It\u2019s important to understand that VPN passthrough doesn\u2019t mean the router is running the VPN itself. It just allows the VPN traffic from your devices to pass through and reach its destination.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n
How VPN Passthrough Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/image-25.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo understand how VPN passthrough works, it helps to know how your router handles traffic using NAT (network address translation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NAT allows all the devices connected to your network to use the same public IP address. It does this by keeping track of outgoing and incoming data using port numbers, which act like unique ID tags for each connection, so it knows which traffic belongs to which device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For most online activities, like browsing, streaming, or gaming. NAT works seamlessly. Whether you\u2019re using a laptop, phone, or game console, your router can forward the data to the right device without any issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem is that older VPN protocols<\/a> such as PPTP, L2TP, and IPSec, weren\u2019t designed with NAT in mind. Without a workaround, the router may block or misroute the VPN traffic, causing the connection to fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThat\u2019s where VPN passthrough comes in. When enabled, it tells the router to handle this unusual traffic differently. It creates exceptions so the VPN packets pass through the firewall and reach the correct device without being dropped or blocked. It doesn\u2019t decrypt the data or interfere with your connection.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Types of VPN Passthrough<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Not all VPN passthrough works the same way; different protocols require different processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- PPTP Passthrough<\/strong>: PPTP uses a protocol called GRE, which doesn\u2019t support port numbers. Normally, the router handles this by tracking the control connection over TCP port 1723 and using a special Call ID inside GRE packets to match the session to the right device. But that\u2019s not enough on its own. With passthrough enabled, the router is specifically configured to recognize and handle GRE traffic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- IPSec Passthrough<\/strong>: IPSec uses its own protocols that don\u2019t work well with NAT. Passthrough solves this by supporting NAT traversal (NAT-T), which wraps the encrypted IPSec traffic in standard UDP packets, making it easier for the router to process and forward.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- L2TP Passthrough<\/strong>: L2TP relies on UDP-based tunnels, and passthrough allows the router to recognize and manage those connections without dropping or misrouting the packets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/vpn-protocols-and-passthrough-at-a-glance-1002x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDo OpenVPN and WireGuard Need VPN Passthrough?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
No, OpenVPN, WireGuard<\/a>, and even IKEv2 are designed with NAT in mind, making the passthrough irrelevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOpenVPN uses standard TCP or UDP ports, which routers can easily recognize and manage. WireGuard, even though it\u2019s newer, also uses standard UDP ports. As long as your router isn\u2019t blocking the necessary ports, the traffic will go through just like any other internet data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re using PIA VPN<\/a>, you can choose OpenVPN and WireGuard, so you won\u2019t need VPN passthrough. The router treats your online traffic like any other encrypted connection and passes it along without an issue.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow to Enable VPN Passthrough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Most routers support VPN passthrough, but the steps to enable it vary between brands. If you can\u2019t find it, a quick check of your router\u2019s manual or a search for your model and \u201cVPN passthrough\u201d should point you in the right direction. Some routers may not even list it because it\u2019s always enabled under the hood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TP-Link, ASUS, & D-Link<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Popular routers from TP-Link, ASUS, and D-Link have VPN passthrough in their settings. Often it\u2019s under the Security, Firewall, or VPN sections of the admin interface. The wording might be Enable VPN Passthrough<\/em>, or it might list the protocols individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLinksys<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
VPN passthrough on Linksys routers is usually in the Security tab of the admin interface. There are separate toggles for PPTP, L2TP, and IPSec passthrough. The default setting will typically have all three enabled. That means unless someone disabled them manually, your Linksys router is already set up for compatibility with VPNs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Netgear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
VPN passthrough on Netgear routers is automatic. There\u2019s no setting to turn it on or off on most models; it\u2019s designed to handle all VPN protocols. The firmware assumes that if a device is trying to initiate a VPN connection, the router should let it happen. In rare cases, if VPN traffic is blocked, you should double-check that NAT-T is working properly or look into setting up port forwarding. But for most users, it just works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is VPN Passthrough Secure?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
VPN passthrough itself doesn\u2019t weaken your network security. The passthrough feature simply allows the router to forward VPN traffic; it doesn\u2019t decrypt or expose any of the encrypted data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, older protocols like PPTP that require passthrough aren\u2019t as secure as the newer VPN protocols that don\u2019t. So, even though the passthrough itself isn\u2019t affecting your security, the fact that you need it means your connection might have vulnerabilities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives to VPN Passthrough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re having router issues because of VPN protocols that require passthrough, the best alternative is to get a VPN that uses modern protocols. PIA<\/a> uses both OpenVPN and WireGuard for which you don\u2019t need VPN Passthrough.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf that\u2019s not an option, you can configure the VPN on your router and install compatible firmware like DD-WRT or OpenWrt to set up the router as the VPN client. This way, the router handles the VPN connection itself without needing passthrough.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note that you can configure your router with PIA<\/a>, too, and if you don\u2019t want to deal with complex router configurations, you can purchase a FlashRouter with PIA pre-installed. This option requires almost zero setup \u2013 you plug it in, log in with your PIA credentials, and you\u2019re good to go.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\nVPN Passthrough vs. Configuring a VPN on a Router<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s a difference between the VPN passthrough and running a VPN directly on your router<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nVPN passthrough only matters if your device, such as a laptop, phone, or streaming stick, is initiating the VPN connection. The router is just allowing that traffic to go out and come back in correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve set up a VPN client on your router itself, the passthrough setting becomes irrelevant. In that case, the router is the one connecting to the VPN server<\/a>, so it doesn\u2019t need to \u201cpass through\u201d anything. It\u2019s the starting point of the connection, not a gatekeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTurning your router into a VPN client requires more advanced configuration, but it eliminates the need for passthrough. It also allows you to connect all the devices on your home network, including a smart TV, without installing a VPN app on each device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do You Need VPN Passthrough With PIA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Usually not. All PIA VPN apps include WireGuard and OpenVPN, which are NAT-friendly protocols. So whether you download the PIA VPN app<\/a> directly on your device or configure your router to run the VPN directly, PIA will connect just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPIA does support IKEv2\/IPSec on iOS, so you might need VPN passthrough if you\u2019re using that protocol, but it\u2019s rarely necessary for typical setups. Your VPN might not connect or drop frequently over that protocol if your router blocks ESP traffic or UDP ports 500 and 4500, which is more common on older routers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if you\u2019re not using a VPN at all? The setting won\u2019t hurt anything if it\u2019s enabled, but there\u2019s no reason to keep it on either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s the bottom line: VPN passthrough is a legacy compatibility feature that only matters in specific situations. Most of the time, you won\u2019t need it. But if you do, it\u2019s good to know what it does and how to turn it on.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n
FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\nShould I disable VPN passthrough?<\/h3>
There\u2019s no reason to disable the VPN passthrough on your router. It\u2019s a compatibility feature that\u2019s only relevant with certain VPN protocols<\/a> like PPTP, L2TP, or IPSec. If your VPN uses OpenVPN or WireGuard, the setting won\u2019t affect you.\u00a0\u00a0
<\/p> <\/div> What is VPN passthrough only?<\/h3>
When a router lists VPN passthrough only<\/em>, it means the router itself doesn\u2019t act as a VPN client or server but allows VPN traffic from devices on your network to pass through. Essentially, the router isn\u2019t creating the VPN connection it\u2019s just making sure it doesn\u2019t block or interfere with VPN traffic<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0
<\/p> <\/div> How does VPN passthrough work on a router?<\/h3>
VPN passthrough allows the router to recognize and handle VPN traffic that would normally be blocked by its NAT firewall<\/a>. For PPTP, L2TP, and IPSec, the router uses specific methods to track session details or support NAT traversal. This ensures that incoming and outgoing VPN packets reach the right device on your network.\u00a0
<\/p> <\/div> Which VPN protocols require passthrough?<\/h3>
VPN passthrough is primarily needed for older protocols<\/a> like PPTP, L2TP, and IPSec. These protocols weren\u2019t designed with NAT in mind and need special handling to pass through a router\u2019s firewall.\u00a0
<\/p> <\/div> What happens if VPN passthrough is disabled?<\/h3>
If VPN passthrough is disabled and you\u2019re using a VPN with IPSec, PPTP, or L2TP, your router\u2019s NAT firewall may block or drop the VPN traffic. This can prevent your device from establishing a VPN connection entirely. You might see repeated connection errors or find the VPN tunnel fails during setup.
<\/p> <\/div>
How do I enable VPN passthrough on my router?<\/h3>
You can typically enable VPN passthrough<\/a> by logging into your router\u2019s admin interface and navigating to the Security or Firewall settings. Look for specific toggles labeled PPTP, L2TP, or IPSec passthrough and make sure they\u2019re turned on. On some routers, passthrough is always enabled and doesn\u2019t require a manual setting.\u00a0
<\/p> <\/div> Can VPN passthrough affect connection speed or stability?<\/h3>
VPN passthrough<\/a> doesn\u2019t have an impact on the connection speed or stability. It simply allows specific VPN traffic types to pass through the router without being blocked.\u00a0
<\/p> <\/div> Do I need VPN passthrough for all types of VPNs?<\/h3>
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo understand how VPN passthrough works, it helps to know how your router handles traffic using NAT (network address translation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NAT allows all the devices connected to your network to use the same public IP address. It does this by keeping track of outgoing and incoming data using port numbers, which act like unique ID tags for each connection, so it knows which traffic belongs to which device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For most online activities, like browsing, streaming, or gaming. NAT works seamlessly. Whether you\u2019re using a laptop, phone, or game console, your router can forward the data to the right device without any issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem is that older VPN protocols<\/a> such as PPTP, L2TP, and IPSec, weren\u2019t designed with NAT in mind. Without a workaround, the router may block or misroute the VPN traffic, causing the connection to fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s where VPN passthrough comes in. When enabled, it tells the router to handle this unusual traffic differently. It creates exceptions so the VPN packets pass through the firewall and reach the correct device without being dropped or blocked. It doesn\u2019t decrypt the data or interfere with your connection.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all VPN passthrough works the same way; different protocols require different processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, OpenVPN, WireGuard<\/a>, and even IKEv2 are designed with NAT in mind, making the passthrough irrelevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n OpenVPN uses standard TCP or UDP ports, which routers can easily recognize and manage. WireGuard, even though it\u2019s newer, also uses standard UDP ports. As long as your router isn\u2019t blocking the necessary ports, the traffic will go through just like any other internet data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re using PIA VPN<\/a>, you can choose OpenVPN and WireGuard, so you won\u2019t need VPN passthrough. The router treats your online traffic like any other encrypted connection and passes it along without an issue.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n Most routers support VPN passthrough, but the steps to enable it vary between brands. If you can\u2019t find it, a quick check of your router\u2019s manual or a search for your model and \u201cVPN passthrough\u201d should point you in the right direction. Some routers may not even list it because it\u2019s always enabled under the hood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Popular routers from TP-Link, ASUS, and D-Link have VPN passthrough in their settings. Often it\u2019s under the Security, Firewall, or VPN sections of the admin interface. The wording might be Enable VPN Passthrough<\/em>, or it might list the protocols individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n VPN passthrough on Linksys routers is usually in the Security tab of the admin interface. There are separate toggles for PPTP, L2TP, and IPSec passthrough. The default setting will typically have all three enabled. That means unless someone disabled them manually, your Linksys router is already set up for compatibility with VPNs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n VPN passthrough on Netgear routers is automatic. There\u2019s no setting to turn it on or off on most models; it\u2019s designed to handle all VPN protocols. The firmware assumes that if a device is trying to initiate a VPN connection, the router should let it happen. In rare cases, if VPN traffic is blocked, you should double-check that NAT-T is working properly or look into setting up port forwarding. But for most users, it just works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n VPN passthrough itself doesn\u2019t weaken your network security. The passthrough feature simply allows the router to forward VPN traffic; it doesn\u2019t decrypt or expose any of the encrypted data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, older protocols like PPTP that require passthrough aren\u2019t as secure as the newer VPN protocols that don\u2019t. So, even though the passthrough itself isn\u2019t affecting your security, the fact that you need it means your connection might have vulnerabilities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re having router issues because of VPN protocols that require passthrough, the best alternative is to get a VPN that uses modern protocols. PIA<\/a> uses both OpenVPN and WireGuard for which you don\u2019t need VPN Passthrough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If that\u2019s not an option, you can configure the VPN on your router and install compatible firmware like DD-WRT or OpenWrt to set up the router as the VPN client. This way, the router handles the VPN connection itself without needing passthrough.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that you can configure your router with PIA<\/a>, too, and if you don\u2019t want to deal with complex router configurations, you can purchase a FlashRouter with PIA pre-installed. This option requires almost zero setup \u2013 you plug it in, log in with your PIA credentials, and you\u2019re good to go.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a difference between the VPN passthrough and running a VPN directly on your router<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n VPN passthrough only matters if your device, such as a laptop, phone, or streaming stick, is initiating the VPN connection. The router is just allowing that traffic to go out and come back in correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve set up a VPN client on your router itself, the passthrough setting becomes irrelevant. In that case, the router is the one connecting to the VPN server<\/a>, so it doesn\u2019t need to \u201cpass through\u201d anything. It\u2019s the starting point of the connection, not a gatekeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Turning your router into a VPN client requires more advanced configuration, but it eliminates the need for passthrough. It also allows you to connect all the devices on your home network, including a smart TV, without installing a VPN app on each device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually not. All PIA VPN apps include WireGuard and OpenVPN, which are NAT-friendly protocols. So whether you download the PIA VPN app<\/a> directly on your device or configure your router to run the VPN directly, PIA will connect just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PIA does support IKEv2\/IPSec on iOS, so you might need VPN passthrough if you\u2019re using that protocol, but it\u2019s rarely necessary for typical setups. Your VPN might not connect or drop frequently over that protocol if your router blocks ESP traffic or UDP ports 500 and 4500, which is more common on older routers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you\u2019re not using a VPN at all? The setting won\u2019t hurt anything if it\u2019s enabled, but there\u2019s no reason to keep it on either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s the bottom line: VPN passthrough is a legacy compatibility feature that only matters in specific situations. Most of the time, you won\u2019t need it. But if you do, it\u2019s good to know what it does and how to turn it on.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no reason to disable the VPN passthrough on your router. It\u2019s a compatibility feature that\u2019s only relevant with certain VPN protocols<\/a> like PPTP, L2TP, or IPSec. If your VPN uses OpenVPN or WireGuard, the setting won\u2019t affect you.\u00a0\u00a0 When a router lists VPN passthrough only<\/em>, it means the router itself doesn\u2019t act as a VPN client or server but allows VPN traffic from devices on your network to pass through. Essentially, the router isn\u2019t creating the VPN connection it\u2019s just making sure it doesn\u2019t block or interfere with VPN traffic<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 VPN passthrough allows the router to recognize and handle VPN traffic that would normally be blocked by its NAT firewall<\/a>. For PPTP, L2TP, and IPSec, the router uses specific methods to track session details or support NAT traversal. This ensures that incoming and outgoing VPN packets reach the right device on your network.\u00a0 VPN passthrough is primarily needed for older protocols<\/a> like PPTP, L2TP, and IPSec. These protocols weren\u2019t designed with NAT in mind and need special handling to pass through a router\u2019s firewall.\u00a0 If VPN passthrough is disabled and you\u2019re using a VPN with IPSec, PPTP, or L2TP, your router\u2019s NAT firewall may block or drop the VPN traffic. This can prevent your device from establishing a VPN connection entirely. You might see repeated connection errors or find the VPN tunnel fails during setup. You can typically enable VPN passthrough<\/a> by logging into your router\u2019s admin interface and navigating to the Security or Firewall settings. Look for specific toggles labeled PPTP, L2TP, or IPSec passthrough and make sure they\u2019re turned on. On some routers, passthrough is always enabled and doesn\u2019t require a manual setting.\u00a0 VPN passthrough<\/a> doesn\u2019t have an impact on the connection speed or stability. It simply allows specific VPN traffic types to pass through the router without being blocked.\u00a0Types of VPN Passthrough<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDo OpenVPN and WireGuard Need VPN Passthrough?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Enable VPN Passthrough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
TP-Link, ASUS, & D-Link<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Linksys<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Netgear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is VPN Passthrough Secure?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives to VPN Passthrough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
VPN Passthrough vs. Configuring a VPN on a Router<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do You Need VPN Passthrough With PIA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Should I disable VPN passthrough?<\/h3>
<\/p> <\/div> What is VPN passthrough only?<\/h3>
<\/p> <\/div> How does VPN passthrough work on a router?<\/h3>
<\/p> <\/div> Which VPN protocols require passthrough?<\/h3>
<\/p> <\/div> What happens if VPN passthrough is disabled?<\/h3>
<\/p> <\/div> How do I enable VPN passthrough on my router?<\/h3>
<\/p> <\/div> Can VPN passthrough affect connection speed or stability?<\/h3>
<\/p> <\/div> Do I need VPN passthrough for all types of VPNs?<\/h3>