Resolve Windows 10 Airplane Mode Stuck Issue [2024]

Airplane Mode is a useful feature in Windows 10 that allows you to quickly disable all wireless communication, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks. However, some users encounter an issue where Airplane Mode gets stuck and cannot be turned off, leaving them unable to reconnect to their wireless networks. This guide will walk you through several methods to troubleshoot and resolve this problem effectively.

Understanding the Airplane Mode Stuck Issue

When Airplane Mode is stuck, the system continues to disable all wireless communications, preventing you from connecting to the internet or using Bluetooth devices. This can be caused by software glitches, outdated drivers, or conflicts with network settings.

1. Restart Your Computer

The simplest and often most effective solution is to restart your computer. This can resolve temporary glitches that may be causing Airplane Mode to get stuck.

Steps:

1. Restart Your Computer:
   • Click on the Start menu.
   • Select the Power icon and choose Restart.
   • After your computer restarts, check if Airplane Mode is still stuck.

2. Use the Network Settings Menu

You can manually turn off Airplane Mode through the Network & Internet settings.

Steps:

1. Open Settings:
   • Press Win + I to open the Settings menu.
2. Navigate to Network & Internet:
   • Click on Network & Internet.
   • Select the Airplane mode tab on the left-hand side.
3. Toggle Airplane Mode Off:
   • Under Airplane mode, toggle the switch to Off.
   • Check if your wireless connections are re-enabled.

3. Update Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupted network drivers can cause Airplane Mode to get stuck. Updating these drivers can resolve the issue.

Steps:

1. Open Device Manager:
   • Press Win + X and select Device Manager from the menu.
2. Expand Network Adapters:
   • In Device Manager, expand the Network adapters section.
3. Update Drivers:
   • Right-click on your network adapter (e.g., Wi-Fi adapter) and select Update driver.
   • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
   • Follow the prompts to install any available updates.
4. Restart Your Computer:
   • Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

4. Check the Radio Management Service

The Radio Management Service is responsible for controlling wireless communications on your device. Ensuring this service is running correctly can help fix the Airplane Mode stuck issue.

Steps:

1. Open the Services Manager:
   • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
   • Type services.msc and press Enter.
2. Locate the Radio Management Service:
   • In the Services window, scroll down to find Radio Management Service.
3. Check the Service Status:
   • Right-click on the Radio Management Service and select Properties.
   • Ensure the Startup type is set to Automatic and that the service is running.
   • If the service is not running, click Start.
4. Apply Changes and Restart:
   • Click Apply and OK, then restart your computer.

5. Use the Physical Wireless Switch

Some laptops have a physical switch or function key combination to control wireless connections. Ensure that this switch is in the correct position.

Steps:

1. Locate the Wireless Switch:
   • Check your laptop for a physical switch, usually found on the sides or front edge.
2. Toggle the Switch:
   • Ensure the switch is set to the “On” position.
   • Alternatively, press the Fn key along with the designated function key (often F2, F3, or F12) to toggle Airplane Mode off.
3. Check Airplane Mode:
   • After toggling the switch, check if Airplane Mode is turned off and your wireless connections are re-enabled.

6. Reset Network Settings

If the issue persists, resetting your network settings can resolve any underlying configuration issues.

Steps:

1. Open Settings:
   • Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Network & Internet:
   • Go to Network & Internet and select the Status tab.
3. Reset Network Settings:
   • Scroll down and click Network reset.
   • Confirm the reset by clicking Reset now.
   • Your computer will restart, and network settings will be reset to their defaults.
4. Reconnect to Networks:
   • After the reset, reconnect to your Wi-Fi or other networks.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to fix the Airplane Mode stuck issue on Windows 10 and restore your wireless connections. Whether it’s a simple restart, updating drivers, or resetting network settings, these methods cover a range of potential solutions to get you back online. Regularly updating your system and drivers can help prevent such issues from occurring in the future.