Free Wake-on-LAN Tools: 6 Ways to Power On Remote PCs, With Setup and Security Tips

Wake-on-LAN (WoL) lets IT teams turn on machines for patching, backups and remote support without walking to the desk. It costs nothing to enable on most business PCs, but only if the hardware, firmware, operating system and network are all set up correctly. This guide explains how WoL works, compares free tools you can use today, and shows where paid remote access software already includes the feature.

Under the hood, a WoL magic packet is a short network message that contains the target network card's MAC address repeated many times, usually sent as a UDP broadcast as described in IETF RFC 768. Broadcast behavior on IPv4 networks is covered in IETF RFC 919. Waking machines on a schedule also supports good patch hygiene; NIST's SP 800-40 Rev. 4 recommends planned maintenance windows for enterprise patching.

How Does Wake-on-LAN Work?

Wake-on-LAN works because a powered-off computer keeps its network card in a low-power listening state. When the card receives a magic packet containing its own MAC address, it signals the motherboard to start, and the machine boots as if the power button were pressed.

Three layers must cooperate. The BIOS or UEFI must enable the wake feature, which some vendors label PME. The network adapter driver must allow the adapter to wake the machine. Finally, the network must carry the broadcast packet to the target subnet. The usual limits are wired Ethernet only, a machine that is still connected to power, and a sender on the same subnet unless you use directed broadcasts or a relay.

What to Look for in a Free Wake-on-LAN Tool

Look for network discovery, saved device lists, scripting support and clear licensing. A tool that scans for MAC addresses saves typing errors, and command-line options let you wake machines from scheduled jobs.

• Discovery: automatic scanning of MAC addresses and names.
• Batch wake: wake groups or IP ranges instead of one device at a time.
• Automation: command-line switches for use in scripts and scheduled tasks.
• Licensing: check whether free use covers commercial environments.
• Platform: most free utilities target Windows only.

NirSoft WakeMeOnLan

WakeMeOnLan is a free Windows utility from NirSoft that scans your network for computers, records their MAC addresses and names, and wakes any selected machine with a click. It is the simplest tool in this list for small networks.

The default scan uses ARP, and an optional NetBIOS scan can find computers on other segments. Scan results are saved, and the program marks each computer as on or off. The command line includes switches to wake one machine, all machines or an IP range, so you can call it from batch files. Download it from the NirSoft WakeMeOnLan page.

• Platform: Windows, with targets that must support Wake-on-LAN on a wired connection.
• License: freeware, but check the terms before bundling it into a commercial product.
• Export: list can be saved as text, CSV, HTML or XML for documentation.

EMCO WakeOnLan Free

EMCO WakeOnLan Free is the free edition of a commercial Windows product. It discovers PCs in workgroups and domains, and lets you select up to five machines to wake at once. It suits small offices that want a graphical interface rather than scripts.

The vendor's free edition also allows up to two scheduled tasks, but scheduled tasks only run while the program stays open in an active Windows session. If you need unattended schedules or larger batches, the professional edition removes those limits. The company states the free edition may be used for personal and commercial purposes, so confirm the license on its site before deploying.

• Discovery: scans workgroups and domains and uses several methods to detect MAC addresses.
• Limits: five PCs per wake action and two scheduled tasks in the free edition.
• Upgrade path: paid edition for reusable tasks and unattended schedules.

pfSense

pfSense is an open source firewall and router platform that can send WoL packets from the network edge. Using the firewall as the sender is useful because it already sits on every subnet you need to reach, so you avoid installing a tool on each workstation.

An administrator stores device MAC addresses in the firewall interface and triggers a wake from the web console. This approach is common for small offices and labs where the firewall is the trusted control point. Review the pfSense listing on SaaSPodium, or browse the full firewall software category.

• Deployment: self-hosted on your own hardware or virtual machine.
• Strength: wake devices on different VLANs from one place.
• Security: restrict who can reach the firewall console, since it controls power state.

TeamViewer

TeamViewer includes a Wake-on-LAN feature in its classic client, letting you wake a registered device before opening a remote session. It makes sense when you already use TeamViewer for support and want one workflow for both power and control.

TeamViewer offers a freemium plan in our directory, though commercial use of remote support software needs a paid license, so check its terms. See the listing for TeamViewer Remote, and compare it with other products in our remote access head-to-head.

• Setup: follow the vendor's knowledge base article to prepare the target device before you need it.
• Fit: support teams that already standardize on one remote tool.
• Cost: free for personal use, paid for business.

Splashtop Remote Wake

Splashtop offers a Remote Wake feature that uses standard Wake-on-LAN. According to its support documentation, it requires prior configuration on the target device and network, works on Windows targets, and is available on selected plans rather than every Splashtop subscription.

That plan restriction is the key buying detail. Confirm that your subscription includes Remote Wake before you rely on it. The product is listed as Splashtop on SaaSPodium.

• Requirement: BIOS or UEFI wake setting enabled on each target.
• Limitation: documented as Windows-only at the time of writing, so verify for Mac targets.
• Fit: teams already paying for Splashtop remote access.

Command-Line and Native Options

Free command-line utilities, such as the wakeonlan and etherwake packages on Linux or Homebrew packages on macOS, send magic packets from scripts. They are the best choice for automation because you can call them from cron, Ansible or any scheduler.

Pair a script with a stored list of MAC addresses and you have a tiny, dependable wake service. Because these tools have no interface, document your device list carefully and keep it in version control.

Security and Troubleshooting Tips

Wake-on-LAN has no authentication in its basic form, so anyone on the local network can power on a machine whose MAC address they know. Limit the sender to trusted systems, segment networks, and never expose a WoL relay to the internet without a VPN.

• If a machine will not wake, confirm the BIOS or UEFI option and the adapter's power management settings.
• Check that the PC stayed on wired Ethernet and, for laptops, on power.
• Test from the same subnet first, then add routing or relay complexity.
• Disable fast startup features if the machine only wakes from sleep, not from full shutdown.

The same principles apply when you manage fleets of endpoints with an RMM; our overview of RMM software shows which platforms bundle power control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wake-on-LAN free to use?
The protocol is free and built into most business PCs. Tools such as NirSoft WakeMeOnLan are freeware, and EMCO offers a free edition. Paid remote access suites like Splashtop and TeamViewer include wake features only on selected plans, so check your license.

Can I use Wake-on-LAN over the internet?
Not safely in its basic form. Magic packets are broadcasts meant for a local network, so remote wake usually needs a VPN, a relay device on the target network, or a remote access product that wakes machines for you. Avoid exposing a relay publicly.

Why will my PC not wake with Wake-on-LAN?
The usual causes are a disabled BIOS or UEFI wake setting, adapter power management blocking wake, a wireless connection, or sending from a different subnet. Fix them in that order, and test with a free scanner before blaming the network.