Introduction: Airplane mode is a useful feature in Windows 11, allowing users to quickly disable wireless communication. However, some users may experience the issue where the airplane mode button becomes grayed out and unresponsive. This article offers the top seven solutions to fix this problem and regain control of the airplane mode function.

1. Restart your computer:

The simplest solution is often to reboot your computer. This can resolve temporary software glitches and restore the proper functionality of your system.

2. Run Windows Troubleshooter:

Windows 11 includes an in-built troubleshooting tool that can help diagnose issues with network adapters and connections. To access this tool, navigate to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Internet Connections.

3. Update your wireless drivers:

Outdated drivers can cause issues with airplane mode. Access Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start button, then expand the Network adapters category, right-click on your wireless adapter, and choose Update driver.

4. Re-enable wireless adapter:

In Device Manager, expand the Network adapters category once more, locate your wireless adapter, right-click on it, and select Enable device if it’s disabled. This might restore airplane mode functionality.

5. Reset network settings:

Resetting network settings can help solve various networking and connectivity problems. Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.

6. Disable Fast Startup:

Fast Startup can sometimes interfere with airplane mode functionality when enabled. To disable it, open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > System Settings and uncheck “Turn on fast startup” under Shutdown settings.

7. Modify Registry settings:

As a last resort, you can edit the registry if none of the above solutions work for you. Please take caution while doing this; creating a backup of your registry is recommended before proceeding.

Access the Registry Editor (press Win + R, type “regedit” and press Enter), navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlClass{4d36e972-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}, and look for subkeys with “Airplane Mode” or “Airplane Mode Switch”. If found, try deleting these subkeys, as this might restore proper functionality to the airplane mode button.

Conclusion:

The airplane mode grayed-out issue on Windows 11 can be frustrating, but these seven solutions should help you regain control of this valuable feature. As with any troubleshooting steps, it’s essential to proceed with care and, when necessary, consult expert assistance.