Setting up L2TP/IPsec VPN on Windows

Step-by-step guide to connecting to your Fornex VPN server.

L2TP/IPsec is one of the most reliable and straightforward VPN protocols — it's built directly into Windows, requires no extra software, and takes just a couple of minutes to configure.

All the connection details (server address, username, password, and pre-shared key) are available in your personal account → VPN section.

Step 1. Open network settings

Press Win + R, type:

ms-settings:network

and hit Enter.

Open Network Settings Launching network settings via Run command

Step 2. Go to the VPN section

In the left sidebar, click VPN.

VPN Section VPN settings page

Step 3. Add a new VPN Cconnection

Click Add a VPN connection.

Add VPN Button Starting a new VPN setup

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Step 4. Enter connection details

From your Fornex dashboard, select the desired server/location and copy the credentials.

Fill in the fields:

VPN provider → Windows (built-in)
Connection name → anything meaningful (e.g., Fornex VPN)
Server name or address → paste the server address from your account (e.g., vpn123.fornex.org or its IP)
VPN type → L2TP/IPsec with pre-shared key
Type of sign-in info → User name and password
User name → your VPN login
Password → your VPN password
Remember my sign-in info → check this box
Pre-shared key → EtizerVPN
(for servers on fornex.org domains, use FornexVPN)

Click Save.

VPN Connection Settings Entering connection parameters

Pre-shared Key Field Entering the pre-shared key

Step 5. Connect

Go back to the VPN page, select your new connection, and click Connect.
Once connected, the status changes to Connected.

Verify the connection

Open 2ip.io or whatismyipaddress.com — your public IP should now match the VPN server's location.

IP Check After Connection Confirming your new IP address

Troubleshooting common issues

"Can't connect to the VPN" or error 809/691 — most common fixes:

Instead of the hostname (vpn####.fornex.org), use the server's IP address (copy from your dashboard)
Make sure the pre-shared key is entered correctly (EtizerVPN or FornexVPN)
Temporarily disable antivirus/firewall to test
Run the connection as administrator (right-click → Run as administrator)

Help

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us through the ticket system — we're always here to help!