Wake on LAN Surface Pro 4: How to Guide

Wake on LAN (WoL) lets you power on your Surface Pro 4 remotely over your network, which is handy for accessing files or running tasks when you’re away from the device. This guide walks you through the exact steps to enable WoL in Windows, configure the network adapter, and set up your router and BIOS/UEFI settings, plus how to send the magic packet that triggers the wake. You’ll also learn about common pitfalls like fast startup and sleep mode interference, and how to work around them.

What Is Wake on LAN and How Does It Work?

Wake on LAN is a standard that allows a computer to be turned on by a network message called a “magic packet.” The magic packet is a broadcast frame sent over the network that contains the target machine’s MAC address repeated 16 times. When a network interface card (NIC) that supports WoL receives this packet while the computer is in a low-power state (like sleep or hibernate), it signals the motherboard to power on.

For a Surface Pro 4, which has a built-in Marvell AVASTAR wireless adapter and a Realtek Ethernet adapter (via the Surface Dock), WoL can work over both Wi-Fi and wired connections, but each has different requirements. Over Wi-Fi, WoL is often less reliable because the wireless adapter may completely power down in sleep, so many users find it works best when the Surface is connected to a dock with an Ethernet cable.

Prerequisites for Wake on LAN on Surface Pro 4

Before you start, make sure you have the following:

• A Surface Pro 4 running Windows 10 or Windows 11 (the steps are similar on both).
• Administrator access to the device.
• The target device’s MAC address (you can find it via ipconfig /all in Command Prompt).
• A router that supports broadcast forwarding (most do) and is configured to allow WoL packets.
• If using Wi-Fi, the adapter must support “Wake on Magic Packet” and the device must be plugged into power; WoL typically doesn’t work on battery.

Also, note that WoL only works when the device is in sleep or hibernate, not when it’s shut down completely, unless your BIOS/UEFI supports “Wake on LAN from Power Off” (which the Surface Pro 4 does not officially support). So you’ll need to put the Surface to sleep instead of shutting down.

Step-by-Step: Enable Wake on LAN in Windows

Here’s how to turn on WoL for your network adapter:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters. You’ll see either “Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller” (for Wi-Fi) or “Realtek USB GbE Family Controller” (when using the Surface Dock’s Ethernet port).
3. Right-click the adapter you want to use and select Properties.
4. Go to the Power Management tab.
5. Check the boxes for:
   • Allow this device to wake the computer
   • Only allow a magic packet to wake the computer (recommended for security)
6. Click OK.

Next, you need to enable the specific WoL setting in the advanced properties:

7. In Device Manager, right-click the adapter again and select Properties.
8. Go to the Advanced tab.
9. In the list of properties, find Wake on Magic Packet (for Marvell) or Wake on LAN (for Realtek). Set its value to Enabled.
10. Click OK.

If you don’t see these options, your adapter driver may be outdated. Update the driver via Windows Update or from the manufacturer’s website, then try again.

Configuring Windows Power Settings for WoL

Windows has a feature called “Fast Startup” that can prevent WoL from working because it puts the system into a hybrid shutdown state rather than a full shutdown. To ensure WoL works from sleep or hibernate, you should also adjust your power plan:

1. Open Control Panel > Power Options.
2. Click Choose what the power buttons do.
3. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
4. Under Shutdown settings, uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended if you want WoL from shutdown, but note that the Surface Pro 4 may not support it anyway).
5. Click Save changes.

Also, make sure your Surface is set to sleep rather than hibernate when you leave it. You can adjust this in the same Power Options under Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings > Sleep.

Setting Up Your Router and Sending the Magic Packet

For WoL to work over the internet (from outside your local network), you’ll need to forward a port (usually UDP port 9) to the Surface’s IP address. However, this is risky because it exposes your device to the internet. For most users, WoL is best used on the same local network. To send the magic packet, you can use a free tool like “WakeOnLAN” or “Depicus WoL”, or even a Python script. You’ll need the target’s MAC address and IP address (or broadcast address).

Here’s a simple way to test locally:

1. Find your Surface’s IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100) and MAC address (e.g., 1A-2B-3C-4D-5E-6F).
2. From another computer on the same network, use a WoL tool and enter the MAC address and the broadcast address (e.g., 192.168.1.255).
3. Send the magic packet. The Surface should wake up.

If it doesn’t, check that the Surface is in sleep mode, not hibernate or shutdown, and that the network adapter is still receiving power (you can check in Device Manager > Power Management tab).

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Here are the most frequent issues and how to fix them:

• WoL doesn’t work over Wi-Fi: This is common because Wi-Fi adapters often turn off completely in sleep. Try using the Surface Dock with an Ethernet cable, or check if your Wi-Fi adapter has a “Wake on Wireless LAN” option in Advanced properties.
• Fast Startup is interfering: Disable Fast Startup as described above, because it can prevent WoL from working after a shutdown.
• Adapter settings not sticking: Sometimes Windows resets the WoL settings after a driver update. Re-check the Power Management and Advanced tabs.
• Magic packet not received: Ensure your router isn’t blocking broadcast packets. You can also try sending the packet directly to the Surface’s IP instead of the broadcast address.
• Surface is in hibernate: WoL may not work from hibernate on some devices. Set your power button to sleep instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Wake on LAN over the internet?
Yes, but you’ll need to set up port forwarding on your router (usually UDP port 9) and use a WoL app that can send to a public IP. This is less secure, so only do it if you trust your network and have a strong password.

Does Wake on LAN work when the Surface Pro 4 is shut down?
No, the Surface Pro 4 does not support WoL from a full shutdown. It only works from sleep or hibernate. If you want to wake it from shutdown, you’d need a device that supports “Wake on LAN from Power Off,” which this model doesn’t.

Why does my Surface Pro 4 wake up randomly?
This could be due to other wake timers or network activity. Check the Power Management tab and uncheck “Allow this device to wake the computer” for other devices like the mouse, or disable wake timers in Power Options.

Do I need a specific app to send the magic packet?
No, there are many free tools, and you can even use a command-line tool or a script. The key is to have the correct MAC address and broadcast address.

Is Wake on LAN safe?
It’s generally safe on a local network, but if you expose it to the internet, anyone who knows your MAC address and IP could wake your device. This isn’t a security risk by itself (it only powers on the machine), but it can be annoying. Use a VPN or only enable it when needed.

Alternatives to Wake on LAN

If WoL isn’t working for you, consider these alternatives:

• Remote Desktop with auto-start: Set your Surface to automatically wake on a schedule using Task Scheduler, then use Remote Desktop to connect.
• Smart plug: If your Surface is plugged into a smart plug, you can power it on remotely, but you’d still need to set it to boot on AC power (which the Surface doesn’t support by default).
• Leave it on: If you only need occasional access, just keep the Surface plugged in and set it to never sleep. This uses more power but is the simplest solution.

In summary, Wake on LAN on the Surface Pro 4 is achievable but has limitations, especially with Wi-Fi. Using a wired connection and ensuring your power settings are correct will give you the best chance of success.

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