Ora Serrata

Enable Wake-on-LAN on Windows

Set up the PC you want Rouse to wake

Wake-on-LAN lets a compatible PC wake when its network adapter receives a "magic packet." Support depends on the adapter, its driver, and the PC's firmware. Start with wake from sleep; wake from a full shutdown needs additional hardware support. Rouse is in development, and these steps also work with another Wake-on-LAN sender.

Use Ethernet. These steps use the wired network adapter. Wake over Wi-Fi needs separate hardware and driver support. Keep the target PC connected to power and Ethernet while testing.

01Allow the network adapter to wake the PC

Right-click the Start button and choose Device Manager. Expand Network adapters, double-click your Ethernet adapter, and open the Power Management tab. Enable Allow this device to wake the computer and Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer:

The magic-packet option restricts network wake to deliberate wake requests. If the Power Management tab or these options are missing, check the adapter manufacturer's instructions. The dialogs here are illustrations; your settings may look different.

02Enable Wake on Magic Packet

In the same Properties window, open the Advanced tab. In the Property list, find Wake on Magic Packet and set its Value to Enabled. Names and available options vary by adapter; follow its manufacturer's instructions if this setting is missing.

03Check Fast Startup if needed

If wake from sleep works, you may not need to change this setting. Fast Startup uses a hybrid shutdown state that can prevent network wake. Disabling it does not guarantee wake from shutdown: that also depends on the hardware and firmware.

If your PC manufacturer recommends disabling Fast Startup for Wake-on-LAN, open Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do, click Change settings that are currently unavailable, and untick Turn on fast startup:

Microsoft does not recommend disabling Fast Startup as a general rule. Check your PC's guidance before changing it. See Microsoft's explanation of Windows wake behavior.

04Check the BIOS / UEFI

If wake still fails, check your PC or motherboard manual for BIOS/UEFI settings. The setup key is often Del or F2 at power-on. Wake settings may be called:

  • Wake on LAN / WOL
  • Power On by PCI-E / PCIe device
  • Resume by LAN

Enable the relevant wake setting. Separately, an ErP/EuP power-saving setting may need to be disabled to keep standby power available to the network adapter. Follow your manufacturer's guidance, then save and exit.

05Test it with Rouse

Put the PC to sleep. From another device on the same network, send a wake request to its Ethernet MAC address. In Rouse, use the device's wake button or Test the Wake in the Setup Guide. Sending a packet does not confirm that the PC woke; check the PC itself or try connecting to it. If sleep wake works but shutdown wake does not, check steps 3 and 4 and your PC's supported power states.

Waking a Mac instead?

Search System Settings for Wake for network access and enable it if available. The options depend on the Mac model and power source. If a network wake does not keep the Mac awake for your remote-desktop connection, see the Wake Helper notes on the Support page.

Still stuck?

Wake-on-LAN behavior varies a lot by adapter and motherboard. If these steps don't work, search your PC or motherboard model plus "Wake on LAN" for vendor-specific settings, and check that your Ethernet driver is current.