Roku devices don’t support VPN apps, so you can’t install GatewayVPN directly on the Roku itself. Instead, you’ll run GatewayVPN on a device Roku connects through—your router, or a computer sharing its VPN connection.
Method 1: Set up GatewayVPN on your router (recommended)
This is the most stable and “set it once” option. Roku connects normally to your router, and the VPN runs on the router in the background.
Steps
- Make sure your router supports a VPN client
- Many advanced routers (or routers with custom firmware) support VPN client mode.
- Follow the official GatewayVPN router setup guide:
https://gatewayvpn.com/support/how-to-set-up-gatewayvpn-on-your-router/ - Connect your Roku to the router
- Roku: Settings → Network → Set up connection
- Choose Wireless (Wi-Fi) or Wired (Ethernet, if available)
- Test streaming
- Open the streaming service you want and confirm content matches your selected VPN location.
Method 2: Use GatewayVPN on Windows or macOS and share the connection to Roku
Here, your computer connects to GatewayVPN, then shares that connection so Roku can use it.
Windows: Share GatewayVPN to Roku using Mobile Hotspot
- Install and sign in to GatewayVPN on Windows
- Connect to your preferred VPN location
- Turn on Windows Mobile Hotspot
- Settings → Network & internet → Mobile hotspot
- (Optional) Click Edit to set hotspot name/password
- Toggle Mobile hotspot → On
- Connect Roku to the Windows hotspot
- Roku: Settings → Network → Set up connection → Wireless
- Choose the hotspot name → enter password
- Test streaming
Windows: Share GatewayVPN to Roku using Ethernet (Internet Connection Sharing)
If your Roku supports Ethernet (or you’re using a Roku device with an Ethernet adapter), this can be very stable.
- Connect Roku to your PC using Ethernet
- Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network Connections
- Right-click your GatewayVPN/VPN adapter → Properties
- Go to Sharing
- Enable Allow other network users to connect…
- Choose the Ethernet adapter connected to Roku
- On Roku: Settings → Network → Check connection
macOS: Share GatewayVPN to Roku using Internet Sharing
- Install and sign in to GatewayVPN on macOS
- Connect to your chosen VPN location
- Open System Settings
- Go to General → Sharing (or Sharing, depending on macOS version)
- Enable Internet Sharing
- Share from: your active VPN/network interface
- Share to: Wi-Fi (hotspot) or Ethernet
- Set Wi-Fi name/password (if sharing via Wi-Fi)
- Connect Roku to that shared network
- Test streaming