How Do I Let a Device Wake My Computer in Windows 11?

Why This Matters

Letting a device wake your computer in Windows 11 can save you time by waking it up automatically when needed, instead of you having to do it manually.

You can use the powercfg.exe tool to manage power plans. This tool manages how your computer uses power and decides which devices can wake it up.

Option 1Using Device Manager

Windows 11 lets users wake the computer using a specific device by changing settings in Device Manager. This feature conserves energy by letting the computer sleep while still responding to devices like a keyboard or mouse. For example, users can choose a keyboard in Device Manager and change its properties to allow that keyboard to wake the computer.

1. Open Device Manager by typing devmgmt.msc in your 🔍 search bar and pressing Enter.
2. Find and expand the device category your device is listed under. For example, expand “Network adapters” if you’re looking for a network device.
3. Double-click the device you want to enable or disable for waking your computer.
4. Click the Power Management tab.
5. Check the box next to “Allow this device to wake the computer” to enable it . Uncheck the box to disable it .
6. Click OK to save your changes.
7. Close Device Manager when finished.

Option 2Enable a Device Using Command Line

You can turn on a device’s ability to wake your computer in Windows 11 using simple command-line instructions, but you’ll need administrator rights.

The command-line method lets a connected device wake your Windows 11 computer. This device wake feature works by controlling power management settings on the device itself. This setup lets the device send a signal to 🔄 restart your PC from sleep or hibernate.

1. Open Windows Terminal as Administrator. Search for “Terminal” and right-click it, then select “Run as administrator.”
2. Select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt from the dropdown menu.
3. Copy and paste this command, then press Enter to see all devices that can be set to wake your computer:
   
   powercfg -devicequery wake_programmable
4. Find and write down the exact name of the device you want to enable.
5. Type this command and press Enter. Replace “Device name” with the actual device name from step 4:
   
   powercfg -deviceenablewake "Device name"
   

   Example: powercfg -deviceenablewake "Intel(R) Ethernet Connection (7) I219-V"
6. Close Windows Terminal when finished.

Option 3Disable a Device Using Command Line

This command-line method lets you turn off a specific device’s ability to wake your computer in Windows 11, and it requires administrator access.

What this does: This method turns off a device’s ability to wake your computer, based on the device you choose.

1. Open Windows Terminal as Administrator.
2. Select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.
3. Copy and paste this command, then press Enter to see all devices currently set to wake your computer:
   
   powercfg -devicequery wake_armed
4. Write down the exact name of the device you want to disable.
5. Type this command and press Enter. Replace “Device name” with the actual device name from step 4:
   
   powercfg -devicedisablewake "Device name"
   

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

6. Close Windows Terminal when finished.

Summary

You can control which devices wake your computer from sleep in Windows 11 using Device Manager or command-line tools.