BIOS Wake on LAN Settings – Complete Guide (2026)

BIOS Wake on LAN settings guide is essential for anyone looking to remotely power on their computer using Wake-on-LAN (WoL). WoL is a networking standard that allows a computer to be turned on or awakened by a network message called a “magic packet.” According to Intel’s support documentation, Wake-on-LAN requires the network adapter to remain partially active even when the computer is off or in sleep mode. This comprehensive BIOS Wake on LAN settings guide covers everything from locating WoL options in different BIOS versions to enabling the feature on major motherboard brands.

When you search for a BIOS Wake on LAN settings guide, you are likely looking to remotely access files, run programs, or troubleshoot when you’re not physically present at your computer. According to Microsoft Q&A, enabling Wake on LAN in BIOS is the first essential step before configuring Windows network adapter settings. This BIOS Wake on LAN settings guide walks you through every step needed to enable WoL on major motherboard brands.

1. Understanding Wake on LAN and BIOS Requirements

Wake-on-LAN (WoL) is an Ethernet networking standard that allows a computer to be turned on or awakened by a network message. The message is usually sent by a program executed on another device on the same local area network.

For WoL to work, the following requirements must be met:

• WoL-compatible hardware: Your motherboard and network adapter must support Wake on LAN. According to Intel, most motherboards from the last 10 years include this feature.
• Wired Ethernet connection: The computer must be connected via Ethernet cable, not Wi-Fi. According to Microsoft Q&A, WoWLAN (Wake on Wireless LAN) is not supported for magic packet from hibernate in Windows 11.
• BIOS/UEFI configuration: Wake on LAN must be enabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings.
• AC power connected: WoL does not work when the system is running on battery power.
• Link light on when powered off: If there is no link light on the Ethernet port when the system is off, the NIC cannot receive the magic packet.

According to TheWindowsClub, the BIOS setting is the foundation of WoL functionality—if it’s disabled in BIOS, no Windows setting can override it.

2. BIOS Wake on LAN Settings Guide: Entering BIOS/UEFI

Before you can enable Wake on LAN, you need to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. According to MSPowerUser, the exact key varies by manufacturer.

Step 1: Restart your computer
Step 2: During the initial boot screen (before Windows loads), press the BIOS key repeatedly:
    - ASUS: Delete (Del) or F2
    - MSI: Delete (Del)
    - Gigabyte: Delete (Del) or F2
    - Dell: F2 or F12
    - HP: Esc then F10
    - Lenovo: F1 or F2

Step 3: If you miss the timing, restart and try again
Step 4: Once in BIOS, look for Wake on LAN settings

According to How-To Geek, some systems require pressing the key repeatedly immediately after pressing the power button.

If you’re unsure which key to press, watch the screen during startup—most systems display the key briefly.

Outcome: You have successfully entered the BIOS/UEFI setup.

3. Enable Wake on LAN in ASUS BIOS

ASUS motherboards have Wake on LAN settings under the Advanced tab. According to ASUS Support, you need to enable “Power On By PCI-E” in the APM Configuration section.

Step 1: Enter BIOS by pressing Delete (Del) or F2 during boot
Step 2: Press F7 to switch to Advanced Mode (if in EZ Mode)
Step 3: Navigate to the "Advanced" tab
Step 4: Select "APM Configuration" (Advanced Power Management)
Step 5: Look for "Power On By PCI-E"
Step 6: Set it to Enabled
Step 7: Look for "ErP Ready" or "ErP" and set it to Disabled (if present)
Step 8: Press F10 to save and exit

For older ASUS BIOS versions:
Step 9: Navigate to "Power" or "Boot" tab
Step 10: Find "Wake On LAN" or "Wake On PME"
Step 11: Enable it and save changes

According to an ASUS user guide, “Power On By PCI-E” enables the system to be powered on from a PCI-E device, including network cards.

Outcome: Wake on LAN is enabled in ASUS BIOS.

4. Enable Wake on LAN in MSI BIOS

MSI motherboards have Wake on LAN settings under the Advanced tab. According to MSI Support, you need to enable “Resume By PCI-E Device” in the Power Management Setup.

Step 1: Enter BIOS by pressing Delete (Del) during boot
Step 2: If in EZ Mode, press F7 to switch to Advanced Mode
Step 3: Navigate to the "Advanced" tab
Step 4: Select "Power Management Setup"
Step 5: Look for "Resume By PCI-E Device"
Step 6: Set it to Enabled
Step 7: Look for "ErP Ready" and set it to Disabled
Step 8: Press F10 to save and exit

For some MSI boards:
Step 9: Go to Settings → Advanced → Wake Up Event Setup
Step 10: Enable "Resume By PCI-E Device"
Step 11: Save and exit

According to MSI Forum, disabling ErP Ready is essential for Wake on LAN to work on many MSI boards.

Outcome: Wake on LAN is enabled in MSI BIOS.

5. Enable Wake on LAN in Gigabyte BIOS

Gigabyte motherboards have Wake on LAN settings under the Power or Advanced tab. According to Gigabyte Support, you need to enable “PME Event Wake Up” or “Wake on LAN.”

Step 1: Enter BIOS by pressing Delete (Del) or F2 during boot
Step 2: Navigate to the "Power" or "Advanced" tab
Step 3: Look for "PME Event Wake Up"
Step 4: Set it to Enabled
Step 5: Look for "ErP" and set it to Disabled
Step 6: Press F10 to save and exit

Alternative path (some Gigabyte boards):
Step 7: Go to "Settings" → "Power"
Step 8: Find "Wake on LAN"
Step 9: Enable it and save

According to a Gigabyte user guide, “PME Event Wake Up” allows the system to be awakened by a PCI-E device, including the network adapter.

Outcome: Wake on LAN is enabled in Gigabyte BIOS.

6. Enable Wake on LAN in Dell BIOS

Dell systems have specific BIOS navigation paths. According to Dell Support, you need to press F2 or F12 during boot.

Step 1: Restart and press F2 repeatedly to enter BIOS
Step 2: Navigate to "System Configuration" or "Integrated Devices"
Step 3: Look for "Integrated NIC" or "Onboard LAN"
Step 4: Set it to "Enabled with PXE" or "Enabled"
Step 5: Look for "Deep Sleep Control" and set it to Disabled
Step 6: Go to the "Power Management" tab
Step 7: Enable "Wake on LAN" or "Wake on LAN/WLAN"
Step 8: Press F10 to save and exit

For newer Dell systems:
Step 9: On most newer Dells, click "Advanced Setup" at the bottom of the BIOS screen first to reveal all the menus.

According to a Dell support thread, setting “Deep Sleep Control” to Disabled prevents the system from entering a low-power state that prevents WoL.

Outcome: Wake on LAN is enabled in Dell BIOS.

7. Enable Wake on LAN in HP BIOS

HP systems use a different BIOS navigation path. According to HP Support, you should press Esc then F10.

Step 1: Restart and press Esc repeatedly until the Startup Menu opens
Step 2: Press F10 to access the BIOS Setup Utility
Step 3: Navigate to the "Advanced" or "Security" tab
Step 4: Look for "Network Settings" or "LAN/WLAN" options
Step 5: Ensure "Internal Network Adapter" is Enabled
Step 6: Look for "Wake on LAN" or "Wake on LAN from S5"
Step 7: Set it to Enabled
Step 8: Press F10 to save and exit

Alternative path:
Step 9: Go to "Power Management Options" or "Boot Options"
Step 10: Enable "Wake on LAN" if available

According to HP support, if the Advanced tab is missing, you may need to enable the UEFI network boot first.

Outcome: Wake on LAN is enabled in HP BIOS.

8. Enable Wake on LAN in Lenovo BIOS

Lenovo systems have their own BIOS navigation. According to Lenovo Support, you typically press F1 or F2.

Step 1: Restart and press F1 or F2 repeatedly to enter BIOS
Step 2: Navigate to the "Config" or "Security" tab
Step 3: Look for "Network" or "Wireless" settings
Step 4: Ensure "LAN" or "Ethernet" is Enabled
Step 5: Look for "Wake On LAN" or "Wake on LAN from S5"
Step 6: Set it to Enabled
Step 7: Press F10 to save and exit

For ThinkPad systems:
Step 8: Go to "Power" → "Wake On LAN"
Step 9: Enable the feature
Step 10: Also check "Wireless Radio" settings

According to a Microsoft Q&A thread, some Lenovo systems may require checking the BIOS for wireless adapter settings.

Outcome: Wake on LAN is enabled in Lenovo BIOS.

9. Additional BIOS Settings for WoL

Several additional BIOS settings can affect Wake on LAN functionality. According to TheWindowsClub, these settings must be configured correctly for WoL to work.

ErP Ready / EuP Ready:
- Purpose: Energy-saving feature that can disable WoL
- Setting: Disabled (for WoL to work)

Deep Sleep Control (Dell):
- Purpose: Saves power by cutting power to components
- Setting: Disabled (for WoL to work)

Wake on PME / Power On PME:
- Purpose: Allows PME (Power Management Event) to wake the system
- Setting: Enabled

Power On By PCI-E:
- Purpose: Allows PCI-E device to wake the system
- Setting: Enabled

Resume By USB Device:
- Purpose: External Ethernet adapters
- Setting: Enabled (if using USB Ethernet)

UEFI Network Stack:
- Purpose: Enables network boot
- Setting: Enabled (optional, for WoL)

According to MSI Support, disabling ErP Ready is one of the most important steps for WoL to work properly.

10. Troubleshooting BIOS WoL Settings

If Wake on LAN is not working after enabling it in BIOS, try these troubleshooting steps. According to Microsoft Q&A, WoL issues often stem from BIOS settings rather than Windows.

Issue 1: No link light when system is off
- Solution: Check the Ethernet cable connection and ensure the adapter is powered in S5 (shutdown) state
- According to Intel, if there is no link light, the NIC cannot receive the magic packet

Issue 2: WoL works from sleep but not from shutdown
- Solution: Check BIOS "Deep Sleep" or "ErP Ready" settings
- According to TheWindowsClub, these settings can cut power to the NIC during shutdown

Issue 3: WoL option not found in BIOS
- Solution: Update your BIOS to the latest version
- According to motherboard support pages, some older BIOS versions may not expose WoL options

Issue 4: WoL works on Linux but not Windows
- Solution: According to Microsoft Q&A, this is often due to Fast Startup in Windows
- Disable Fast Startup in Control Panel → Power Options

Issue 5: Wake on LAN from hibernate (S4) not working
- Solution: According to Dell Support, Windows 11 does not support WOL from hibernate (S4) mode
- Use sleep mode (S3) instead

Issue 6: BIOS settings reset after power loss
- Solution: Replace the CMOS battery on the motherboard
- The CMOS battery maintains BIOS settings when the system is unplugged

Outcome: BIOS WoL settings are correctly configured and working.

11. Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Wake on LAN in BIOS?

Wake on LAN settings are usually found under the Power Management, Advanced, or Integrated Devices tab in BIOS/UEFI. Look for options like “Wake on LAN,” “Power On By PCI-E,” “Resume on LAN,” or “PME Event Wake Up.”

What is the BIOS key for Wake on LAN settings?

Common keys include Delete (Del), F2, F10, and Esc. ASUS uses Del or F2, MSI uses Del, Gigabyte uses Del or F2, Dell uses F2 or F12, HP uses Esc then F10, and Lenovo uses F1 or F2.

How do I enable Wake on LAN in ASUS BIOS?

Enter BIOS (Del or F2), go to Advanced → APM Configuration → set “Power On By PCI-E” to Enabled, disable ErP, and press F10 to save.

How do I enable Wake on LAN in MSI BIOS?

Enter BIOS (Del), go to Advanced → Power Management Setup → set “Resume By PCI-E Device” to Enabled, disable ErP Ready, and press F10 to save.

What is ErP Ready in BIOS?

ErP Ready (Energy-Related Products Directive) is a power-saving feature that can disable Wake on LAN. According to MSI Support, it must be disabled for WoL to work properly.

Does BIOS Wake on LAN work over Wi-Fi?

No. According to Microsoft Q&A, WoWLAN (Wake on Wireless LAN) with magic packet from hibernate is not supported in Windows 11. The computer must be connected via Ethernet cable.

Why is Wake on LAN not working from shutdown?

According to TheWindowsClub, Deep Sleep or ErP Ready settings in BIOS can cut power to the NIC during shutdown. Disable these settings to allow WoL from shutdown.

Why is Wake on LAN not working from hibernate (S4)?

According to Dell Support, Windows 11 does not support WOL when entering hibernate (S4) mode. Use sleep mode (S3) instead.

Can I update my BIOS to get Wake on LAN support?

Yes. Some older BIOS versions may not expose WoL options. According to motherboard support pages, updating to the latest BIOS version can add or improve WoL functionality.

Where can I find more Windows 11 networking help?

Explore our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub and guides on how to enable Wake on LAN Windows 11 and WoL magic packet not working fix.

12. Conclusion

BIOS Wake on LAN settings guide covers everything you need to know about enabling Wake on LAN in BIOS/UEFI on major motherboard brands. From ASUS and MSI to Gigabyte, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, this guide provides step-by-step instructions for each manufacturer. According to Intel’s support documentation, enabling Wake on LAN in BIOS is the essential first step before configuring Windows network adapter settings.

Start by entering your BIOS/UEFI and locating the Wake on LAN settings. If you can’t find the option, update your BIOS to the latest version. For more Windows troubleshooting, explore our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub and guides on how to enable Wake on LAN Windows 11 and WoL magic packet not working fix.

With the right approach from this BIOS Wake on LAN settings guide, you can remotely power on your computer and access your files from anywhere.

For more Windows networking troubleshooting, explore our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub and guides on network performance optimization and packet loss optimization. With the right approach, you can resolve any Wake on LAN issues and keep your system remotely accessible.