Airplane mode is a feature on Windows computers that allows you to quickly disable all wireless communication on your device, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular data. However, some users have reported issues with turning off airplane mode on their Windows computers, leaving them unable to connect to the internet or other wireless networks.
If you’re experiencing this issue, here are a few steps you can try to fix it.
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Check the Hardware Switch
One of the most common causes of issues with turning off airplane mode on Windows computers is a physical switch on the device that is accidentally turned on. Laptop or some tablets have a physical switch on the side that controls the airplane mode. Make sure that this switch is turned off.
Use the Settings App
Another way to turn off airplane mode on a Windows computer is through the Settings app. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click on the Start menu and select Settings.
- Click on the Network & Internet option.
- Scroll down to the Airplane mode section and toggle the switch off.
- Close the Settings app.
Use the Action Center
You can also turn off airplane mode from the Action Center, the notification area on your taskbar. To do this, click on the Action Center icon and look for the Airplane mode tile. Click on it to toggle it off.
Use the Registry
One option to turn off airplane mode is by editing the Registry, but it’s important to make a backup before making any changes to the Registry.
- Type regedit in Windows search and hit Enter.
- When UAC comes up, click Yes.
- Now, click Edit > Find.
- Type RadioEnable in the search box and click Find Next.
- It should be located in the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class - Double-click RadioEable and set its value to 1.
- Click OK.
Run SFC and DISM
Corrupted system files can lead to various problems on Windows, one of which is the inability to turn off airplane mode. To fix these damaged files, you can use a PC repair tool like Reimage or run an elevated Command Prompt command.
- Type cmd in Windows search.
- Right-click on the Command Prompt result and pick Run as administrator.
- UAC (User Account Control) will ask whether it can make changes, click Yes.
- Next, copy and paste the following command pressing Enter after:
sfc /scannow - Once done, run the following commands as well:
dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
dism /online /cleanup-image /checkhealth
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth - Restart your system.
Check power management settings
Laptops and other portable devices use batteries to function and have a limited capacity for charge. To extend battery life, Windows offers several settings that can lower power usage. If these settings are set to the highest power-saving mode, it may cause airplane mode to become stuck. To fix this, you can adjust the power settings.
- Right-click on Start and pick Device Manager.
- Expand the Network adapters section.
- Right-click your network adapter and pick Properties.
- Go to the Power Management tab.
- Untick the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power option.
- Click OK.
Why can’t I turn off airplane mode in Windows?
There are several reasons why you may be unable to turn off airplane mode in Windows, such as a hardware switch on your computer is turned on, a driver issue, or a software bug.
How can I check if a hardware switch is causing the issue?
To check if a hardware switch is causing the issue, look for a physical switch on your laptop that can be used to turn on and off airplane mode. If the switch is turned on, it may be preventing you from turning off airplane mode in Windows.
How do I update my wireless network adapter driver?
To update your wireless network adapter driver, you can visit the website of the manufacturer and download the latest version of the driver. You can also use Windows Update to check for and install updates for your drivers.
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