Routing traffic from Windows

Learn how to handle Meshnet's traffic routing feature on Windows.

Before you begin

To start using traffic routing, make sure that the device you want to route traffic through meets the following criteria:

• The NordVPN app is running, and the Meshnet feature is enabled in the app.

• The device is connected to your Meshnet.

• The Traffic routing through your device permission is granted for your client device. To learn more, see Traffic routing permissions.

Note

You can add devices to your Meshnet in two ways, depending on device ownership:

• To add your own device, just enable Meshnet on that device. See Using Meshnet on Windows for details.

• To add an external device, send an invitation via the NordVPN app with the owner's email. Ensure the invitation is accepted. See Adding external Meshnet devices on Windows.

Start routing traffic

You can use the following two methods to start a traffic routing connection on Windows.

Method 1: From the Dashboard tab

To start routing traffic from the Dashboard tab, follow these steps:

1. Open NordVPN and select Dashboard.
2. Under VPN, expand the More connection options menu.

3. Locate the Devices in Meshnet section.

4. Click the device that you want to route traffic through.

   

Note

When routing traffic for the first time, you will receive a prompt detailing the caveats of traffic routing. Read this information and click Continue to proceed with the connection.

Upon establishing the connection, a green indicator will appear on the left of the host device's icon.

Method 2: From the device management screen

To initiate a routing connection from the device management screen:

1. Open NordVPN and go to the Devices in Meshnet tab.
2. Next to the device that you want to route traffic through, click the three-dot menu and select Manage device.

   

3. Under Traffic routing permissions, click Route all traffic.

   

Note

If the Route all traffic button is greyed out, ensure that the peer device is active and has granted your device the traffic routing permissions.

Check connection details

Once traffic routing is established, you can visit the Dashboardtab to see some information about the connection. Under the VPN section, you can find the host device's Nord name, your new public IP address, and the internet service provider (ISP).

Tip

You can utilize your preferred DNS addresses for the traffic routing connection by using the app's Custom DNS feature. The DNS servers can be entered in NordVPN's Settings > Connection > Use custom DNS dropdown menu.

An example of how to use the custom DNS functionality is available in the How to set up your network protection with Pi-hole article.

Stop routing traffic

To stop traffic routing, you can use the following methods:

• Click the Disconnect button on the Dashboard tab.

  

• Click the Stop routing button on the device management screen.

  

Note

Connection pause is currently not available while routing traffic through a Meshnet peer device.