Airplane mode in Windows 10 and Windows 11 disables all wireless connections, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data. While useful during flights, many users face situations where Airplane mode won’t turn off, stays enabled after updates, or blocks internet access entirely.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to turn off airplane mode in Windows 10/11, along with fixes for common causes such as Windows Update errors, driver issues, and system glitches.
Why Airplane Mode Gets Stuck in Windows 10 or 11
Some common reasons include:
- Corrupted Windows updates
- Network driver conflicts
- Disabled radio services
- BIOS or hardware key issues
- System update failures
In many cases, users experiencing airplane mode issues also report update problems such as how to fix Windows Update error encountered, including errors like 0x800f0805, 0x800f081f, and 80072efe.
Method 1: Turn Off Airplane Mode from Quick Settings
Windows 11
- Press Windows + A
- Click Airplane mode to turn it Off
Windows 10
- Press Windows + A
- Select Airplane mode
- Ensure it’s disabled
If the toggle doesn’t respond, continue with the fixes below.
Method 2: Restart Network Services (Works for Windows 10/11)
Sometimes Windows update failures—such as
how to fix Windows update error 0x800f0805 in Windows 10 or
how to fix Windows update error 0x800f081f—can break network services.
Steps:
- Press Windows + R, type
services.msc - Restart:
- Radio Management Service
- WLAN AutoConfig
- Set both to Automatic
- Restart your PC
Method 3: Fix Airplane Mode After Windows Update Errors
If Airplane mode appeared after an update failure, you may be dealing with:
- how to fix Windows update error 0x800f0983
- how to fix Windows update error 0x800f0991
- how to fix Windows update error 0x800f0838
- how to fix Windows update error 80072efe
Recommended Fix:
- Open Command Prompt (Admin)
- Run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow
- Restart your system
This often restores missing network components disabled during failed updates.
Method 4: Disable Airplane Mode Using Device Manager
Steps:
- Right-click Start → Device Manager
- Expand Network adapters
- Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adapters
- If needed, uninstall and restart Windows
This is especially helpful when update errors prevent wireless drivers from loading properly.
Method 5: Turn Off Airplane Mode Using Settings
Windows 10:
- Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Airplane mode
- Toggle Off
Windows 11:
- Go to Settings → Network & Internet
- Ensure Airplane mode is disabled
If Settings won’t open correctly, it may be linked to system corruption caused by update failures.
Method 6: Check BIOS & Hardware Keys (Laptop Users)
On laptops, Airplane mode may be enabled via:
- Fn + function key (✈ icon)
- BIOS wireless settings
If you recently updated firmware or BIOS, verify wireless options are enabled.
You may also find this guide helpful:
👉 https://multicaretechnical.com/how-to-enable-tpm-2-0-in-bios-gigabyte-asus-msi-dell-hp-aorus-more
Related Helpful Guides
For related Windows fixes and performance tweaks:
- https://multicaretechnical.com/how-to-turn-off-fps-counter-in-windows-11-easy-methods
- https://multicaretechnical.com/how-to-turn-off-airplane-mode-in-windows-10-all-fixes-explained
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Why won’t airplane mode turn off in Windows 10/11?
This usually happens due to corrupted updates, disabled radio services, or driver issues.
Q2. Can Windows Update errors cause airplane mode problems?
Yes. Errors like 0x800f0805, 0x800f081f, or 80072efe can break network components.
Q3. How do I fix airplane mode after a failed update?
Run DISM and SFC commands, restart network services, and reinstall drivers.
Q4. Does resetting network settings help?
Yes, network resets often restore wireless connectivity.
Q5. Is airplane mode controlled by BIOS?
On some laptops, wireless settings are managed through BIOS or hardware keys.
Conclusion
If Airplane mode won’t turn off in Windows 10 or Windows 11, the issue is often linked to failed Windows updates, disabled services, or driver conflicts. By following the steps above—especially DISM, SFC, and service checks—you can restore full wireless connectivity quickly.