Updated on: October 4, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Set Up a VPN on FRITZ!Box in 2024:
- Subscribe to a VPN service. My #1 VPN for FRITZ!Box is Surfshark. It supports direct manual configuration on FRITZ!Box, and it provides fast speeds and strong security.
- Set up the VPN. Manually configure the VPN on your FRITZ!Box. There are instructions on the provider’s website.
- Start using the internet. That’s it! Every device in your household that’s connected to your FRITZ!Box is now protected.
It’s tricky to configure a VPN on FRITZ!Box routers since they don’t support OpenVPN setups (most VPN router setups use this protocol). Instead, they only allow WireGuard and IPSec configurations — and most VPN providers don’t support manual router configurations via those protocols.
But let’s say you manage to find a VPN with WireGuard support for routers (I’m not mentioning IPSec since that protocol is mostly used by businesses). Even then, setting up and configuring the VPN service on your FRITZ!Box router is a bit confusing.
So, I put together this guide on how to set up a VPN on FRITZ!Box to simplify the task for you and to explain the benefits of using a VPN with FRITZ!Box. I also discuss the best VPN to use with FRITZ!Box routers — if you’re in a hurry, it’s Surfshark (which supports WireGuard router setups on FRITZ!Box devices).
What’s the Best VPN for FRITZ!Box?
My top pick for FRITZ!Box routers is Surfshark. This is one of the only VPNs that actually guarantees support for FRITZ!Box routers — it supports manual WireGuard setups, and it also provides access to step-by-step guides that show you how to configure its VPN service on FRITZ!Box routers.
I also like how easy it is to follow the provider’s setup guides. All steps are properly structured via headings and numbered steps, and there’s also a jump-link menu that takes you to the exact section you want to read about. Plus, the guides include great screenshots. And if you need more help, Surfshark provides great 24/7 live chat support — its live chat reps are pretty knowledgeable about setting up the VPN on FRITZ!Box devices.
And in addition to compatibility with FRITZ!Box routers, Surfshark provides other perks — it secures your data with high-end security and privacy features, it maintains very fast connection speeds, it has servers in 100 countries, it works with 50+ streaming platforms, and it allows torrenting on all of its servers.
How to Install a VPN on FRITZ!Box (Step-By-Step Guides)
FRITZ!Box devices only support WireGuard and IPSec configurations. IPSec is mostly used by businesses, so as a regular internet user you need to get a VPN provider that allows you to download WireGuard configuration files. Only a few VPNs allow you to do that (like Surfshark). In addition to setting up the VPN on your FRITZ!Box, you can also configure it using WireGuard on a regular router and then physically connect it to your FRITZ!Box.
Direct Manual VPN Setup on FRITZ!Box
- Check WireGuard compatibility. Check the provider’s website or contact its support team to find out if the VPN service supports WireGuard router configurations. Surfshark does, so you can set it up on FRITZ!Box directly — plus, the provider has an excellent FRITZ!Box setup guide on its website.
- Configure the VPN on your FRITZ!Box. The specific steps you have to take will differ from VPN to VPN, so it’s best to look for a setup tutorial on your VPN provider’s website. If that’s not an option, there are guides on FRITZ!Box’s provider’s website. Alternatively, you can contact the customer support team for assistance.
Dual Router Setup
- Get a VPN-compatible router that supports WireGuard connections. You can check to see if a router is compatible with a VPN by visiting the VPN provider’s website.
- Set up the VPN on your router. The process differs slightly from router to router, so your best bet is to head to your VPN’s website and find the appropriate setup tutorial.
- Connect your VPN router to your FRITZ!Box. You can do this with an Ethernet cable. This connection allows the secondary router to get its internet connection from the FRITZ!Box and route all outbound internet traffic through the VPN. That’s it!
What Are the Benefits of Installing a VPN on FRITZ!Box?
The main benefit of configuring a VPN on your FRITZ!Box is better security and privacy. A VPN secures your online activities by encrypting your internet connection and masking your IP address, which provides you with added privacy.
The encryption also helps you stay anonymous by preventing third parties (including your ISP and your government) from tracking your online activities or targeting you with ads.
By masking your IP address, a VPN can make it seem as if you’re in a different location. This way, no one online can see where you live — it’s a great privacy tool for social media websites, messaging apps, and torrenting.
Finally, VPNs prevent bandwidth throttling — this is when internet service providers (ISPs) slow down speeds for specific online activities, like streaming, gaming, or downloading files. Since VPNs encrypt your traffic, ISPs can’t selectively throttle your speeds for different online activities.
Tried Installing a VPN on FRITZ!Box, But It’s Not Working? Try These Troubleshooting Steps
- Make sure your VPN supports manual configurations with WireGuard. The VPN you’re using must allow you to download and use WireGuard configuration files, otherwise you won’t be able to set it up.
- Check to see if your VPN is compatible with your router. Not every VPN works with every router, so if you’re using the dual router setup, make sure your VPN is compatible with your router by visiting the VPN provider’s official website.
- Check your internet connection. Turn your VPN off and check to see if your base internet connection works. If not, resolve any underlying connectivity issues first.
- Restart your router and/or FRITZ!Box. Sometimes, simply restarting your router and/or FRITZ!Box can resolve connection issues by refreshing its network settings.
- Update to the latest version of FRITZ!OS. A more recent version of the firmware may address your particular issue. To do this, open the user interface on your FRITZ!Box, enter “fritz.box” into the address bar, log in with your account credentials, select Wizards, and then click Update/Update Firmware.
- Test with a different VPN server. Your issue may be server-specific. Try connecting to a different server location on your VPN and see if the issue persists.
- Reconfigure your VPN settings. It’s easy to make mistakes during the setup process. Review each step to ensure that all configurations are correct.
- Contact customer support. If all else fails, reach out to your VPN’s customer service for more personalized assistance. You can reach out to the FRITZ!Box manufacturer (AVM), too — it provides customer support via email, and it’s generally pretty responsive.
I’d also like to recommend using AVM’s support section — it provides access to tons of support articles that cover using a VPN on FRITZ!Box routers. Just select your FRITZ!Box model from the dropdown menu (next to Product:) and click the VPN topic to see a list of VPN-related support articles for FRITZ!Box devices. Alternatively, search by keyword by using the Search: field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does FRITZ!Box support VPNs?
Yes, FRITZ!Box supports VPN connections. If you want to configure a third-party VPN, you’ll have to either manually set it up with WireGuard configuration files from your VPN provider or configure the VPN on a separate router that you then physically connect to your FRITZ!Box device.
Additionally, you can manually set up a VPN connection between different FRITZ!Box devices to securely access all devices in your home network and connect your FRITZ!Box to your company’s VPN server to access devices and data in the company’s network.
How do I set up a VPN on FRITZ!Box?
There are 2 main methods to set up a VPN on FRITZ!Box. You can manually set up your VPN on your FRITZ!Box via a WireGuard configuration, or you can set up a VPN on a second router via WireGuard and connect it to your FRITZ!Box.
Why isn’t my VPN working with FRITZ!Box?
There are a number of reasons why you might be experiencing issues getting your VPN to work with FRITZ!Box. Some simple troubleshooting steps you can try are restarting your FRITZ!Box, router, and VPN client, checking your VPN configurations on your FRITZ!Box or router to make sure that you didn’t make any mistakes when entering information, and trying to connect to a different VPN server. If none of the troubleshooting steps solve your problem, you should try out the FRITZ!Box manufacturer’s support section and also contact the FRITZ!Box manufacturer and the VPN provider’s support teams.
Does FRITZ!Box support OpenVPN?
No, as FRITZ!Box only supports manual configurations via the WireGuard and IPSec protocols. So, if you intend to use a VPN service on a FRITZ!Box router, you’ll need to make sure the VPN provider supports WireGuard setups (don’t bother with IPSec since it’s mostly meant for businesses). Surfshark is one of the few VPNs that allows WireGuard router setups, and it’s also very secure and fast.
