Last Updated on December 24, 2022 by Mathew Diekhake
Wake-on-LAN is an Ethernet or token ring computer networking standard that allows you to remotely turn on other computers, waking them by a network message. The messages used to wake the remote computer is usually sent from a device that is connected to the same local area network, such as a smartphone. Some people also use this technology to wake televisions that are connected to home entertainment systems.
The advantage of using wake-on-LAN is you can have access to files over a network without having to keep a computer powered on. This means you can expect your computer hardware to have a longer lifespan, as well as your electricity bills being cheaper. You might also benefit from not having to listen to the computer’s fan sound, which can be extremely annoying to anyone who is situated around a computer but isn’t benefiting from its use.
Out of all the electrical appliances around the home, the computer is one that is the least efficient to run, so you can expect to save substantial amounts of money. Additionally, if your computer is expensive, it’s best only to have it running when you’re using it, to help it last as long as possible.
The following tutorial demonstrates how to enable Wake-on-LAN when you’re using a version of the Windows 10 operating system.
Important: The guide below sets up your computer to use Wake-on-LAN but you’ll still need to install a program that can send the magic packet required to initiate the startup. TeamViewer is one of the best apps for connecting remotely that also includes support for Wake-on-LAN. This would be our application of choice for such cases, but there are others out there made by different brands that should work just the same. There is also a Wake-on-LAN app available directly from the Microsoft Store, free of charge, that can do it all for you as well.
How to Enable Wake-on-LAN in Windows 10
1. Open the Power User menu by pressing the Windows logo + X keys on your keyboard, and click on Device Manager.
2. Click on Network adapters to expand it, right-click on the Ethernet adapter for your computer, and then click on Properties from the menu.
Note: You can also double-click on the Ethernet network adapter and it opens the same dialog.
3. From the Power Management tab, check the following options from the window:
- Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power
- Allow this device to wake the computer
- Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer
If you notice your computer turning itself off unexpectedly in future, open up this same dialog and uncheck the option for allow the computer to turn off this device. This setting for Bluetooth is one of the most frustrating features to deal with in Windows 10. Many people come back to the computer only to find that Bluetooth is completely turned off and there is no way they can get it back. The problem for those cases is this same box is checked but for the Bluetooth adapter rather than wireless.
Note: If you don’t see the Power Management tab in the dialog, try looking for a Power tab instead.
That’s all.
Related Tutorials
- How to Change Power Plan Settings in Windows 10
- How to Choose Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell on Power User Menu in Windows 10
- How to Sleep Computer in Windows 10
- How to Enable/Disable Windows To Go Using Sleep on Windows 10 PC
- How to Add/Remove Maximum Processor Frequency in Windows 10 Power Options
- How to Add/Remove Default Items on Power User Menu in Windows 10
- How to Generate SleepStudy Report in Windows 10
May 5, 2019 @ 00:31
I was using WOL perfectly fine on my computer that was running Windows 8. However, after the Windows 10 upgrade, WOL is no longer working.
I assume that it is still relevant in Windows 10 and your article title is correct. I would have also thought that divers would not be an issue and Windows would have handled that by themselves since I only just recently upgraded.
May 5, 2019 @ 00:34
Open the Device Manager, and under Network Adapters, right-click on your network card and then click on Properties. Make sure the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power, Allow this device to wake the computer and Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer boxes are checked and save the changes by clicking on the OK button.
May 5, 2019 @ 00:20
Hello Mathew,
Did you have any information about Wake on LAN when a computer is shut down?
When I have the computer set to sleep or hibernate, the Wake on LAN works. However, when the computer is shut down the computer will not wake with Wake on LAN.
From everything that I had been told, WOL is supposed to be working when a computer is shut down as well. That way you can get the full benefit of turning a device on remotely and the computer not needing to be turned on at all.
I even have a friend who swears by his WOL working when the computer is shut off.
I’ve checked the Energy Efficient Network settings in the BIOS, and everything seems fine.
May 4, 2019 @ 20:32
I’m trying to use WoWLAN (Wake on Wireless LAN) instead of the Wake on LAN but can’t seem to get it working.
I’m running on Windows 10 1903 18362.53 which is actually a very recent version of Windows that I have received a lot sooner than everyone else i know. Most people I know are still on 1803. So, point being, this feature is definitely available.
Most problems after updates seem to be due to drivers, but I’ve already checked with my manufacturer’s website and downloading all the latest drivers including for the network adapter. In addition, I’ve used the default apps of my OEM and made sure that they’re all happy with my computer being up to date the way they like it. My manufacturer is Dell by the way.
My understanding of WoWLAN is that it should be available from the same network adapter Properties dialog, under the same three options that are listed in this guide, but it is not there.
May 4, 2019 @ 20:39
I’m just looking at Wikipedia’s meta description for its WOL page, and it says: “Wake-on-LAN (WoL) is an Ethernet or token ring computer networking standard that allows a … The WOL and WoWLAN standards are often supplemented by vendors to provide protocol-transparent on-demand services, for example in the …”
I’ve tried looking through countless articles after seeing a meta description, only never to find the sentences the description was showing. And after a quick look, it seems as though it’s going to be another one of those cases.
If you want to try to find the full paragraph for more content, you can read it here:
But there are no guarantees that the same paragraph will be on the same page.
Looking at that description, it suggests to me that your manufacturer will either have WoWLAN available or it won’t. So the fact that you can’t find it might indicate that your computer isn’t compatible. To find out what your computer can do, get in touch with Dell either from their website or social media pages. They offer free support to both.
May 4, 2019 @ 14:52
I went into the BIOS and checked that the Wake On LAN option was turned on, however when I go into the Device Manager and open the Properties for my network card, the option for “allow this device to wake the computer” is grayed out.
In earlier versions of Windows I had seen this settings not grayed out, because I’m pretty confident I had played round with it before to see if it would be the culprit that kept putting my computer to sleep.
May 4, 2019 @ 20:25
If the option is grayed it, it’s usually because of the drivers. try updating the driver for the adapter and see how that goes.
May 4, 2019 @ 14:37
Wake on LAN is not working for me.
I’m trying to create a computer to wake on LAN which is running Windows 10. The computer came with Windows 10 and thus is not that old, just a few years.
Just about every problem I’ve had with this computer has been driver related, so I made sure to update the driver of the network adapter to the latest version, which I saw could be done directly from the same dialog that opens after Properties in the guide.
I’ve gone into the BIOS and updated the settings to allow for the wake on LAN which I saw might have been something that was preventing the computer from using it.
To make the connection work, instead of TeamViewer I am using Wake on LAN that has been developed by Aquila Technology. Many people use this so the assumption is that the program isn’t the issue.
I know that Windows 10 also comes with a fast startup mode which might cause conflicts with anything that needs to sleep and wake from sleep, so I have tried it with fast startup enabled and disabled, still no luck.
May 4, 2019 @ 14:40
I would suggest trying different software to initiate the connection. I haven’t tried using the wake-on-LAN by Aquila Technology so I’m unable to comment on whether or not it’s a good app. But if you’ve got all the settings correct, then that is what I would try first.
Update: Some people are suggesting that you can enter the BIOS and change the “Wake Up event by” set to BIOS option to “OS” and then wake-on-LAN will work.
May 4, 2019 @ 14:42
What about the Wake-on-LAN app that you linked from the Microsoft Store?
May 4, 2019 @ 14:43
Yeah, you can try that but I’m not sure how good it is. I know TeamViewer is definitely a reliable application.
If you try the Microsoft Store option, I’m interested in your feedback.
May 4, 2019 @ 21:03
Thanks for the great guide once again, Mathew.
In spite of the well-explained instructions, I’m unable to get WOL working. I’ve done everything in the guide and them some.
All the information I could find lead to me needing to check off the following:
1. Installed the network adapter drivers (and all other drivers, just to be sure).
2. Checked the Properties of everything relevant in Device Manager and checked in the Advanced tab.
3. Found Faster Startup and turned it off from the Power Options menu.
4. Checked the startup type is set to Automatic from the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper.
Any other suggestions?