Chromaport

Wake on LAN

In this article, you'll learn how to configure Wake on LAN for a computer in Chromaport.

Chromaport can wake a powered-off or sleeping computer on your local network using Wake-on-LAN (WoL). This lets you connect to a computer without leaving it powered on continuously. Wake-on-LAN is available when the target computer and its network adapter support WoL and the required power-management settings are enabled.

How it works

When you try to connect to an offline computer, Chromaport can send a Wake-on-LAN packet to the target computer. The typical flow is:

  • You enable Chromaport hosting on the target computer.
  • Chromaport configures Wake on LAN based on the connected network adapters.
  • On the client Chromaport device, you select Wake on LAN from the offline computer's dot menu.
  • Chromaport sends a Wake on LAN request to the target computer.
  • The computer's network adapter receives the request packet.
  • The computer wakes or powers on.

You can connect normally once the Chromaport host is online.

Wake-on-LAN is a hardware and network feature. Chromaport does not need to be running on the sleeping or powered-off computer to receive the WoL packet.

Requirements

Wake-on-LAN depends on hardware, firmware, operating-system, and network configuration.

Make sure that:

  • The computer supports Wake-on-LAN.
  • Wake-on-LAN is enabled in the computer's firmware or operating-system settings.
  • The network adapter remains powered while the computer is asleep or shut down.
  • The computer remains connected to power.
  • A Chromaport computer on the same local network can send the WoL packet.

Ethernet is recommended

Wake-on-LAN is generally most reliable over wired Ethernet.

Wi-Fi WoL support depends on the computer, wireless adapter, operating system, and power state. Some systems support waking from sleep over Wi-Fi but do not support waking after a complete shutdown.

Enable Wake-on-LAN on Windows

The exact options depend on your motherboard and network adapter.

Enable WoL in BIOS/UEFI

Restart the computer and open its BIOS/UEFI settings.

Look for an option such as:

  • Wake on LAN
  • Power On By PCI-E
  • PCI-E Device Power On
  • Resume by LAN
  • Wake from LAN

Enable the relevant option.

The name and location vary between motherboard manufacturers.

Configure the network adapter

In Windows:

  • Open Device Manager.
  • Expand Network adapters.
  • Open the properties of your Ethernet adapter.
  • Open the Power Management tab.
  • Enable Allow this device to wake the computer.
  • If available, enable Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer.

Then open the Advanced tab and look for settings such as:

  • Wake on Magic Packet
  • Wake on Magic Packet from power off state
  • Shutdown Wake-On-Lan
  • Wake From Shutdown
  • WOL & Shutdown Link Speed

Enable the settings required by your adapter.

The available options vary by network adapter and driver.

Enable Wake-on-LAN on macOS

macOS supports Wake-on-LAN on compatible Macs and network interfaces, but support depends on the Mac model, network adapter, connection type, and power state.

Enable Wake for network access

On supported versions of macOS, open:

System Settings → Energy → Options

Look for:

Wake for network access

Enable this option. On some macOS versions, the setting may be located under:

System Preferences → Energy Saver

and may appear as:

Wake for network access

The exact location and available options depend on the macOS version and Mac model.

Configure Wake-on-LAN in Chromaport

Chromaport automatically configures Wake-on-LAN when hosting starts.

  • Make sure the network adapter you want to use for Wake-on-LAN is connected to the network.
  • Open the Chromaport app.
  • Click Start to start hosting.

Chromaport detects the available network adapters and configures Wake-on-LAN using the connected network interface.

If you connect or change a network adapter, stop and restart hosting using the Start button so Chromaport can update the Wake-on-LAN configuration.

After restarting hosting, refresh the hosts list on the client to fetch the updated Wake-on-LAN configuration.

For the most reliable setup, use a wired Ethernet connection and make sure the computer remains connected to power.

Local network requirement

Wake-on-LAN is normally a local-network operation.

A request packet must reach the target computer's network interface. Routers commonly do not forward broadcast packets between networks.

Sleep vs. shutdown

Wake-on-LAN support depends on the computer's power state.

A computer may support WoL from:

  • Sleep
  • Standby
  • Other supported low-power states

while not supporting it from:

  • Complete shutdown
  • Certain deep-power-saving states

On macOS in particular, support for waking from a complete shutdown varies by Mac model.

If WoL works from sleep but not after shutdown, try using Sleep instead of Shut Down.

Waking a computer

When Wake-on-LAN is configured, simply select the Wake on LAN option from the computers dot menu in Chromaport.

Chromaport sends a WoL request over the network to wake the computer.

Once the host becomes available, the connection can proceed normally.

The time required depends on the computer and its network configuration.

Security

Wake-on-LAN only wakes the computer. It does not authenticate a user or provide access to the computer.

Chromaport still requires normal authentication and authorization before a connection can be established.

Only configure Wake-on-LAN for computers and networks you control.

Wake on LAN option is only available for computers with Owner or Connect Unattended permissions.

Available with Chromaport Pro

Wake on LAN is available with a Chromaport Pro subscription.

Upgrade to Pro to unlock Wake on LAN and other features, including unlimited hosts, advanced permissions, and maximum image quality for professional creative work, software development, and other workflows.

Compare plans and upgrade to Chromaport Pro

Troubleshooting

If the computer does not wake:

  • Restart Chromaport hosting to update Wake-on-LAN configuration.
  • Check that Wake-on-LAN is enabled in the computer's firmware and operating-system settings.
  • Make sure the computer is connected to power and the network.
  • Verify that the network adapter supports Wake-on-LAN and is configured correctly.
  • Ensure that the computer is in a supported power state (sleep, standby, etc.) for WoL.
  • Check that the request packet can reach the target computer's network interface (local network requirement).

If The computer wakes but Chromaport cannot connect:

  • The computer may have woken successfully but still be starting the operating system and Chromaport host service.
  • Make sure Chromaport hosting starts automatically after the operating system starts.
  • Wait for the host to become available and refresh the host list.
  • If it consistently wakes but cannot be reached, check the Chromaport host service and network connectivity.

FAQ

Does Wake-on-LAN turn on my computer?

If the hardware supports waking from the current power state, a WoL request packet can wake or power on the computer.

Does Wake-on-LAN work over the Internet?

WoL is primarily designed for local networks. Chromaport can use a computer on the target local network to send the wake request.

Does the computer need to be connected to Ethernet?

Not necessarily, but Ethernet provides the most reliable WoL configuration. Wi-Fi support depends on the hardware and power state.

Does the computer need to be running Chromaport to receive the wake packet?

No. The network adapter receives the WoL packet independently of the Chromaport application.

However, another Chromaport computer may need to be online on the same local network to send the wake request.

Is Wake-on-LAN supported on every computer?

No. Support depends on the computer's hardware, network adapter, firmware, operating system, and current power state.