If you've ever been away from home or the office and thought that It would be great to be able to turn on your computer remotely. Whether you need to recover a file, use a specific program, or provide support to someone, you're in the right place. What many people don't know is that even when the PC is turned off, in sleep mode, or in hibernation, it's possible to "wake it up" if the computer and network are properly prepared.
In this comprehensive guide you will learn how Turn on your computer remotely by combining Tasker on Android with Wake on LAN (WoL)You'll also see classic alternatives using routers, remote desktop applications (TeamViewer, AnyDesk, Splashtop, Iperius Remote, etc.), and even a very interesting trick using a smart plug if you get stuck on WoL. We'll go step by step, but with thorough explanations so you understand what you're doing and why.
What is Wake on LAN and why should you care?
Wake on LAN, abbreviated as WoL, is a network standard that allows a PC to be turned on or reactivated by sending a special message called a "magic packet"This packet contains the MAC address of the destination machine repeated several times and is sent across the local network (usually as a broadcast) so that the network card of the computer you want to wake up can "listen" to it.
The key is that The network card continues to receive a small amount of power even with the PC turned off.In this way it can "listen" to network traffic and, when it detects a packet with its MAC address repeated in the correct format, it sends a signal to the motherboard to start the computer or take it out of the low-power mode it is in.
This makes WoL a perfect tool for teleworking, remote support, access to home or business servers And, in general, for anyone who needs to access computers without leaving them on 24/7. You save energy, reduce wear and tear, and still have your equipment available on demand.
For everything to work, however, several conditions must be met: compatible hardware, minimum permanent power supply, properly configured network, and operating system prepared to accept the "alarm clock"Later we will go into detail about each point, both in BIOS/UEFI and in Windows.
Basic requirements for using Wake on LAN
Before setting up automations with Tasker, voice assistants, or remote control apps, it's important to be clear about what you need to do. WoL is reliable and won't let you down when you need it most.These are the essential requirements.
First, your PC must have motherboard and network interface card (NIC) compatible with Wake on LANIn modern computers this is almost always the case, but the function may be disabled by default in the BIOS/UEFI and also in the network card driver in the operating system.
Furthermore, it is mandatory that the computer remain connected to the power even when switched offOn a desktop computer, this means the power supply must be in standby mode (computer off, but plugged in). On a laptop, it's recommended to keep it connected to the charger, because some models cut off all power to the NIC when running on battery power only.
You also need the network infrastructure allows the "magic packet" to pass to the network adapter of the destination PCOn a wired local network, this usually works without issue, but over Wi-Fi it's much more limited: many wireless cards only support Wake-on-LAN (WoL) from sleep, not from a complete shutdown, and some routers don't forward these packets correctly. Whenever possible, use Ethernet.
Finally, if you want to wake up your computer from outside your home or office, things get a little more complicated because By default, routers do not allow broadcasts from the Internet to pass through.You'll need to open ports, use some form of special forwarding, or, much more conveniently, rely on remote access software that already integrates WoL and does the dirty work for you.
How exactly does the WoL “magic pack” work?
On a technical level, the heart of Wake on LAN is a data packet with a very specific format that the network card can recognize even when the rest of the PC is "asleep"Understanding this helps you diagnose problems when it won't turn on.
When you turn off or put a device with WoL enabled, The NIC remains powered on with minimal power consumptionThe rest of the components (CPU, RAM, disks…) turn off or enter a low power state, but the network card continues to listen for traffic on its port.
The magic package is constructed as a plot that includes a synchronization sequence followed by the MAC address of the destination PC repeated 16 times in a rowThis packet is normally sent to the local network broadcast address (for example, 192.168.1.255) on a typical UDP port, such as 9 or 7.
Upon reaching the network, All devices see that packet, but only the one with that specific MAC address. It will interpret this as a power-on command. When the NIC detects its repeated MAC address in the expected format, it sends a hardware signal to the motherboard to activate normal power and boot the system.
Within the local network, this usually works without any major issues. The problem arises when you try to send that packet from outside (the Internet): Routers do not forward broadcasts from outside for security reasons.So you have to resort to solutions like VPN, special port forwarding rules to the broadcast IP, or, much more sensibly, have remote desktop software (TeamViewer, Splashtop, Iperius Remote, AnyDesk…) use a “bridge” computer turned on within that network to inject the magic packet from within.
Configure the BIOS/UEFI to enable Wake on LAN
The first mandatory step is to enable the remote power-on options in your motherboard's BIOS or UEFIIf this isn't done correctly, it doesn't matter what you do next in Windows or on the router, the PC won't respond.
To enter the BIOS, restart your computer and press the corresponding key on the boot screen (it's usually Del, F2, F10 or F12(depending on the manufacturer). Once inside, look for the section on Power Management, Power Options, Advanced or similarEach BIOS organizes it in its own way.
Within the energy section, you should find an option related to WoL, which may be called Wake on LAN, Power On By LAN, Wake on PCI/PCIe, Resume by LAN or something very similar. Activate that function, save the changes, and exit the BIOS so the computer restarts with the new settings.
Some modern motherboards also include settings for how they behave in the event of power outages, for example. “Restore after AC Power Loss”, “AC Power Recovery” or “Restore after AC power loss”If you set it to "Turn On", the PC will start automatically when the power comes back on, something that will be important later when we see the smart plug trick.
Once WoL is enabled (and, if you want, boot after power loss), You won't have to touch the BIOS anymore. For this issue, unless you update the firmware and reset the values, all the work is done in the operating system and on the network.
Configuring the network card for WoL in Windows
With the BIOS ready, it's time to tell Windows that Allow the network card to wake the computer only when it receives the appropriate packetThe process is very similar in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Go to Home > Configuration > Network and Internet Then go to the advanced network settings. There you'll see your adapters; select the one you'll use for WoL (ideally the Ethernet one) and access the additional adapter propertiesIn the properties window, click on “Configure”.
Within the adapter properties, open the tab for Power management and check at least two boxes: “Allow this device to wake the computer” and “Allow only one Magic Packet to wake the computer.” You prevent any network traffic from accidentally waking up the PC. and reserve the wake-up call to the specific WoL package.
Then open the Device administrator (You can find it in the Start menu.) Expand "Network adapters," locate your network card again, and open its properties. In the "Advanced" tab, look for the entry “Wake on Magic Packet”, “Wake on LAN” or similar and make sure it is enabled.
It's a good idea to check the Windows power options. Do not enable "fast startup" if you want WoL to work even from a complete shutdown.Some fast startup configurations leave the system in a state that prevents the network card from properly receiving the magic packet. If you see that it works from sleep mode but not from shutdown, you have a clear suspect.
Configure the router to use Wake on LAN from the Internet
At this point, with BIOS and Windows configured, you should already be able to wake the PC from another machine within the same local network by sending a magic packet. The next step is being able to do it when you're outside that network, via the internet.
The classic approach involves Open UDP port 9 (or the one you use for WoL) on your router and redirect it to the PC's local IP address or, better yet, to the network's broadcast address (for example, 192.168.1.255). Every router is different, so you'll have to access its web control panel and look for something like "Virtual Server," "Port Forwarding," "NAT," or "Port Redirection."
For this to work consistently, the team you want to wake up must have a fixed local IP address or a DHCP reservation; otherwise, when the internal IP changes, the router will still point to the old site and the magic packet will be lost along the way.
Keep in mind that Opening ports to your home or business network carries security risksExposing a UDP port for WoL isn't as critical as opening an unprotected remote desktop, but it's still advisable to limit access with a firewall, IP-based rules, or better yet, not expose anything and use more secure solutions like VPNs or remote desktop software that does the work for you.
If you don't want to deal with port forwarding and security issues, there are much more convenient alternatives: You can rely on applications like Iperius Remote, TeamViewer, Splashtop, or AnyDesk, which integrate Wake on LAN. and use their own servers or a bridge within the remote network to securely send the magic packet.
Turn on the PC with Wake on LAN and remote desktop applications
Once you have WoL operational on your network, it's time to decide. From where and how are you going to send the magic package?This is where both simple WoL apps and complete remote control suites come into play.
On Android, for example, there are apps called directly “Wake On Lan” on Google Play These feature allow you to add devices by specifying their IP address or hostname, their MAC address, and the UDP port to use. With a single tap, you can send the magic packet, and after a few seconds, the PC should appear powered on and ready for remote access.
Windows also offers dedicated utilities, both in the Microsoft Store (Easy WOL, Simple Wake-on-LAN, etc.) and on the web. Furthermore, Remote desktop programs like AnyDesk or TeamViewer already include their own WoL functionso you can turn it on and then connect without switching apps.
To configure these apps you will need to know the MAC address of the network card associated with WoLOn Windows, you can find it in Settings > Network & Internet > Ethernet, at the bottom of the page (it appears as “Physical (MAC) address”). That's the one you'll need to enter into your WoL application.
Once everything is set up, the daily routine is very simple: You send the magic packet, wait for the machine to boot up, and when it's up, you open your favorite remote desktop software. (TeamViewer, AnyDesk, Splashtop, Iperius Remote, etc.) to Take control as if you were in front of the team.
Wake on LAN integrated into Iperius Remote
A very convenient way to forget about strange network configurations is to use remote desktop software that already has WoL integratedIperius Remote, for example, allows you to turn on PCs both on the same network and over the Internet with just a few clicks.
In a local network scenario, you only need to Open Iperius Remote, go to your device list, and locate the device that is turned off.Even though it appears offline, you'll see it in your address book or history. By right-clicking on it, you can select the "Wake on LAN" option, and Iperius will automatically send the magic packet within the LAN.
For remote networks the idea is similar, but you need a The bridge device must remain powered on with Iperius Remote on the same LAN as the PC you want to wake up.From your home, for example, you select that bridge device, then you choose the turned-off machine in the office and send it the WoL command; Iperius uses the client that is already turned on as an intermediary to inject the magic packet into the remote network.
In business environments, it is very practical to install Iperius as windows service both on the bridge devices and on the computers you want to be able to turn on, since this way the program is always active in the background and ready to manage WoL connections and packets even if there is no session started.
The big advantage here is that You don't need to touch the router, open ports, or set up a VPN.The Iperius system is responsible for transporting the command securely, taking advantage of outgoing connections already established and maintained by the clients you have installed.
Wake on LAN with TeamViewer, AnyDesk and Splashtop
Other very popular remote desktop solutions also rely on WoL for offer the complete "turn on and control" experience from a single program, without additional tools.
In the case of TeamViewerYou have two main methods: use Wake on LAN using public address (if the PC has a public IP or dynamic DNS and the router forwards WoL) or use Wake on LAN using another TeamViewer device on the same LANwhich is the most common and recommended for safety.
To take advantage of WoL in TeamViewer, you must assign the device to your account and enable the Wake on LAN option in the client settingsOnce done, you'll see an icon in its interface to "activate" a computer that appears disconnected. TeamViewer will send the magic packet using your configured method, and when the computer starts up, you can begin the remote session.
AnyDesk It works with a similar philosophy: You need at least one AnyDesk device powered on the same network which will act as an intermediary "peer". In the remote client settings, you enable Wake on LAN, and when you try to connect and the computer is off, AnyDesk will offer you a button to turn it on.
As for Splashtop, is another tool widely used in business and education that WoL offers on Windows and MacOn PCs, it allows you to wake up from shutdown, sleep, or hibernation; on Macs, generally only from sleep. From the Splashtop Business app or its web console, computers that are powered off but configured with Wake-on-LAN will appear as available for wake-up, and you'll simply need to click the "Wake Up" button.
In all these cases, the common denominator is that The remote desktop platform itself takes care of all the complicated networking aspects.You just need to make sure that your BIOS and operating system support WoL, and that you always have a working device on that network that can act as a bridge if needed.
Use Tasker and voice assistants to turn on your PC
So far we've seen WoL in its classic form, but a very convenient way to incorporate it into everyday life is to combine it with Tasker on Android and services like Alexa or Google Assistantto turn on your computer with a tap on a quick access tile or even with your voice.
Tasker allows you to create a “tile” or power tile in the Android quick panel that sends the WoL packet to the PC when you tap it. In Android 11 and higher you can use native tiles; if your version doesn't support them, you can achieve something similar with a persistent notification or by using Autonotification Tile as an alternative.
The great thing is that you can set up a small "Power Menu" on your mobile phone with options for Wake-on-LAN, PC suspension, status check, web interface access, or even integration with remote access servicesEverything is orchestrated from Tasker and, if you want to take it a step further, with an intermediate server that receives the requests and translates them into actions.
If you integrate Tasker with Alexa or Google Assistant, you can even say things like “Alexa, turn on the living room computer,” “OK Google, wake up the office PC” and have the wizard trigger a routine that sends the WoL packet through your network or a WOL server you have set up.
For those not on Android 11 or unable to use the official tiles, Tasker allows you to replace that control with shortcuts on the home screen, persistent notifications, or even custom widgetsThe end result is the same: you send the Magic Packet from your mobile phone and, seconds later, the PC is ready to be managed by remote desktop.
Simple alternative: smart plug and restart after power outage
If after struggling with the BIOS, the router, and the network card you see that WoL cannot be made to work stably.There is a very effective trick that takes the easy way out using a smart plug.
The idea is very simple: first you enter your motherboard's BIOS and look for the option to “Restore after AC power loss” or similar, and set it to “Turn On”This tells the device to automatically restart every time the power goes out and comes back on.
Then you connect your computer to a WiFi plug or a wireless remote switchwhich are cheap and easy to find nowadays. When you finish working, you shut down the system from Windows itself and, right after, you also turn off the power adapter using the manufacturer's app.
From then on, every time you want to turn on your PC, Simply turn on the plug from anywhere using the internet.When the power is restored, the motherboard detects that energy has returned and, thanks to the BIOS option, the computer starts automatically without you having to touch the physical button.
It's not as "refined" or as technical as Wake on LAN, but It is extremely robust and compatible with virtually any equipment.Because it doesn't rely on network cards or magic packets. For users who only need to turn on the remote PC occasionally, it might even be the most practical option.
Safety tips, stability, and real-world use cases
Using WoL and remote access carelessly can lead to problems, so it's worth reviewing. Some good practices for maintaining system security and reliability without overcomplicating things.
From a security standpoint, remember that The magic package does not include standard authentication.Anyone who can send it within your network could theoretically turn on your PC. Therefore, if you configure port forwarding for WoL, limit who can access that port with a firewall or allowed IP lists, or, for mobile control, follow the instructions. Mobile security settings that you should activateOr better yet, use VPNs or remote desktop solutions that securely encapsulate WoL.
It's also important to decide which device on your network will be always switched on to act as “orchestrator”It could be a small server, a NAS, or a low-power mini PC. If absolutely everything is turned off, no one will be able to send the magic packet from within the LAN, so it's worth thinking this through carefully.
Another key point is the monitoring and periodic testingRouter changes, Windows updates, new network drivers, or BIOS modifications can disable Wake-on-LAN (WoL) without you noticing. If it suddenly stops turning on, check Device Manager, Power Options, and the BIOS; often it's just a box that's been unchecked after an update.
In terms of real-world uses, WoL fits like a glove. remote work scenarios, after-hours IT maintenance, business continuity in emergencies, or management of computer labs and classroomsIn all these cases, being able to keep the machines turned off and wake them up only when necessary translates into energy savings, less noise, less heat, and less hardware wear and tear.
With everything you've seen, you now have a very complete overview of How to turn on your computer remotely with Tasker, Wake on LAN, remote desktop apps, and, if all else fails, with a simple smart plugBy understanding the role of the BIOS, the network card, the router, and the software, you can build a system tailored to your needs, from something basic for your home PC to a more serious infrastructure for managing dozens of computers without having to physically go and press the power button.
