If using WiFi for server connectivity, the adapter may enter power-save mode and stop responding to inbound connections (SSH) while maintaining outbound connections (Cloudflare Tunnel).
* Local SSH unreachable but Cloudflare Tunnel works
* ARP table shows “incomplete” for server IP
* ip link shows WiFi interface in DORMANT state
WiFi power save mode puts the adapter into a deep sleep state when idle. This prevents it from responding to: * ARP requests (so other devices can't find it) * Inbound SSH connections * Ping requests
However, outbound connections like Cloudflare Tunnel are maintained because the adapter wakes up for outbound traffic.
# Find your WiFi interface name ip link show # Look for something like wlxbc071d481e84 or wlan0 # Disable power save immediately (replace with your interface name) sudo iw dev YOUR_INTERFACE set power_save off # Verify it's disabled sudo iw YOUR_INTERFACE get power_save # Should show: Power save: off
Method 1: Systemd Service
# Create a systemd service sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/wifi-powersave-off.service > /dev/null << 'EOF' [Unit] Description=Disable WiFi power save After=network.target [Service] Type=oneshot ExecStart=/usr/sbin/iw dev YOUR_INTERFACE set power_save off [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target EOF # Enable and start the service sudo systemctl enable wifi-powersave-off.service sudo systemctl start wifi-powersave-off.service
Method 2: NetworkManager Configuration
# Create NetworkManager config sudo tee /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/wifi-powersave.conf > /dev/null << 'EOF' [connection] wifi.powersave = 2 EOF # Restart NetworkManager sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
Replace YOUR_INTERFACE with your actual WiFi interface name from ip link show.
If possible, use Ethernet instead of WiFi for your server. Ethernet is: * More reliable * Lower latency * No power management issues * Better for always-on services