I'm trying to figure out if I can use Wake-on-LAN (WoL) to wake up my PC over a WiFi connection so I can stream games when I'm not at home. I'm concerned about leaving my PC on all the time, so I'd like to use WoL to wake it up and then access it remotely to put it back to sleep. Unfortunately, my setup requires that my PC is connected via WiFi. Any tips or tools to help me make this work?
3 Answers
WoL relies on broadcast packets, which usually don't get routed correctly when you're outside your local network. If your router doesn't support remote WoL, you might need to set up a dedicated device, like a Raspberry Pi, that stays powered on to send the WoL packets. Alternatively, using a VPN could be a solution; once connected, you can send the magic packet yourself. Also, be aware that most WiFi adapters don’t support WoL, so you may need to go with an Ethernet connection instead.
You can enable WoL through the Device Manager. Just right-click your network adapter and make sure it's enabled. Make sure your settings are correct to allow waking the computer when it's asleep.
Check if your WiFi adapter supports WOWLAN (Wake on Wireless LAN). Many older or USB WiFi adapters don't have this feature, especially those before WiFi 6E or 7, so it's important to verify if yours does.
My setup uses a built-in antenna on the motherboard, and I'm not sure if it makes a difference. I think it's WiFi 6E, but I'm unsure if the onboard WiFi impacts WoL functionality.