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How to set up parental controls on ASUS Router (AiProtection)

AiProtection + ASUS Router app - Family

UK 2026 guide · Last reviewed · By Dr Alex J. Martin-Smith

Reviewed using our published methodology.

Quick answer

ASUS AiProtection is the only mainstream consumer router with comprehensive free parental controls: per-device content filtering by Trend Micro categories, time scheduling, SafeSearch enforcement, Family profiles. No subscription required.

Cost Free - no subscription
Where to manage ASUS Router app or http://router.asus.com
Time to set up About 15 minutes
Wi-Fi standard Wi-Fi 6 / 6E / 7 (model dependent)
Used by Consumer purchase (popular gaming router), Wessex Internet (full fibre)
UK install base About 350,000 UK households
Step by step

Step-by-step setup

  1. 01

    Web UI: open http://router.asus.com and sign in. Or app: download the ASUS Router app and sign in.

  2. 02

    In the web UI: AiProtection → Parental Controls → Web & Apps Filters.

  3. 03

    Choose a client device.

  4. 04

    Select content categories to block: Adult, Social Networking, Gambling, P2P File Transfer, Streaming and Entertainment, Instant Messaging.

  5. 05

    Tap Apply.

  6. 06

    Go to Parental Controls → Time Scheduling. Set daily online/offline blocks per device.

  7. 07

    In the ASUS Router app: tap Family → choose a level (Child / Pre-Teen / Teen / Adult) → create a group → assign devices.

  8. 08

    Toggle One-Tap Safe Browsing for instant DNS filter.

  9. 09

    Save.

Manufacturer source: https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1008720/

Reversible

How to remove this later

Open the same router app or admin panel, disable the parental profile or content filter, and save. If your household is moving to looser rules, reduce one control first (for example schedule limits) before turning off all filtering.

Honest limits

What ASUS Router (AiProtection) parental controls can and cannot do

Features that work

  • Per-device content filtering via Trend Micro categories (Adult, Social, Gambling, P2P, Streaming, Instant Messaging).
  • Time scheduling with online/offline blocks.
  • Reward Time (give a child extra minutes).
  • Safe Browsing (one-tap DNS filter via the app).
  • SafeSearch enforcement on firmware ≥ 3.0.0.4.388.
  • Free, no subscription, ever.
  • Family profiles with age presets in the ASUS Router app.

Features that do not work

  • AiProtection inactive in Access Point / Repeater / Media Bridge mode (router mode only).
  • No fully cloud-managed UI - controls live on the router.
  • Mobile data bypass.
  • VPN bypass.
  • Encrypted apps bypass.

How to block YouTube on ASUS Router (AiProtection)

ASUS Router app → Family → tap group → Web & Apps Filters → toggle Streaming and Entertainment on. Or in web UI add youtube.com to the URL filter.

How to pause Wi-Fi on ASUS Router (AiProtection)

ASUS Router app → Family → tap device → Pause. Or in web UI Parental Controls → Time Scheduling.

How to block social media on ASUS Router (AiProtection)

ASUS Router app → Family → Web & Apps Filters → toggle Social Networking on.

Troubleshooting

ASUS Router (AiProtection) parental controls not working: common fixes

AiProtection greyed out

Router must be in Wireless Router mode, not AP / Repeater / Bridge. Change in Administration → Operation Mode.

SafeSearch not enforcing

Update firmware to ≥ 3.0.0.4.388. Older firmware does not include SafeSearch.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Is ASUS AiProtection free?

Yes, completely free. No subscription. The only mainstream consumer router with comprehensive free parental controls.

Does ASUS AiProtection work as a mesh node?

AiProtection only works in Wireless Router mode, not in Access Point, Repeater or Media Bridge mode.

How do I block YouTube on ASUS?

ASUS Router app → Family → tap group → Web & Apps Filters → toggle Streaming and Entertainment on. Or add youtube.com to URL filter in web UI.

More help

If ASUS Router (AiProtection) controls are not enough

Router-level controls have known gaps: mobile data, encrypted apps, VPNs. These guides from our sister site BroadbandSwitch.uk pick up where the router stops.

Router Parental Controls A non-technical parents' guide to router-level controls. Gaming Console Controls Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and Steam parental controls. Free DNS Filtering Cloudflare, OpenDNS and AdGuard family DNS recipes.
Related routers

If you have a different router

TP-Link Deco mesh Deco app - HomeShield Parental Controls AVM FRITZ!Box FRITZ!Box Access Profiles Netgear Orbi / Nighthawk Netgear Smart Parental Controls (replaces Disney Circle, retired 2021)

References

  1. ASUS. (2026). [Wireless Router] How to set up Parental Controls? (Web GUI). https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1008720/
  2. ASUS. (2026). [Wireless Router] How to set up Family (Parental Controls) via ASUS Router App. https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1049408/
  3. ASUS. (2026). AiProtection — Internet security and WiFi protection. https://www.asus.com/content/aiprotection/

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