What You Need to Know About the Foreign-Made Router Ban in the US

LoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyIn March, the Federal Communications Commission banned new consumer internet routers manufactured outside the US, citing national security concerns. The ban doesn’t affect any routers already in American homes or currently on sale in the US, but all new routers aimed at the consumer market will need to be approved. That has inevitably included some of the best new routers to come out in the past six months.

While the headline is that foreign-made consumer routers are banned, manufacturers can apply for exemptions, and some have been approved. There's no need to throw out your router, and you'll still find plenty of mesh systems on the store shelves. But what does this mean for you?

Updated September 2026: I added the news that Conditional Approval has been granted to several more companies, the biggest being Asus.

“Malicious actors have exploited security gaps in foreign-made routers to attack American households, disrupt networks, enable espionage, and facilitate intellectual property theft,” the FCC wrote. “Foreign-made routers were also involved in the Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon cyberattacks targeting vital US infrastructure.”

Foreign-made consumer routers were added to the Covered List, which details equipment and services “deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States.”

Bogdan Botezatu, director of Threat Research at cybersecurity firm Bitdefender, says this ban is a step to harden the cybersecurity readiness of US households, given ongoing geopolitical tensions.

“Consumer routers sit at the edge of every home network, which makes them an attractive target and a strategic risk if compromised at scale,” he says. Asked whether he thinks the risk is real, Botezatu says yes, though there’s no easy way to prove intent. “[Internet of Things] devices, including routers, are a weak point across the internet.”

The ban only affects the sale of new Wi-Fi routers and mobile Wi-Fi or hotspot devices aimed at consumer households. The ban does not apply to existing FCC-approved routers on sale in the US or to phones with hotspot features. Previously purchased routers already in use in homes across the country are also fine and aren't part of the ban, according to the FCC’s FAQ. These routers can continue to be sold, used, and updated with new firmware, at least until January 1, 2029.

Any new router manufactured outside the US now requires FCC approval before it can be imported, marketed, or sold in the US. This includes routers from US companies manufactured overseas, which is the vast majority of the market right now.

This is decidedly murky. The ban is concerned with “consumer-grade” routers and could include any designed or manufactured outside the US or manufactured by companies that are not completely US-owned and operated. All the major players in the market, including Netgear, TP-Link, Asus, Amazon’s Eero, Google’s Nest, Synology, Linksys, and Ubiquiti, fall under the definition. As do most, if not all, of the routers supplied by internet service providers in the US.

Just like the recent federal drone ban, or the even more recent robot vacuum ban, the router ban only applies to new devices, but manufacturers can apply for Conditional Approval from the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security.

There are three main elements to securing a Conditional Approval in the official guidelines:

Companies that receive Conditional Approval can continue to sell and update existing devices and release new routers, mesh systems, and mobile hot spots for 18 months. This includes firmware and other software updates for existing and new devices. All new devices are subject to the regular FCC approval process.

Photograph: Simon HillSo far, several companies have been granted Conditional Approval. Here’s the FCC list.

Other companies that have been granted Conditional Approvals so far include Zyxel, Gryphon, SpaceX, Adtran, Calix, Nokia, and Sagemcom.

Outside the guidelines, the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and FCC have not released any further information on why certain companies have been granted Conditional Approvals. None of these companies has released any detailed information on how they secured a Conditional Approval or about plans for US-based manufacturing.

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has appealed via this FCC filing for greater clarity and clearer guidelines. It also raised concerns about software patching and component updates.

While the FCC initially published a waiver covering software and firmware updates until March 1, 2027, it has now extended that waiver “at least until January 1, 2029.”

What happens after that date is not clear. The fear was that companies that failed to secure Conditional Approval before the original deadline would not only be unable to sell new routers but also unable to update existing routers.

“The biggest practical security risk with routers is not only who made them, but whether they remain patched. Routers sit at the edge of homes, businesses, and critical networks. When they stop receiving updates, known vulnerabilities remain exposed, attackers gain durable footholds, and consumers are left with equipment they cannot realistically secure on their own," says Matt Wyckhouse, Founder and CEO of Finite State. “The original restriction risked creating exactly that problem: millions of deployed routers frozen in time, unable to receive security fixes. I appreciate the FCC recognizing that preventing updates could unintentionally make Americans less safe."

The majority of routers compromised and used in cyberattacks are older (end-of-life) devices that no longer receive security updates.

Due to the vagaries of international supply chains, it is very common for router manufacturers to substitute certain components in existing devices. How this fits with the router ban is unclear, but companies are clearly worried enough about it that the CTA has asked the administration to consider “additional waivers of Class I permissive change rules for changes that do not materially change the security posture of the device, for example, routine parts substitutions that do not materially affect the device’s RF characteristics.”

Well, the FCC provides some clarification in its FAQ (“covered” here means banned):

“Non-'covered' devices do not become ‘covered’ simply because they contain a 'covered' component part, unless the 'covered' component part is a modular transmitter under the FCC’s rules,” it says. “Therefore, a router produced in the United States is not considered ‘covered’ equipment solely because it contains one or more foreign-made components.”

Manufacturers importing components from China but assembling them in the US will presumably be OK, though it’s far from clear. “Applicants will need to be able to have sufficient evidence that the routers were not produced in a foreign country to make this certification, but there is no specific documentation or evidence required,” according to the FCC.

Netgear published a letter from its CEO to announce its Conditional Approval. While it is a US-founded and headquartered company, Netgear’s routers are manufactured abroad, mostly in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Taiwan. The company has moved away from China in recent years. Netgear has been lobbying the government on “cybersecurity and strategic competition with China.”

“We commend the administration and the FCC for their action toward a safer digital future for Americans,” a Netgear spokesperson tells WIRED. “Home routers and mesh systems are critical to national security and consumer protection, and today’s decision is a step forward.”

Netgear is a publicly traded company on Nasdaq, mostly owned by institutional investors, including BlackRock and Vanguard. The company’s stock rose on news of the ban.

Photograph: Simon HillSince all of its routers are made overseas, TP-Link must apply for Conditional Approval or spin up manufacturing in the US to sell any new routers. Estimates vary, but TP-Link’s US consumer router market share is somewhere around 35 percent, with Netgear and Asus accounting for another 25 percent or so.

The US Commerce, Defense, and Justice departments have reportedly been investigating and considering a ban on TP-Link routers for more than a year over concerns about the company’s links to China. No ban has been enacted until now, but Texas attorney general Ken Paxton sued TP-Link in February, claiming the company allows the Chinese Communist Party to access American consumers’ devices. Detractors have also criticized perceived predatory pricing, claiming TP-Link flooded the US market with a wide range of affordable routers to establish dominance.

TP-Link has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and claims it has divested from its Chinese roots and is now headquartered in the US with the bulk of manufacturing in Vietnam. TP-Link’s cofounder and CEO, Jeffrey Chao, recently applied for permanent US residency through President Trump’s Gold Card program, according to the Times of India.

“Virtually all routers are made outside the United States, including those produced by US-based companies like TP-Link, which manufactures its products in Vietnam,” a spokesperson from TP-Link tells WIRED. “It appears that the entire router industry will be impacted by the FCC’s announcement concerning new devices not previously authorized by the FCC.”

TP-Link is a privately owned company and not publicly listed on any stock exchange. Chao and his wife, Hillary, are listed as the company's sole owners.

Photograph: Simon HillAsus primarily makes its routers in Taiwan, though it has production facilities in China and works with several third-party manufacturers. Recent tariff pressures led the company to branch out to Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico, and the Czech Republic, but the bulk of its routers still come from Taiwan or China.

Asus posted after securing Conditional Approval in September, 2026, stating, “We are honored to announce to users worldwide that ASUS has successfully passed the U.S. FCC’s rigorous cybersecurity review for consumer networking equipment, receiving official conditional approval and being listed as a Trusted Consumer Router Vendor.”

Asus is listed on the Taiwanese Stock Exchange and is mostly owned by public shareholders. The ban doesn’t appear to have impacted its stock price.

The only routers I know of that are manufactured in the US are some Starlink Wi-Fi routers, which are primarily made in Texas. Starlink is part of Elon Musk's SpaceX company, but many of the components in these routers come from East Asia.

Botezatu says what matters more than geography is the security model behind the product. Companies that invest in “long-term firmware support, vulnerability management, and built-in protection layers” offer stronger security.

It’s not entirely clear, but it probably won’t have a huge immediate impact. There is already a wide range of Wi-Fi 7 routers and mesh systems on the market that will continue to be sold—they enable speeds well in excess of what most people need at home. Whether companies spin up manufacturing in the US or find other ways to satisfy government agencies that their wares are not a security risk, the result is likely to be higher prices for consumers.

"This ruling has the potential to significantly disrupt the US consumer router market," Brandon Butler, a research manager of Network Infrastructure and Services at IDC, tells WIRED. “In the near term, much will depend on how quickly conditional waivers are processed. Most vendors are likely to pursue them, but any delays could constrain supply and create upward pressure on pricing.”

If you haven't upgraded to the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, now might be a good time to do it. But it's worth keeping in mind what you're buying. Botezatu says consumers should “stick with reputable manufacturers that have a track record of issuing updates and maintaining their devices. Check that your router is still supported and running the latest firmware.”

When current stocks run low, the ban could have a serious impact on the router market in the US. Not only will spinning up US manufacturing take years and increase costs, but the ban is also likely to limit choice in the market, as smaller companies may struggle with the compliance burden, and chipset vendors and OEMs, turned off by a slowdown and unpredictability in the market, may deprioritize the US, according to a Global Electronics Association report.

The ban does leave several unanswered questions. Why is it being applied only to consumer routers? Why are some manufacturers being granted Conditional Approvals and not others? Why are the foreign-made routers currently on sale and in our homes deemed safe? What happens when the software update waiver runs out? The FCC did not address these questions.

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Simon Hill is a senior writer for WIRED and has been testing and writing about technology for around 20 years. You can find his previous work at Business Insider, Reviewed, TechRadar, Android Authority, USA Today, Digital Trends, and many other places. He loves all things tech, but especially smartphones and ... Read MoreSenior writer and reviewerblueskyLinkedInTopicsShoppingroutersnetworkingWirelessBroadbandFCCprivacyTop Theragun Promo Codes: 15% Off in September 2026Save on the science-backed devices you’ve been eyeing with 15% off Theragun discount code and 30% off other great deals.Molly HigginsGroupon Promo Codes: 60% Off in 2026Unlock up to 60% off, 40% off packages, and 20% off with top Groupon coupon codes. Explore coupons to save extra on travel getaways, holiday gifts, spa days, and event tickets.Molly HigginsHBO Max Promo Codes This September 2026Stream your favorite shows and save up to 50% today with HBO Max discount codes and subscription deals.Molly HigginsAT&T Promo Codes: $50 Off This September 2026Whether you’re looking to upgrade your internet or get the latest phone, we’ve got you covered with our selection of AT&T coupons and deals.Kat MerckAltra Running Promo Codes and Deals September 2026Score big savings on Altra Running shoes with up to 50% off sale styles, 20% off select models, 10% off your first order when you sign up, plus free standard delivery on every purchase.Boutayna Chokrane eBay Coupons in September 2026Save up to 60% on a selection of items at eBay, including electronics, home products, card games, car parts and more.Molly HigginsVerizon Promo Codes: Save With Verizon This SeptemberReady for an upgrade? Apply our latest promotional codes today and choose a select service plan to score a discount with Verizon.Molly HigginsTop B&H Photo Promo Codes and Deals This September 2026Enjoy top deals on cameras, computers, and tech essentials at B&H Photo.Scott GilbertsonTop Surfshark Promo Codes for September 2026Save up to 87% with a Surfshark coupon code, 3 months of VPN free today, and more from WIRED.Scott GilbertsonTop Valvoline Coupons and Promo Codes for 2026We've gathered all the top Valvoline coupons and promo codes for September 2026, including deals on full synthetic oil changes and other essential maintenance.Kat MerckTop NordVPN Coupons: 75% Off, Plus 3 Months Free in September 2026Save up to 77% on 2-year plans and get 3 free months with our NordVPN discount codes.Scott GilbertsonDell Coupon Codes: 20% Off for September 2026Get 20% off with verified Dell promo code, plus today’s coupons for up to $600 off laptops, Alienware monitors, and all things tech.Scott GilbertsonWired CouponsCode promo Canon10% Off Canon Promo Code + Up to 30% Off

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