Troubleshooting
Wake-on-LAN troubleshooting guide
If PacketWake reports that it sent a wake attempt but the device stays asleep, use this checklist to separate app profile issues from network and target-device issues.
Common symptoms
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing wakes from shutdown | Firmware or adapter standby power is disabled. | BIOS or UEFI Wake-on-LAN, ErP settings, PCI-E wake, and adapter power management. |
| Wake works from sleep but not shutdown | The target hardware only supports sleep-state wake. | Motherboard, network adapter, and operating system documentation for shutdown wake support. |
| Wake works on Ethernet but not Wi-Fi target | The target adapter cannot wake over Wi-Fi. | Use wired Ethernet for the sleeping target where possible. |
| Wake fails on guest Wi-Fi | Client isolation blocks local packets. | Move the phone to the main LAN SSID or disable guest isolation if appropriate. |
| Wake fails across VLANs or VPN | Broadcast or UDP forwarding is blocked. | Router, firewall, VPN, and directed-broadcast rules. Use a broadcast override only when your network supports it. |
Profile checks
- Confirm the MAC address belongs to the target adapter that stays powered while sleeping.
- Confirm the target field resolves on your local network if you use a hostname.
- Try the subnet broadcast address, such as 192.168.1.255, when a direct IP target does not work.
- Use UDP port 9 first, then test port 7 only if needed.
- Remove SecureOn unless the target explicitly requires it.
Network checks
Wake-on-LAN packets often rely on broadcast behavior. Routers, managed switches, VLANs, VPN clients, guest networks, and firewall rules may drop or isolate those packets. The first successful test should be on the same LAN before you debug remote or segmented network paths.
iPhone and Android permissions
On iPhone, allow local network access if the system asks for it. On Android, make sure battery or network restrictions are not preventing the app from sending while you interact with it.
When to contact support
Email support@packetwake.app with the target device type, target sleep state, phone platform, PacketWake target field, UDP port, broadcast override if used, and whether another Wake-on-LAN tool wakes the same target from the same network.