System and method for active scanning of wireless channels is described. An example method may include transmitting, by a first wireless device, a request to enter a sleep mode and a sleep mode schedule to a second wireless device, the sleep mode schedule specifying a sleep period for the first wireless device going to sleep, and scanning one or more wireless channels, by the first wireless device after transmitting the sleep mode schedule and during the sleep period, to find a third wireless device for communication with the first wireless device. The method may also include communicating, by the first wireless device, during the sleep period, with the third wireless device. Such a scan may be a passive scan or an active scan.