The Airplane or Flight mode is a nifty feature to quickly stop all wireless communication on your Windows 10 PC or tablet. The Airplane mode can be turned on or off quickly by clicking or tapping on the Action Center icon in the taskbar and then clicking or tapping the Airplane mode tile.
While the Airplane mode works as expected when it’s turned on, at times, it’s hard to turn off the mode. We have previously discussed what to do when Airplane mode is not turning off in Windows 10.
Like other features, when the Airplane or Flight mode is turned on, Windows 10 displays Airplane icon in the system tray of taskbar. The icon disappears once you turn off the Airplane mode. But, at times, the Airplane mode icon doesn’t go away even after turning off the mode in Windows 10.
In short, the Airplane or Flight icon that appears when you turn on the Airplane mode, refuses to go away even after turning off the mode. Because of this glitch, it’s hard to tell if the Airplane mode is on or off.
If you’re also having the same issue on your Windows 10 PC, follow the given below directions to get rid of the Airplane mode icon which appears even after turning off the Airplane mode.
Three ways to remove Airplane or Flight mode icon from system tray in Windows 10
Method 1 of 3
Step 1: Open the Task Manager by right-clicking on the empty area of the taskbar and then clicking Task Manager option.
Step 2: Once the Task Manager is opened, click on More details to open the full version of the Task Manager.
Step 3: Under the Process tab, look for the entry labelled Windows Explorer. If you can’t find Windows Explorer entry, please start Windows Explorer process by opening any folder or This PC (My Computer).
Right-click on Windows Explorer entry and then click Restart button to restart Windows Explorer. This will also refresh icons on the taskbar. The Airplane icon should now disappear if the mode is turned off.
Method 2 of 3
We have noticed that this method doesn’t work always. That said, if the above method didn’t work for you, you may try this one.
Step 1: Right-click on empty area of the taskbar and then click Properties to open Taskbar and Start menu Properties dialog.
Step 2: Under the Taskbar tab, check the option labelled Auto-hide the taskbar, and then click Apply button to hide the taskbar.
Step 3: Now, uncheck the previously selected Auto-hide the taskbar, and click Apply button. The taskbar will appear again with the network or wireless icon instead of the Airplane mode icon if the mode is turned off.
Method 3 of 3
If the Flight mode icon is not disappearing even after trying above mentioned methods, please make sure that the Airplane mode is actually turned off by opening Settings, clicking Network & Internet, clicking Airplane mode and then checking the status of Airplane mode.
If the Airplane mode is turned off, please reboot your PC.
Stanley says
In under a minute.. Thanks a lot
AR says
THANK YOU!!!! That airplane mode icon had been pestering me for over a month.
Robin says
Great info. Thanks!