Colin Snow
There are several ways to wake up a sleeping computer remotely. One common method is to use Wake-on-LAN (WoL) which can be enabled through the BIOS settings. When enabled, the computer goes to sleep instead of powering off and listens for a 'magic packet' to wake up and power on. This can be achieved using a variety of free and paid apps and software, such as Wake On LAN GUI, Wake On LAN from Sourceforge, and WOL Magic Packets Widget. Alternatively, you can use remote desktop software such as Jump Desktop, TeamViewer, or Tailscale, or a smart plug that can be controlled via an app.
How to Wake Up a Sleeping Computer Remotely
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Method | Wake-on-LAN (WoL), Remote Desktop, Jump Desktop, VPN, Moonlight Streaming, Task Scheduler, TeamViewer, R-HUB remote support servers, Alexa’s WOL skill, Tuya Wifi Computer-Power Reset Switch USB |
| Requirements | Computer must be enabled for WoL in BIOS, MAC address, IP address, subnet mask, port forwarding, router, VPN, LAN, WAN |
| Considerations | Power consumption, security, compatibility, ease of setup |
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What You'll Learn
Using Wake-on-LAN
Wake-on-LAN (WoL) is a networking standard that allows users to wake up computers on their network that are in a sleep or powered-off state. This is done by sending a network message, often called a "magic packet", from a WoL-enabled device over the network to the target computer.
To use Wake-on-LAN, both the BIOS and the operating system of the target computer must be configured to support Wake-on-LAN. In the BIOS, WoL is usually enabled in the power management settings. In the operating system, the network adapter properties should have the WoL feature enabled, allowing the adapter to respond to the magic packet.
To wake up a device, a magic packet is sent from another device on the network. This can be done using software tools designed for WoL or command-line utilities. The magic packet contains the target computer's MAC address, enabling it to identify and wake the correct machine.
There are several Wake-on-LAN apps available for phones and laptops, such as NirSoft's WakeMeOnLan, which can be used to wake up any sleeping PC connected to the user's account. Additionally, some programs already have Wake-on-LAN built-in, and others may support it, so it is worth checking the settings of the program of choice to see if Wake-on-LAN can be enabled.
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Using a smart plug
Firstly, ensure that your computer supports Wake-on-LAN (WOL). WOL is a standard method for remotely waking up a sleeping computer. You can enable WOL through a setting in your computer's BIOS, which will allow the computer to go to sleep instead of powering off completely.
Next, set up your smart plug by connecting it to your computer and installing the accompanying app on your phone. In the app, you may need to set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.255.
When you want to wake up your computer, simply toggle the smart plug on using the app. After a short wait, your computer should come online.
It is recommended to shut down your computer normally before turning off the smart plug. This can be done through the Windows operating system or by using a remote access solution.
Additionally, you can explore other methods to enhance the functionality of WOL. For example, you can use a separate Wake-on-LAN program, port forwarding, or a virtual private network (VPN) for added security.
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Using a remote support server
To wake up a sleeping computer remotely using a remote support server, you can utilise the Wake-on-LAN (WoL) feature. This involves enabling WoL in your computer's BIOS settings, which allows the computer to enter a sleep state instead of completely powering off. While in this state, it listens on the Ethernet port for a "magic packet" that instructs it to wake up and power on.
To set up WoL, you need to know your computer's MAC address, which can be found by checking your router's status page when the computer is connected to the network. Additionally, you may need the computer's IP address and subnet mask. With this information, you can use a WoL utility or app to send the magic packet and wake up your computer. Some popular options include:
- Wake On LAN GUI from Depicus
- Wake On LAN Tool from ManageEngine
- Moonlight Streaming, which includes a Wake-on-LAN feature
- Off/Shutdown and Wake-on-LAN app for Apple devices
- Various apps for Android devices, such as Wake-on-LAN or WoL apps that work with Alexa
It is important to note that some routers and NAS devices have WoL capability built-in, so you can log into their interface to send the magic packet. Additionally, you can use a smart plug that can be controlled via an app, such as Sonoff or Meross, to power the computer on and off remotely.
By following these steps and using the appropriate tools, you can effectively wake up a sleeping computer remotely by utilising the Wake-on-LAN feature and sending the necessary magic packet.
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Using a VPN
Wake-on-LAN (WoL) is a protocol that can be used to remotely wake up a sleeping computer. WoL works by sending a "magic packet" to the network interface card (NIC) of the target device. This can be done using a smartphone app or another computer on the same network.
To use WoL over a VPN connection, you will need to configure your VPN gateway to forward broadcast traffic from VPN clients to the local network. This can be done by creating a Layer 2 tunnel with SSH, which involves enabling root login on both computers, setting PermitTunnel and PermitRootLogin to "yes" in the sshd_config file, enabling IP forwarding in the kernel, and installing the bridge-utils package on both computers.
Additionally, you will need to ensure that the target computer's NIC is configured to receive broadcasted magic packets. This can be done by enabling WoL in the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings of the computer. The exact steps to enable WoL may vary depending on the manufacturer, but it is usually found in the power or sleep settings.
Once the VPN gateway and target computer are configured correctly, you can use a WoL app or program to send the magic packet to the target computer's IP or MAC address, waking it up from sleep mode.
It is important to note that if the target computer has been powered off for longer than the ARP expiration period (typically one minute), the WoL packets may not be forwarded to the PC and the method may not work.
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Using a separate WakeOnLan program
There are several third-party Wake-on-LAN (WoL) programs that can be used to wake up a sleeping computer remotely. These include NirSoft's WakeMeOnLan, Mocha WOL (iOS), Wake On Lan (Android), and Depicus.
To use a separate Wake-on-LAN program, you will need to enable Wake-on-LAN on your computer. This can be done by accessing the BIOS settings and enabling the "Wake on LAN" or "Wake on Pattern" option. Once enabled, the computer will go to sleep instead of powering off completely, and it will listen to the Ethernet port for a "magic packet" to wake up.
After enabling Wake-on-LAN, you can use a separate Wake-on-LAN program to send the magic packet and wake up the computer. For example, with NirSoft's WakeMeOnLan, you can scan the network and select the device you want to wake up without needing to remember the correct IP address.
Additionally, you can use a Wake-on-LAN app on your phone to wake up your computer. For instance, if you have an iPhone, you can use the Mocha WOL app, or if you have an Android device, you can use the Wake On Lan app. These apps will allow you to wake up your computer by sending the magic packet over the internet using the public IP address of your router and the MAC address of your computer.
It is important to note that some Wake-on-LAN programs may require additional information, such as the IP address, subnet mask, and port number of the remote PC. Therefore, it is recommended to check the specific requirements of the Wake-on-LAN program you choose to ensure it is properly configured.
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Frequently asked questions
You can wake up a sleeping computer remotely by using a Wake-on-LAN (WoL) tool. This allows you to power up a computer from anywhere.
Wake-on-LAN is a computer industry-standard protocol for reactivating a computer from a low-power or powered-down mode. It works by broadcasting a small data signal known as a "magic packet" to the target device's network interface card (NIC).
To use Wake-on-LAN, the remote computer must have its WoL settings enabled. Additionally, the network card of the computer being woken up needs to support the feature. Most modern Ethernet adapters will support Wake-on-LAN, but wireless adapters rarely do.
To enable Wake-on-LAN, you need to access the BIOS setup on your computer. This can usually be done by pressing a function key such as F2 or Delete during the boot process. Once in the BIOS setup, enable the Wake-on-LAN option.
To wake up your computer remotely, you will need a Wake-on-LAN app on another device, such as a phone or laptop. Open the app and enter the fixed IP address or DNS name of the computer you want to wake up. Then, send a "magic packet" to the device to wake it up from sleep mode.
