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

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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
    2016-04-01T07:41:26+00:00

    I also had the same problem and the solution flicking a tiny switch as Fred did however  on my dell laptop it was on the Left Hand side - that then allowed wireless to be turned back on which turned wireless off and everything worked again!

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-11T11:52:00+00:00

    Hi - I was having the same problems however I found that pressing the Fn button and the PrtScr (print screen) button turned it off.  

    I've noticed that some replies are using the Fn and F12 buttons.  

    I'm using a Dell Laptop with Intel Processor, Win10 Home, 64 bit - so it may not work on other brand systems.

    Hope it helps

    cheers

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-02-27T14:01:54+00:00

    Hi,

    Thank you for visiting Microsoft Community.

     

    You need to right click on the mentioned highlighted part and follow the further steps. Do get back to us after trying those steps. If issue will persist we will be more than happy to assist you.

    Regards,

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-02-27T12:13:08+00:00

    --right click your modem--

    What did you mean with modem above?

    Here's my netbook's Network Adapter screenshot

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