Connect to internet is greyed out with airplane mode

Anonymous
2013-12-22T04:31:38+00:00

I have a Dell Inspiron 15 R. Windows 8.1. Everything was working fine. I stopped using the internet because I didn't have one for few days.

Now I have a connection. I turned on the laptop and surprise. The connect software button is grayed out along with the airplane mode. Tried everything even turning off the Kaspersky and the firewall. Still nothing made it work. Software is up to date weather for the WiFi hardware or windows. Ethernet works.

Why is this happening?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2013-12-23T05:28:59+00:00

Thank you for your reply.

I know that airplane mode stops all the signals and I stated that it's grayed out so there is no way to turn it on.

The microsoft website is useless although it shouldn't. Why? Because they created the program and they don't know the answer which I figured out.

You will need to activate the wireless card from the control panel--Device manager--network adapter--right click your modem--properties--power management--uncheck allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

This is not listed by microsoft in any troubleshooting wich is so bad that it couldnt find a solution to a problem.

Thank you

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-06-22T19:33:34+00:00

    Had this issue today and this is what worked for me. I have a dell laptop M731R with a 17.3" display. I pressed the blue Fn key + the F2key with the wireless symbol on it and the message "Airplane mode turned off" appeared. Now my wi-fi is turned back on. Hope this helps.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-11-04T23:31:31+00:00

    Had this problem with a work computer on a trip and it completely threw me. Found out too late that it couldn't have been more simple but also AMAZINGLY AGGRAVATING because of it. 

    On an older Dell there's a physical switch above the F-keys to turn wireless on and off. On this one, there's the same switch HIDDEN on the right side of the laptop, completely innocuous and hidden, near the headphone jack. Switching that fixed everything. I have no idea how they thought this switch improved the use experience, but there you go. 

    Fred

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-13T15:49:31+00:00

    Solution is simple :The Physical Button needs turned off.Next to F12.Hope it helps

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-11-20T16:32:03+00:00

    Thank you so much, I could not find how to solve this issue anywhere!

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