Key tips for setting up and optimizing ASUS routers

If you have an ASUS router at home and you've left it with the factory settings, it's very likely that you're not getting the most out of it and that, in addition, your network is much more vulnerable than you imagine. A poor configuration can result in WiFi theft, speed drops, increased latency in online games, and even direct attacks on your devices.The good news is that with a few well-made adjustments you can go from a "basic router" to a "serious network switchboard" in less than an hour.

In this comprehensive guide you will see, step by step, how to configure an ASUS router (including ROG and TUF gaming models) to improve security, WiFi performance, online gaming, and network controlAll in simple language, without unnecessary technical jargon, but going into detail: from activating AiProtection and adjusting WiFi for gaming, to using Pi-hole as DNS, understanding what a DMZ is or setting up an AiMesh network with several routers.

1. First steps: accessing the ASUS router and physical connection

Before getting into advanced options, you need to have your router properly connected and know how to access its control panel. The physical connection is always the starting point for everything else to work properly.And luckily ASUS makes it quite easy.

In a typical scenario with a neutral ASUS router and fiber optic cable, the installation is usually as follows: Connect the Ethernet cable coming from your modem, ONT or ISP router to the WAN port (usually blue)Then you plug another network cable from one of the yellow LAN ports into your PC or laptop; and finally, you connect the power adapter and turn on the computer with the button on the back.

To access the web interface, on Windows you can open the console (Windows key + R, type cmd and press Enter), then run ipconfig and look at the "Default Gateway" information; that IP address is usually 192.168.1.1 or something similar. That address is the router's: type it into your browser's address bar (for example, http://192.168.1.1) and the initial setup wizard will load.

On that first screen, ASUS usually offers the option to create a new network. Here you assign the WiFi network name (SSID) and wireless passwordThen it will ask you for an administrator username and password for the router itself. It's important to understand that The WiFi password and the router panel password must be differentbecause they protect different things.

2. Basic router security: passwords, encryption, and critical options

Most attacks on ASUS routers (and any other brand) start with the same thing: Default credentials and outdated encryptionIf you continue using user admin and password adminYou're giving away the door to your network to anyone who bothers to try.

To change the administration panel password, go to the menu Advanced settings > Administration > SystemThere you can set a new password for the management user. Ideally, it should be at least 12 characters long, mixing [characters]. uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbolsand that it doesn't resemble your WiFi password or any other password you use for online services.

The second pillar of security is WiFi. In the menu Wireless / General Choose the most modern authentication method for your network that your router and devices allow. If all your equipment is relatively recent, opt for WPA3-PersonalIf not all are compatible, use WPA2-Personal with AES encryption and avoid WEP or unusual combinations with TKIP at all costs. Again, create a long, unpredictable key with no personal references.

There's one option that should be disabled, however convenient it may seem: the WPS (Wi‑Fi Protected Setup)On ASUS devices, it's usually located under Wireless > WPS; turn it off completely. This system, which allows you to connect by pressing a button or using a PIN, is vulnerable to automated attacks, and In a matter of hours, someone could crack the PIN and enter your network even if you have a strong password.

In the area of ​​advanced security, it is vital to review remote access. Advanced settings > Administration > System > Remote access settings Make sure that WAN access to the web panel is disabled. You don't want your administration interface to be accessible from the Internet Unless absolutely necessary. If you ever need to access your account from outside, it's much wiser to set up a VPN.

3. HTTPS, DNS Rebind, and other protection settings on ASUS

Once the basics are covered, it's worth refining some options that many users overlook. Configuring router access via HTTPS and enabling DNS protections provides an extra layer of security. which makes up for the minute it takes to adjust it.

In Administration > System you will find the option to Use only HTTPS for local accessIf you enable it, the router will start responding with a URL like https://www.asusrouter.com:8443 or by using its internal IP address with the same port. It's common for your browser to display an "untrusted certificate" warning because the router uses a self-signed certificate. In this case, if you're sure you're accessing your own computer, you can proceed without issue.

If you encounter errors when using the domain asusrouter.com, such as DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAINIt is possible that DNS resolution is not working as it should, or that you are in Access Point Mode and your ISP's router is managing the DNS. In those cases, accessing via the local IP address (for example 192.168.1.1) is the most direct way to log in.You can also check the LAN DNS settings to ensure the router's internal name resolves correctly.

In that same System menu, you should check the box for DNS Rebind protectionThis function checks DNS responses for anomalous values ​​or private addresses returned by external servers, thus blocking attempts to redirect your traffic to sites that pretend to be internal services.

Another interesting setting is limiting which IPs can log in to the router's interface. ASUS allows you to define a list of IPs from which access to the Web GUI is permitted, under Administration > System > Specified IP Address. If you always manage your router from the same PC, restricting access to its IP address is a very powerful security measure. against intruders who enter your WiFi.

4. Firmware, firewall and remote services: what to enable and what not to enable

Many people never worry about the router's firmware and leave it with the factory version for years. In recent times, massive campaigns have been detected against thousands of ASUS routers, exploiting flaws that have already been corrected in updates.So keeping the firmware up to date is no longer a recommendation, it's almost mandatory.

To update, go to Advanced settings > Administration > Firmware update Then click Check. If a new version is available, the router will download it and give you the option to install it. The process may take between 3 and 10 minutes, and you should not turn off the device during this time. It's a good idea to enable automatic checks for new versions. so that it notifies you when something important comes up.

The firewall integrated into ASUS devices is usually enabled by default. In the menu Firewall Make sure it's still enabled and don't disable it unless you have a very specific reason. This firewall filters suspicious connections from the internet to your internal network and It is the first line of defense against port scans and intrusion attempts..

Another sensitive area is remote management services such as Telnet and SSHAlthough they can be useful for advanced users, it's best to leave them turned off by default. You can check their status in Administration > Services: if you're not using those accesses for anything, Leave them disabled to prevent anyone from trying to exploit themespecially if you ever open ports in the firewall.

According to the DMZASUS includes this option in the WAN section. It's tempting to enter the IP address of a console or PC there to "avoid port issues," especially since many older forums recommended this for certain P2P applications. However, An IP address in the DMZ is practically exposed to the Internet.It is preferable to use the port forwarding function or the Open NAT tool specifically for games, which we will see later.

5. Advanced WiFi configuration: bands, channels, and professional options

The quality of your WiFi doesn't depend solely on the power of the router. A poor choice of band, channel, or channel width can turn a fast connection into a constant ordeal.especially if you live in a building with many networks around.

Most current ASUS routers are dual or tri-band, working in 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz (and even 6 GHz in some WiFi 6E models)The 2,4 GHz band has a longer range, but it's slower and much more congested with other routers and devices like microwaves or wireless remotes. The 5 GHz band, on the other hand, offers higher speeds and less interference, although its coverage is somewhat smaller.

In section Wi-Fi / General For gaming or streaming, it's recommended to connect your devices to the 5 GHz band whenever possible. Here you can adjust the channel widthIf your router supports 160 MHz and there isn't too much congestion in your environment, enabling it can improve performance. If you experience instability, you can leave the channel on automatic with an 80 MHz bandwidth for a balance between speed and stability.

Options like WiFi Agile Multiband and Target Wake Time (TWT) They might sound very technical, but they're easy to configure on ASUS. For low-latency use (gaming, critical video calls), it's recommended to disable both in the Wi-Fi / General or Professional menus, because You will prioritize quick response over energy efficiency in devices.

On WiFi 6 routers, another key setting is the OFDMA / 802.11ax MU-MIMOIn the Professional section, choose the "DL/UL OFDMA + MU-MIMO" option so that the router can better manage multiple devices at the same time. This reduces congestion and improves perceived latency when multiple devices are connected. simultaneously downloading or watching video.

If you don't have an AiMesh network with multiple nodes, it's a good idea to keep the roaming assistantThis feature is also available in the Professional tab. It can "kick" a client with a weak signal to another access point, but on a single router, it simply cuts the connection when the signal drops too low.

6. Optimize ASUS ROG and Asuswrt routers for online gaming

ASUS' gaming range, with firmware Asuswrt ROG or variants with Game AccelerationIt incorporates a host of features designed to reduce latency and improve stability in online games. If you own a ROG Rapture or similar model, it's worth spending some time configuring its specific settings.

In the menu of Game acceleration You'll find three levels of prioritization. Some models have a Dedicated LAN port for gamingIf you connect your console or PC there, that device's traffic will automatically be prioritized over the rest. There's also the function ROG First, which detects ROG devices (such as certain laptops and smartphones) and automatically prioritizes them.

The heart of game optimization is the QoSASUS offers adaptive QoS, traditional QoS, and a bandwidth limiter per client. In practice, the simplest and most effective solution is to activate the adaptive QoSLet it automatically measure your bandwidth and select "Gaming" mode in the interface. That makes All traffic identified as gaming should be placed at the front of the queuewhether the device is connected via cable or WiFi.

In addition to the traffic type profile, you can manually add up to 64 gaming device entries via their MAC addressFrom the drop-down menu, select your console or PC, click the "+" symbol, and apply the changes. This way, Not only is the type of traffic prioritized, but also the device itself at the MAC level.which helps when the same device does several things (downloads, streaming, gaming) at the same time.

The gaming tools also include the so-called Game radarThis shows the location and latency of different online game servers. You don't have to change anything there, but it helps you understand which servers work best for you and, in some cases, manually select regions with lower ping if the game allows it.

7. Open NAT, ports, DMZ and Jumbo Frames

One of the common headaches in consoles and many PC titles is the famous NAT type. If you have a strict or moderate NAT type, you'll have trouble joining games, voice chatting, or matchmaking. with specific users. ASUS makes opening ports much easier thanks to the function Open NAT, available on many gaming routers and also on some models with standard Asuswrt.

Open NAT guides you through three steps: first, choose the game from a predefined list (if it doesn't appear, select Manual Mode), then select the platform (PS4/PS5, Xbox or PC), and finally, specify the local IP or device name. The router will automatically create the necessary port forwarding rules for that title, without having to search for TCP/UDP port numbers in forums.

As mentioned before, the temptation to use the DMZ to “open everything” It's very common, but it's not a good idea. Putting your PC or console in the DMZ leaves them practically exposed to the internet. It is much safer to open only the ports that each game or service actually requires.either with Open NAT or with hand-configured virtual server rules.

If you play on a PC with an advanced network card, you may have heard of the Jumbo Frames at 9KASUS and its mesh WiFi systems can support MTUs of 9000 bytes on the internal network to optimize traffic between local devices, but for online gaming, this is counterproductive. Each large packet has to be fragmented to exit through the WAN. increasing latency and jitterTherefore, in environments where gaming is prioritized, it is recommended Disable jumbo frames both on the router and on the PC itself..

Regarding maximum speeds, if you have a connection of, for example, 1 Gbps or more, it is normal that when passing through an additional router the test will show somewhat less (950 Mbps due to limitations of Gigabit, NAT, CPU, etc.). A slight decrease in speed compared to the ISP's modem is expected and does not necessarily mean that the router is misconfigured.as long as latency remains low and stable.

8. LAN, DHCP, DNS, Pi-hole and DDNS configuration

The menu LAN The ASUS firmware is where you define the router's internal IP address, DHCP server, and, if desired, custom DNS servers. Mastering this section gives you a lot of flexibility for setting up things like home servers, NAS devices, or ad blockers like Pi-hole.

En LAN IP Address You can change the router's IP address, for example from 192.168.1.1 to something like 10.20.30.1 if you'd prefer a less common range. The most common subnet mask is 255.255.255.0. This IP address will be the default gateway for all your devicesSo write it down for future reference.

paragraph DHCP server It handles the automatic assignment of IP addresses to devices connected via cable or Wi-Fi. It's generally best to leave it enabled, as this eliminates the need to manually configure IPs on each device. You can define an assignment range (for example, from .20 to .200) and reserve some slots outside that range for devices you want to assign manually, such as NAS devices or access points.

A very useful option is the assign static IP based on MACBy entering a device's MAC address, you can force DHCP to always assign it the same IP address. This greatly simplifies things like... port redirects, MAC filters, or parental control rulesbecause you know that device isn't going to change its address within the network.

As for DNS serversASUS allows you to configure them for both WAN (for traffic going out to the internet) and LAN (for traffic advertised to internal clients). When you want to use Pi-hole on a Raspberry Pi as an ad blockerIt's common practice in newer firmware to recommend specifying your IP address as the DNS server in the WAN section. However, some users have found that with this configuration, Pi-hole doesn't see individual clients, whereas changing the DNS server in the LAN section (DNS and WINS Server) causes all devices to appear as active clients.

The practical conclusion is that if you're using Pi-hole in your network, you can Configure your Pi's IP address as the DNS server in the LAN section and leave the WAN portion pointing to the operator's DNS servers or to public services like those from Google or Cloudflare. In this way, Pi-hole views each device separately, filtering ads and malware, and the router continues to correctly resolve addresses like that of its own web interface.

Another function of interest in this block is the DDNS (Dynamic DNS)In the WAN > DDNS section, you can register a public domain name that points to your changing ISP IP address. This is very useful if you want access your home network from outsideWhether it's to access the router, your own server, or a VPN, ASUS offers its own free DDNS service and also supports other providers.

9. WAN, operating modes and use with carrier routers

In many homes, the ASUS router doesn't connect directly to the ONT, but rather hangs behind a piece of equipment from the operator (such as a Virgin Media HUB, a Movistar HGU, etc.). This raises questions about whether to use the Access Point Mode or Wireless Router Modedepending on who you want to manage the local network.

If you leave the operator's equipment as the main router and put the ASUS in Access Point ModeThis one only handles the WiFi and the LAN switch, while The entire NAT, firewall, and IP assignment process is still managed by the provider's router.This reduces double NAT, but at the same time you lose some advanced ASUS features, such as full QoS, gateway-level AiProtection, or certain WAN options.

If you put it in Wireless Router ModeThe ASUS takes control of the internal network: it acts as a gateway, serves DHCP, enforces the firewall, and implements QoS. In that case, the ideal solution is Put the operator's router in bridge or neutral modeIf allowed, it can act solely as a modem. If this isn't possible, you end up with double NAT, which can complicate online gaming or remote access, but in return you get to take advantage of all the features of the Asuswrt firmware.

The DNS error for asusrouter.com in AP mode is usually due to the device acting as the main router resolving that domain, not the ASUS router. Therefore, when it's acting only as an access point, It is always preferable to access via IP address or check the DNS settings on the LAN to ensure the internal name works correctly.

In the WAN menu you can also choose the type of internet connection (PPPoE, dynamic IP, static IP, etc.). ASUS offers a QIS (Quick Setup) wizard that guides you based on your line type. Configuring this section correctly is key to avoiding bandwidth loss. that your provider offers and avoid bottlenecks in the WAN interface.

10. AiProtection, parental controls and special ASUS technologies

Beyond the basic options and QoS, ASUS integrates some quite powerful features that often go unused. AiProtection is probably the most important of all, because it acts as a security shield for the entire network, thanks to the collaboration with Trend Micro.

Within the AiProtection section you can activate the router protection, the two-way intrusion prevention system (IPS) and the blocking malicious sitesThe firmware analyzes your current configuration, alerts you to potential vulnerabilities (such as WPS being enabled or weak passwords), and blocks access to known phishing sites or malware command and control servers. The best part is that It works for all devices, even TVs or IoT gadgets where you can't install antivirus software..

In the same block is the parental controlThis feature allows you to restrict access to certain types of content or schedule usage times for specific devices. You can assign a profile to each child and limit, for example, access to social media or video games after a certain hour. Everything is managed from the router itself, without having to touch each device..

Other ASUS proprietary technologies worth knowing about are Adaptive QoS, Game Boost and AiCloudWith adaptive QoS, you can monitor each device's bandwidth consumption in real time, limit it if necessary, and view a browsing history. Game Boost includes features like Internet Game Boost and LAN Boost to reduce ping and prioritize game traffic. AiCloud, meanwhile, relies on DDNS to offer you a small private “cloud” with remote access to USB drives connected to the router.

Let's not forget AIMeshASUS's mesh network solution. If you have multiple compatible routers, you can combine them to create a single WiFi network that covers your entire home without interruptions as you move between rooms. The big advantage is that You maintain a single SSID and a single centralized configuration, and the nodes intelligently divide the work.

11. Network map, connected devices and physical location of the router

A highly underrated tool in Asuswrt firmware is the network mapOn this screen you can see at a glance your public IP, wired and WiFi connected clients, mounted USB devices, possible AiMesh nodes, and the MAC addresses of everything. It's a quick way to detect if there are "guests" who shouldn't be on your WiFi..

If you see an unfamiliar name or device type in the client list, you can tap on it and block it. After doing so, it's advisable to change your Wi-Fi password, as this indicates that someone has managed to connect at some point. Reviewing this list periodically is one of the best practices for keeping your network under control..

As for the physical location, it shouldn't be underestimated. Ideally, the router should be placed in a central area of ​​the home, elevated (for example, on a shelf), and not enclosed in cabinets or behind metal objects. The clearer the area, the better the coverage and the less you'll need to force power or play with obscure channels. to reach distant rooms.

If you change routers and your internet service provider links the service to the MAC address of the old device, you might notice that you can't browse the internet with the new ASUS router until they update their records. In those cases, you can access the settings from the Administration menu. clone the MAC address of the old router on the ASUS so that the provider sees it as the same device and allows you to connect without waiting.

With all of the above properly configured, your ASUS router ceases to be simply "the WiFi box" and becomes the nerve center of a fast, secure home network ready for gaming, work, and protecting your devicesBy spending some time adjusting passwords, encryption, QoS, AiProtection, advanced WiFi, and services like Pi-hole or DDNS, you greatly reduce the chances of having your connection stolen, suffering intrusions, or having a poor experience with your online games and content.