Struggling to manage your MikroTik hotspot because you don't have a static public IP address? You're not alone. In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you exactly how to bypass CGNAT and dynamic IP restrictions using modern WireGuard VPN technology—no port forwarding or expensive static IPs required.
The Problem: CGNAT and the Cost of Static IPs
For years, ISPs and hospitality businesses have relied on Static Public IP addresses to manage their MikroTik routers remotely or to connect them to a central cloud radius server. But the landscape of the internet has changed.
IPv4 exhaustion has led to two major problems for hotspot operators:
- Exorbitant Costs: ISPs now charge a premium for static public IPs, often adding $10-$50 per month per router to your operating costs.
- CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT): Most modern internet connections, especially fiber (FTTH) and 4G/5G mobile networks, put you behind CGNAT. This means your router shares a public IP with hundreds of other users, making incoming connections (like those needed for traditional RADIUS servers) impossible.
Did you know?
Traditional hotspot management systems like UserManager or older cloud platforms require incoming access to your router on ports 8728, 80, or 1812/1813. If you are behind CGNAT, these ports are blocked from the outside world.
The Solution: WireGuard Tunneling
The modern solution to this problem is to stop fighting against the lack of incoming access and instead use an outgoing VPN tunnel.
By establishing a secure tunnel from your MikroTik router out to a cloud server, you bypass the need for a public IP entirely. Your router initiates the connection, punching through any NAT or firewall layers on the ISP side.
Why WireGuard?
While you could use OpenVPN or SSTP, WireGuard is the superior choice for MikroTik hardware in 2025:
WireGuard is extremely lightweight and fast. It uses a fraction of the CPU that OpenVPN requires, leaving more resources for your hotspot users.
If your WAN IP changes (dynamic IP) or internet drops and reconnects, WireGuard re-establishes the tunnel instantly.
Uses state-of-the-art cryptography. It's much harder to misconfigure than IPsec, making it more secure by default.
Step-by-Step Tutorial: Managing MikroTik Hotspot Without Public IP
Let's look at how easy it is to set this up using YesSpot's Cloud Management Platform, which has native WireGuard integration.
Step 1: Create a Hotspot in Dashboard
Log in to your YesSpot ISP or Hotel dashboard (you can create a free trial account here). Go to NAS / Routers and click Add New Router.
Give your router a name (e.g., "Hotel Lobby") and select your location. That's it. YesSpot automatically generates a unique WireGuard configuration for this device.
Step 2: Copy the Setup Script
Once created, you will see a button labeled "View Setup Script". This script contains everything your MikroTik needs:
- Hotspot Server configuration
- RADIUS client settings
- Walled garden entries
- WireGuard Interface and Peer configuration
Step 3: Paste into MikroTik Terminal
Open WinBox, go to New Terminal, and paste the script.
[admin@MikroTik] > /import file-name=setup-script.rsc
Script file loaded and executed successfully.
WireGuard interface 'yesspot-tunnel' created.
Peer connection established.
Hotspot active.
Within seconds, the tunnel will come up. You can verify this in WinBox under WireGuard menu. You should see a peer with an active handshake.
Step 4: You're Online!
Go back to your YesSpot dashboard. You will see the router status turn Green (Online).
You can now:
- See real-time active users.
- Disconnect users remotely.
- Change plan speeds instantly.
- View live logs.
All of this happens through the secure VPN tunnel. No port forwarding rules on your router, no "Cloud IP" configuration, and no static IP needed from your ISP.
Ready to try it yourself?
You can set up your first MikroTik hotspot without a public IP in less than 5 minutes with our free trial.
Start 14-Day Free TrialFrequently Asked Questions
Does this work on 4G/LTE routers?
Yes! 4G/LTE networks almost always used CGNAT. Our WireGuard solution is perfect for mobile deployments like buses, food trucks, or remote event WiFi.
What happens if the internet disconnects?
The local hotspot continues to work. Users already logged in stay logged in. New users can login once connectivity is restored. The tunnel reconnects automatically as soon as the internet is back.
Do I need RouterOS v7?
We highly recommend RouterOS v7 because it has native WireGuard support. However, YesSpot also supports SSTP and L2TP for older RouterOS v6 devices, which also work without a public IP (though with slightly higher CPU usage).
Conclusion
Gone are the days when you needed to pay extra for a Static Public IP just to manage a hotspot. With modern cloud solutions like YesSpot and WireGuard protocols, you can deploy secure, manageable WiFi networks anywhere—behind CGNAT, on mobile networks, or on standard residential fiber lines.
This not only saves you money (often $200-$600 per year per router) but also improves your network security by keeping your router's ports closed to the public internet.
Last updated: December 21, 2025. This article is part of our "MikroTik Masterclass" series.
![WireGuard VPN MikroTik Hotspot Setup Tutorial [2025]](/images/blog/wireguard-tutorial.jpg)
