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
    2015-10-24T18:09:25+00:00

    I had the same problem with my inspirion 15 3542. I tried connecting to wireless network but the airplane mode won't turn off. I tried updating my network adapters but it didn't work, did recovery but it didn't work.The airplane mode is always greyed out and won't turn off.Than i found out that the solution was really simple, just follow the instructions:

    Go to Device manager>Human interface devices>Airplane mode switch collection> Right click > Disable. 

    That did the work for me. The problem was not related to network adapters at all:D

                Hope this helps.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-01-14T20:22:34+00:00

    On the newer Dell Insiron laptop it's a Function+PrtScr, so no physical switch is used.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-23T03:45:48+00:00

    Hi Iyad,

    I would like to inform you that if the Airplane mode is turned on the computer it will suspends any signal transmissions from your computer to comply with airline regulations. Hence the feature like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will not work when this mode is enabled on the computer.

    To turn off airplane mode

    1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings.

    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Settings.) 2. Tap or click the wireless network icon ( ). 3. Make sure Airplane mode is set to Off.

    If the issue persists you can refer to the following Microsoft article and check if it helps.

    Wired and wireless network problems

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/network-connection-problem-help#network-problems=windows-8&v1h=win8tab5&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1&v4h=winxptab1

    Hope this helps.

    Please post back with the status of the issue and we will be glad to assist you further.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-05-26T22:28:28+00:00

    Too bad. I tried this and Airplane mode is still on. No way to talk to anyone about this issue??

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