How to Enable Wake on LAN on Windows 11

Have you ever wanted to power on your PC remotely — perhaps from another room, or even another location entirely? With Wake on LAN (WoL), you can do exactly that. This feature allows your computer to wake up from sleep or hibernation mode when it receives a special network signal called a magic packet.

Wake on LAN is especially useful for remote management, file sharing, or using your desktop as a home server. However, it’s disabled by default on most systems. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to enable and configure Wake on LAN on Windows 11, step by step.

How to Enable Wake on LAN on Windows 11

You’ll need:

A Windows 11 PC connected via Ethernet (most Wi-Fi adapters don’t support WoL).
Administrator access to your computer.
Wake on LAN support in your motherboard and network adapter.

Tip: If you’re not sure whether your PC supports Wake on LAN, check your motherboard manual or your network adapter’s specifications online.

Step 1: Enable Wake on LAN in BIOS or UEFI

Wake on LAN won’t work unless it’s enabled at the firmware level first.

Restart your computer.
As it boots, press the key to open BIOS/UEFI setup (usually Del, F2, F10, or Esc, depending on your manufacturer).
Look for a section named Power Management, Advanced, or Wake Up Events.
Find the setting labeled Wake on LAN, Power On by PCI-E, or Resume by LAN.
Enable the option and save changes (usually F10).
Exit BIOS and boot back into Windows 11.

Now that BIOS-level WoL support is enabled, you can configure it inside Windows.

Step 2: Enable Wake on LAN in Device Manager

Windows needs permission to allow your network adapter to wake the system when it receives a network signal.

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click your Ethernet adapter (for example, Intel Ethernet Connection or Realtek PCIe Controller) and choose Properties.
Go to the Power Management tab.
Check the following boxes:
- Allow this device to wake the computer
- Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer
Click OK to save your changes.

This ensures the PC won’t wake up from random network activity — only from legitimate Wake on LAN packets.

Step 3: Enable Wake on LAN in the Advanced Tab

Some network drivers require you to explicitly enable the feature in their advanced settings.

In Device Manager, with your adapter selected, go to the Advanced tab.
Look for one or more of these properties:
- Wake on Magic Packet
- Wake on Pattern Match
- Shutdown Wake-On-Lan
- Wake from Shutdown
Set all relevant options to Enabled.
Click OK and close Device Manager.

Your PC is now ready to respond to wake signals at the OS level.

Step 4: Configure Power Settings in Windows 11

Windows 11 can sometimes block network wake-ups due to its power-saving modes. Adjusting these settings ensures your network adapter remains active even during sleep.

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to System → Power & battery.
Under Power mode, select Best performance (optional but helpful).
Scroll down to Related settings and click Additional power settings.
In the Power Options window, click Change plan settings next to your active plan.
Choose Change advanced power settings.
Expand Sleep → Allow wake timers and set it to Enable.
Expand PCI Express → Link State Power Management and set it to Off.
Click Apply and OK.

This ensures that your network card remains responsive while the system is in a low-power state.

Step 5: Find Your PC’s MAC Address

The Wake on LAN signal (magic packet) needs your PC’s MAC address to target it correctly.

Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
In the Command Prompt, type: ipconfig /all
Find your active network adapter and note the Physical Address (e.g., 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E).

You’ll use this MAC address when sending the wake command from another device or application.

Step 6: Enable Wake on LAN Through Windows Firewall

If your firewall blocks incoming magic packets, Wake on LAN won’t work.

Press Windows + S and search for Windows Defender Firewall.
Click Advanced settings on the left.
In the new window, select Inbound Rules → New Rule.
Choose Port and click Next.
Select UDP, and set Specific local ports to 9 (the standard WoL port).
Click Next → Allow the connection → Next.
Apply it to all profiles (Domain, Private, Public).
Name the rule “Wake on LAN” and click Finish.

Your firewall will now allow the magic packet to reach your network adapter.

Step 7: Test Wake on LAN

Now that everything is configured, let’s test it.

Option 1: Use Another Windows PC

Download a free Wake on LAN utility such as Depicus Wake on LAN or NirSoft WakeMeOnLan.
Enter your target PC’s MAC address and local IP address.
Set the port to 9 and send the packet.

Option 2: Use a Smartphone App

You can also use mobile apps such as Wake on LAN (Android) or Mocha WOL (iOS).

Connect your phone to the same local network.
Enter your PC’s MAC address and IP.
Send the wake command.

If configured correctly, your Windows 11 PC should power on or wake from sleep almost instantly.

Step 8: Troubleshooting Wake on LAN Issues

If your PC doesn’t wake up, try these fixes:

Check BIOS again: Make sure WoL is still enabled — firmware updates can reset settings.
Use Ethernet only: Wake on LAN rarely works over Wi-Fi.
Disable Fast Startup:
1. Open Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do.
2. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
3. Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
4. Click Save changes.
Test from Sleep, not Shutdown: Some systems don’t support WoL from a full power-off state.

If you’re still having issues, check your router’s configuration — some routers block broadcast packets across subnets.

Wrapping Up

Once configured, Wake on LAN gives you remote control over your PC — perfect for IT management, home servers, or accessing files when you’re away.

All it takes is a few BIOS tweaks, driver settings, and firewall adjustments, and you’ll be able to power on your Windows 11 system from anywhere on your network.

If you plan to use it over the internet (Wake on WAN), you’ll need to set up port forwarding on your router — but for local network use, the steps above are all you need.