(Last updated on July 30, 2020)
You know that awkward situation when you need to tap into your remote computer but have forgotten to leave it running? That. Luckily, most of the better equipped remote access tools will let you access it anyway with a few tweaks made beforehand.
So, how do you access a remote computer that is shut down?
First of all, you have to have a remote access software that allows Wake-on-LAN.
Then, you need to meet four requirements:
• The computer has Wake-on-LAN enabled.
• The computer is on a wired network.
• At least one other computer on the network is online and running remote access software.
• Wake-on-LAN is enabled in the remote access software.
What is Wake-on-LAN?
The starting point of this setup is a feature available to pretty much all newer computers known as Wake-on-LAN (or WOL), which—as the name suggests—turns on your computer through your local network. In combination with remote access software, it is a breeze to set up and use, to connect to your remote computer from anywhere even if it is powered off, in hibernation (Windows) or sleep (Mac) mode.
Enable Wake-on-LAN in BIOS
To access your BIOS, restart your computer and press and hold the ‘Delete’ key (or another access key your BIOS requests) to enter the BIOS setup utility. Once in the BIOS, open the Power management section and look for a Wake-on-LAN (WOL) setting. If you find one, make sure it’s enabled, then save and exit (F10) your BIOS and start up your computer. If you can’t find the straightforward Wake-on-LAN option, try to find and enable ‘Power On By PCI/PCIE Device’, ‘Boot on LAN’ or another similar option.
(OR) Enable Wake-on-LAN in Windows
Those of you who are not too familiar with BIOS might prefer to enable Wake-on-LAN in Windows. To do that, click Start, select Run, then enter “devmgmt.msc” to run the Device manager. Find ‘Network adapters’, double click it, then select the network controller you are using by double clicking it.
First, open the Advanced tab and locate Wake Up Capabilities/Wake On LAN from the Property list, setting the value to Magic Packet.
Then, open the Power Management tab and tick the checkboxes next to ‘Allow this device to wake the computer’ and ‘Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer’. Now hit OK and your computer is ready to be woken up from anywhere through your remote access service.
(OR) Enable Wake on Demand on a Mac
Apple has made it really easy to enable Wake-on-LAN – or Wake on Demand as Apple calls it. To enable Wake on Demand on a Mac, just follow these steps:
• From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
• From the View menu, choose Energy Saver.
• Select (check) “Wake for network access”.
Enable Wake-on-LAN in remote access software
If you are using ISL AlwaysOn remote access software, make a right-mouse click on the remote side of the program – the ISL AlwaysOn tray icon to open its Settings, then choose Advanced and make sure Wake-on-LAN is enabled. That’s it!
Open ISL AlwaysOn settings on the computer you would like to access through WOL and enable Wake-on-LAN.
Ready for remote work?
Once Wake-on-LAN is set and other three requirements are met, you can stop worrying whether you have left the computer turned on or not. You just need to log into your remote access service, and either ‘Send WOL’ if the computer is offline or ‘Connect’ if it is online. It is that simple.
ISL AlwaysOn: ‘Send WOL’ to wake up a remote computer, then ‘Connect’
Thinking about trying out remote work with ISL AlwaysOn? You are welcome to sign up for a 15-day no-obligation free trial and see how easy it is to access and work on your office computer remotely.
Tweet this: How to access a remote computer even if it’s shut down with @ISL_Online http://goo.gl/fdqy0g
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Official ISL Online Blog 
So are you saying after I set this up, I can access while my pc is shutdown but just connected to LAN?
Yes. When you have met the following 4 requirements, you can access your PC even if it’s shut down:
• The computer has Wake-on-LAN enabled.
• The computer is on a wired network.
• At least one other computer on the network is online and running remote access software.
• Wake-on-LAN is enabled in the remote access software.
hello if tried every thing but cant go on my pc when its shutdown
Hi Maarten,
I advise you to request free live support by our technical support team. Visit http://www.islonline.com, click CHAT WITH US pop-up window in the right bottom corner and our friendly tech professionals will be glad to offer you help.
Kind regards,
Neja
This information is false, this only works when computer is in SLEEP mode.
Hi Matt,
thank you for your comment. In our experience and in experience of our clients, it usually works if you follow the steps provided in the article. If you are having troubles accessing your remote computer, could you please come to our live chat (http://www.islonline.com/)? Our friendly support guys will be happy to help you with any issues.
Kind regards,
Neja
Hello Raju,
many thanks for your question. Yes, generally speaking, Internet is required, please see the requirements here: http://www.islonline.com/help/isl-light/any/manual/?i-intro-system-requirements.htm
If you use the cloud based service, the communication between the two connected devices goes through the Internet.
But if you use the self-hosted Server License, the communication can also be set to go through your LAN. http://www.islonline.com/technology/hosting-options.htm#server-license
I hope this answers your question. If you need more information, you are welcome to contact sales via email or live chat: http://www.islonline.com/company/contact-us.htm
Kind regards,
Neja
Do I need a static IP to do all of this?
Hi Kiron,
many thanks for your questions. Regarding accessing a remote PC from a mobile device, ISL Online supports:
– iOS http://www.islonline.com/remote-support/mobile/ios.htm
– Android http://www.islonline.com/remote-support/mobile/android.htm
– Windows Mobile 6.5 http://www.islonline.com/remote-support/mobile/windows-mobile.htm
Whereas ISL Online enables to send Wake-On-LAN on iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), you cannot send it from an Android or Windows Mobile phone. On an iOS device, you just log into the ISL Light application, find the computer you want to access and connect if its status is online or “Send WOL” if the computer is offline.
I hope this answers you question. If you have more questions, you are welcome to contact our live chat representatives on http://www.islonline.com or email us http://www.islonline.com/company/contact-us.htm.
Thanks!
Neja
nice article
thanks for informing…
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I dont think you can remotely access a shutdown computer. Need to check. But you can definitely access ON computers using tools like logmein, R-HUB remote support servers, teamviewer etc.
Great article, I think it can be very useful for an interested person.
Not absolutely all methods enable both, if you want to retain things simple,
try to choose a technique that can let you do both.
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Hello, My asus motherboard model is ROG STRIX PRO 250 GAMING, can i do this things, I mean Access a Remote Computer Even If It’s Shut Down? Pls, let me know
Hi Azad,
We would need some additional information regarding the motherboard. Especially which network card your motherboard has (the model number of the motherboard would be great). In general, modern network cards support the Wake on LAN feature, but to be sure, we would need to check if your motherboard has WOL support. For additional information, feel free to write to our support team at support@islonline.com.
I would also like to point out that this feature only works for computers that are using an ethernet connection, it does not work on wi-fi.