I used Winscp for transferring the auth.key file to the correct folder and wordpad for editing and uploaded the ca, cert, and key files via the routers web interface.
On the firewall i changed the settings on the VPN interface to match what the guide called for
All other settings were followed in the order they were given. I click start and no go

on another note a friends has a linksys wrt32x gaming router link:https://www.amazon.com/Linksys-AC3200-D ... B072LQZFHM
in its menu it allows you to upload the ovpn file directly and handles all the processes in the background.
when trying my profile on their router it works flawlessly.
is this a known issue? or is it worth it to get a brand named router with open vpn built in and use it for the home.