If you’re trying to turn on Wake on LAN (WoL) in Windows 10, you might find that it’s a little more involved than just flipping a switch. Sometimes the whole process seems straightforward but then gets tripped up because you forgot to adjust the BIOS/UEFI or your network settings aren’t quite right. Honestly, a lot of folks hit snags because they overlook enabling WoL in BIOS or don’t update their network drivers. The real goal here is to set things up so your PC can turn on remotely via a magic packet from another device on the same network — super handy if you want to access files or run tasks without physically being there. When it all works, just send that magic packet (usually via a dedicated app), and your PC wakes up like magic. It’s not always smooth sailing, but once you get it set properly, it’s pretty reliable. Just keep in mind, hardware support and correct configuration are key, because Windows has to make it work across different setups.
How to Turn on Wake on LAN Windows 10
Enabling Wake on LAN involves a couple of crucial steps—first, tweaking your BIOS/UEFI, then configuring Windows itself. If these aren’t set correctly, WoL just won’t work, no matter what. Here’s what you need to do, often with some trial and error, because, of course, Windows and hardware manufacturers don’t always make this stuff uniform. Expect to restart a few times, poking around in BIOS settings, then diving into Device Manager to make sure your network card allows waking the PC. On some setups, you might have to update drivers, disable and re-enable network adapters, or even fiddle with router settings. It’s all about making sure your hardware and software are on the same page about listening for those magic packets. Once configured right, waking up your PC remotely becomes just a matter of sending a packet from your phone, another PC, or a dedicated app — simple in theory, kinda annoying in practice, but hey, it works once it’s all set.
Accessing BIOS/UEFI
First thing: restart your computer and tap the key to enter BIOS or UEFI during startup. Typically, it’s F2, Delete, or Esc. If you’re not sure, Google your motherboard or laptop model—just search “[model] BIOS key, ” because each manufacturer tends to do it differently. In BIOS, look for options under “Power Management” or “Advanced Settings.” This is where you’ll find the “Wake on LAN” or “PXE Boot” options. Sometimes it’s buried under a sub-menu, so take your time to hunt around. Not all BIOS setups have it labeled clearly—some call it “Wake On LAN from S5, ” others “Remote Wakeup.”
Enabling Wake on LAN in BIOS/UEFI
This step is what makes your PC listen for network signals even when it’s off. Once you find the setting—probably under “Power Management” or “ACPI Configuration”—turn it on. Again, exact names vary, but look for anything mentioning “Wake, ” “LAN, ” or “Enabled.” It’s kind of weird, but enabling this on one machine was straightforward, while on another, I had to disable then re-enable it a couple of times to get it to stick. After toggling it, don’t forget to save your changes—usually F10 or via the “Save & Exit” menu. If you don’t save, nothing changes, and you’ll be stuck wondering why WoL isn’t working.
Save and exit BIOS/UEFI
Hit the save button, then exit. Your PC will restart with the new settings applied. Sometimes a reboot is enough, but other times, you might need to disable fast boot or secure boot temporarily, depending on your hardware. Another thing: some UEFI setups have separate settings for “Wake on PME” or “Wake on LAN.” Make sure those are enabled too.
Configure Windows Network Adapter
Back in Windows, right-click the Start menu and choose Device Manager. Find your network adapter—usually under “Network adapters”—and double-click it to open properties. Switch to the Power Management tab. Here, you want to check boxes that say something like “Allow this device to wake the computer” and “Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer.” This is crucial because without enabling these, Windows’ network card won’t respond to WoL signals. On some setups, you might also need to go to the Advanced tab and enable “Wake on Magic Packet” or “Wake on pattern match”—if available. Oh, and updating your network driver sometimes helps—I’ve seen it fix issues where the options don’t show up or don’t work properly.Pro tip: make sure your network driver is the latest—sometimes the default Windows driver isn’t enough.
Tips and Tricks for WoL
- Check if your network card supports WoL before messing around — some are just not compatible.
- Update the network driver to the latest version from the manufacturer’s website—Windows Update sometimes lags behind.
- If you’re planning to use WoL over the internet, you’ll need to set up port forwarding on your router and connect through your public IP. Not fun, but doable.
- Use a reliable app like “Unified Remote” or “Depicus Wake on LAN” to send the magic packet—avoid shady apps to prevent security issues.
- Remember, enabling WoL can open up some security risks, especially if your network isn’t well protected. Use it wisely and maybe disable it if you don’t need remote waking all the time.
FAQs
What is Wake on LAN?
It’s basically a way to turn on your PC remotely by sending a specially crafted network message—called a magic packet. Sounds kinda sci-fi, but it’s just a network command to wake your machine up.
Will all your computers support WoL?
Not necessarily. It depends on your hardware—network card, motherboard, BIOS. Some lower-end devices don’t support it at all, so double-check before expecting it to just work out of the box.
Can WoL work over the internet?
Yes, but if you want to wake your PC from anywhere outside your local network, you’ll need to set up port forwarding on your router (usually TCP port 9 or 54545).And make sure your ISP doesn’t block those ports. On one machine it worked fine, but on another, I had to tinker with extra security measures.
Why isn’t WoL working despite everything?
Double-check BIOS settings, Windows configuration, and driver updates. Sometimes, the network adapter’s power management settings are reset after updates. Also, some routers drop those packets—ensure they’re allowed (sometimes called “magic packets”) and are passing through correctly.
Is Wake on LAN secure?
It can be, if configured properly. But if it’s enabled and your network isn’t protected, someone could potentially wake your PC without permission. Use strong network security, and consider disabling WoL when not needed.
Summary
- Restart and get into BIOS/UEFI — usually F2, Delete, or Esc.
- Find and enable Wake on LAN or similar setting under Power Management.
- Save changes and exit BIOS.
- Open Device Manager in Windows and tweak your network card settings to allow wake packets.
- Test by sending a magic packet through an app on your phone or another PC.
Wrap-up
Getting WoL working in Windows 10 is a bit of a scavenger hunt—BIOS, drivers, network settings. It’s kind of annoying sometimes, but once it’s working, it’s a real time-saver—especially if you need to do maintenance or access files remotely. Just be aware of security—don’t leave it all wide open unless you want unwanted wake-ups. Hopefully, this gets one setup process smooth enough for someone to get it running without pulling out all their hair.