How to Enable and Use Wake-on-LAN to Remotely Power On Your PC

Have you ever wanted to wake your computer from sleep mode without having to walk over and press the power button? Enable and use Wake-on-LAN to remotely power on your PC. Wake-on-LAN lets you use your network connection to switch on your computer, allowing you to do so with a simple tap from anywhere in your house.

For example- I often visit my upstairs workstation using Chrome Remote Desktop. I don’t have to go upstairs to switch it on if it’s sleeping. With Wake-on-LAN, I can wake it up with a “magic packet” sent from my phone or laptop, allowing me to remote in without any hassle.

Does Your PC Support Wake-on-LAN for Remote Power On?

Before you can use Wake-on-LAN (WoL)- there are a few things to check for compatibility:

Network Card Support: WoL-compatible network cards are required for PC you wish to wake up. While many current wireless adapters don’t, majority of Ethernet adapters do. While magic packet can be sent by Wi-Fi, recipient machine probably needs an Ethernet connection. For information about “Wake-on-Wireless-LAN” or “Wake-on-WLAN” support, consult documentation or BIOS for your machine.

Limitations on Network: WoL operates on same network. A PC connected to a different network cannot be woken up by it. For example- you cannot use WoL to wake your PC at home if you are in a coffee shop. There are more sophisticated ways to accomplish this, but they are outside purview of this guide.

By ensuring these requirements are met, you can effectively use Wake-on-LAN to remotely wake up your computer.

How to Enable Wake-on-LAN in BIOS

To use Wake-on-LAN- you need to enable it in your computer’s BIOS.

1. Reboot Your PC: Restart your computer. As it boots up- press key to enter BIOS setup. This key is usually Delete, F2 or another function key. Ideally, boot screen will show specific key.
2. Enter the BIOS Menu: Once you’re in the BIOS menu, look around for the Wake-on-LAN setting. This can sometimes be found under sleep and wake settings or power management options.
3. Find the Right Setting: The Wake-on-LAN option may be clearly labeled. On some systems, it might be part of another setting. For example, on MSI motherboards, you need to enable the “Resume By PCI-E Device” option, which includes integrated LAN controllers.
4. Enable the Setting: Toggle the Wake-on-LAN setting to Enabled. This might be under different names or locations depending on your motherboard.
5. Check Additional Settings: There might be other sleep or hibernate settings you need to adjust. These can vary from one PC to another. If you encounter any issues, consult your computer’s manual or look up specific instructions for your model.

Enabling Wake-on-LAN in BIOS is the first step to getting this feature working on your PC. Once this is set up, you can start using Wake-on-LAN to remotely wake your computer.

How to Enable Wake-on-LAN in Windows

Step 1: Open Device Manager

First, open Device Manager. Click Start menu, search for “Device Manager,” and select it from the list.

Step 2: Locate the Ethernet Adapter

In Device Manager- find Network Adapters section & expand it. Right-click on your Ethernet adapter (for example, Intel(R) Ethernet Connection) and select Properties.

Step 3: Enable Wake on Magic Packet

In Properties window- go to the Advanced tab. Find Wake On Magic Packet and set it to Enabled. If this option is not available, don’t worry—Wake-on-LAN might still work.

Step 4: Allow a Magic Packet to Wake the Computer

Next, go to Power Management tab. Check boxes for Allow This Device to Wake Computer and Only Allow a Magic Packet to Wake Computer. Click OK to save your settings.

Step 5: Change Power Options (Optional)

Some computers only support Wake-on-LAN from sleep mode. You might need to adjust power options in BIOS or in Windows’ Control Panel under Hardware and Sound > Power Options.

Step 6: Disable Fast Startup (Optional)

If Wake-on-LAN isn’t working, try disabling fast startup. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options, then click Choose what the power buttons do or Choose what closing the lid does. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable and uncheck Turn on fast startup.

That’s it! You have now enabled Wake-on-LAN on your computer.

How to Wake Up Your Computer Over the Network

To wake your computer from sleep mode remotely- you’ll need a Wake-on-LAN (WoL) app on another device such as your phone or laptop.

Using Built-in Tools Some remote access tools already have Wake-on-LAN built-in. For example:

• TeamViewer: Open TeamViewer and click “Wake Up” button to wake up any PC connected to your TeamViewer account.
• Other Tools: Check your remote access tool’s settings to see if it supports Wake-on-LAN and enable it if necessary.

Using Wake-on-LAN Apps If your remote access tool doesn’t support Wake-on-LAN, you can use a dedicated app:

• For Windows: Try NirSoft’s WakeMeOnLan. It scans your network and lists available devices, so you can just select PC you want to wake & click “Wake Up.”
• For Mobile Devices: Use apps like Mocha WOL for iOS or Wake On Lan for Android.
• For Windows: Depicus is another tool, but it requires you to enter details like IP address, MAC address, subnet mask & port number of remote PC.

Troubleshooting If your computer doesn’t wake up, check these settings:

• BIOS Settings: Make sure Wake-on-LAN is enabled.
• Windows Settings: Ensure that your network adapter settings are configured correctly.
• WoL App Configuration: Verify that the app settings match your hardware setup. To simplify waking up your computer- set a static IP address for it in your router’s settings. This prevents IP address from changing & makes it easier to wake up computer.

Waking Up Your Computer When You’re Not at Home (Wake-on-WAN)

If you need to wake up your computer while you’re away from home, like on vacation or at a coffee shop, you’ll use Wake-on-WAN. This is more complex because you need to send the magic packet to your router’s external IP address rather than computer’s internal IP address.

Set Up Port Forwarding

• Find Your Router’s External IP Address: This is address shown on websites like whatismyipaddress.com.
• Access Router Configuration: Go to your router’s configuration page (check the manual or portforward.com for help).
• Port Forwarding: Forward the Wake-on-LAN port (usually port 7 or 9) to the broadcast address of your home network. Broadcast address often looks like 192.168.1.255.

Troubleshooting Wake-on-WAN

• Router Limitations: Many routers don’t allow forwarding to the broadcast address. You may need to explore workarounds.
• Workarounds:
  • Disable JavaScript: Some routers require JavaScript to be disabled to enter a broadcast address.
  • Change Subnet Mask: Modify subnet mask to create a new broadcast address.
  • Advanced Routers: If you have router with DD-WRT firmware, use port forwarding and ARP tables as described in DD-WRT wiki.

Setting up Wake-on-WAN can be tricky, and success varies depending on your network configuration and router capabilities.

Alternative to Wake-on-WAN: Use an Always-On Computer

If Wake-on-WAN sounds too complicated, there’s a simpler solution: use a computer that’s always on within your network.

1. Set Up an Always-On Computer: Keep a computer running all the time, like a home server or an old laptop. This computer can be used to send Wake-on-LAN signals to your other devices.
2. Remote Access: When you’re away from home, use a remote desktop app like Chrome Remote Desktop to access this always-on computer.
3. Send Wake-on-LAN Signal: From this always-on computer, use a tool like WakeMeOnLan to send a Wake-on-LAN signal to wake up your other computer.
4. Access Your Woken Computer: Once the computer you want to access is awake, you can then remote into it as usual.

You can use any computer or device that’s always on, like an old laptop, a NAS device or even a Raspberry Pi. As long as the Wake-on-LAN signal comes from within your home network, it should work smoothly.

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FAQ: Turn on and Use Wake-on-LAN to Remotely Power On Your PC

What is Wake-on-LAN (WoL)?

Wake-on-LAN lets you turn on your computer remotely using your network. You send a special signal called a “magic packet” to wake it up from sleep mode.

How can I tell if my PC supports Wake-on-LAN?

Check if your network card supports Wake-on-LAN. Most Ethernet adapters do- but wireless ones often don’t. Look in your computer’s manual or BIOS settings for this information.

How do I enable Wake-on-LAN in BIOS?

Restart your PC and enter BIOS (usually by pressing Delete, F2 or another key during startup). Find the Wake-on-LAN setting and turn it on.

How do I set up Wake-on-LAN in Windows?

Open Device Manager, find your network adapter, and go to its properties. In the Advanced tab, enable “Wake On Magic Packet.” In the Power Management tab, check both options to allow the device to wake the computer.

What if Wake-on-LAN isn’t working?

Make sure it’s enabled in both BIOS and Windows. Check that your computer is connected with an Ethernet cable. You might also need to disable fast startup in Windows.

How can I wake my PC remotely?

Use a Wake-on-LAN app on your phone or another computer. TeamViewer and NirSoft’s WakeMeOnLan are good choices. For mobile devices, try Mocha WOL (iOS) or Wake On Lan (Android).

What is Wake-on-WAN?

Wake-on-WAN lets you wake your PC from outside your home network. It’s more complicated and involves sending the magic packet to your router’s external IP address, with port forwarding set up.

Is there a simpler way than Wake-on-WAN?

Yes, use a computer that’s always on within your network. You can use this always-on computer to send Wake-on-LAN signals to other devices.

Can I use Wake-on-LAN with Wi-Fi?

Wake-on-LAN usually needs an Ethernet connection on the PC being woken up. Sending the signal over Wi-Fi might not work for waking the computer.

Do I need special hardware for Wake-on-LAN?

Most modern Ethernet adapters support Wake-on-LAN. Ensure your network card and computer meet the requirements and enable the feature in BIOS and Windows.