Why WireGuard is a smart VPN choice in 2026
WireGuard is a modern VPN that focuses on speed, simplicity, and strong security. Compared to traditional VPN stacks, it uses fewer lines of code, performs well on low-cost VPS servers, and is easy to troubleshoot. This tutorial shows how to install and configure WireGuard on Ubuntu Server 24.04 so you can safely access your home or office network, manage servers remotely, and protect traffic on public Wi‑Fi.
What you need before starting
You will need: (1) an Ubuntu Server 24.04 machine with root or sudo access, (2) a public IP address or a router that can forward ports to the VPN server, and (3) a client device (Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS). If your server is behind NAT (common at home), you must forward a UDP port from your router to the server’s local IP.
Step 1: Update the server and install WireGuard
Start by updating packages and installing WireGuard and the helper tools. On Ubuntu 24.04, WireGuard is included in the standard repositories.
Run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt -y upgrade
sudo apt -y install wireguard
Step 2: Generate server keys (securely)
WireGuard uses public/private key pairs. Keep private keys secret and never paste them into tickets or chat. Create a dedicated directory and lock down permissions.
sudo -i
umask 077
mkdir -p /etc/wireguard
cd /etc/wireguard
wg genkey | tee server.key | wg pubkey > server.pub
You can view the public key with cat /etc/wireguard/server.pub. Avoid printing the private key unless absolutely necessary.
Step 3: Create the WireGuard server configuration
WireGuard’s default interface name is commonly wg0. Pick a private VPN subnet that does not conflict with your LAN. In this example, the VPN network is 10.10.10.0/24, and the server’s VPN IP is 10.10.10.1.
Create the config file:
nano /etc/wireguard/wg0.conf
Paste and adjust the following:
[Interface]
Address = 10.10.10.1/24
ListenPort = 51820
PrivateKey = YOUR_SERVER_PRIVATE_KEY
# Enable NAT so VPN clients can reach the internet (optional but common)
PostUp = iptables -A FORWARD -i wg0 -j ACCEPT; iptables -A FORWARD -o wg0 -j ACCEPT; iptables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -o eth0 -j MASQUERADE
PostDown = iptables -D FORWARD -i wg0 -j ACCEPT; iptables -D FORWARD -o wg0 -j ACCEPT; iptables -t nat -D POSTROUTING -o eth0 -j MASQUERADE
Replace YOUR_SERVER_PRIVATE_KEY with the content of /etc/wireguard/server.key. Also verify the server’s main network interface name. On many systems it is eth0, but it might be ens3, enp0s3, or similar. Check with ip a and update the PostUp/PostDown lines accordingly.
Step 4: Enable IP forwarding
If you want VPN clients to reach other networks (like the internet or your LAN), enable IP forwarding.
echo "net.ipv4.ip_forward=1" | sudo tee /etc/sysctl.d/99-wireguard.conf
sudo sysctl --system
Step 5: Create a client profile and add it to the server
Now generate keys for one client (repeat for each device). This example creates a client named laptop1 with VPN IP 10.10.10.2.
cd /etc/wireguard
wg genkey | tee laptop1.key | wg pubkey > laptop1.pub
Edit the server config and add a peer section at the bottom:
nano /etc/wireguard/wg0.conf
[Peer]
PublicKey = CLIENT_PUBLIC_KEY
AllowedIPs = 10.10.10.2/32
Replace CLIENT_PUBLIC_KEY with the content of laptop1.pub.
Step 6: Start WireGuard and enable it on boot
Bring up the VPN interface and ensure it starts automatically after reboots.
sudo systemctl enable --now wg-quick@wg0
sudo wg show
The wg show output is your first checkpoint. If the service fails, run sudo systemctl status wg-quick@wg0 to see exactly what went wrong (wrong interface name, missing key, or syntax issues are the usual suspects).
Step 7: Build the client configuration
Create a WireGuard client config file on your client device (or generate it on the server and copy it securely). You will need the server’s public key, the client’s private key, and your server’s public IP or DNS name.
Client config example:
[Interface]
Address = 10.10.10.2/32
PrivateKey = CLIENT_PRIVATE_KEY
DNS = 1.1.1.1
[Peer]
PublicKey = SERVER_PUBLIC_KEY
Endpoint = YOUR_SERVER_PUBLIC_IP:51820
AllowedIPs = 0.0.0.0/0
PersistentKeepalive = 25
If you only want access to your private networks (and not route all traffic through the VPN), change AllowedIPs to your LAN subnet, for example 192.168.1.0/24, and keep 10.10.10.0/24 as needed. The PersistentKeepalive value helps mobile clients stay connected behind NAT.
Troubleshooting tips that save time
If the VPN connects but you cannot reach anything, check these items in order: (1) confirm UDP port 51820 is open/forwarded to the server, (2) verify your PostUp interface name matches the real outbound interface, (3) confirm IP forwarding is enabled, and (4) make sure the client’s AllowedIPs matches the routing you expect. Also review your firewall rules. On Ubuntu, you may need to allow the UDP port: sudo ufw allow 51820/udp. Finally, re-check keys; one incorrect character in a key line will prevent a proper handshake.
Next steps (best practices)
Once your first client works, add additional peers one at a time and assign each a unique VPN IP. Use a DNS name for the server if your IP changes often. Keep your system updated and consider restricting management access (SSH) to VPN-only for stronger security. WireGuard is lightweight enough to run on a small VPS, making it a practical “always-on” remote access solution for admins and power users.
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