How to Quickly Set Up NordVPN on Samsung Smart TV?

You won’t find the NordVPN app on the Smart Hub. But you can still set up the VPN on your Samsung TV, albeit not directly.

Modern Samsung TVs come built-in with Tizen OS and don’t support VPNs. Luckily, there are a few workarounds.

In this article, I’ll show you three quick ways to set up and use NordVPN on Samsung TV.

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Install NordVPN on Samsung TV?

Below are the three different ways you can use NordVPN on Samsung TVs:

Method 1: Set Up NordVPN on Samsung TV Via a Physical Router

This is arguably the best method to use NordVPN on Samsung TV. Once you configure the VPN on your router, you can automatically stream geo-restricted movies and TV shows.

But before jumping into the step-by-step guide, ensure your router is compatible with NordVPN.

The VPN no longer supports L2TP/IPsec and PPTP protocols and, as a result, doesn’t work with the native firmware of many popular brands, including:

Cisco
D-Link
Huawei
Netgear
TP-Link

To use any of the above routers with NordVPN, you need to install custom firmware.

If you’re yet to purchase your router, I recommend looking for one that has a built-in OpenVPN client. It requires little effort to set up and sidesteps the pitfalls of firmware flashing.

Some of the custom firmware supported by NordVPN include:

DD-WRT
Tomato
ASUS Merlin
OpenWRT
Padavan
pfSense

This article will show you how to configure NordVPN on the most popular firmware – DD-WRT. Here are the steps you should follow:

Open the DD-WRT admin panel and navigate to Setup > Basic Setup. Under Network Address Server Settings (DHCP), set the following:

Static DNS 1: 103.86.96.100
Static DNS 2: 103.86.99.100
Static DNS 3: 0.0.0.0 (default)
Use DNSMasq for DHCP: Checked
Use DNSMasq for DNS: Checked
DHCP-Authoritative: Checked

Next, select the IPv6 tab and set IPv6 to Disable. Click “Save” and then “Apply Settings.”

Go to Services>VPN and disable PPTP Server, PPTP Client, and OpenVPN Server/Daemon. Next, under OpenVPN Client, set Start OpenVPN Client to Enable.

In the same section, enter your NordVPN server hostname. Use the NordVPN Server tool to find the best server and download the configuration file (you will need this later).

I recommend OpenVPN UDP since it’s much faster and more suitable for streaming.

Once you enter your preferred NordVPN server, set the following:

Port: 1194 (or 443 for the TCP protocol)
Tunnel Device: TUN
Tunnel Protocol: UDP (or TCP)
Encryption Cipher: AES-256-CBC
Hash Algorithm: SHA-512
First Data Cipher: Not set
Second Data Cipher: Not set
Third Data Cipher: Not set
User Pass Authentication: Enable
Username: Your NordVPN Account Username
Password: Your NordVPN Account Password
Advanced Options: Enable
TLS Cypher: None
LZO Compression: No
NAT: Enable
Firewall Protection: Enable

Any option not included here should be left with the default values.

If the Username and Password fields are missing, open Administration>Commands and paste the following code:

echo “YOURUSERNAME

YOURPASSWORD” > /tmp/openvpncl/user.conf

/usr/bin/killall openvpn

/usr/sbin/openvpn –config /tmp/openvpncl/openvpn.conf –route-up /tmp/openvpncl/route-up.sh –down-pre /tmp/openvpncl/route-down.sh –daemon

Once you edit the code, click Save Startup and go back to the Service>VPN tab.

Note: Replace “YOURUSERNAME” and “YOURPASSWORD” with your NordVPN username and password respectively.

In the Additional Config field, enter or paste the following:

remote-cert-tls server

remote-random

nobind

tun-mtu 1500

tun-mtu-extra 32

mssfix 1450

persist-key

persist-tun

ping-timer-rem

reneg-sec 0

#log /tmp/vpn.log

#Delete `#` in the line below if your router does not have credentials fields and you followed the 7 step

#auth-user-pass /tmp/openvpncl/user.conf

Remember the .ovpn config file you downloaded earlier? Open it in a text editor and copy the content between the <ca> and </ca> tags (do NOT copy the <ca> and </ca> tags).

Paste the text into the CA Cert field.

Reopen the configuration file and scroll to <tls-auth>. Copy the contents of the TLS key, from and including “—–BEGIN OpenVPN Static Key V1 …” to “… END OpenVPN Static Key V1—–”.

Paste the contents into the TLS Auth Key field.
Click Save and then Apply Settings.

Voila! You’ve configured your DD-WRT router with NordVPN. To confirm the VPN is working, go to Status > OpenVPN and check if the “State” is “Client: CONNECTED SUCCESS.”

Once you get comfortable configuring your router, you’ll find the NordVPN Samsung TV setup process more enjoyable.

This method not only works with Samsung TV but also most streaming devices.

Method 2: Set Up NordVPN on Samsung TV via Virtual Router (Windows PC)

If you don’t have access to a compatible router, you can still set up NordVPN through your PC.

Note that this method only works with Windows 10 and 11 operating systems. macOS only allows you to share L2TP/IPsec VPN connections, which NordVPN no longer offers.

Follow these steps to install NordVPN on Samsung TVs via PC:

Download and install NordVPN on your PC.

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Hotspot.

Under “Share my internet connection from,” select Wi-Fi and enable Mobile Hotspot.

On the same window, click “Change adapter settings” on the top right corner. Alternatively, go to Status > Change adapter settings.

Right-click on TAP-NordVPN Windows Adapter and select Properties.

Select the Sharing tab and check the box next to “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection.”

Open the drop-down menu under “Home networking connection” and select the mobile hotspot you created earlier.

Quick tip: It’s the connection above Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Adapter.

Click OK, and that’s it.

You’re now sharing your NordVPN connection via mobile hotspot.

Simply connect your Samsung Smart TV to your PC’s mobile hotspot to enjoy the benefits of NordVPN on your Samsung TV.

Method 3: Set Up NordVPN on Samsung TV Using SmartDNS Proxy

NordVPN SmartDNS allows you to harness the full speed of your internet connection, making it perfect for HD streaming.

But there’s a catch.

SmartDNS doesn’t encrypt your traffic like a VPN connection. I recommend using it if you’re only trying to unblock content, and security isn’t a high priority.

Keep in mind that SmartDNS may also not work with some streaming services. I tried it with multiple platforms, and of the primary streaming services, I had luck with:

Amazon Prime Video (US region)
Disney Plus (US region)
HBO Now (US region)

Now that that’s out the way, here are the steps you should follow to set up NordVPN Smart DNS on your Samsung TV:

Connect your device to the same Wi-Fi network as your Samsung Smart TV.
Open your browser and log into your NordVPN account.

Under “Services,” click NordVPN.

In the SmartDNS card, click “Enable.”

This will whitelist your IP address, allowing you to use the NordVPN SmartDNS service on the network your Samsung TV is connected to.

On your Samsung TV, go to Network > Network Status.

Once the TV has finished checking your connection, select IP Settings

Under IP Settings, press DNS Settings and select “Enter manually.”

Enter the NordVPN SmartDNS server addresses. You can find both the Primary DNS and Secondary DNS server addresses on your account dashboard.

Press the Enter button on your remote to save the new DNS settings and click OK.

Although the NordVPN SmartDNS proxy may not be as reliable as the VPN connection, it’s suitable for Samsung Smart TV users with low internet speeds.

Besides Samsung Smart TVs, you can also use this method with LG and Apple TV.

Why Is NordVPN Not Working With My Samsung TV?

If you successfully set up your NordVPN connection but are still unable to unblock geo-restricted content or even stream, it could be due to a number of connectivity issues.

In most cases, these are simple to fix. Try the following NordVPN troubleshooting tips:

1. Check Your Subscription Status

Sometimes billing problems can lead to the deactivation of your NordVPN subscription. It could be due to an unsuccessful payment or sudden issues on the provider’s side.

To rule this out, log into your NordVPN and confirm your subscription status reads “Active.”

2. Switch Servers

So far, I’ve found NordVPN servers to be stable and reliable. But if your connection fails, the solution could be as simple as changing servers.

Keep in mind that the NordVPN Windows app doesn’t allow you to pick a specific server. To move to a different VPN server in the same location, disconnect and reconnect to the server location again.

If you’re sharing your connection over your router, use the NordVPN Server tool to pick a different server hostname.

The protocol you choose may also affect your VPN connection. If you experience issues with UDP, switch to TCP.

3. Activate the Kill Switch

If you keep getting proxy error messages when streaming geo-restricted content, it could be because your actual IP is leaking. This happens when your VPN connection drops, and enabling the internet kill switch can fix that.

To set up the kill switch on your router, go to Administration > Commands and enter this script:

WAN_IF=`nvram get wan_iface`

iptables -I FORWARD -i br0 -o $WAN_IF -j REJECT –reject-with icmp-host-prohibited

iptables -I FORWARD -i br0 -p tcp -o $WAN_IF -j REJECT –reject-with tcp-reset

iptables -I FORWARD -i br0 -p udp -o $WAN_IF -j REJECT –reject-with udp-reset

Afterward, select “Save Firewall” and reboot your router.

4. Reinstall NordVPN

A small error during setup, especially if you’re using the VPN via your router, can affect your connection. If the issue persists, reset your router and install NordVPN again.

Still stuck? You can reach out to NordVPN for more personalized assistance. The provider has 24/7 customer support, available via email and live chat.

Best NordVPN Alternatives for Samsung TV

I had fun using NordVPN with my Samsung TV. It reliably unblocked all streaming services, including Netflix and Hulu, usually tough nuts to crack.

On top of that, the streaming experience was incredible. NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs and is perfect for streaming 4K movies, TV shows, and documentaries.

But as mentioned, you can only set up the service on your Samsung TV through a router, Windows PC, or SmartDNS.

If you use Mac, you may find yourself looking for an alternative that allows you to share your VPN connection via macOS.

NordVPN’s router compatibility is also narrow. It does not support the native firmware of most common routers, including TP-link.

If NordVPN doesn’t work for you, try these alternatives:

1. IPVanish

IPVanish is compatible with a broader range of routers, including TP-link. It also supports L2TP/IPsec, allowing you to set it up on Samsung TV through your Macbook.

Plus, the VPN reliably unblocks most streaming services. In my tests, I only faced issues with BBC iPlayer. So, if you’re trying to watch BBC’s Planet Earth, you may do well to go with NordVPN or a different alternative.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is another excellent NordVPN alternative if you’re looking for a VPN that allows you to share its connection over Mac. The provider also offers a SmartDNS service –MediaStreamer– which works smoothly with Samsung TV.

Besides good compatibility, ExpressVPN is unbelievably fast and delivers a smooth streaming experience even when connected to distant VPN servers.

But unlike NordVPN, the service does not support dedicated IPs. Also, its subscriptions are a little bit costly.

3. Surfshark

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative, Surfshark is a good choice. It works reliably with Samsung TV and virtually all streaming services.

However, it comes with the same compatibility drawbacks as NordVPN. It doesn’t support most native firmware, and you can’t set it up on Samsung TV via Mac.