Before you start
IPv6 is the newer version of the internet address system. Your devices can usually still work fine with IPv4 only, so you do not have to enable IPv6 to get online. Reasons to enable it include a provider that supports it, a game or service that prefers it, or you simply want your network to be ready for it.
First check whether your provider supports IPv6. Many do, but some do not, or require a specific setup. Look at the provider’s support pages or ask them, and note the connection type they use (for example PPPoE, DHCP or static).
If your ASUS router is running in access point mode, the IPv6 setting is not supported there, and the router that does the routing has to handle it. Also check for a firmware update first, since newer firmware may fix IPv6 problems.
Steps to enable IPv6
The labels below match common ASUS firmware, but they can vary a little by model and version.
- Connect a device to the router by Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Open a browser and go to www.asusrouter.com, or the router’s local address (for example 192.168.50.1 or 192.168.1.1).
- Log in with your router username and password (see where to find your router password and login if you are unsure).
- In the left menu, click Advanced Settings, then IPv6.
- Next to Connection type, choose the option that suits your provider.
- Fill in any details your provider gave you, if the option needs them.
- Click Apply at the bottom of the page and wait for the router to apply the change.
Which connection type to choose
- Native: commonly used when your provider supports standard automatic IPv6 setup. It is often the right choice for a PPPoE connection.
- Passthrough: often used when your main WAN connection type is Automatic IP (DHCP) and you want IPv6 passed through to the devices.
- Static IPv6: used only if your provider gave you a fixed IPv6 address and prefix.
- There are other options on some models, for tunnel services and special provider setups. Use them only if your provider’s instructions call for them.
If you are not sure, the provider’s instructions or ASUS’s support page for your model are the best guide. Choosing the wrong type may leave IPv6 not working, but it should not stop IPv4 internet access. If it does, set the type back to Disable.
How to check IPv6 works
After applying, wait a minute or two, then visit an IPv6 test website from a device on the network, or check the router’s status page for an IPv6 address on the WAN. You may need to restart your devices so they receive IPv6 settings. If the test fails, double-check the connection type and restart the modem and router.
Common problems
- No IPv6 address at all. The provider may not support it on your plan, or the wrong type is selected.
- Slow sites or odd failures after enabling. Disable IPv6 again and test. Some networks have faulty IPv6 routes, and a provider can look into it.
- PS5 or other consoles. Some consoles and devices have limited or no IPv6 support, so they will continue to use IPv4. This is normal and does not mean the router is wrong.
- Access point mode. IPv6 is not available there, as noted above.
Is 192.168.1.1 IPv4 or IPv6?
192.168.1.1 is an IPv4 address, shown as four numbers separated by dots. IPv6 addresses are longer and use hexadecimal numbers and colons. Your router’s login address is IPv4 even when IPv6 is on.
Is Wi-Fi 6 the same as IPv6?
No. Wi-Fi 6 is a wireless standard and IPv6 is an internet addressing system. Enabling Wi-Fi 6 is a separate matter, done in the wireless settings if the router and devices support it; our AX vs AC routers comparison explains the difference. See our Wi-Fi router speeds chart for the standards. Neither of these makes a plan faster than your provider’s limit, as covered in does your router or modem affect internet speed.
Will IPv6 make my internet faster?
Usually not in a way you can measure on a speed test. Any difference depends on your provider and the services you use. If you are chasing slowness on an ASUS or Netgear, our Netgear slow-internet guide shows a general testing order that also applies to other brands.