Wake for network access, not working

[Wando64]

Hi all, I am not sure when this problem started but neither of my two macs (Mini and MBP) wakes for network access anymore.
Both are running MacOS 10.12.6 and both are connected using a 5GHz Wi-Fi (a relatively recent introduction, and so is my router).
When the Macs are awake, file and screen sharing work as advertised, but as soon as one goes to sleep I am unable to wake it, and access it, from the other Mac (or from my iPad).
Obviously, on both Macs, "wake for network access" is enabled.
I have run out of options. Any suggestion as to what I should be checking next?

EDIT
After mentioning the new router in this post, I've decided to take a closer look at the router settings.
The router is an ASUS N55U. I have discovered that there is a "Wake on LAN" function within the router options. By using this function I am able to awake my Macs, so it is quite obvious that "wake for network access" DOES work, as long as the correct packet is sent.
Any idea why this router would not allow a Mac to wake another directly?

Another EDIT
I have further discovered that I can wake my Mac using an iOS app to send the Wake packet.
This tells me that the Router is not the obstacle after all.
So, back to the original question, why can't i wake one Mac from another Mac simply by trying to connect to it?

 

[Wando64]

Yesterday I couldn't wake the Mac Mini remotely, not even with the Wake (magic) packet.
Today it works again (as in, today I am able to wake it again with the wake packet).
I've no idea why this should be so inconsistent.
Anyway, looks like I am talking to myself. Anyone with any useful suggestion?

 

[hobowankenobi]

No suggestions. Have seen it, don't know the fix. It has come and gone over the years and OSes...I gave up chasing it or expecting it to get permanently fixed.

I see it even in a lab full of Macs...using Apple Remote Desktop, with its Wake function. Often works, but not 100% of the time.

My workaround is not to let the machines sleep; just monitor sleep and drive spin down.

 

[Wando64]

No suggestions. Have seen it, don't know the fix. It has come and gone over the years and OSes...I gave up chasing it or expecting it to get permanently fixed.

I see it even in a lab full of Macs...using Apple Remote Desktop, with its Wake function. Often works, but not 100% of the time.

My workaround is not to let the machines sleep; just monitor sleep and drive spin down.

I feared this was going to be the case.
Thanks for letting me know this is seemingly common.

 

[Someirishguy]

I feared this was going to be the case.
Thanks for letting me know this is seemingly common.

I have a similar problem with an iMac. I’ve read that connecting to the network via Ethernet is more reliable than wifi, but I’ve yet to try it out.

 

[Wando64]

I have a similar problem with an iMac. I’ve read that connecting to the network via Ethernet is more reliable than wifi, but I’ve yet to try it out.

Absolutely correct. My mini is now Ethernet connected and it wakes normally upon access from the network.