If you are looking for a gaming VPN to help improve your experience and protect your privacy, NordVPN is a great option.
In this guide, we will show you how to install NordVPN on Xbox so you can get the most out of your console.
One of the great things about using a VPN with your Xbox console is that you can connect to game servers all over the world. This means that you can play with friends or compete against others in a different country.
VPNs also encrypt your traffic so your ISP cannot see what you are doing online. This is especially important for gaming because ISPs can throttle your connection if they think you are using too much bandwidth.
Unfortunately, Xbox cannot run a VPN natively as a PC or smartphone can. This means that you will need to use a separate router or connect your Xbox to a VPN-enabled computer. We will show you how to do both below (with a bonus method).
So keep on reading to know the step-by-step guidelines on how to run your Xbox on NordVPN in a hassle-free way!
Short on time? Here’s a Short Summary of How to Install NordVPN On Xbox.
- Go to your router’s admin panel and log in.
- Click on the VPN tab.
- Add a VPN client for OpenVPN.
- Enter the information like Description, Username, Password.
- Import the OpenVPN file (provided by NordVPN).
- Save your settings and reboot your router.
Want to know more about NordVPN? Visit our dedicated guide: How Does NordVPN Work
How to Install NordVPN On Xbox?
Xbox doesn’t run native VPN apps so you cannot install NordVPN directly on your Xbox console. But there are other options.
Here are three ways you can install NordVPN on Xbox with ease.
- Install NordVPN directly on your router and connect your Xbox console to that network.
- Create a virtual router on your Windows PC and connect your Xbox to it via Ethernet cable.
- Use NordVPN’s SmartDNS feature to bypass geo-blocks on your Xbox console.
Method # 1: How to Install NordVPN On Xbox Via Router?
The best way to secure your Xbox console is by setting up a VPN on a router. And NordVPN is the ideal choice as it has a pool of more than 5000 servers in 59 countries.
However, NordVPN doesn’t support all kinds of routers. But if you have an Asus router, then you’re in luck as NordVPN works best with Asus routers.
Here is a list of routers and firmware that NordVPN supports. So if you are to buy a new router, make sure you check out the list first for a smooth installation process.
We recommend you to go for DD-WRT, Tomato, or OpenWRT. Because then you’ll only need to flash your router with the right firmware and you’ll unlock the VPN feature for your router.
But the flashing process can be a little risky so you have to be careful about that, messing up can damage your router’s normal functionality.
However, if you don’t want to flash your router yourself then buy a pre-configured VPN router from a reputable provider like FlashRouters.
NordVPN on your router will encrypt all traffic passing through, so you won’t have to install any software on your Xbox. And you’ll also be covering streaming devices like Roku, Firestick, or Apple TV which don’t have support for native VPN apps.
For a step-by-step installation process, visit our detailed guide on how to install NordVPN on a router.
Method # 2: How to Install NordVPN On Xbox By Creating a Virtual Router?
If you can’t or don’t want to flash your router then there’s another way to go about it. You can create a virtual router right on your PC and share its connection with your Xbox.
It’s a little more complicated than installing on a router but the process is doable. And it doesn’t require any special hardware, just a computer that can run Windows.
First, you need to sign up for a NordVPN account if you haven’t already. Then download and install the app on your PC, if you don’t know how to do that, visit our detailed guide on how to set up a VPN.
After that, launch it, log in with your credentials, and connect to any server of your choice.
Now that the VPN is running on your PC, connect it to your Xbox console via Ethernet cable and follow the steps below:
Step 1: On your Windows computer, go to the Control Panel and head to Network and Sharing Centre.
Step 2: Click on Change Adapter Settings on the left panel.
Step 3: Right-click on the network that says “NordVPN TAP-Windows Adapter V9” and head to Properties.
Step 4: Navigate to the Sharing tab.
Step 5: Check the box that says “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection“.
Step 6: Click on the drop-down menu bar under Home Networking Connection and select Ethernet.
Step 7: Click on OK.
Step 8: Turn on your Xbox console and go to the Settings.
Step 9: In the General section, go to Network Settings.
Step 10: Select Test Network Connection and you should connect to the internet now.
That’s it, you have now successfully installed NordVPN on your Xbox console. You can access any geo-restricted content and play online games without worrying about being tracked or monitored.
Method # 3: How to Install NordVPN On Xbox Using the SmartDNS Feature?
If you want to unblock geo-restricted content on your Xbox One but don’t want the hassle of setting up a VPN, then you can use NordVPN’s SmartDNS feature.
With SmartDNS, you can have access to all the geo-restrictions and start streaming right away. The best part is that it doesn’t slow down your internet connection as a VPN does.
However, it is not an alternate for a VPN. SmartDNS has the ability to unlock all the geo-restrictions but it doesn’t encrypt your traffic. So your ISP can still see what you’re doing or hackers can still reach you.
If you don’t care about these, SmartDNS is a very handy feature.
To use NordVPN’s SmartDNS feature, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Connect your PC and Xbox to the same network.
Step 2: Go to Nord Account and sign in with your NordVPN credentials.
Step 3: Head to the Services section and find NordVPN.
Step 4: Click on NordVPN and find SmartDNS on the right panel.
Step 5: Click on Activate next to SmartDNS.
Step 6: You’ll receive an email from the NordVPN team with two DNS server IP addresses. Note them down somewhere, we’ll need these later.
Step 7: Turn on your Xbox console and go to the Settings.
Step 8: In the General section, select Network Settings.
Step 9: Go to Advanced Settings.
Step 10: Select DNS Settings.
Step 11: Select Manual.
Step 12: We need the two DNS server IP addresses from step 6. Enter the first DNS server IP address in the Primary IPv4 DNS and enter the second DNS server IP address in the Secondary IPv4 DNS.
Step 13: Save the settings and your console should display a message “You’re all good, your console is connected to the internet“.
That’s all you need to do. Now you can access any geo-blocked content or play games without worrying about being monitored or tracked.
Why You Should Use NordVPN On Xbox?
By now, you must be wondering why you should use a VPN on your Xbox One console. There are several reasons for that.
First of all, if you want to play online multiplayer games, you need a VPN to connect to international servers. With a VPN, you can connect to any server in the world regardless of your location.
Large Pool Of Servers.
NordVPN has 5000+ servers in 59 countries. So you can connect to any server of the world regardless of your actual location.
This is the best way to escape dynamic pricing as you can connect to servers where the prices for games are the lowest, like Argentina or Turkey.
If you want to play games that are geo-blocked in your current region, just geo-spoof to a location server where the game is available and you’re gold.
Unlimited Bandwidth.
When you’re using a VPN, your traffic has to hop through multiple checkpoints and it takes more internet power than usual.
A below-average VPN will limit your bandwidth and you’ll face a slow internet connection, which will result in a poor gaming experience.
As for NordVPN, it doesn’t throttle your internet speed or bandwidth. So you can enjoy gaming at full speed without any lag or buffering.
Military Grade Encryption.
When you’re playing online, you’re always at risk of getting DDoS attacks.
DDoS is a type of cyber-attack where the attacker overloads the target’s internet connection with traffic to make it inaccessible for other users.
This can be very frustrating for gamers as they can’t play their favorite games.
With NordVPN, you don’t have to worry about DDoS attacks as it encrypts your traffic with military-grade encryption. This makes it impossible for anyone to snoop on your traffic or overload it with traffic.
Strict No-Logs Policy.
NordVPN also has a strict no-logs policy, so your gaming sessions are completely private and nobody can track you.
It is registered in Panama where there are no laws for data retention and it’s outside the surveillance of the 14 eyes.
The company doesn’t keep any logs of your traffic or activity and its also been audited by PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), a third-party auditing company.
So with NordVPN, you can game without worrying about your privacy.
NordVPN 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free. So even if you’re not satisfied with the service, you can always get a refund.
The process of getting a refund is very easy. You just need to reach the NordVPN team in under 30 days. Just go to the NordVPN website, find the live chat button and generate a refund request.
You’ll get your refund in 3 or 4 working days with no questions asked.
Streaming Support.
If you want to watch movies or TV shows on your Xbox console, NordVPN can help you with that as well.
It has servers optimized for streaming so you can unblock Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and other popular streaming platforms from anywhere in the world.
You can have access to 19 different Netflix libraries with NordVPN. It even has a dedicated feature for streaming called SmartDNS. Although it doesn’t encrypt your traffic, it unlocks all the geo-blocked services.
These are a few reasons why you should use NordVPN on your Xbox console. So if you’re looking for a VPN that can improve your gaming experience, NordVPN is the way to go.
What Tools Does NordVPN Offer?
NordVPN offers a few different tools to help you with your gaming experience.
First, it has a kill switch feature which is very useful for gamers.
A kill switch automatically kills your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This is important for gamers as they can’t afford to have their internet connection interrupted in the middle of a game.
NordVPN also offers a few other features like DNS leak protection, double VPN, and obfuscated servers.
DNS leak protection is important as it prevents your ISP from knowing which websites you’re visiting.
Double VPN encrypts your traffic twice for extra security and obfuscated servers are useful for bypassing VPN blocks.
Other than that, it offers a split-tunneling tool called Whitelister.
Split tunneling is a feature that allows you to route some of your traffic through the VPN while other traffic goes through your ISP. This is useful for gamers as they can route their gaming traffic through the VPN while still being able to use their internet connection for other things.
NordVPN also offers a few other features like CyberSec and NordLynx.
CyberSec is a security feature that blocks ads, malware, and phishing attempts.
NordLynx is NordVPN’s very own VPN protocol that uses Wireguard. It’s one of the fastest VPN protocols available and it’s perfect for gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which servers does NordVPN have for gaming?
Does NordVPN work with Xbox Live?
How much does NordVPN cost?
Is there a free trial for NordVPN?
Does NordVPN work with Mac?
Does NordVPN work with router?
Does NordVPN keep logs?
Is NordVPN safe?
What is NordVPN's refund policy?
Does NordVPN work with Netflix?
Conclusion
NordVPN is a great VPN for gamers as it offers a kill switch, split tunneling, and obfuscated servers. It offers more than 5000 servers in 50+ countries so you don’t have to worry about finding a server that works!
Getting NordVPN is also very affordable and it has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free.
So, if you’re looking for a top-tier VPN for gaming, we highly recommend NordVPN.
We hope you’re clear on how to install NordVPN on Xbox, but if you still have any confusion regarding it, drop your comments below.
