How to setup a VPN on Nintendo Switch in just a few simple steps

Nintendo Switch is not new in the market, but thanks to a persistent marketing campaign and the appealing features that it offers, users around the world are paying attention to this portable console. Nintendo is determined to make the Switch a success and the console is set to become very popular among gamers thanks to its portability, ease of use and striking design. You can bring the Nintendo Switch with you on the go and use it to enjoy great games using a wireless connection.

The Nintendo Switch can be used as a desktop console, a tablet with wireless controllers or as a detachable portable gaming device. It is a versatile solution as it is, but Nintendo is planning to expand its functionality even further. The Nintendo Switch relies on continuous connectivity to a WiFi network. At the moment, the online features focus on gaming, but additional options like web browsing, social and on-demand video entertainment will be added.

You can easily create an account for the Nintendo Switch Store from the official website, but if you want to register multiple accounts from different regions, you would need a regional IP address for each account. For this purpose, using a VPN service is the ideal solution. Changing your location gives you flexibility to access games that are not available in your location. For instance, you may want to access the Japanese store to find games that are only found there. Even if you live outside Japan, you will be able to create a Japanese account by connecting to a VPN server in that country.

This will allow you to get a Japanese IP address. You can create as many accounts as needed, connecting to VPN servers in the regions you want to access. It is possible to select the games you want and there are no limits in the amount of games that can be installed. Apart from allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions, a VPN lets you enhance the security of your online traffic. Considering the growing popularity of the Nintendo Switch and the claims that it could be hacked https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/02/hackers-hijack-nintendo-switch-show-linux-loaded-on-console/ it is important to take the necessary steps to defend your privacy when you use the console.

How to setup VPN on Nintendo Switch

While there are many benefits of using a VPN service on Nintendo Switch, the console doesn’t have built-in settings that allow you to setup a VPN. What you can do is to set up the VPN on your router so that you can connect to the Nintendo Switch. To help you complete the process and get a VPN running on your console, we present guides that will help you to set up a VPN on your router. The guides focus on popular brands such as ASUS, Linksys and TP-Link, but it is possible to find the same options on other routers currently available.

How to set up a VPN on ASUS (NT-R66U) router

If you have an ASUS router, you need to check that your VPN provider supports PPTP or OpenVPN, which are the fastest options for Nintendo Switch. This shouldn’t be a problem since most providers offers these options. In addition, you need the *.OVPN file for the VPN server you want to connect to on the router. You can ask your VPN provider to give you this information. Here are the steps that you can follow:

1. Access your router Settings/ Control Panel/ Configuration
2. Click Advanced Settings on the left and then go to VPN > OpenVPN Client
3. Scroll down in OpenVPN client settings, to Client Control, then click Choose File
4. Select the OVPN configuration file that you want to use and then click UPLOAD
5. When the OV{N file has been uploaded successfully, all the settings will be automatically updated by the router control panel.
6. Scroll down to fill in your Username & Password, then click Apply
7. Go back to the top of OpenVPN Client Settings, locate Service states, then click to Turn the service on. Now you can start using the VPN.

How to set up Nintendo Switch VPN on TP-Link router

1. Go to Settings/Control panel on your router. You will see a menu on the left, then go to Network > WAN.
2. In WAN Settings, you need to fill out the boxes with the below information:
3. For WAN Connection Type, select PPTP/Russia PPTP
   Enter your VPN username and password in the relevant boxes
   Check the option that says “Dynamic IP”.
   In the box called Service IP Address, you need to enter the VPN server required. You can get the server address from your VPN provider.
4. Click DHCP in the menu on the left hand side. Here you need to enter the Primary DNS and the Secondary DNS. To obtain this information, ask your provider for DNS Settings.
5. Click on Security on the menu on the left and select Basic Security. Then enable SPI Firewall and under VPN heading, enable PPTP, L2TP and IPSec.
6. Click on Network, then WAN. Scroll to the bottom and select one of the options available: Connect on Demand, Connect Automatically or Connect Manually.
7.  Click Save and reboot your router. That is all, you can connect your console to your router and enjoy a VPN on your Nintendo Switch.

How to set up a VPN on Linksys router

For a Linksys router, make sure that PPTP is a protocol supported by your VPN provider.

1. Go to the router Settings/Control Panel/Configuration
2. Click Setup tab> Basic Setup tab and then Internet Connection Type
3. Click the drop down box and select PPTP as connection type from the options listed.
4. Configure the following settings:
   Obtain an IP Address should be checked
   Request your VPN provider to provide the Server IP address. Then enter the information in the relevant box.
5. Enter your username and password. Then select Save Settings and reboot your router. Now you should be able to connect to the VPN server.

Another alternative is to buy a router that is already configured with the VPN service of your choice. You can find retailers like FlashRouters which offer routers that are ready to go, or you can buy routers pre-configured with the service, directly from your VPN provider, if they offer that possibility.

Best VPN services for Nintendo Switch

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the best options for gamers since it offers great speeds and high quality performance. The software is easy to use and you can access servers in over 90 countries. ExpressVPN offers excellent guides that will allow you to set up its software on different router models and brands. In addition, it has its own app for routers, which makes things simple and allows you to enjoy games on Nintendo Switch securely.

VyprVPN

VyprVPN has also a good reputation in the gaming community since it offers advanced technology that can help you to get around blocks effectively, no matter where you are. VyprVPN offers its own protocol known as Chameleon, which is designed to defeat blocks by disguising your VPN traffic. VyprVPN also allows you to connect to ultra fast servers in over 70 locations around the world.

PureVPN

PureVPN is another good solution for users who want to bypass restrictions and enjoy security on their gaming consoles. Apart from offering good speeds and high encryption, PureVPN is known for its extensive network of servers. You can connect to over 750 servers in 141 countries. PureVPN has easy to use software and excellent customer support.

TorGuard

TorGuard has servers in over 50 countries and it also offers technology that is designed to help you to defeat blocks so that you can enjoy a versatile gaming experience. TorGuard doesn’t keep any logs and it has a good selection of plans that suit different needs. They offer routers that have been already configured to run the VPN service.