How to Enable or Disable Wake On LAN (WOL) in Windows 11

Understanding Wake on LAN (WOL)

Wake on LAN, or WOL, is a handy feature that lets you turn on your computer remotely. Your network card listens for a tailored network data frame called a magic packet, even when your PC is asleep or shut down, to power on the system.

Step 1Check Your Computer’s BIOS/UEFI Settings

Adjust your computer’s low-level firmware settings, known as the BIOS or UEFI, before making changes in Windows 11. This BIOS/UEFI interface provides your computer's hardware with initial instructions when you turn the computer on.

Accessing BIOS/UEFI

To get started with Wake on LAN, access your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings first. Restart your 🔄 PC and press a specific key, like Delete, F2, F10, or F12, right when the manufacturer’s logo appears.

Finding the WOL Setting

Inside the BIOS/UEFI menu, find the specific setting for Wake on LAN. Look for options labeled ‘Power Management,’ ‘Advanced Settings,’ or ‘APM Configuration,’ and search for terms like ‘Wake on LAN’ or ‘Power On By PCI/PCIe.’

Saving and Exiting

Saving your changes in the BIOS/UEFI settings is required after you turn on Wake on LAN Windows 11 support. Press the F10 key or select the save and exit option on your screen to store the new configuration and restart your computer back into Windows 11.

Step 2Configure Network Adapter Settings in 🪟 Windows 11

Now that your computer’s firmware is set up, tell Windows 11 to allow your network adapter to wake the computer.

Accessing Network Adapter Properties

Opening network adapter properties in Windows 11 for Wake on LAN requires going through the main Settings app. Open Settings, select Network & internet, choose Advanced network settings, and then pick your wired network adapter from the list to view its properties window.

In the Advanced network settings screen, you’ll see a list of your network adapters. Find the one you use for your wired internet connection (usually labeled as Ethernet) and click on it to expand its details. Then, click Edit under “Network adapter details.”

Enabling Wake on Magic Packet

Enabling Wake on Magic Packet for Wake on LAN Windows 11 happens inside the Advanced tab of your network adapter properties. Find the Wake on Magic Packet property in the list and switch its value to Enabled so your network card listens for remote wake-up signals.

A magic packet is a special network signal that wakes up a WOL-configured computer. This magic packet contains a unique pattern your network adapter recognizes.

Configuring Power Management Options

Configuring power management for Wake on LAN Windows 11 ensures your network card stays powered enough to receive signals while the PC is off. Check the box to allow the computer to turn off the device to save power, and make sure the option allowing this device to wake the computer is also checked.

• Make sure Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power is checked. This allows Windows to put the network adapter into a low-power state where it can still listen for the magic packet.
• Crucially, check the box that says Allow this device to wake the computer. This is the main switch for WOL in Windows.
• You’ll also see an option called Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer. It’s a good idea to check this box. It adds an extra layer of security by ensuring that only the specific magic packet can wake your PC, not just any random network traffic.

Click OK to save all your changes.

Step 3Adjusting Device Manager Settings (Alternative Method)

Sometimes, the settings you need are directly in the Device Manager. This gives you another way to access and control your network adapter's power features.

Opening Device Manager

Open Device Manager in a couple of ways. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager from the menu. Alternatively, press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.

Locating Your Network Adapter

To find your network adapter, open Device Manager and expand the 'Network adapters' section. Locate your wired Ethernet adapter, which usually has 'Ethernet' in its name, and double-click the wired Ethernet adapter to open its Properties window.

Configuring Advanced and Power Management Tabs

Configuring both the Advanced and Power Management tabs is necessary for Wake on LAN Windows 11 to function properly on your network card. Set Wake on Magic Packet to enabled on the first tab, and then verify that your power options allow the device to wake the computer.

• First, go to the Advanced tab. Scroll through the list of properties and find Wake on Magic Packet. Set its value to Enabled.
• Next, click on the Power Management tab. Ensure that Allow this device to wake the computer is checked. It’s also recommended to check Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer. Make sure Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power is also checked.

Click OK when you’re done.

Step 4Disabling Fast Startup (Often Necessary)

Windows 11's Fast Startup feature can sometimes prevent Wake on LAN from working correctly. This feature speeds up boot times by saving system data on shutdown, but it can leave network devices in a state that blocks WOL signals.

Accessing Power Options

To disable Fast Startup, go back to the Control Panel. Search for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar and open it. Once the Control Panel is open, change the “View by” option in the top right corner to Large icons or Small icons, then click on Power Options.

Finding Shutdown Settings

In the Power Options window, click on “Choose what the power buttons do” in the left-hand sidebar.

Disabling Fast Startup

Disabling Fast Startup prevents Windows 11 from entering a hybrid shutdown state that often blocks Wake on LAN signals. Open your Power Options control panel, unlock the unavailable settings, uncheck the box for turning on fast startup, and save your changes to ensure a full shutdown.

Click Save changes. Your computer will now perform a full shutdown instead of a hybrid shutdown, which can help WOL function reliably.

Step 5Enabling WOL Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

For those who prefer using the command line, you can enable Wake on LAN with a simple command. This method works fastest once you know your network adapter's exact name.

Opening Windows Terminal as Administrator

First, open Windows Terminal with administrative rights. Click the Start button, type “Terminal,” right-click on “Windows Terminal” in the search results, and select Run as administrator.

Listing Devices That Can Wake Your PC

Listing devices that can wake your PC for Wake on LAN Windows 11 is done using the command line. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt, type powercfg -devicequery wake_programmable, and press Enter to see every hardware component capable of turning on your system.

powercfg -devicequery wake_programmable

This command will list all devices that are currently configured to potentially wake your computer. Look through the list and find the exact name of your Ethernet adapter. It will look something like “Intel(R) Ethernet Connection (7) I219-V” or “Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller.”

Enabling Wake on LAN

Enabling Wake on LAN Windows 11 via the command line requires using the powercfg tool with your specific network adapter name. Type powercfg -deviceenablewake followed by your exact adapter name in quotes to turn on remote waking for that specific piece of hardware.

powercfg -deviceenablewake "Your Network Adapter Name Here"

For example, if your adapter name is “Intel(R) Ethernet Connection (7) I219-V,” the command would be:

powercfg -deviceenablewake "Intel(R) Ethernet Connection (7) I219-V"

Press Enter to execute the command. If successful, the device will now be enabled for waking your computer.

Step 6Disabling WOL Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you ever need to turn off Wake on LAN, you can also do it from the command line. This is useful if you’re troubleshooting or no longer need the feature.

Opening Windows Terminal as Administrator

As before, open Windows Terminal and make sure you select Run as administrator.

Listing Devices Currently Waking Your PC

Listing devices currently armed to wake your PC for Wake on LAN Windows 11 helps verify your setup is working. Open your command terminal, run the powercfg -devicequery wake_armed command, and review the exact list of hardware actively allowed to turn on your system.

powercfg -devicequery wake_armed

This will show you a list of devices that are actively armed to wake your PC. Find your Ethernet adapter in this list.

Disabling Wake on LAN

Disabling Wake on LAN Windows 11 works just like turning it on when using the command terminal. Type the powercfg -devicedisablewake command followed by your exact network adapter name in quotes to stop your network card from responding to remote wake signals.

powercfg -devicedisablewake "Your Network Adapter Name Here"

For instance:

powercfg -devicedisablewake "Intel(R) Ethernet Connection (7) I219-V"

Press Enter. This command will disarm the device, preventing it from waking your computer via WOL.

Summary

Test your configuration by sending a magic packet from another device on your network to verify that your PC responds and powers on correctly.

• Check BIOS/UEFI: Restart your PC and enter its BIOS/UEFI settings (often by pressing Delete, F2, F10, or F12 during startup). Find and enable the Wake on LAN or similar option. Save and exit.
• Configure Network Adapter: Go to Windows Settings › Network & internet › Advanced network settings. Select your Ethernet adapter, click Edit, and in the Advanced tab, enable "Wake on Magic Packet." In the Power Management tab, check "Allow this device to wake the computer" and optionally "Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer."
• Disable Fast Startup: Search for Control Panel, open it, go to Power Options, then "Choose what the power buttons do." Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable" (requires admin rights) and uncheck "Turn on fast startup."
• Use Command Line (Optional): Open Windows Terminal as administrator. Use commands like `powercfg /devicequery wake_armed` to list devices and `powercfg /deviceenablewake "Your Adapter Name"` or `powercfg /devicerestoredefault "Your Adapter Name"` to enable or disable WOL.

Wake on LAN (WOL) setup provides convenient remote access, or you can turn the WOL feature off if it is not needed.