When a VPN is configured directly on the router, disabling the applications installed on the home’s computers and smartphones will not change anything. The tunnel is established upstream, at the network level itself, and can therefore concern all connected devices or only those to which you have assigned a particular rule.
You must then open the router’s administration interface, from a browser or the manufacturer’s application, then search for the section dedicated to VPNAt VPN client or to VPN connections. Select the profile used and deactivate the connection. If you no longer plan to use it, you can also delete the saved configuration. This operation does not necessarily affect the router’s other network settings.
Also remember to check any rules applied device by device. Many routers allow you to choose which devices should use the VPN and which use the Internet connection directly. A rule that is still active can therefore continue to direct traffic towards a VPN profile that you thought you had ruled out.
The titles and location of these options vary greatly depending on the brand and firmware. ASUS, Synology, TP-Link, GL.iNet or even OpenWrt compatible routers do not organize all their menus in the same way. When in doubt, search the sections VPN Client, VPN Fusion, Policy Routing or their equivalent in your model interface.
