Legacy field case: This article documents a Wake-on-LAN issue I encountered after upgrading a system from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 with a Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller. The exact driver versions are old, but the troubleshooting pattern is still useful when WOL stops working immediately after an operating system or NIC driver change.
Problem
Wake-on-LAN (WOL) stopped working after the upgrade to Windows 10 even though the BIOS and network adapter WOL settings were configured correctly.
Environment
- Previous OS: Windows 8.1 Pro x64
- Current OS: Windows 10 Pro x64
- Mainboard: ASUS H87-Plus
- NIC: Onboard Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
- Driver used during the issue: 9.1.401.2015, dated April 1, 2015
Cause in This Case
On this system, the Realtek driver installed through Windows Update did not provide the same Wake-on-LAN behavior as the vendor driver. Replacing it with the Realtek Ethernet driver restored WOL functionality.
This should not be treated as a universal rule that the Microsoft-provided driver is always wrong. Driver behavior depends on the NIC model, firmware and driver version. The useful troubleshooting step is to compare the Windows-provided driver with the current driver from the system or NIC vendor when WOL stops working after an update.
Solution
Download and install the appropriate driver for your exact Realtek Ethernet controller from the system manufacturer or Realtek. After installing the driver, restart the computer and re-check the WOL settings in Device Manager.
Realtek PCIe Ethernet Family Controller Software
Then open:
Device Manager → Network adapters → your Ethernet adapter → Properties
Verify the relevant settings under Advanced and Power Management, including Wake on Magic Packet and, when available, Allow this device to wake the computer.
Verify the Adapter Is Armed for Wake
You can also check the Windows wake configuration from a command prompt or PowerShell window:
powercfg /devicequery wake_programmable
powercfg /devicequery wake_armed
powercfg /lastwakeIf the adapter supports wake but does not appear in wake_armed, review the Power Management settings and the installed driver.
Also Check Windows Power-State Behavior
If WOL works from Sleep but not after Shut down, the driver may not be the only factor. Windows Fast Startup and the system power state also affect Wake-on-LAN behavior.
For the full configuration and current troubleshooting checklist, see:
How to Configure Wake-on-LAN in Windows 11/10/8/7
Microsoft Reference
Wake on LAN behavior in Windows
Cloud and infrastructure professional with nearly two decades of experience in enterprise IT environments, spanning public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid architectures.
Thanks, but it didn’t help me. I found out another solution and an explanation.
When you shutdown windows 10 from start menu (with default settings) windows does not shut down completely. It goes into some sort of “Hybrid shutdown” (called “fast start”).
To test if this is the case, you can easily open Command line (cmd) and type:
shutdown -s -t 0
Try to wake the computer via Wake-On-LAN. If it works, “fast start” was probably your problem. To disable fast start go to:
Control panel -> Power Options -> Choose what the power buttons do -> Tick of the box saying “Turn on fast startup (recommended)”.
You can find a guide here:
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4189-fast-startup-turn-off-windows-10-a.html
If it did not work in cmd, first try to update your drivers, if it still does not work you probably have another problem… Check your BIOS/UEFI settings. Probably under some sort of “Power Management Setup” or “Boot” settings. If you have an PCI(-e) card you also need to check in BIOS/UEFI to see if it’s powered on, even if the computer is off.
Simon, thanks for your informative comment. I will update the article and add your suggestion about Fast startup for enabling Wake-on-LAN.
Thanks a lot! It works for me after many hours of playing around with all stuff…
There is a new driver on the realtek webpage (10.6.1001.2015). Installed this new one and WOL is working from shutdown again.
Updating drivers works for me! Thank you very much 🙂
Nice to see this solution worked for you. Happy new year to you all.
For me it also works with 10.6.1001.2015! Thanks 🙂
Nice to hear this article helped you.
Aktuelle Win10 Networktreiber von Intel: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/de/download/25016/Netzwerkadaptertreiber-f-r-Windows-10
Thanks for your feedback and updated driver information.
you are the best 😀
THANK YOU!!!!!!
In my case disabling fastboot in Win10 did the trick.
Thank you, it help me a lot.
Update driver throught device manager working too.
Once again, huge thank you, man
Thanks a lot!
I did it!
Thank you ! Worked for me 🙂