Generate a Wake-on-LAN (WOL) magic packet from any MAC address. View the full 102-byte hex dump, copy the payload, and learn how to set up WOL on your network — all processed locally in your browser.
Wake-on-LAN (WOL) is a networking standard that allows a computer to be turned on remotely by sending a special network message called a "magic packet." It was originally created by AMD and Hewlett-Packard in 1995 and has become a standard feature in most modern network adapters and routers.
WOL works at Layer 2 of the OSI model, meaning the target device must be on the same local network segment — or the router must be configured to forward broadcast packets. The feature is invaluable for remote administration, energy management, and scheduled tasks on servers that you access through your router admin panel.
A WOL magic packet has a specific structure that the target network adapter's hardware recognizes even when the computer is powered off (but connected to power and network):
| Section | Bytes | Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronization Stream | 6 | FF FF FF FF FF FF | Header identifying magic packet |
| Target MAC (repeated 16×) | 96 | MAC address × 16 | Ensures correct target identification |
| SecureOn Password (optional) | 0, 4, or 6 | Shared secret | Additional authentication layer |
The total packet is typically 102 bytes (or up to 108 with a SecureOn password). The 16 repetitions of the MAC address provide redundancy — the NIC checks all 16 copies against its own address before triggering the wake event.
WOL requires configuration at multiple levels. Here's a checklist for setting it up:
Enter your computer's BIOS (usually by pressing DEL or F2 during boot) and enable the WOL option. It may be labeled:
:: Open Device Manager → Network Adapters → Properties → Advanced
:: Enable: Wake on Magic Packet = Enabled
:: Power Management tab: Allow this device to wake the computer = Checked
:: Disable fast startup (important!):
powercfg /h off# Install ethtool if needed
sudo apt install ethtool
# Check WOL support
sudo ethtool eth0 | grep Wake-on
# Enable WOL (g = magic packet)
sudo ethtool -s eth0 wol gIf you need to send WOL packets across subnets, configure your router to forward UDP broadcast packets. Log in to your router at 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1 and check for a "directed broadcast" or "subnet broadcast forwarding" option. See our router IP finder guide if you're unsure of your gateway address.
Pro Tip: For WOL to work over the internet (Wake-on-WAN), you'll need to set up port forwarding on UDP port 9 (or 7) directed to the broadcast address of your subnet (e.g., 192.168.1.255). This is tricky because most routers don't allow forwarding to broadcast addresses — consider using a VPN or an always-on device like a Raspberry Pi as a relay instead.
Magic packets can be sent over several transport protocols. The delivery method depends on whether the target is on the local network or remote:
| Method | Port | Scope | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UDP Broadcast | 9 (discard) | Local subnet | Most common method, broadcast to 255.255.255.255 |
| UDP Broadcast | 7 (echo) | Local subnet | Alternative port, same mechanism |
| UDP Subnet-Directed | 9 | Cross-subnet | Requires router directed broadcast support |
| Raw Ethernet Frame | N/A | Same L2 segment | Uses EtherType 0x0842 |
Once you've generated your magic packet, you can send it using various tools. You don't need our tool to generate the hex — these utilities build the packet internally — but understanding the packet structure helps with network debugging:
# Using etherwake
sudo etherwake AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF
# Using wakeonlan
wakeonlan AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF
# Specify interface and broadcast address
wakeonlan -i 192.168.1.255 AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF# Simple PowerShell WOL script
$mac = "AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF"
$macBytes = [byte[]]($mac -split '[:-]' | ForEach-Object { [Convert]::ToByte($_, 16) })
$magicPacket = [byte[]](,0xFF * 6) + ($macBytes * 16)
$udpClient = New-Object System.Net.Sockets.UdpClient
$udpClient.Connect(([System.Net.IPAddress]::Broadcast), 9)
$udpClient.Send($magicPacket, $magicPacket.Length)
$udpClient.Close()Wake-on-LAN has some security implications you should be aware of:
Always keep your router firmware updated and consider enabling MAC address filtering as an additional layer of control on your network.
Some modern network adapters support Wake-on-Wireless-LAN (WoWLAN), but it's less reliable than wired Ethernet. The access point must support buffering magic packets for sleeping clients, and many consumer routers don't implement this correctly. For reliable WOL, always use an Ethernet cable.
Wake-on-LAN typically uses UDP port 9 (discard protocol) or port 7 (echo protocol). The magic packet can technically be sent over any port — the NIC hardware inspects all incoming frames regardless of port. The port matters only for routers and firewalls along the path.
Yes, but it requires your router to support subnet-directed broadcasts. Configure a static route or port forward to the target subnet's broadcast address. Alternatively, use a relay agent on the target subnet.
Common causes include: WOL disabled in BIOS, Windows Fast Startup enabled (disables NIC standby power), power supply not providing standby power to the NIC, or the magic packet being blocked by a firewall. Check each layer systematically using the setup guide above.
SecureOn is an optional extension that appends a 4 or 6-byte password to the magic packet. The NIC only triggers the wake event if the password matches. It provides basic authentication but is sent in cleartext, so it's not a strong security measure.
Yes, this is called Wake-on-WAN. You need to forward UDP port 9 to your subnet's broadcast address on your router. However, most consumer routers don't support broadcast forwarding. A better approach is to use a VPN to your home network or an always-on device (like a Raspberry Pi) as a WOL relay.
About Tommy N.
Tommy is the founder of RouterHax and a network engineer with 10+ years of experience in home and enterprise networking. He specializes in router configuration, WiFi optimization, and network security. When not writing guides, he's testing the latest mesh WiFi systems and helping readers troubleshoot their home networks.
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