Struggling to set up NordVPN on Chromecast?
Unlike computers, smartphones, and some smart TVs, Chromecast lacks built-in VPN functionality.
As such, setting up NordVPN on your Chromecast can be a little bit more complicated.
No need to worry, though – in this guide, I’ll take you through the process in simple, easy-to-follow steps.
Easy Steps to Set Up NordVPN on Chromecast
Here are the quick steps you need to follow to use NordVPN on Chromecast:
- Subscribe to NordVPN (Get 68% OFF).
- Download and install the NordVPN app on your PC.
- Launch the VPN app and log in using your credentials.
- Navigate to the NordVPN server list and click on your target server location to connect to a server.
- On your PC, go to Settings>Network & Internet
- Select Mobile hotspot and turn ON the ‘Share my Internet connection with other devices’ option.
What You’ll Need to Follow This Tutorial
If you’re going to follow this guide successfully, there are two key things you will need:
- A NordVPN subscription
- PC or Router
Step by Step Instructions
As mentioned earlier, Chromecast does not have built-in VPN or Smart DNS functionality.
That means you can’t set up NordVPN on the streaming device directly.
To use NordVPN with Chromecast, you need to connect it to a NordVPN-enabled router – physical or virtual. I’ll show you how.
Setting Up on NordVPN on Chromecast via a Physical Router
The setup process is different for every router but the following general steps should help you out:
Step 1: Make sure your router is compatible with NordVPN. You can see the routers that NordVPN supports here.
Step 2: Type in your router’s IP address in the address of your browser to log in.
Step 3: When prompted, enter your username and password.
Step 4: Configure your router using the steps set out here.
If you’re looking to purchase a new router, I recommend getting an Asus router because it comes with a built-in OpenVPN client which makes it easier to set up.
Below are the steps I used to set up NordVPN on my Asus router. It’s quite simple actually and should take you less than 5 minutes.
Step 1: Log in to the router Control Panel.
Step 2: Click the VPN tab in the left sidebar menu.
Step 3: Select the VPN Client tab.
Step 4: Next, click on the Add profile.
Step 5: In the pop-up window, click the OpenVPN tab and fill in the fields:
Description: Name your Wi-Fi network
Username: Enter NordVPN username
Password: Enter NordVPN password
Auto reconnection: Yes
Step 6: Now, download the OpenVPN client configuration files here.
Step 7: Go back to the control panel and in the resulting pop-up window, click Choose File.
Step 8: Navigate to the NordVPN configuration file and click Open.
Step 9: Click Upload and wait for the confirmation message – Complete!
Step 10: Leave “Import the CA file or edit the .ovpn file manually” unchecked and click OK.
Step 11: The new connection will appear in the VPN client tab under VPN Server List. Click the Activate button to connect to NordVPN.
If successful, you should see a blue checkmark in the Connection Status column.
Step 12: Open Chromecast and connect to the VPN enable router you’ve just set up.
Setting Up NordVPN on Chromecast Via Virtual Router
If your router is not compatible with NordVPN, you can alternatively create a virtual router setup using your Windows PC.
Note that I said ‘Windows PC’ and not Mac.
That’s because it’s not possible at the moment to share your NordVPN connection via Mac.
But more on that later.
So, how do you go about sharing your NordVPN connection through a virtual router?
Windows 10 comes with a very convenient mobile hotspot feature that makes it easier to share your VPN connection via Wi-Fi.
Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Download and install the NordVPN app on your Windows 10 PC.
Step 2: Go to Settings>Network & Internet>Mobile Hotspot.
Step 3: Under ‘Share my Internet connection over’ select Wi-Fi.
Step 4: Next enable ‘Share my connection with other devices’ option.
Step 5: Click Change adapter options on the top right corner.
Step 5: Right-click on TAP-NordVPN Windows Adapter or NordLynx and select Properties.
Step 6: Select the Sharing tab and check the box next to the ‘Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection’ option.
Step 7: From the dropdown menu, select your mobile hotspot and click OK.
Step 8: Now launch NordVPN and connect to a VPN server.
Step 9: Start Chromecast and connect to your mobile hotspot.
If you use earlier Windows versions, I’ve got your back too. Use the steps below to share your NordVPN connection:
Step 1: Type ‘cmd’ on the Windows Search bar to display the Command Prompt. Next, right-click on the app and select ‘Run as administrator’.
Step 2: In the Command Prompt, type the command:
netsh wlan show drivers
Step 3: Check the Hosted network supported line. If it says Yes, then your PC supports virtual setup and you can proceed. If it says No, you’ll need to update your adapter drivers.
If the problem persists, you’ll need to upgrade your wireless card or get a newer PC.
Step 4: Type the following command to set up your password and username:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=NetworkName key=NetworkPassword
Note: You should replace NetworkName with your preferred Wi-Fi name and NetworkPasword with a unique password.
Step 5: Press Enter.
Step 6: Type the command below to activate the virtual network:
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
Step 7: Exit Command Prompt and go to Network and Sharing center>Open Network and Sharing Center>Change adapter settings.
Step 8: Right-click on TAP-NordVPN Windows Adapter or NordLynx and open Properties.
Step 9: Click the Sharing tab and check the Allow other networks users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection box.
Step 10: Select Local Area Connection from the drop-down and click OK.
Step 11: Open the NordVPN app and connect to your target server location.
Step 12: Launch the Chromecast app and connect to the NordVPN enabled-virtual router.
Enjoy!
If you use a Mac and have been scouring the internet trying to figure out how to share your NordVPN connection, it’s time to stop.
That’s because NordVPN no longer supports the L2TP/IPsec protocol and to share a VPN connection on Mac, you need to set up an L2TP/IPsec connection.
Conclusion
Using NordVPN on Chromecast allows you to bypass geo-blocks and unleash tons of content.
And while the streaming device does not support VPNs, you can easily go around that by connecting it to a NordVPN-enabled connection.
I hope this guide will help you set up NordVPN on Chromecast.
Please share it on social media to help your friends and family.
Have a nice day!
