Windows 11 Airplane Mode Stuck? 9 Ways to Fix It (2026)

Your laptop is stuck in Airplane mode. The toggle is greyed out, won't switch off, or keeps turning itself back on, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are gone. It's one of the most annoying Windows 11 problems, but it usually comes down to a hidden hardware switch, a stopped Windows service or a confused network driver. Here are 9 fixes, starting with the fastest.

Fix 1: Use the Keyboard Key or Hardware Switch

Many laptops have a dedicated airplane mode or wireless key, usually one of the F keys with an antenna or plane icon. Press it on its own, or together with Fn. Some older laptops have a small physical wireless switch on the side or front edge. If it's off, Windows can't turn airplane mode off.

Fix 2: Toggle It in Settings (Not Just Quick Settings)

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Network & internet > Airplane mode.
3. Turn Airplane mode off, and make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on under Wireless devices.

Fix 3: Restart Your PC Properly

Use Start > Power > Restart rather than Shut down. With Fast Startup on, shutting down doesn't fully reset drivers, but a restart does.

Fix 4: Restart the Radio Management Service

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc and press Enter.
2. Find Radio Management Service.
3. Right-click it and choose Restart (or Start if it's stopped).
4. Double-click it and set Startup type to Automatic, then click OK.

This service controls airplane mode, so if it's stuck, the toggle stops responding.

Fix 5: Update or Reinstall the Wi-Fi Driver

1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters and find your Wi-Fi adapter (Intel, Realtek, Qualcomm, MediaTek...).
3. Right-click it and choose Update driver > Search automatically.
4. If that doesn't help, choose Uninstall device and restart your PC. Windows reinstalls the driver.
5. For the newest driver, download it from your laptop maker's support page.

Fix 6: Stop Windows Turning Off the Wi-Fi Adapter

In Device Manager, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter > Properties > Power Management and untick Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

Fix 7: Roll Back a Bad Driver Update

If airplane mode got stuck right after an update, open the Wi-Fi adapter's Properties > Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver (if available).

Fix 8: Reset Network Settings

1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings.
2. Click Network reset, then Reset now.
3. Your PC restarts. You'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-enter passwords afterwards.

Tip: forgot your Wi-Fi password? See how to see saved Wi-Fi passwords on Windows before you reset.

Fix 9: Check the BIOS and Install Windows Updates

• Install all updates in Settings > Windows Update, including optional driver updates.
• On some laptops, wireless can be disabled in the BIOS/UEFI. Restart and press your laptop's BIOS key (often F2, F10, Del or Esc), then make sure the WLAN/wireless option is enabled.

Why Does Airplane Mode Turn On by Itself?

• A sticky or sensitive airplane key on the keyboard.
• Laptop maker utilities (like hotkey or wireless managers) clashing with Windows.
• Power saving switching the Wi-Fi adapter off after sleep.
• A buggy driver or Windows update.

FAQs

Why is airplane mode greyed out in Windows 11?

Usually the Radio Management Service has stopped, or the Wi-Fi driver isn't working. Restart the service and reinstall the driver.

How do I turn off airplane mode without Settings?

Press the airplane or wireless key on your keyboard (often with Fn), or flip the physical wireless switch if your laptop has one.

Will a network reset delete my files?

No. It only resets network adapters and settings. You'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi.

Does this work on Windows 10?

Yes. The same fixes work on Windows 10, with slightly different menu names.

More PC fixes: Fix USB Device Descriptor Request Failed · Windows God Mode + 15 hidden tricks

Image credits (Wikimedia Commons): "Keyboard snap" by Shubjt (CC BY-SA 4.0); "Computer classes, Afghanistan" by Todd Huffman (CC BY 2.0).