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Starting network devices over the internet (Wake on LAN)

"Wake on LAN" allows you to start computers, NAS systems, and other network devices in the FRITZ!Box home network over the internet.

This way you can always access one of your computers using remote maintenance software without having to leave it on all the time, for example.

Requirements / Restrictions

  • The device must be connected to a LAN port on the FRITZ!Box or a LAN port on a Mesh Repeater (for example FRITZ!Repeater).
  • The device must support the ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Management Interface) standard.
  • The FRITZ!Box must establish its own connection to the internet through a modem (for example a DSL or cable modem).
  • For IPv4 internet access, the FRITZ!Box must obtain a public IPv4 address from the internet service provider.
  • For IPv6 internet access, the FRITZ!Box must obtain an IPv6 address from the internet service provider.

Note:All instructions on configuration and settings given in this guide refer to the latest FRITZ!OS for the FRITZ!Box.

1 Configuring a network device

  1. Enable "Wake on LAN" and a suitable hibernation mode ("S3" to "S5") in the network device, for example in the computer's BIOS menu. Information on how to set it up can be obtained from the device's manufacturer, for example refer to the manual.

2 Configuring the FRITZ!Box

  1. Click "Home Network" in the FRITZ!Box user interface.
  2. Click "Network" in the "Home Network" menu.
  3. Click on the "Network Connections" tab.
  4. Click the (Edit) button next to the device you want to configure.
  5. Enable the option "Start this computer automatically as soon as it is accessed from the internet".

    Note:You can click the "Start Computer" button to start the device directly from standby mode and easily test whether it supports "Wake on LAN".

  6. Click "OK" to save the settings.

Now the device is started automatically as soon the device is accessed from the internet over a shared port or a VPN client connection (for example with a smartphone or tablet). The device is started after about 10 seconds and can be accessed.