Can't get OpenVPN working with Netgear Orbi

[AzJazz]

Hi - I am trying to get my Netgear RBR850 embedded OpenVPN up and running. I am running the OpenVPN GUI on a Windows 11 PC that will be running 24/7.

I am running OpenVPN GUI 11.43.0.0/2.6.5

Following the Netgear instructions, I have enabled the VPN support on my router, and downloaded the Orbi's generated OVPN config files, which I put into the OpenVPN config directory.

Here is the problem: When I run the Windows OpenVPN GUI and try to connect, I see a yellow icon instead of a green icon. Trying to connect to my VPN using my Android phone always results in a timeout.

After starting the VPN connection in the GUI, the log files originally showed a "No server certificate verification method has been enabled" recurring error. After doing a little research, I found a (hopefully correct) solution to this issue by adding remote-cert-tls server to the end of my OVPN config file. I don't see the "No server certificate" error anymore in the logs.

However, I do see another error in the OpenVPN log that may be the reason for why I can't get it running. I also see the following error: DEPRECATED OPTION: --cipher set to 'AES-128-CBC' but missing in --data-ciphers (AES-256-GCM:AES-128-GCM:CHACHA20-POLY1305).

Additional information: I have my internet service through Verizon 5G Home Internet. As a result, my IP address changes frequently. To handle this, I have DDNS enabled on my Netgear Orbi. I have verified that the DDNS service is properly updating my DNS IP address. The Orbi's generated OVPN config file does have a remote xyz.ddns.net portnum line in it for supporting the DDNS address.

Can anybody help me get the Orbi VPN operational?

Thanks!