How to Fix the Samsung Stuck on Airplane Mode (4 Easy ways)

Having your Samsung phone stuck in Airplane Mode can be incredibly frustrating. Whether it happened after a software update, due to a bug, or for no apparent reason, I’ve got proven fixes that actually work.

I faced this issue on my Samsung Galaxy M33, and after testing multiple solutions (plus digging into forums and Reddit for real fixes), I finally resolved it. Below are the best methods to fix it, along with real user feedback.

Proven Methods to Fix Samsung Phones Stuck in Airplane Mode

If your Samsung phone is stuck in airplane mode, here are some proven methods that have worked for various users:

Fix 1: Reboot Your Phone

When your smartphone’s acting up, the first thing you should try is restarting it. It’s like a magic fix for almost every problem. Here’s why restarting works so well:

The classic restart method is always the first step, but a single reboot may not be enough.

🔹 Why it works:

• Clears temporary glitches.
• Forces system-level network resets.
• Kills any background processes interfering with airplane mode.

💡 My Fix: I restarted my phone three times in a row—and it worked instantly!

🚀 User-Tested Tip:

“u/TechFixx: ‘I restarted my Galaxy S21 three times in a row and it finally reconnected to mobile data!'”

Steps:

1. Press & hold the Power button until you see “Power off” and “Restart.”
2. Select Restart → Repeat this three times.
3. Check if airplane mode is off.

If this doesn’t work, move on to the next fix.

While most folks say restart once, I say do it three times in a row. It’s like giving your phone an extra good shake to get all the cobwebs out. This triple restart can sometimes work better for stubborn problems.

Fix 2: Clear Cache Partition

A corrupt cache partition can cause network settings to malfunction. Wiping it can solve the problem without deleting any personal data.

🔹 Why it works:

• Refreshes Samsung’s network handling processes.
• Deletes temporary system files that could be causing the glitch.

Now, you might be thinking, “Sounds scary. Will I lose my stuff?” Don’t worry! Clearing the cache partition won’t delete your photos, messages, or any important data. It’s just getting rid of temporary junk.

How to Wipe the Cache Partition on Samsung

1. Turn off your phone completely.
2. Press and hold: Volume Up + Power until the Samsung logo appears.
3. Use the Volume buttons to scroll to Wipe Cache Partition and select it with the Power button.
4. Confirm and restart your phone.

Check if Airplane Mode turns off after rebooting.

You might be surprised how much stuff gets cleared – Kelly’s phone cleared 184 apps worth of cache!

“But what if it doesn’t work?” you might ask. Don’t sweat it. If this doesn’t fix your problem, there are other tricks we can try. The good news is, this method is safe and often helps speed up your phone, even if it doesn’t solve your specific issue.

Fix 3: Check for Software Updates

Sometimes, after updating your Samsung device to the latest version—whether it’s a complete system update, a security patch, or even a minor features update—there can be bugs and glitches. These issues often cause problems that users eventually discover while using their device.

You wouldn’t normally encounter the issue of being stuck in airplane mode, but when you turn it on and it doesn’t turn off, it becomes a problem. This is how many Samsung users, as well as users of other smartphones, have discovered the issue, especially with recent software updates.

How to Check for Software Updates

1. Open Settings → Scroll to Software Update.
2. Tap Download and Install.
3. If an update is available, install it and restart your phone.

Sometimes updating your phone can fix bugs related to airplane mode. As one user shared: “Hi have the same problem mate started when I done software updates on Samsung s10 plus” — @ANDY-we7mr.

Fix 4: Remove and Reinsert SIM Card

🚀 Reddit Fix:

Sometimes, Airplane Mode gets stuck because your phone isn’t detecting the SIM card properly. Removing and reinserting it forces the phone to reinitialize the network.

Steps to Fix It

1. Turn off your phone.
2. Use a SIM ejector tool (or a paperclip) to remove the SIM tray.
3. Gently clean the SIM card using a dry microfiber cloth.
4. Reinsert it, ensuring proper alignment.
5. Restart your phone and check if airplane mode is off

I’ve found this process can help reset the connection between my phone and the SIM card, often fixing any software glitches that may have caused the airplane mode to stick. If I find the problem persists after trying this method, I usually consider other solutions or contact my carrier for further assistance.

Fix 5: Reset Network Settings

Samsung has introduced two separate reset options for network-related issues:

1. Reset Mobile Network Settings → This only resets your mobile network settings, including APN, carrier configurations, and SIM-based network preferences. It won’t affect WiFi or Bluetooth.
2. Reset WiFi and Bluetooth Settings → This resets WiFi networks and Bluetooth connections, but keeps your mobile network settings unchanged.

🚀 Best Option for Airplane Mode Issues:

• If you can’t turn off Airplane Mode or your SIM is not being detected, use Reset Mobile Network Settings.
• If you’re facing WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity issues, use Reset WiFi and Bluetooth Settings instead.

How to Reset Network Settings on Samsung (Updated Steps)

1. Open Settings → Scroll to General Management.
2. Tap Reset → You’ll see two options:
   • Reset Mobile Network Settings
   • Reset WiFi and Bluetooth Settings
3. Select Reset Mobile Network Settings for fixing Airplane Mode issues.
4. Confirm and restart your phone.

This restores default network configurations. To reset your network settings on samsung, go to Settings > General Management > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

📌 Pro Tip: If your Samsung still won’t turn off Airplane Mode, try both resets one after another, starting with mobile network settings reset first.

Fix 6: Boot into Safe Mode

If a third-party app is interfering with your network settings, Safe Mode will help diagnose it.

How to Boot Into Safe Mode

1. Press & hold the Power button.
2. Tap and hold Power Off until the Safe Mode prompt appears.
3. Select Safe Mode and restart your phone.

If Airplane Mode turns off in Safe Mode, then a third-party app is causing the issue. Uninstall any recently installed apps.

Fix 7: Perform a Factory Reset

This restores your phone to its original state and can resolve persistent issues. A user described their experience: “I’m having this problem on an older Samsung Galaxy S9+. I have done literally everything there is to try and fix this. Resetting all sorts of settings, clearing caches, swapping SIM cards, hardbooting, even went the full mile and factory reset the phone. Problem still persists.” — u/DogInATaco.

Fix 8: Seek Professional Repair or Support

If none of these methods work, contacting Samsung support or visiting a repair center may be necessary. One user’s experience highlights this: “I bought a Note20 plus online late August 23 and now it seems to be stuck in airplane mode. Took it to Samsung repair auth repair store and they did everything possible and said must be motherboard.” — @sanpas9149.

What to Do Next:

• Visit an authorized Samsung service center.
• If your phone is under warranty, request a replacement or repair.

Prevention Tips

• Avoid accidental activation: Use a protective case with a cover for the power button to prevent accidental pressing.
• Keep your software up-to-date: Regular updates often include bug fixes and improvements.
• Be cautious when installing new apps: Choose apps from reputable sources and avoid those with excessive permissions.

Conclusion

In my case, restarting my phone three times in a row was the quickest and easiest fix. However, other users found success with clearing the cache partition or removing the SIM card.

That’s it for the blog post today. I’ve shared proven and effective ways to fix the Airplane mode stuck issue on Samsung devices. Anyone experiencing this problem on any Samsung smartphone can follow these steps. This solution is applicable to all models of Samsung phones, whether from the J, M, or S series.

I hope you found the information helpful. If you did, please let me know in the comment section below. If you have any doubts or want to connect further, here’s how to contact us. And if you appreciate our work, you can simply buy us a coffee.