How to use Wake-on-LAN. Now that the computer is set up to use Wake-on-LAN, you need a program that can send the magic packet required to instigate the startup. TeamViewer is one example of a free remote access tool that supports Wake-on-LAN. Since TeamViewer is made specifically for remote access, its WoL function is handy when you need into. Open command prompt and Go to the directory where this command line tool is present. Issue the following command. Pathwolcmd mac address ipaddress subnet mask port number Batch file example (wakenow.bat): pathwolcmd.exe 0007E90E7A66 10.10.10.10 255.0.0.0 9 pathwolcmd.exe 50E549467AAD 10.10.10.11 255.0.0.0 9 This is what i got.
Online Wake-on-LAN Services
Here are some websites that allow sending magic packets to boot up a computer over the internet. They are free services that can be used by anyone.
6. Wake-On-LAN Online
This webpage is able to send the required packet data to your computer over the internet. A useful feature is the scheduler that allows you to send the magic packet on a specific day and time up to a week in advance.
Enter the external IP address and MAC address of the target computer into the boxes. Then press “Wake Up my PC!” The service seems to use both ports 9 and 7 by default but you can add your own with “:[port]” after the IP address. Multiple MAC and IP addresses can be used if you separate them with commas.
Visit Wake-On-LAN Online
7. Depicus Wake on LAN over the Internet
In addition to the Windows tools from Depicus, they also have a page on their website that can send the magic packet over the internet to your computer.
The external IP Address and MAC Address of your computer is required. The subnet mask and password boxes can be left alone if you have no specific need to change them. The page also says the port can be left at the default of 4343 but we got an error if the box was empty. Port 9, 7, 4343 or anything more specific if you wish is fine.
Visit Depicus Wake on LAN over the Internet
Wake-on-LAN from the Command Line or PowerShell
Using the command line or PowerShell to send Wake-on-LAN packets to another computer can be quite useful for business, professional users, in batch scripts and to make desktop shortcuts.
8. Wake On Lan Command Line (WolCmd)
This tool is another entry in our list by Depicus and is a simple command line tool to send the Wake-on-LAN signal. The syntax is quite simple.
The MAC address, IP address and subnet are required but the port will default to 7 if you don’t supply one.
Download Wake On Lan Command Line (WolCmd)
Another useful command line tool we found was simply called WOL. It additionally allows you to supply a password and a custom subnet.
9. Send-WOL PowerShell Script
There are a few PowerShell scripts around that can send a magic packet and this one is hosted on the Microsoft Technet Script Center. Download the script, open it and add the argument for the computer(s) you wish to wake.
Save the script and execute it from PowerShell or the command line. Only the MAC address is truly required, the default port will be 9 if you don’t supply your own.
Download Send-WOL PowerShell Script
Use Wake-on-LAN to Start a Computer From your Smartphone
If you are unable to send the magic packet to your PC from another computer, an alternative option is sending it from another device like a smartphone or tablet. There are loads of apps around and the Android app we’ll look at is free, popular and does the job quite nicely.
10. Wake On Lan for Android
This app is quite easy to use because if the computer to start up remotely is switched on and available on the local network, you can find it automatically. Just press the add button and select the device from the list. It’s IP and MAC addresses will be added so you don’t have to do anything else. If you are connecting from outside the LAN, replace the local IP with the external IP or add a new connection manually.
All you have to do is press one of the devices in the bookmarks list to start the computer remotely. A handy function is the ability to add a widget to your home screen that can send the packet data to a selected device just by pressing the icon. By default the magic packet is sent three times, it can be changed up or down in the app settings.
Download Wake On Lan for Android
Test Wake-on-LAN is Working in Windows
If Wake-on-LAN isn’t working or you just want to test to see if the remote computer is receiving the necessary data, try using Wake on Lan Monitor. It’s another tool from Depicus and can be used to test if the magic packet is reaching the target computer.
Launch the tool on the computer you want to send the WOL signal to, set the required port and press Start. Then send a Wake-on-LAN packet from another computer using one of the options above. If the data is received, the tool will display it in the window. If you receive nothing there is something in your set up preventing the packet from being sent.
Note that different programs default to different ports when sending the magic packet. For instance, FUSION WakeUp on Lan and WakeMeOnLan default to port 40000 while WakeOnLANx defaults to port 7. If you are not required to set a port in the program, make sure you know what its default is during testing.
Download Wake on LAN Monitor
Make Sure Your Computer is Wake-on-LAN Ready
To enable the Wake-on-LAN feature in the BIOS, in addition to an obvious option which is usually named something like “Wake on LAN”, you may have to enable an option called “PCI Devices power on” in the ACPI configuration and power management settings.
You also need to make sure the LAN driver in Windows has the WOL feature enabled. Right click on (My) Computer > Manage > Device Manager > Network adapters. Double click on your Ethernet controller and look in the Advanced tab for “Wake on LAN”, “Wake from shutdown”, “Wake on Magic Packet” or similar.
Make sure it’s enabled. Also, go into the Power Management tab and tick “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”, “Allow this device to wake the computer”, and optionally “Only allow magic packets to wake the computer”.
While the system is switched off, make sure power is still getting to the network adapter by checking to see if the light is on near the connector on the motherboard or card. If not there is no power going to it then other settings may need adjusting.
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34 Comments - Write a Comment
Additionally, tools like Teamviewer, R-HUB remote support servers etc. also provide remotely turning on and accessing the computers. You can use the same.
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Apostol Dorel1 year ago
How you can wake up on LAN your PC if you’re not in the same network?
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Page 2 might help you with that, those options can WOL over the internet which is essentially the same thing.
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dan2 years ago
this is “8 programms to use wake-on-lan to turn your computer on” describing exactly ONE way (WOL) – it is not 8 ways to turn a computer on … grrr :-P
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We called it 8 ways to… because there are not 8 programs or 8 websites, but a mixture. And you only have so many characters for a title.
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F4CKAU1 year ago
turn on and wake up is 2 completely different things. thats what he meant. Its clickbait in essence xD
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Wake on LAN will “turn on” your computer from off, wake up brings the computer out of sleep/standby. Two different things but “wake” is used for both.
Also, the commenter above did not mean the difference between turn on and wake, he was unhappy that the title says “8 ways…” when he believes there’s only one way mentioned.
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tehhellhound2 years ago
The PC that I wanted to start up has to be on Wi-Fi due to practicality. what I did was get one of those remote controlled smart outlets and set the BIOS to default to power on. I have a UPS and a gas generator so I’m not going to lose power to that PC otherwise. I just shut down the PC as normal then cut the power for about 30 seconds when I want to start it up.
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if the power to the network adapter is off while the computer is off, you need to be able to send a broadcast to it to wake it up. in order to do that, an always on 3rd party device is needed that is in your home network like a tablet or old phone. for that i wrote an app called wol proxy for android which can do the broadcast for you and still allow you to wake the PC:
For Android users – small app to wake up your PC play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.freask.pcwakeup Description here develop.freask.ru/android/vklyuchenie-kompyutera-udalyonno-so-smartfona-na-android.html It works even in cases where the computer behind the router NAT and port forwarding does not work (and it does not help if the PC is turned off).
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thanks
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sam8 years ago
Thanks a lot for providing the information! I really needed something like this so that I could manage turning on my desktop when I am in college, and fetching necessary files. Cheers!
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This is exactly what I was looking for for years. Thanks Raymond.
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How Does Wake On Lan Work
amala rangnekar9 years ago
Excellent work! :) We have been trying to implement this technology for our college project, and this article of yours was indeed helpful. :)
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thank you i just recently know about wake on lan
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ET Jr.9 years ago
one of the best articles i’ve read recently… thank you very much!
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Ha I woke up all my school pcs by this thanks
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Eric10 years ago
Good article! I tested a WOL for my Asus system and it worked like a charm. Saved me driving an hour to turn the PC on!
Cheers!
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You are just a genius ….
Jeez….crazy
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kapil10 years ago
wow friend damn good, great for guys like me (net administrators)
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excellent ! & Thanks
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Eunos11 years ago
Hi Raymond, this is really helpful. I was about to get a timer hardware to switch my office computer on and off at set timings. My only problem was I need to turn it on at times when the hardware is set to “off”. Have racked my brains over this…until I read what you’ve posted. A million thanks!
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Thanks my friend, your post was of great help. It saved me a lot of money. I was going to buy a remote power switch and “ATX push to on” from Deltronix. Thanks again.
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Peter12 years ago
Very informative, thank you so much! I’ve been looking for a way to turn my computer on from school + use logmein =)
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Hi, Ray You are a great man.
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mono_maister12 years ago
WHAT A NICE THING!!!! YOU JUST SAVE ME LOT WORK HOURS, because someone have lost the keys of the server’s room, I had to work remotly, but, for a mistake turned off the server, but, I was able to turn it on again with the software Fusion WOL, thanks a lot for your advise.
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Nice article, I already use VNC to control my machine but sometimes I forget to leave my PC on. This will help a lot, the only thing I need now is a decent router which supports dynDNS.
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Eddiet2012 years ago
Very cool!!! I used the wake up from the internet entered my home IP and MAC addy from my office and Voila! My home computer turned on. I used a remote support proggy to turn computer off and access everything THANKS!!!!!
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Great Post Buddy. I blog it in my blog. Thanks….
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veki13 years ago
cool, thanks Ray!!
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very helpful way Raymond good work
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RIOTOUS13 years ago
Well Mr Raymond, Your site is really the Top! I’ll be nearly 1 Year that I’m here as a member on this BLOG! I’m really proud to be a member of Raymond blog. Thanks for all!
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Wake On Lan is a great feature that is built into most Computers and Servers that allows you to send a special WOL Magic Packet over the network and wake up the machine from a Sleep or Hibernate state.
Wake On Lan Packets are typically sent from a tool or software over UDP Ports 7 and 9 which then wakes up the device (Computer, Server, Router, Switch, etc).
Having a Wake-On-Feature enabled allows your device go to into a Low Power mode to conserve power if the machine is not being used.
Wake On Lan should be both enabled in your Motherboards BIOS and on the Network/Ethernet Interface settings as well in order to work correctly.
If you need remote access to device, whether a terminal or desktop computer, but allow it to go into a low-power state mode, than WOL is a great option to turn on.
Below you’ll find an Updated list of most popular Wake-On-Lan Software and tools that will help you send a Magic Packet to wake up any device within your network.
Some of these tools/software are Free and others have paid options with more features and capabilities than their Free counterparts.
Here’s the Best Wake On Lan Software & Tools of 2020:
1. Solarwinds Free Wake-on-Lan Tool
Solarwinds Free Tool assists with the typical WOL Functions including Generating and Sending a “Magic Packet” to assist in powering up machines that are down on your network.
Some Key Capabilities and Features of this tool include:
Start Up your PC/Servers in your Network using this Free Utility by Specifying the IP Address/MAC Address
Assist in Starting PC’s that are Shutdown and Have WOL Enabled on Network Interface
Simple & Free Tool
Price:
FREE
Official Download:
3. ManageEngine OpUtils
OpUtils is part of a large bundle of tools from ManageEngine but has the ability to be a great tool for a medium to large network environment!
OpUtils provides an easy Interface the offers easy WOL implementation with many features that include some of the following:
Schedule Wake-Ups
Boot Systems on different VLAN’s or Subnets
Automatically Scan & Discovery New IP Addresses and Systems
Create & Start Groups of Systems at Once
and many more options!
To get a better understanding of this product and if its what your looking for, go ahead and follow the link to their main website and have a read through it!
Download Free Trial Below:
2. Depicus Wake On Lan GUI
Depicus WOL Tool has an updated interface that gives you the ability to send Magic Packet to over the via FQDN, IP Address or Ip Address.
Updated version has a new interface that Matches Windows 7 & 8 GUI and gives you the ability to specify a Port Number as well!
Price:
FREE
Official Download:
3. NirSoft WakeMeOnLan
Nirsoft has a long list of tools that assist network admins and engineers with daily tasks including remote WOL features of new systems including Windows 10 and up.
Some features of Nirsoft WakeMeUpOnLan include:
Scan Network for all IP Addresses/Mac Addresses
Save List of IP Addresses and Mac Addresses to File locally
Option to send Broadcast Address for Windows 10 & 8 systems that are Troublesome
Send Magic Packet to Multiple PC’s at once
Command Line capability as well as GUI
Constantly Updated by NirSoft with new Features
Price:
FREE
Official Download:
4. Aquilatech WOL
Aquilatech WOL software has quite a few noteable features that we really like in terms of overall use and capabilities.
Major features of Aquilatech offering include the following:
Normal WOL capabilities of Computers that are Powered off or Sleep/Hibernating
Shutdown a Remote Computer (Credentials needed)
Ping Remote Computer via IP or FQDN
Select Custom UDP Port
Directly connect to Remote Computer via RDP from within the utility
Schedule Wake-Ups and Shutdown at Certain Times/Dates
Command Line Features
Price:
FREE
Official Download:
5. MatCode MC-WOL Tool
MatCode.com Wake on Lan command-line tool Does Not have a GUI – it is strictly command-line only and has very limited functionality.
Price:
FREE
Official Download:
6. WakeUp 1.01
WakeUp utility is fairly old and outdated and is hosted on Sites.google.com – the Utility initiates a Magic Packet to wake up remote PC’s via Command-line as well. You will need the Mac Address of the remote computer and make sure the Wake On Lan is configured properly on both the network Interface and BIOS.
Utility is Outdated but Download is still active via the URL Below.
Price:
FREE
Wake On Lan Cmd Ip
Official Download:
Hm Software NL Wake On Lan (Windows 10 only)
This utility is hosted on the Windows Store and ONLY works on Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile versions.
Wake On Lan Cmd Line
The application is simple and very straight forward. You will need to specify the PC Name and Mac Address of the corresponding machine and add it to the inventory of the program.
From there you can click on it and Send WOL (magic packet) from the menu, as seen below:
Price:
FREE
Official Download:
7. EMCO WakeOnLan
EMCO WOL tool is fairly robust WOL Tool that has a Freemium version and a Professional version that gives you some added functionality. To recap what this software can do, we’ll cover the features of the Professional version to get a full understanding of its capabilities.
Pro Version features:
Send WOL Packet to Multiple PC’s in your network at once
Manual and Scheduled Wake Up Tasks
Multiple WOL Transmission methods including: Broadcast, Unicast, Directed Broadcast, WOL over the Internet
Set Max Simultaneous WOL Power Up’s for your Network for Power Peak Prevention
Set Custom WOL Settings including WOL Delivery, Ports and other options including Time/Date scheduling as mentioned above.
Status reporting of all PC’s after WOL submission as well as Failure reports
Notification Reports via Email for every Tasks that has been Executed.
Ability to Run program as a Windows Service
Store all information in either Local database or Remote MS SQL Server database for future requests.
Professional Edition (Single User): $249 Professional Edition (Unlimited Users): $595
Official Download:
8. Gammadyne Free WOL Command-line Tool
Gammadyne.com has a great little Command-line WOL utility that gives us the ability to send Magic Packet over the network via cmd line.
Some features include:
Microsoft Wake On Lan Utility
Send commands directly to MAC Address and optionally to IP Address
Specify a Custom Port number via Command Line
Specify a Password for Interfaces that have SecureOn enabled and a password set. Passwords can be either Raw Characters or in Hex, as seen in the image above.