Wi-Fi, cellular & Bluetooth

Phone stuck in Airplane Mode

This is usually a software glitch or a toggle that isn't fully registering rather than a hardware issue. Restarting the phone typically clears it.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
5–10 minutes
DIY cost
$0
Pro cost
$0

Symptoms

  • Airplane Mode icon stays on even after toggling off
  • No cellular signal despite Airplane Mode appearing off
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth also seem unavailable
  • Toggle switch doesn't visually change position

Likely causes

  • CommonTemporary software glitch in the settings toggleA stuck UI state can make the toggle appear on or off incorrectly without matching the actual radio state.
  • CommonSystem process not fully applying the setting changeOccasionally a background process needs a restart to properly disable Airplane Mode.
  • PossibleManagement profile enforcing Airplane ModeWork or school-managed devices could have this setting controlled remotely.
  • PossibleSoftware bug after a recent updateUpdate-related bugs affecting radio toggles are occasionally reported and later patched.
  • Less commonHardware issue with radio componentsThis would be unusual but possible if radios fail to activate even after software fixes.

What to do

  1. Toggle Airplane Mode off and back on again from the Control Center or Quick Settings.
  2. Restart the phone completely.
  3. Check if the phone is managed by a work or school profile that might control this setting.
  4. Go to Settings and toggle Airplane Mode from within Settings directly rather than Control Center.
  5. Check for a pending software update and install it.
  6. Reset network settings if the issue continues after a restart.
  7. Check if cellular signal, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth are all affected or just one, to narrow down the issue.
  8. If Airplane Mode won't turn off after a restart and reset, contact the phone manufacturer's support.

When to call a pro

If Airplane Mode remains stuck on after a restart and network reset, contact the manufacturer's support for further diagnosis.

Safety

Generally low risk

Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.

Related guides

Operator provides AI-generated troubleshooting information. It can be wrong. For safety-critical, electrical, gas, structural, medical, automotive safety, or other high-risk problems, consult a qualified professional.