MikroTik WireGuard VPN Not Connecting – Troubleshooting Guide

Introduction

WireGuard is one of the fastest and most secure VPN protocols supported by MikroTik RouterOS. Despite its simplicity, many users face issues where the WireGuard tunnel does not connect, peers do not establish a handshake, or traffic does not pass through the VPN.

This article explains the most common reasons why WireGuard VPN does not work on MikroTik routers and provides a clear, step-by-step troubleshooting approach.

Problem Description

The WireGuard interface is created and enabled, peers are configured, and client settings appear correct. However, the VPN connection does not establish properly, or it connects without passing any traffic.

This problem usually occurs due to firewall rules, NAT configuration, routing issues, or incorrect peer settings.

Common Symptoms

• No WireGuard handshake is established

• VPN connects but no internet access is available

• VPN connects but LAN resources are unreachable

• RX and TX counters remain at zero

• Client shows connected status but cannot reach any destination

Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting

1. Make sure the WireGuard interface is enabled

2. Verify that public and private keys are correct

3. Confirm the correct UDP port is configured

4. Ensure system date and time are correct

These basic checks resolve many WireGuard issues.

Possible Causes

Firewall Blocking WireGuard Traffic

WireGuard uses UDP. If the listening port is blocked by the firewall, the tunnel will never establish.

NAT or Masquerade Not Configured

VPN clients may connect successfully but fail to access the internet or other networks if NAT rules are missing.

Incorrect Allowed IPs

Allowed IPs define which traffic is routed through the tunnel. Incorrect values will prevent traffic from passing.

Routing Issues

WireGuard does not automatically manage routing for all scenarios. Required routes must exist on the router.

Incorrect Endpoint Address or Port

Dynamic public IPs, incorrect endpoint addresses, or wrong ports can silently prevent the tunnel from connecting.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Allow WireGuard Port in Firewall

Ensure the WireGuard UDP port is allowed on the input chain.

Replace the port number if a different port is used.

Step 2: Verify WireGuard Interface

Check that the interface is enabled and listening on the correct port.

Step 3: Review Peer Configuration

Verify peer settings carefully.

Confirm that:

• Public keys are correct

• Allowed IPs are properly defined

• Endpoint address is reachable

Step 4: Configure NAT for VPN Clients

If VPN clients need internet access, configure NAT.

Adjust the subnet according to your setup.

Step 5: Check Routing Table

Ensure routes exist for VPN and LAN subnets.

Step 6: Test Connectivity

After applying changes:

• Ping the VPN gateway

• Ping LAN IP addresses from the VPN client

• Monitor RX and TX counters on the WireGuard interface

If counters increase, traffic is flowing correctly.

Verification and Testing

A working WireGuard setup should show:

• Active handshake between peers

• Increasing RX and TX counters

• Successful ping and browsing tests

• Firewall counters showing allowed traffic

Best Practices

• Use interface lists for LAN and WAN

• Comment all WireGuard-related rules

• Use static public IP addresses when possible

• Keep Allowed IPs as specific as possible

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to allow the UDP port in the firewall

• Misconfigured Allowed IPs

• Missing NAT rules

• Testing connectivity only from inside the local network

Final Thoughts

When WireGuard VPN does not connect on MikroTik routers, the issue is almost always related to firewall rules, NAT configuration, or routing logic. WireGuard itself is simple, but it relies heavily on correct network fundamentals. Following a structured troubleshooting approach helps resolve issues quickly and avoids unnecessary configuration changes.