
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a useful feature that allows users to access a computer remotely. However, it can be frustrating when the target computer is in sleep mode. While it is not possible to use RDP on a sleeping computer, there are several ways to wake up the sleeping computer first. One common method is to use Wake-on-LAN (WoL), which sends a magic packet to the sleeping computer over the network, turning it on. This can be done using a WoL app on a phone or laptop, or by using remote access tools such as TeamViewer or NirSoft's WakeMeOnLan. Additionally, users can try changing power settings on the target computer to prevent it from sleeping, although this may consume more energy. With the right tools and settings, users can conveniently access their computers remotely, even when they are initially in sleep mode.
Can I use RDP on a sleeping computer?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7, 10, Win 10 Pro |
| Solutions | Wake On Lan, RDP, Remote Desktop, PsShutdown tool, Hibernation, Wake On Lan app, VPN, BIOS settings |
| Other | Requires admin privileges, port forwarding, firewall configuration, power settings, network interface properties, fast startup feature, LAN support |
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What You'll Learn

Using Wake On Lan to wake up a sleeping computer
Wake-on-LAN (WoL) is a useful feature that allows you to turn on a sleeping computer using its network connection. This means you can start up your PC from anywhere in your house with just a tap on your phone or laptop, without having to physically press the power button on your computer.
To use Wake-on-LAN, the feature must first be enabled on the sleeping computer. This involves setting up the operating system and hardware to support Wake-on-LAN. For Windows users, this includes enabling Wake-on-LAN in the BIOS or UEFI settings, which can usually be accessed by pressing Del, F1, or F2 at startup. In the BIOS/UEFI settings, you will need to enable the "Allow this device to wake the computer" and "Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer" options. For laptops, you may also need to select the "Power Adapter" tab and check the "Wake for Wi-Fi network access" box.
Additionally, you will need to enable Wake-on-LAN on the OS side. On Windows, this involves opening the Device Manager, finding the Network Adapters section, right-clicking on the Ethernet adapter, selecting Properties, and then enabling the "Wake on Magic Packet" option.
Once Wake-on-LAN is enabled on the sleeping computer, you can use a Wake-on-LAN app on your phone or laptop to send a "magic packet" to wake up the computer.
It is important to note that Wake-on-LAN only works on computers within your network. Additionally, some computers may only support Wake-on-LAN from sleep mode, while others may allow a wake-up from a powered-off state. Therefore, you may need to tweak power options in the BIOS or Windows Control Panel.
Wake-on-LAN can be a convenient way to remotely wake up a sleeping computer, but it requires proper setup and configuration to function correctly.
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Configuring RDP access and Wake-On-LAN
To configure RDP access and Wake-on-LAN, several steps are necessary. Firstly, ensure that your hardware supports Wake-on-LAN. This includes checking that your network card or adapter supports Wake-on-LAN, and that your motherboard firmware or BIOS settings enable Wake-on-LAN. For Windows PCs, enabling WoL in the BIOS allows the computer to wake from a powered-off, sleep, or hibernation state.
If you are using a Windows 8 or 10 OS, the standard shutdown procedure puts the computer into a hybrid shutdown state, which does not support Wake-on-LAN. Therefore, it is recommended to deactivate the fast startup option. To do this, go to the 'Control Panel', select 'Power Options', and disable the 'Turn on fast startup' option.
Once your hardware and system settings are configured, you can proceed to enable Wake-on-LAN. This can be done by accessing your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings. During the initial startup, press ESC, F1, F2, F8, or F10 to access the BIOS setup menu. From here, go to the ''Power' tab and enable 'Wake Up On LAN'. Save and exit the BIOS setup.
After configuring Wake-on-LAN, you can use third-party tools or scripts to send a 'magic packet' to wake up your computer remotely. Tools such as NirSoft's WakeMeOnLan or Depicus can be used, or you can use PowerShell scripts to send the magic packet.
It is important to note that Remote Desktop does not have built-in remote wake-up capability. You must first use Wake-on-LAN to wake up the sleeping computer before establishing an RDP connection. Additionally, ensure that your network infrastructure, including routers and switches, allows WoL packets to reach the target computer.
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Troubleshooting Windows 10 sleep mode for RDP
If you're having trouble accessing a Windows 10 computer via RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) due to the host device being in sleep mode, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try.
Firstly, check if the host device is turned on and running. You can do this by pinging the device or attempting to connect to an admin share. If the device is not running, you can try to wake it up using Wake-on-LAN (WoL). WoL sends a "magic packet" to the host device, which can be done via a router or an app. Ensure that WoL is enabled on the host device, and that the port you send the WoL request to is allowed over a VPN connection.
If the host device is running but RDP is not connecting, there may be an issue with the network configuration or firewall settings. Try enabling Remote Desktop on the host device, ensuring that the local firewall is not blocking the connection. If this does not work, restart the host device and try again.
Additionally, you can try adjusting the power settings on the host device. Go to the Device Manager and open the "Network adapters" section. Find the Ethernet Controller and disable the "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" option in the Power Management tab. This will prevent the device from turning off the Ethernet Controller when it enters sleep mode, potentially resolving the issue.
Another workaround is to run an application in the background on the host device. For example, having a music or video server running in the background should allow you to connect to it at any time, even if the device is in sleep mode.
Finally, while this may not be ideal, you can consider disabling the automatic sleep mode on the host device. This will ensure that the device remains active and accessible via RDP, but it may not be suitable if power consumption is a concern.
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Using PsShutdown tool to make a PC enter sleep mode
Sleep mode is a low-power state for computers, allowing them to quickly resume where they left off when waking up. While in sleep mode, the computer saves all running apps and open documents in memory, while other components are shut down.
The PsShutdown tool can be used to make a PC enter sleep mode. Here are the steps to do so:
- Open the power options by selecting Start, then Settings > System > Power & Sleep > Additional Power Settings.
- Select "Choose what the power button does" and then click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable".
- Under Shutdown settings, select the "Sleep" option and click "Save changes".
- Now, you can select Start and then Power > Sleep to make your PC enter sleep mode. Alternatively, you can press the power or sleep buttons on your PC or close its lid if you have set it up that way.
You can also create a keyboard shortcut for sleep mode. Here are the steps:
- Go to the Shortcut tab and enter a key combination you want to use for the shortcut. Ensure that the combination is not in use by other programs and is not easy to hit by accident.
- After entering the command, hit Next, give the shortcut a name, and click Finish.
- Now you have a shortcut, you need to assign a key combination to make it a true sleep mode shortcut. Use the up and down arrow keys to switch options and then hit Enter.
It is important to note that if you have hibernation enabled, your computer may hibernate instead of going to sleep. To turn off hibernation, press Win + X, then choose Command Prompt (Admin), Windows PowerShell (Admin), or Windows Terminal (Admin). Then, type or paste the following line and press Enter:
> powercfg -h off
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Changing power settings to enable RDP access
To enable RDP access on a sleeping computer, you can change the power settings on your Windows PC by following these steps:
Firstly, ensure that your computer is set up to allow remote connections. To do this, open Settings on your PC and select System. Under System, choose 'About', and then check the edition of Windows you are running under Windows specifications. For remote connections, your PC needs to be running a Pro edition of Windows. If you are not running a Pro edition, you will need to upgrade.
Once you have confirmed you are running the correct edition, return to Settings and select System. From here, you can select 'Remote Desktop' and set it to 'On'. You will need to make a note of your PC name, as you will need this later.
To connect to your PC from another device, you will need to open the Remote Desktop app. This is available for free on the Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, and Google Play Store, depending on your device. Open the app and add the name of the PC you want to connect to. Then, simply select the remote PC name and wait for the connection to complete.
If you are connecting to your PC from outside of your PC's network, you can use port forwarding or set up a VPN. You can also use Wake On Lan to wake up a sleeping workstation and then log into it. To use Wake On Lan, you will need to send a 'magic packet' using your router or an app.
It is important to ensure that every account with access to your PC has a strong password. You can also restrict access by choosing to allow access only with Network Level Authentication (NLA). This means users must authenticate themselves before connecting to your PC, providing an extra layer of security.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you can't use RDP on a sleeping computer. However, you can use Wake On Lan to wake up your computer and then log in.
To use Wake On Lan, you need to enable it at the hardware level in your computer's BIOS. To do this, reboot your PC and press a key (usually Delete, F2, or another function key) at the boot screen. Once in the BIOS menu, find and toggle the Wake-on-LAN option to 'Enabled'.
If your computer is not waking up, try disabling its fast startup feature. You can do this by clicking "Choose what the power buttons do" or "Choose what closing the lid does", then clicking "Change settings that are currently unavailable" and unchecking "Turn on fast startup".
Yes, you can try using a separate WakeOnLan program or the PsShutdown tool by SysInternals. With PsShutdown, you can make your PC enter sleep mode directly by giving a single command: psshutdown.exe -d -t 0 -accepteula.

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