How to enable Wake-on-LAN on Windows
To wake your Windows PC from your iPhone you need three things: Wake-on-LAN enabled in BIOS/UEFI, Wake-on-LAN enabled in the network adapter settings, and Fast Startup disabled. This page walks through each step. Wake-on-LAN only works when your iPhone is on the same Wi-Fi network as the PC.
1. Enable Wake-on-LAN in BIOS / UEFI
Wake-on-LAN must be enabled at the hardware level before Windows can use it. The exact menu name depends on your motherboard manufacturer.
Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing Del, F2, F10, or F12 during boot — check your motherboard manual).
- ASUS: Advanced → APM Configuration → Power On By PCI-E/PCI → Enabled.
- Gigabyte: BIOS Features → Power Management → Wake on LAN → Enabled.
- MSI: Settings → Advanced → Wake Up Event Setup → Resume By PCI-E Device → Enabled.
- ASRock: Advanced → ACPI Configuration → PCIE Devices Power On → Enabled.
- On laptops the option is often under Power Management or Advanced and may be called "Wake on LAN", "Power On by LAN", or "WOL from S5".
2. Enable Wake-on-LAN in the network adapter settings
Windows needs to keep the network card partially powered when the PC is asleep or off. This is configured separately for each network adapter.
- Press Win+X and open Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters, right-click your Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter, and choose Properties.
- On the Power Management tab, enable "Allow this device to wake the computer" and "Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer".
- On the Advanced tab, find "Wake on Magic Packet" (sometimes "WoL & Shutdown Link Speed" or "Wake on LAN") and set it to Enabled.
- Click OK and reboot.
3. Disable Fast Startup
Windows Fast Startup puts the PC into a hybrid hibernation state on shutdown, which blocks Wake-on-LAN on most hardware. Disable it for reliable wake.
- Open Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options.
- Click "Choose what the power buttons do" on the left.
- Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable".
- Uncheck "Turn on fast startup (recommended)".
- Click Save changes.
4. Check that it works
After applying all three steps, shut down your PC normally (not by holding the power button) and try the Wake button in SferaPulse on your iPhone. Make sure your iPhone is on the same Wi-Fi as the PC — Wake-on-LAN does not work over cellular or from a different network.
If the PC does not wake within 30 seconds, recheck the BIOS option and the network adapter settings. Some Wi-Fi cards do not support wake from full shutdown — try an Ethernet cable to confirm.
5. Still doesn't work?
Contact support@sferapulse.com with your motherboard model and network adapter model, and we'll help you find the right setting.