Remote power-on requires hardware and network setup before you leave
You cannot turn on a computer remotely unless you set it up beforehand. A computer that is completely powered off has no network connection and cannot receive signals. To make remote startup possible, you need to enable Wake-on-LAN (WoL) in your computer's BIOS settings and network card, then keep your router powered on. Once configured, you can send a signal from another device on the same network—or sometimes from outside your home—to wake the sleeping computer.
The process takes about 20 to 30 minutes the first time. After that, turning on your computer remotely is as straightforward as opening an app or website and clicking a button. This guide walks you through the hardware requirements, the BIOS changes you need to make, and the tools that actually work.
Key Takeaways
- Wake-on-LAN must be enabled in your computer's BIOS and network card settings before you can turn it on remotely.
- Your router must stay powered on at all times, and your computer must be in sleep mode (not fully shut down) to receive the wake signal.
- On the same home network, you can use free tools like Wake-on-LAN apps for Windows, Mac, or smartphone to send the power signal.
- Waking a computer from outside your home network requires additional setup like a static IP address or a third-party service, and is more complex.
- Not all network cards and motherboards support Wake-on-LAN, so check your hardware documentation before you start.
Check whether your hardware supports Wake-on-LAN
Before you change any settings, confirm that your computer's network card and motherboard support Wake-on-LAN. Most modern computers do, but older machines or certain laptops may not. Check your motherboard manual or network card documentation—search the manufacturer's website using your model number.
On Windows, you can also check the Device Manager. Open Device Manager, find your network adapter under "Network adapters," right-click it, and select Properties. Click the Advanced tab. If you see a "Wake on Magic Packet" or "Wake on Pattern Match" option, your card supports WoL. On Mac, this feature is called "Wake for network access" and is built into most models made after 2010.
Enable Wake-on-LAN in your computer's BIOS
Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup screen. The key to press varies by manufacturer—common ones are Delete, F2, F10, or F12. The correct key usually appears on the boot screen for a few seconds. Once inside BIOS, look for a setting called "Wake on LAN," "Power on by PCI," "Resume on LAN," or something similar. The exact name and location depend on your motherboard.
Enable this setting and save your changes. Your computer will restart. If you cannot find the setting, consult your motherboard manual or search "[your motherboard model] wake on LAN BIOS" online. Some older computers do not have this option at all—if you cannot find it after checking the manual, your motherboard may not support it.
Configure Wake-on-LAN in your network card driver settings
On Windows, open Device Manager again and right-click your network adapter. Select Properties, then the Advanced tab. Find "Wake on Magic Packet" and set it to "Enabled." Then click the Power Management tab and check the box that says "Allow this device to wake the computer." Click OK and close Device Manager.
On Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), click General, then click Sharing. Look for "Wake for network access" and make sure it is turned on. This setting is usually enabled by default on Mac, but it is worth confirming.
After you make these changes, put your computer into sleep mode—do not shut it down completely. A computer that is fully powered off cannot receive a wake signal.
Use a Wake-on-LAN app to send the power signal from your home network
Once your computer is configured and asleep, you can wake it from another device on the same network. On Windows, read a free WoL app like Wake-on-LAN (by Aquilatech) or Depicus Wake on LAN. These apps send a "magic packet"—a special network signal—to your sleeping computer.
To use one of these apps, you need your computer's MAC address (a unique identifier for its network card). Find it by opening Command Prompt on your Windows computer, typing ipconfig /all, and looking for "Physical Address" next to your network adapter. Write this down or take a screenshot.
Open the WoL app on another device connected to your home network, enter your computer's MAC address, and click the wake button. Your computer should power on within a few seconds. On Mac or iPhone, you can use Wake-on-LAN (by Aquilatech, available on the App Store) the same way.
Waking your computer from outside your home network
Sending a wake signal from outside your home—from work, a hotel, or another location—is more complex because magic packets only work on your local network. You have two main options: set up a static IP address and port forwarding on your router, or use a third-party remote access service.
The router method requires you to forward a specific port on your router to your computer's IP address, then use a WoL app that can send packets to your router's external IP. This works, but it exposes your network to security risks if not done carefully. Most people find it easier to use a remote access tool like TeamViewer, Chrome Remote Desktop, or Microsoft Remote Desktop instead. These tools let you control your computer from anywhere, though they require the computer to be awake first—so they do not solve the original problem of powering on a completely shut-down machine.
If you need to turn on a computer from outside your home regularly, the safest approach is to leave it in sleep mode and use a WoL app designed for remote networks, or to use a smart power outlet that you can control from your phone.
Troubleshooting when Wake-on-LAN does not work
If your computer does not wake up, start by checking that it is actually in sleep mode, not hibernation or fully powered off. Sleep mode keeps the network card powered; hibernation and shutdown do not. Press a key or move the mouse to wake it manually and confirm the computer responds.
Next, verify that you entered the correct MAC address. Open Command Prompt on the sleeping computer (wake it manually first), type ipconfig /all, and confirm the Physical Address matches what you entered in the WoL app. Also check that your computer and the device sending the wake signal are on the same network—if one is on WiFi and the other on Ethernet, or if they are on different networks, the signal will not reach.
If your network card driver is outdated, update it. Go to the manufacturer's website (Intel, Realtek, Broadcom, etc.), find your network card model, and read the latest driver. Restart your computer after installing. If Wake-on-LAN still does not work after these steps, your hardware may not support it, or a BIOS setting may be preventing it—check your motherboard manual or contact the manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Wake-on-LAN if my computer is plugged into a power strip?
No. If the power strip is turned off, your network card has no power and cannot receive the wake signal. Your computer must be plugged directly into a wall outlet or into a power strip that is always on. The same applies to your router—it must stay powered on at all times.
Will Wake-on-LAN work if my computer is in hibernation?
No. Hibernation saves your session to disk and powers off the network card completely. Only sleep mode keeps the network card powered. If your computer goes into hibernation automatically, change your power settings to use sleep instead, or manually put it to sleep before you leave.
What is a MAC address and why do I need it?
A MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to your network card. It looks like six pairs of numbers and letters (for example, 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E). The WoL app uses it to find your specific computer on the network and send the wake signal to the right device. Every network card has a different MAC address.
Is Wake-on-LAN find?
On your home network, it is reasonably find because the magic packet only travels within your local network. If you set up remote wake-on-LAN using port forwarding, you are exposing your router to the internet, which increases risk. Use a strong router password and keep your firmware updated if you go this route.
Can I wake up my computer if it is completely powered off?
No. A computer with no power has no way to receive a signal. Wake-on-LAN only works when the computer is in sleep mode. If you need to power on a computer that is completely off, you need a smart power outlet or a physical power button you can press remotely.