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Forum Discussion
Nighthawk R7000 openvpn Cannot load certificate file client.crt
Hello I have Nighthawk R7000 running firmware V1.0.11.136_10.2.120 and I was wanting to run a vpn. I followed the instructions about how to turn on the vpn service and installing openvpn. W...
discountcoffee wrote:Hello
I have Nighthawk R7000 running firmware V1.0.11.136_10.2.120 and I was wanting to run a vpn.
I followed the instructions about how to turn on the vpn service and installing openvpn.
When I try to run openvpn I get this error in the log:
2023-11-10 14:19:55 us=703000 MANAGEMENT: Client disconnected
2023-11-10 14:19:55 us=703000 Cannot load certificate file client.crt
2023-11-10 14:19:55 us=703000 Exiting due to fatal error
Now searching here I found that this was a previous issue that was fixed in version 1.0.9.30 but that was back in 2018.
Is there any solution now for the latest firmware?
thanks
When you run the OpenVPN client software and get these errors, how is your remote device connected to the internet?
What device are you running the OpenVPN client software on?
its a fiber connection on a orbi mesh network and its a windows 11 pc running the latest openvpn software.
the nighthawk has a static ip.
I've tried it on our local network on a windows 10 pc and have the same exact error.
I believe the problem is with the certificate the Nighthawk R7000 is generating.
I can open the cert myself and see that it is not blank and it looks valid.
discountcoffee wrote:its a fiber connection on a orbi mesh network and its a windows 11 pc running the latest openvpn software.
the nighthawk has a static ip.
I've tried it on our local network on a windows 10 pc and have the same exact error.
I believe the problem is with the certificate the Nighthawk R7000 is generating.
I can open the cert myself and see that it is not blank and it looks valid.
You cannot test an Open VPN connection from the same network where the Open VPN server on the router is connected.
If you have a mobile device, you can disconnect from the local Wi-Fi and test over a cell service connection. With a laptop computer, you will have to connect to the internet from somewhere besides at home where your Open VPN server is connected.
discountcoffee wrote:
its a fiber connection on a orbi mesh network and its a windows 11 pc running the latest openvpn software.
the nighthawk has a static ip.
Does that mean the the R7000P is in AP mode?
I believe the problem is with the certificate the Nighthawk R7000 is generating.
I can open the cert myself and see that it is not blank and it looks valid.
Probably not:
Disabled Features on the Router when set to AP Mode | Answer | NETGEAR Support
You have significant network configuration issues to be worked out before attempting to run an Open VPN server on your R7000.
The fiber connection to the internet comes through an Optical Network Terminal (ONT). It is possibly a combination device of some type? What is the brand name and model number of your ONT?
From your ONT you connect to an Orbi mesh system. The Orbi is possibly your router. What is the model number of you Orbi system?
Your R7000 connects via Ethernet to your Orbi system. If your R7000 is configured in router mode it will be constantly in conflict with the router in your Orbi. You cannot have both systems running as routers on the same network.
If you configure your R7000 as an access point, one of the features that gets disabled is the Open VPN server.
home network:
fiber to orbi router to multiple pcs
work network
cable modem to nighthawk to multiple pcs
The networking is pretty basic.. please remember the original error from the openvpn client:
"Cannot load certificate file client.crt"
That is the problem.
If openvpn can't even open the client.crt it can't connect.
my networking is fine.
discountcoffee wrote:
home network:
fiber to orbi router to multiple pcs
Where does the R7000 come into this? And is it in the right mode to work on your network?
my networking is fine.Not without an answer to those questions.
