How to enable and use Wake on LAN (WoL) on Windows 10

On computing, Wake on LAN (WoL) is a networking standard protocol that provides the ability to configure a device to be started from a depression power state using a special betoken over the local network (besides referred to every bit a magic packet). You can think of it as a remote ability push to your calculator.

Usually, this feature comes in handy to maintain a connection to your estimator to access files and applications while minimizing power usage since when non in use, yous tin put the device to slumber.

After enabling Wake on LAN inside the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) on supported hardware, and then in the Windows 10 network bill of fare (or USB to Ethernet adapter), you can utilise many third-party tools to transport a magic packet over the network containing the MAC address of the remote reckoner to wake it up.

In this Windows ten guide, nosotros will walk you lot through the steps to enable and utilize Wake on LAN to turn on remote computers in the network.

How to enable Wake on LAN feature on Windows 10
How to wake up a computer remotely on Windows 10
How to troubleshoot Wake on LAN characteristic on Windows x

How to enable Wake on LAN feature on Windows 10

On Windows ten, if you desire to utilise the WoL feature, you lot must enable it start on the motherboard firmware (or on the network adapter if you are using an external device) and then on the Windows settings. As well, the feature only works when the computer is in slumber mode, but some devices support waking from hibernation or powered off state, even though Windows 10 does non participate in the process.

BIOS/UEFI configuration

To enable Wake on LAN on the device firmware, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Recovery.
Under the "Advanced startup" section, click the Restart at present button.

Source: Windows Cardinal
Click on Troubleshoot.

Source: Windows Central
Click on Advanced options.

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Click the UEFI Firmware Settings option.

Source: Windows Primal
Click the Restart button.

While in the firmware settings, navigate to the power settings and enable the "Wake on LAN" (WoL) characteristic. The option may have a slightly different name since the majority of the manufacturers build their firmware differently. If this is the case, make sure to check the device documentation online for more specific details.

In one case you complete the steps, you lot can go on with the instructions to configure the feature on Windows 10.

If your device does not include support for Wake on LAN, you tin can always become an adapter similar the USB-A iii.0 to RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet LAN Adapter from uni that provides back up to wake a device from slumber at a reasonable cost.

Culling solution

Uni USB-A 3.0 to RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet LAN Adapter

uni USB-A iii.0 to RJ45 Adapter

The USB-A 3.0 to RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet LAN Adapter from uni is a cost-effective alternative to Wake on LAN support to your Windows 10 computer. The adapter is plug-and-play, supports networking speed transfers up to 1Gbps, and supports connectivity via a USB 3.0 hub.

Windows configuration

To enable WoL on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Network & Cyberspace.
Click on Condition.
Nether the "Advanced network settings" section, click the Change adapter options push.

Source: Windows Central
Right-click the active network adapter and select the Properties option.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Networking tab.
Click the Configure button.

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Click the Advanced tab.
Select the Wake on Magic Package selection.
Use the "Value" drop-down menu and select the Enabled pick.

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(Optional) Select the Wake on blueprint match option.
Use the "Value" drop-down menu and select the Enabled choice.
(Optional) Select the WoL & Shutdown Link Speed selection.
Use the "Value" drib-down menu and select the 10Mbps option.

Quick note: The optional settings may exist required if y'all use a network adapter from Realtek.
Click the Power Management tab.
Check the Allow this device to wake the estimator option.
Cheque the Only let a magic packet to wake the computer option.

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Click the OK button.

Afterwards you lot complete the steps, the computer will be ready to be started remotely with a magic packet over the network using a third-party tool.

If you lot want to use the feature, you lot tin can use the same instructions outlined above to disable Wake on LAN, but on step No. 9, make sure to select the Disabled option. In improver to disabling the feature on Windows 10, you also want to turn off the WoL feature inside the device firmware using your manufacturer instructions.

How to wake upwards a reckoner remotely on Windows 10

Once the feature has been configured, you can turn on the reckoner in many different ways. For example, you can apply the WoL tool built into the router. You may be able to find scripts that y'all can use with PowerShell. Or you lot can employ third-political party tools to send the magic bundle to wake upwardly the device.

For this case, nosotros are using the "WakeMeOnLan" tool from NirSoft to wake a device remotely:

Warning: Although this awarding works every bit advertised, this is a third-party tool, and you should utilise information technology simply at your ain risk. You lot accept been warned.

Open up the NirSoft download folio.
Click the download link to save the app on your device.

Source: Windows Key
Extract the contents from the .zip folder with File Explorer.
Open up the folder with the extracted files.
Double-click the WakeMeOnLan.exe file to launch the standalone tool.
Click the Play (Start Scanning) button to discover all the devices in the network.

Quick note: The device you want to wake up remotely has to be turned on for the tool to find it. Once it is on the listing, the device can exist offline to use the WoL feature. Y'all tin can also use the Ctrl + N keyboard shortcut to add the remote computer information (IP address, computer name, and MAC accost) manually.
Correct-click the remote computer and select the Wake Upwards Selected Computers pick.

Source: Windows Central
Click the Aye push button.

Once you consummate the steps, the tool will transport the magic parcel, which should get-go the device immediately if the network bill of fare was all the same operational even when the computer was turned off.

Ostend IP and MAC address

If you lot are using some other tool, you volition need to determine the IP and MAC address of the device you lot want to wake up, which you can easily practice from the Settings app. Here's how:

Open Settings.
Click on Network & Internet.
Click on Condition.
Under the "Network status" section, click the Properties button for the active connexion.

Source: Windows Central
Under the "Properties" department, confirm the IPv4 address and Concrete accost (MAC).

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If y'all are using Control Prompt, you tin can query the adapter addresses using the ipconfig /all control.

Once you lot complete the steps, you tin utilize the addresses with the utility of your choice to wake upward a remote calculator.

How to troubleshoot Wake on LAN feature on Windows 10

If the device does not wake upwards after sending the magic parcel, y'all can practice a few things to troubleshoot the trouble.

The organisation must support Wake on LAN at the firmware level. If the selection is unavailable in the motherboard'south BIOS or UEFI or the network adapter (for example, USB to Ethernet adapter), you won't exist able to use the feature.

If yous utilise a USB to Ethernet adapter, WoL may only work when the computer is sleeping since powering off the device may also cease providing ability to the USB port.

In the case that the computer is using the fast startup feature, you tin attempt disabling information technology to mitigate the problem.

You tin can wake up a device just if the network carte du jour is active. If you lot are using an Ethernet connection, confirm the lights on the bill of fare are withal blinking later the device is powered down.

On a laptop, y'all have to make certain that the device is connected to a power outlet. Otherwise, it won't piece of work.

When using this feature, you can also come across networking bug that may preclude the device from waking upwardly the remote computer. If you suspect a networking issue, employ the ping command to ostend the source can contact the target device. Also, it is a proficient thought to double-check that you are using the correct MAC and IP address of the target computer. You tin can become this networking data using the ipconfig control (see above link to learn more).