at the following link for more details:

Wi-Fi Routers | TP-Link

TP-Link Deco Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi Routers

Or you can contact TP-Link support for accurate information regarding VPN protocol support for your specific model.

Q4. How to set up VPN with TP-Link Wi-Fi router or Deco Mesh Wi-Fi system

A: Please refer to How to Establish a VPN Connection on TP-Link Wi-Fi Router to set up VPN connection on TP-Link Wi-Fi router.

Please refer to How to set up VPN Server/VPN Client on Deco router to setup VPN connection on Deco Mesh Wi-Fi system.

Q5. What should I do if VPN doesn't work on Wi-Fi Router or Deco Mesh Wi-Fi system?

A: Please refer to What should I do if VPN doesn't work on Wi-Fi Router to trouble shoot.

Q6. Can I use VPN to access the whole network from both VPN server and VPN client side with TP-Link Wi-Fi Router or Deco Mesh Wi-Fi system?

A: No, the ability for the server to access the client can typically only be achieved in site-to-site VPN. The VPN types supported by router and deco are designed for client-to-server connections, meaning that the client can access the server, but not the other way around.

Q7. Do TP-Link Wi-Fi Router or Deco Mesh Wi-Fi System work with a third party VPN service?

A: TP-Link Wi-Fi Router and Deco Mesh Wi-Fi System work with the VPN using the standard VPN protocol such as PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard. For some certain custom VPN services requiring to use custom VPN client software, we recommend to check the compatibility with the VPN provider and TP-Link cannot guarantee the support to those VPN.

Q8. Can I use VPN to bypass geographical restrictions with TP-Link Wi-Fi Router or Deco Mesh Wi-Fi system?

A: Yes, VPN can help bypass geographical limitations. By routing your internet traffic through a server in another region, a VPN can make it appear as if you are accessing the internet from that region, allowing you to access region-restricted content or services. However, it should be noted that the use of VPN may be legally restricted in some regions or countries, and it is recommended to use it in compliance with applicable laws.

Q9. How many devices can I connect to a VPN Server running on TP-Link Wi-Fi Router or Deco Mesh Wi-Fi System?

A: When setting up a TP-Link router as a PPTP or L2TP/IPSec server, you can create a total of 16 accounts. However, only 10 accounts are allowed to connect to the VPN server online at a time, with one device per account. For the WireGuard you can have a maximum of 16 concurrent connections, and for OpenVPN, the maximum number of concurrent connections is limited to 10.

Q10. If the Deco satellite does not support the VPN function, can I still use the VPN function with the Main Deco?

A: Yes, you can still use the VPN function with the Main Deco even if the Deco satellite does not support it. The VPN feature will work when enabled on the Main Deco.

Q11. Can I configure a separate DNS server address when using a VPN connection on TP-Link Wi-Fi Router or Deco Mesh Wi-Fi System?

A: Currently, TP-Link Wi-Fi routers do not support the configuration of a separate DNS server address when using a VPN connection.

By addressing these questions, you can gain a better understanding of VPN functionality on TP-Link routers and Deco devices.