Windows airplane mode is very handy in many situations. However, it can become a problem when the user loses control over it. In this post we are going to address one of these irritating situations: Why can't I turn off airplane mode in Windows? How can I fix it?
As almost always, to find solutions it is essential first know the circumstances that give rise to the errorThe most common reasons are hardware conflicts and incorrect configurations, although sometimes the fault is hidden in software errors.
Windows airplane mode is a very useful feature that is used to completely disconnect the computer, which can continue to be used normally. Just keep in mind that when using it, you will not be able to connect to the Internet or use GPS. There will also be no possibility of establishing connections via Bluetooth. Programs and applications will work the same, although without a connection.
It is a mode that is useful for much more than just travelling by plane, as its name suggests. For example, it can be used to save energy or to work without distractions.
There is an option from the Notification Center to activate this mode (by clicking on the airplane icon), although it can also be done through the following path: Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane mode.
To disable it, you just have to undo the steps indicated. But that sometimes doesn't work and, inexplicably, it is impossible to remove airplane mode in Windows.
Causes of the problem
Among the most common reasons that lead to this malfunction of airplane mode in Windows, we can highlight the following:
- Driver problems. Often, the drivers for the wireless network card or Bluetooth are outdated or even corrupted, leading to the error.
- hardware conflictsWhen a component is disconnected or not working properly, we may find that it is impossible to remove airplane mode in Windows.
- System configuration errors. Airplane mode can be turned on and off if our controller has an incorrect configuration.
- Failures caused by third-party software, which may interfere with this function.
Finally, there is a very simple explanation that prevents us from removing airplane mode in Windows. This occurs when we use keyboard shortcuts to activate or deactivate this mode. In such cases, when the keys (Function keys – Fn) are blocked for some reason, it is impossible to exit or access this mode.
Solutions to remove airplane mode in Windows
Once the problem is known and identified, we will now review the solutions that we can try to apply:
Restart Network Services
This is the first thing we should try. It is a way to "reset" this type of functions so that the problem is resolved by itself. You have to do this:
- First we use the keyboard shortcut Windows + R to open the run box.
- There we write services.msc and press Enter.
- In the results, we look for the Network related services (automatic configurations of WLAN, cable, etc.) and the we reboot.
Turn to the Troubleshooter
It is worth trying to solve the issue of disabling airplane mode in Windows with this native function, which we do not always pay due attention to. Here is how to proceed:
- First of all, let's Start.
- Then we access the menu of Configuration.
- There we select first "Update and Security" and then "Solve problems".
- To finish, we click on «Additional solvers» and we execute the «Network Adapters Troubleshooter».
Update (or reinstall) network drivers
This is the solution we need when the error is due to the existence of obsolete or corrupted files. The steps to follow are:
- To start, we access the Device administrator.
- There we expanded the category Network adapters.
- Finally, we right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter and select the option "Update driver".
In case the update fails, you can try uninstalling the driver and rebooting the system so that Windows reinstalls it automatically.
Disable Third-Party Software
A simple solution to try before moving on to other methods is to temporarily disable security programs (including VPNs) that might interfere with the airplane mode feature and see if it can be unlocked.
Disable BIOS/UEFI settings
If the above solutions have not worked, we can move on to try other more specific ones. One of them is to access the BIOS or UEFI (in this post we explain how to do it) and, once there, verify that the network card is disabled.
Restore the system to a previous point
A solution that will obviously only work if we have previously created a restore point. If so, the steps to follow are as follows:
- First we go to the menu Start.
- Then we access the Control Panel.
- There we select "Recovery" and then we're going to «Open System Restore».
Lastly, We select a previous point in which the problem did not exist.
If none of these solutions have helped you and you still can't remove airplane mode from Windows, there are only last resort solutions left, such as update windows to the latest version available or directly contact technical support manufacturer.
Advantages of airplane mode in Windows
Finally, it is worth remembering that airplane mode (when it works well and does not pose problems like the one we are dealing with in this article), is a very practical resource at our disposal. And not just to activate it before taking a flight. Here is its interesting list of advantages:
- It helps us save energy and therefore prolong the life of our battery.
- It allows us to concentrate better on our tasks, without distractions or interruptions in the form of messages, notifications, etc.
- Protects us from unwanted connections, such as when our device automatically connects to a public network.
In short, a valuable resource, as long as we know what to do in those cases where it cannot be disconnected (although here we have already seen how to remove airplane mode, so there is no problem).