What the FCC Ban on Foreign-Made Routers Means for U.S. Consumers
The action doesn't apply to routers currently on store shelves, but it raises questions about future supplies. Here's what you need to know.
In March, citing national security concerns, the Federal Communications Commission said it was banning all new foreign-made WiFi router models from being imported or sold in the U.S. And because almost every router available today is manufactured overseas, this understandably raised a lot of questions.
The good news: If you already own a WiFi router, nothing changes for you.
But the decision could reshape the router market in the months and years ahead. Here’s what you need to know.
What's the Reason for the Ban?
The FCC said it was acting on a directive from a White House-convened national security body that found that foreign-produced WiFi routers pose “unacceptable risks” to national security. The agency specifically cited the recent state-sponsored Volt Typhoon, Flax Typhoon, and Salt Typhoon cyberattacks, which exploited vulnerabilities in home and small-office routers to gain access to American networks and critical infrastructure.
Does This Affect the Router You Already Own?
No. The FCC has been clear on this point: If you already own a WiFi router, you can continue using it. Retailers can also keep selling models that have received FCC authorization (confirmed by an FCC ID on the device). The ban applies only to models that have not yet completed the FCC’s equipment authorization process.
Are Any Routers Actually Made in the U.S.?
This is the big question. We’re not aware of any major consumer router manufacturer that currently makes its products domestically. Even American-headquartered companies typically produce their routers overseas. Netgear manufactures models in Vietnam and Taiwan. Google’s Nest models are made in Vietnam and China.
The FCC defines “produced” broadly, according to the agency’s FAQ. It covers not just where a router is physically assembled, but also where it’s designed and developed. That means even a router made by an American company could be considered foreign-produced if key steps in the process occur overseas.
Should You Rush Out and Buy a New Router?
There’s no reason to panic-buy. The routers currently on store shelves have been authorized by the FCC and are perfectly legal to purchase and use. This isn’t a situation where products are being pulled off shelves. And companies can continue to manufacture, import, and sell their current models in the United States.
That said, if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your router, there’s no harm in doing it relatively soon. Some manufacturers, including Netgear and Eero, have already received conditional approvals to sell new models, but the majority of brands in our ratings have not.
Can Manufacturers Still Sell Foreign-Made Routers?
Yes, but only models that already have FCC authorization. To introduce new models, a manufacturer will need to either produce them domestically or apply for conditional approval through the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security. If approved, those routers will be exempt from the ban.
Since this article was first published in March 2026, the FCC has granted conditional approvals to Netgear and Eero, allowing them to continue importing and selling new router models through October 2027. A full list of approved models is available on the FCC’s website. (It includes routers for both residential and commercial use.)
What Are Router Makers Saying?
When the FCC announced its ban in March, Consumer Reports contacted all 11 router brands featured in our ratings: Acer, Asus, D-Link, Eero, ExpressVPN, Google, Linksys, MSI, Netgear, Synology, and TP-Link.
Netgear, which is headquartered in the U.S., responded that it commends “the Administration and the FCC for their action toward a safer digital future for Americans.” The company emphasized its history of “security-first design” and has since received a conditional approval from the FCC.
TP-Link, which has faced scrutiny from members of Congress over potential security concerns (disputed by the company), said that the ban “appears to affect virtually all new consumer-grade routers being sold in the United States.” The company added that it is “confident in the security of our supply chain” and has “already been planning to establish U.S.-based manufacturing to complement our existing company-owned facilities in Vietnam.”
Asus said that it is “confident in the integrity of our supply chain and the security of our networking products.” ExpressVPN said it “will continue to work with our partners and relevant authorities to ensure full compliance with all applicable requirements.”
Acer, D-Link, Google, Linksys, MSI, and Synology did not respond to requests for comment.
Editor’s note: This article, originally published March 24, 2026, is being updated periodically to reflect conditional approvals granted by the FCC to Eero and Netgear, and to add comments from manufacturers.
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