How to enable Wake On LAN in Windows 11: settings, router, and tricks

If you've ever thought about turning on your PC when you're not there, the answer is in Wake on LAN (WoL)This technology allows you to remotely activate your device with a short message within your network, and is widely used today in modern motherboards and network cards. In addition to convenience, WoL has an obvious advantage: save energy because you don't need to leave your computer on 24 hours a day.

Now, there are important nuances. Not all devices and networks are compatible, and if not configured properly, it can become a possible entrance door for cyberattacks. You should also be aware that the computer is not completely shut down; it remains in a state of low consumption to listen for the wake-up command. However, with proper configuration in BIOS/UEFI, Windows, and the router, the system works like a charm.

What is Wake on LAN and what do you need?

Wake on LAN is a protocol that allows turn on a PC remotely when it is off, suspended, or hibernated. It does this through a “Magic Packet” that is sent over the network and that the network card recognizes to start the Boot.

For it to work you must have three compatible pieces: Network card with WoL, motherboard/BIOS that supports network wake-up, and a power supply that keeps the NIC powered during sleep. If any of these items do not support it, you won't be able to activate it until the component is changed.

In local networks, the Magic Packet usually travels to the broadcast address of the subnet, and the NIC “listens” on low power until it identifies its own address MACIn advanced scenarios, some routers allow the so-called Wake on WAN (WoW), extending this ignition also from the Internet.

The Magic Packet is made up of a specific sequence: 6 bytes with value 255 (0xFF) followed by 16 repetitions of the destination MACThis signature is what triggers the reactivation of the target machine without having to physically touch the power button.

How the WoL process works, step by step

The flow is simple but has several pieces. First is the Device identification: WoL needs the MAC address of the computer to be woken up, a unique identifier of its network card.

Then comes the configuration in BIOS/UEFI, where the manufacturer may name the option as Wake on LAN, Wake by PCIe, Power on by PCI-E, or Resume by LAN. It must be enabled and the changes must be save before exiting for them to take effect.

Next you prepare the transmitting equipment, which can be another PC, a mobile phone, or a service that sends the Magic Packet. There are apps specific and also remote control suites such as TeamViewer or AnyDesk that make up the function to wake up teams.

Once you get the MAC of the target device, the sender sends the Magic Packet over the network (usually to local broadcast). If the receiver card is powered and configured, processes the order and sends the signal to the motherboard to start the boot as if you had pressed the button.

Enable WoL in BIOS/UEFI

Before you touch Windows, go into your settings. BIOS or UEFI. It's usually in sections like Advanced, Power Management, Wake Up, or similar. Look for options like Wake on LAN o Wake by PCIe Device and enable them.

Depending on the model you will also see parameters such as Power On by PCI-E o Resume by LAN, which fulfill the same function. Remember save changes and reboot. No further BIOS changes are required for WoL, although it's a good idea to avoid modes that completely cut off power at S5 if your motherboard offers that feature.

Enable Wake on LAN in Windows 11 (and Windows 10)

En Windows 11, in addition to the BIOS, you have to adjust the NIC to listen for the Magic Packet and allow the device to wake up the computer. You can do this from Settings or from the Device administrator.

Route through Configuration (Windows 11): Go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings. Expand your adapter (preferably Ethernet for reliability) and go to More adapter options > Ethernet properties > Configure. In the tab Power management, check “Allow this device to wake the computer” and “Allow only one Magic Packet to wake the computer.”

En Advanced On the same adapter, locate “Wake on Magic Packet” and leave it set to Enabled. If your NIC exposes more parameters (e.g., Wake on pattern match or Wake from S0ix on Magic Packet), activate them depending on your scenario.

It is also a good idea to disable the saving setting called Quick start (Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do) to prevent the system from entering a state that prevents it from waking up.

In Advanced Power Plans, under PCI Express > Link State Power Management (ASPM), select Disabled to prevent aggressive PCIe bus power management from cutting off the signal needed for WoL.

The classic way: Device Manager

Open Start and type Device administrator. Go to Network Adapters, choose your interface (preferably Ethernet) and click Properties. In Advanced, enable “Wake on Magic Packet”.

then go to Power management and select the “Allow this device to wake the computer” and “Allow only one Magic Packet to wake the computer” boxes. The latter helps prevent accidental wake-ups caused by normal traffic.

And in Windows 10?

The steps are practically identical Windows 11: Enable WoL in BIOS, enable Wake on Magic Packet on the NIC, and allow wake-up in Power Management. You can use apps like TeamViewer to send the Magic Packet from the mobile and wake up the PC on the local network.

Configure the router: static IP, ARP and, if applicable, WoW

For reliable WoL on your local network, assign a Static IP (Static DHCP) to your PC on the router's DHCP server. This way, the MAC-IP relationship remains persistent in the ARP table and the packet will arrive even if the router renew the table.

If your goal is to wake up the computer from the Internet (Wake on WAN), you must redirect the UDP port 9 to the local IP of the PC. Each router has its own interface, but in essence it is about creating a rule port forwarding in UDP for that port. Not all routers forward broadcasts to sleeping computers, so success may depend on the model.

Some manufacturers facilitate the process from their own firmware. In routers AVM FRITZ! Box, within Local Network/Network, when editing a wired device you will see the button “Activate computer" and the option to turn on the device when accessing it from the Internet (WoW). It's a very convenient way to avoid using external apps.

In routers ASUS There is a “Network Tools / Wake on LAN” menu, where you can enter the MAC of the device and press “Reactivate.” You can also maintain a list of up to 32 devices to wake them up whenever you want without having to reconfigure them each time.

Real advantages and disadvantages

The first advantage is obvious: turn on the PC remotely without leaving it on all the time. This reduces electrical costs and wear and tear, and turns your equipment into a improvised server available only when you need it.

As disadvantages, the configuration requires care (BIOS, Windows, router) and can get complicated depending on the hardware. Furthermore, without basic security, exposing WoL from the Internet can open unnecessary gaps. Finally, not all hardware/OS matches well, and changing equipment or mobile may force you to check settings.

What if my network card doesn’t support WoL?

You have two ways: replace the internal card with a new compatible one (usually by under 25 euros) or use a network adapter USB compatible that connects externally. The first option usually gives you better performance and stability; the second is flexible if you want to move it between devices.

Applications and uses: domestic and business

At home, you can use free apps to send the Magic Packet from your mobile or PC. On Windows, there are options in the Microsoft Store such as Easy WOL, Wake on Lan (Magic Packet), Simple Wake-on-LAN, or Wake PC on LAN; Android There are applications of Wake On Lan very easy to set up.

In corporate environments with dozens or hundreds of teams, it is advisable to integrate WoL into management tools. inventory and managementThere are well-known solutions such as ManageEngine, Microsoft Wake-on-LAN, EMCO or NirSoft, and many companies choose to use them. own developments to ensure compatibility and control.

If you plan to access after boot, combine WoL with a remote Desktop (AnyDesk, TeamViewer, Windows RDP) or shared drives. After turning on your computer, your files and services.

Simple alternative if you don't want to complicate things

If your NIC does not support WoL or you prefer something more straightforward, there are WiFi push buttons that physically “smash” the power button. They integrate with assistants like Alexa, Siri or Google Home and work very well for hard buttons or inaccessible.

Combined with a smart plug, you can cut off power to certain equipment, although be careful: if you turn off the router remotely, then you won't be able to turn it on from the outside. It's best to separate circuits and think carefully about the flow so you don't get disconnected.

Basic Safety Tips

If you are going to expose WoL from the Internet, consider using a VPN to your home/business to send the Magic Packet securely. Avoid leaving UDP port 9 open to everyone and check that your router is not respond unnecessarily to external requests.

In corporate networks with 802.1X it may be necessary additional settings hardware to allow WoL frames with authenticated ports. Document each change and verify that you don't break security politics.

Troubleshooting common issues in Windows 11 (Intel I219-V example)

If you have already enabled BIOS/UEFI, enabled Wake on Magic Packet, checked the boxes of Power management, you disabled Fast Startup and ASPM PCIe and it still doesn't work, try the following:

• Driver up to date: Install the latest I219-V driver from the motherboard manufacturer's website or from Intel.
• Advanced properties NIC: Enables “Shutdown Wake-On-Lan” (if applicable), “Wake on Magic Packet” and “Wake on Pattern Match”. If you see “Wake from S0ix on Magic Packet”, activate it.
• Disable EEE/Green Ethernet: Disables “Energy Efficient Ethernet” to prevent the link from entering a state that prevents wake.
• Energy states- On some computers with Modern Standby (S0ix) WoL may behave differently than in S3. Check in BIOS if you can force it. S3 or disable “ErP”/“Deep Sleep” which cuts off USB/PCIe power.
• Firewall: It doesn't usually block Magic Packet at rest, but it does power on the device locally with WoL to prevent blocking. Create inbound UDP 9 rules if your tool uses that port or the one you configure.
• Router and ARP: set IP by Static DHCP and try to wake up from the same subnetIf it's from the Internet, check that UDP 9 is forwarded to the internal IP and that the ARP entry hasn't been lost.
• Cable test: WoL over WiFi is inconsistent across many chipsets; if you can, use Ethernet.
• Services: They are not mandatory for WoL, but having WMI and Remote Registry active helps in tools management that orchestrate the ignition.

If none of this works, try another one. WoL tool, try from another transmitter and as a last resort, put in a cheap compatible PCIe NIC to isolate if the problem is from the current hardware.

Wake on LAN with Microsoft Configuration Manager (SCCM)

In enterprise deployments, Configuration Manager integrates capabilities of Wake on LAN that simplify mass startup and avoid subnet limitations. Since version 1810, the site server uses the customer notification channel to locate online clients on the remote subnet and ask them to send the Magic Packet to the sleeping computers.

Key Requirements and Limits: At least one client must be asset on the destination subnet; there is no support for IPv6 and 802.1X may be required extra configuration. Prevent infinite DHCP leases: With versions 2010+, an infinite lease prevents a client from waking up or acting as a peer.

Permissions: You need the security role with Notification of the appeal in the Collection category to be able to send reactivation orders from the console.

Client Configuration (1810+): There is a setting “Allow network reactivation” within the Power Management client settings. Deploy this setting to the target collections and forget about manually tapping each network adapter.

WoL Port: from 1902 you can specify the UDP port that WoL will use (shared by both the new and traditional versions). Adjust this parameter to suit your NETWORK.

Wake up devices from the console: right-click on a device and use Customer Notification > Reactivate, or launch the action on a collection: only those who are asleep will receive the order; those who are already online they do not touch each other.

Implementation Deadline (2010+): The site can use the client notification channel to have a peer on the same subnet Send the Magic Packet when a required deployment deadline arrives with “Send Reactivation Packets.”

If you enable only the new version, you will get the notification of wake up for ad hoc reactions. If you enable both (new + traditional), you can reactivate by notification and also on deadlines, taking advantage of the best of both methods.

Versions 1806 and earlier: the strategy goes through the classic WoL with packages of unicast and the “wake-up proxy”, which requires enabling “Use wake-up packets only” and Unicast on the site. This proxy even allows ad hoc connections such as Remote Desktop.

For monitoring, there are reports such as “Wake-Up Proxy Deployment Status Summary” and “Wake-Up Proxy Deployment Status Details”. Note that when applying the proxy the client may pause the network 1-3 seconds when resetting the NIC.

In short, SCCM reduces typical frictions of “pure” WoL (broadcast, subnets, ARP) by relying on active clients such as local broadcasters, something very useful in segmented networks and with more policies restrictive.

Using Wake on LAN properly configured allows you to keep the PC off and available when needed, combining energy savings with remote access When you need it. With the BIOS/UEFI and Windows tuned, a static IP on the router, and good security practices (or even SCCM in the enterprise), WoL becomes a tool reliable and comfortable both at home and in corporate environments.