Nighthawk app not recognizing router with express VPN already added to router

[vashcam]

I have used the nighthawk app with my orbi router but changed to the nighthawk in order to add express vpn directly to the router. However since switching, I am unable to pair the router to the nighthawk app.  I've tried

* adding the router as a new device and as a existing router.

* changing the name back to the orignal naming convention

* loging to the router login page, but it always redirect me back to the netgear homepage.

* using the "access anywhere" option, router not found. 

Does anyone have a work around. or would I have to factory reset the router, try to add it to the app then add the vpn to the router. 

Thanks in Advance!

[plemans]

there isn't a work around because ExpressVPN is 3rd party firmware. 

Its not stock netgear so the netgear app won't work with it. 

[vashcam]

Do you think if I were to factory reset it the router, connect/set it up via the app first, then add the vpn back to the router would solve it? Or that way would also not work once the vpn is downloaded to the router.

[plemans]

Factory reset it won't fix it either. 

ExpressVPN is a different firmware. 

Its not stock firmware. Its open source firmware that has been modified to run ExpressVPN's setup. 

If you're running it, netgears apps won't work.