# Recognize ethernet connected laptop is turned on or off **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions & Help\ **Created:** [April 23, 2025, 7:06am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245 "2025-04-23T07:06:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bakkers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bakkers/32/16748_2.png) [@Johan\_Bakkers](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bakkers)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 7:06am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/1 "2025-04-23T07:06:17Z")
Hi, I want some actions automated depending on if I turned on or off my work laptop. Work laptop, so no software installation on the laptop allowed. Another thing to know is that my laptop is connected via ethernet cable. I have a Fritz!Box which also works with Homey. I can use the connected or disconnected feature. Though, it only seems to work if connection is made via WiFi, not if it is connected via an ethernet cable. Of course there is also the Smart Presence app where I can add my laptop as a device. But also here it only works when it is connected via WiFi and not via Ethernet. As it looks that also when connected via ethernet the laptop sometimes still uses WiFi, the laptop turns on or off at irregular times according to Homey, while I am working on it. What is the best way to recognize of my laptop is turned on or off? Is it a smart plug with notification of power usage? If so, which one is the best (without an extra bridge or so)? I did try out the Philips Hue plug, but that one has no power usage notifcation, only on or off. ---
**Author:** ![Jeroen\_Tebbens](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jeroen_tebbens/32/62246_2.png) [@Jeroen\_Tebbens](https://community.homey.app/u/Jeroen_Tebbens)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 7:35am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/2 "2025-04-23T07:35:26Z")
Use a static ip address for laptop and use the app NetScan. Add your laptop ip address and you can trigger action from that. [https://homey.app/nl-nl/app/com.netscan/Net-Scan/](https://homey.app/nl-nl/app/com.netscan/Net-Scan/) ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bakkers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bakkers/32/16748_2.png) [@Johan\_Bakkers](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bakkers)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 11:13am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/3 "2025-04-23T11:13:31Z")
Thanks Jeroen, but doesn’t work. It does recognize my phone, but not my work laptop. It seems to scan the WiFi too, just like Smart Presence, and does not see the cable connected laptop. ---
**Author:** ![Jeroen\_Tebbens](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jeroen_tebbens/32/62246_2.png) [@Jeroen\_Tebbens](https://community.homey.app/u/Jeroen_Tebbens)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 11:15am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/4 "2025-04-23T11:15:57Z")
Then check firewall / Security on your laptop. Windows 10/11 (?) has firewall that blocks icmp (ping) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 12:46pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/5 "2025-04-23T12:46:47Z")
You can use the Net Scan “tcp port” device instead. > ![1000046815](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/4/8/481cbb26d68c5374f4f4c7cbf8faf2e1ea920c25.jpeg) If you enabled f.i. Windos File and Print Sharing, it opens ports: tcp/135, tcp/445, tcp/139, tcp/5985. Settings example, but this one is specifically to check on Fully Dashboard on a tablet: > ![1000046817](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/3/9/390d6f673b4e94e4e5d68a43a6baa76b3585f488.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bakkers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bakkers/32/16748_2.png) [@Johan\_Bakkers](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bakkers)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/6 "2025-04-23T15:24:10Z")
It is a work laptop. I am not allowed, not even able, to change security on my laptop. Maybe that’s the problem. VPN connection is default. ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bakkers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bakkers/32/16748_2.png) [@Johan\_Bakkers](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bakkers)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/7 "2025-04-23T15:25:21Z")
Also here it is a work laptop. No sharing, not even using a printer at home, is allowed or even enabled. ---
**Author:** ![Jeroen\_Tebbens](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jeroen_tebbens/32/62246_2.png) [@Jeroen\_Tebbens](https://community.homey.app/u/Jeroen_Tebbens)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/8 "2025-04-23T15:31:14Z")
Then that is the source of the problem vpn blocks it. Right so other option is a power socket with measuring capability. Laptop turns on, starts using watts and when it is above a certain level you can take actions. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/9 "2025-04-23T20:56:02Z")
I missed the “_work laptop_” part apparently 🫣😬 ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bakkers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bakkers/32/16748_2.png) [@Johan\_Bakkers](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bakkers)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 11:27am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/10 "2025-04-24T11:27:34Z")
Thanks Jeroen. When reading the posts I also thought it could be the VPN connection. Now looking for the best socket for this. ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bakkers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bakkers/32/16748_2.png) [@Johan\_Bakkers](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bakkers)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 11:27am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/11 "2025-04-24T11:27:52Z")
No problem Peter 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jeroen\_Tebbens](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jeroen_tebbens/32/62246_2.png) [@Jeroen\_Tebbens](https://community.homey.app/u/Jeroen_Tebbens)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 11:56am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/12 "2025-04-24T11:56:15Z")
There are many options. Zigbee, zwave or WiFi based. I use Homewizard socket for this as long as it has watt measurements. ---
**Author:** ![Johan\_Bakkers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johan_bakkers/32/16748_2.png) [@Johan\_Bakkers](https://community.homey.app/u/Johan_Bakkers)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2025, 1:17pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/recognize-ethernet-connected-laptop-is-turned-on-or-off/135245/13 "2025-04-24T13:17:21Z")
Thanks Jeroen. I think I will buy the Shelly Plug as it will be connected to WiFi. As the Fritz!Box Repeater is standing at my desk I am pretty sure it will connect to my Homey downstairs too 😃