Fix: Airplane Mode Not Showing / Greyed Out in Windows 10
- If the Airplane Mode is greyed out for you on Windows 10, know that the issue is related to your network adapters.
- First, try using keyboard shortcuts and see if they manage to turn the Airplane Mode on.
- Make sure that all of your drivers are up to date. We suggest using specialized software to update your drivers.
- Some users noticed that changing their network adapter properties solved the issue for them.
Airplane mode is a useful feature in Windows 10, but despite its usefulness, users are reporting certain issues regarding Airplane mode and Windows 10, so let’s see if we can fix those issues.
One issue that users have reported is that they cannot leave Airplane mode. This can cause a lot of problems and limit the usability of your device, but there are a few solutions that you can try.
Speaking of Airplane mode errors, here are some other common problems reported by users, and simple ways to solve them:
- Airplane mode keeps turning on and off
- This is a common problem with Airplane mode, but you might be able to fix the problem simply by turning the Airplane mode off by using the keyboard shortcut.
- Airplane mode turns on by itself Windows 10
- If Airplane mode keeps turning on by itself, you should be able to turn it off by pressing the physical switch on your device.
- Keep in mind that not all devices have this switch.
- Airplane mode greyed out Windows 10
- According to users, sometimes the Airplane mode option can be grayed out.
- If that’s the case, update your drivers and check if that helps.
- Airplane mode Windows 10 stuck
- Several users reported that Airplane mode option is stuck.
- To fix this, be sure to check your wireless adapter settings.
- In addition, you might have to change a couple of settings.
- Airplane mode not showing up
- This is another relatively common problem with Airplane mode.
- However, you should be able to fix the problem by using one of our solutions.
How do I fix Airplane Mode Greyed Out in Windows 10?
1. Try using keyboard shortcuts to disable Airplane mode
- Press Fn + key with radio tower (for some users it’s PrtScr key, it might be a different key on your computer).
- You might have to hold those keys for a few seconds.
- If this shortcut works you should see Airplane mode turned off message on your screen.
You should be able to use keyboard shortcuts to turn it off. If you want to learn other ways to turn Airplane mode off, we’ve got a useful article just for you.
2. Change network adapter properties
- Press Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager from the list of options.
- When Device Manager opens go to the Network Adapter section and expand it.
- Find your wireless adapter, right-click and choose Properties.
- When Properties window shows up to go to the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Then click OK to save changes.
If the above-mentioned solutions weren’t helpful, you can try changing your network adapter settings.
3. Update your network adapter drivers
- Open Device Manager and go to the Network adapters section.
- Expand it and find your network adapter.
- Right-click and choose Update Driver Software.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software option.
- Wait for the process to complete.
Update drivers automatically
There are two ways to do this: you can go to your wireless adapter manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers or you can update the drivers automatically.
If updating drivers from Device Manager didn’t work, your next step would be to update them using a specialized third-party app that will automatically keep your drivers updated.
Outbyte Driver Updater is a handy bit of technology that uses a big database of files to update drivers on your computer.
After installing the software, you only need to scan your pc. It will detect outdated drivers and request your permission to update them.
You may also set up automatic updates anytime you install a new peripheral or device that may require a different driver from the one that is already installed.
4. Disable and enable network connection
- Go to the Settings app.
- When Settings app opens go to Network & Internet category.
- On the left pane choose Wi-Fi.
- Now on the right pane look for Change adapter options. Click it.
- This will open a new window.
- Locate your wireless connection, right-click it and choose Disable.
- Now right click your wireless connection again, and this time choose Enable.
The next thing we’re going to try is disabling the network connection and enabling it again. If changing the network adapter settings and disabling the network connection didn’t work, try our next solution.
5. Uninstall the wireless adapter
- Open Device Manager and find your wireless adapter.
- Right-click it and choose Uninstall device.
- When the confirmation dialog shows click Uninstall.
- After the uninstallation process is complete Windows 10 will install its default wireless driver.
- Now you just need to restart your computer in order for changes to take effect.
Another thing you can try to solve the problem with Airplane mode in Windows 10 is to uninstall the wireless adapter driver.
6. Perform a clean boot
- Press Windows Key + R and enter msconfig.
- Now click OK or press Enter.
- System Configuration window will now open.
- Go to the Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services.
- Now click Disable all button.
- Go to Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
- When Task Manager opens, you’ll see a list of startup applications.
- Select the first item on the list, right-click it and choose Disable from the menu.
- Repeat this step for all startup applications on the list.
- Go back to System Configuration window and click Apply and OK to save changes.
- Restart your PC.
According to users, sometimes a third-party application can cause this problem to occur. To fix the issue, it’s advised to disable all startup applications and services.
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Once your PC restarts, check if the problem is still there. If not, you can enable applications and services one by one until you find the application that is causing the problem.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to restart your PC every time after enabling an application in order to apply changes. Once you find the problematic application, it’s advised to remove it.
There are several ways to do that, but if you want to completely remove the application, including all of its files and registry entries, we suggest that you use uninstaller software
7. Disable radio switch device
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand HID Interface Device section and right-click Radio Switch Device.
- Choose Disable device from the menu.
- When the confirmation menu appears, click Yes.
According to users, Airplane mode errors can occur due to certain devices, such as the Radio Switch Device. To temporarily fix the issue, it’s advised to find and disable those devices.
Once the Radio Switch Device is disabled, the problem with the Airplane mode should be completely resolved.
8. Switch to the Ethernet connection
Sometimes there might be a glitch with your system, and that glitch can cause Airplane mode errors to appear. To fix the issue, it’s advised to connect your laptop to the Internet using an Ethernet connection.
Besides the fact that this is a physical connection that is more stable, you won’t have to worry about interferences, and you will benefit from the full speed of your internet as well.
By doing so you’ll be able to connect to the Internet and problems with Airplane mode will be resolved. Keep in mind that this might be a temporary solution, so you might have to repeat it if the problem reappears.
9. Change your adapter settings
- Open Device Manager and locate your wireless adapter.
- Double-click it to open its properties.
- When Properties window opens, go to Advanced tab.
- Select 802.11n Channel Width for band 2.4 from the list and set its value to 20MHz Only.
- Now click Apply and OK to save changes.
According to users, you might be able to fix Airplane Mode being greyed out on Windows 10 by changing a couple of network adapter settings. After making these changes, check if the Airplane mode errors are resolved.
10. Check your BIOS
- While your system boots press F2 or Del to enter BIOS.
- If you don’t know which key to use to enter BIOS, check your motherboard manual.
- Now go to Onboard Device Configuration and enable Onboard WLAN/WiMax feature.
Another unlikely cause for Airplane mode errors can be your BIOS. Sometimes certain settings can interfere with your system and cause issues with Airplane mode.
After doing that, the problem with the Airplane mode will be resolved. Keep in mind that not all devices support this feature, and if you can’t find it, be sure to check the device’s manual to see if this feature is supported.
A couple of users reported that they fixed the problem by updating their BIOS to the latest version.
Updating BIOS can be a complicated procedure and potentially dangerous if you’re not careful, so before you update BIOS, be sure to check your instruction manual for detailed instructions.
If you want to know more about the BIOS update, we advise you to check our useful article dedicated to flashing BIOS on your PC.
That’s it, after performing some of these solutions, your Airplane Mode shouldn’t be greyed out anymore. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, just write them down in the comments, below.
