Unable to turn off the airplane mode with wireless key on Dell M3800

[Po-Hsu Lin]

The airplane mode can be activated with the wireless key combination on this laptop (fn + PrtScn)
You will see the "Airplane mode enabled" notification, and the BT / Wireless turned off accordingly.

However the same key combination cannot turn the wireless back on.
You will see the "Airplane mode disabled" notification followed by the "Airplane mode enabled" message.

It feels a bit like a repeat-key issue.
But the evtest shows the identical result:

* Turn on the airplane mode:
Event: time 1555070280.383302, type 1 (EV_KEY), code 247 (KEY_RFKILL), value 1
Event: time 1555070280.383302, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1555070280.383327, type 1 (EV_KEY), code 247 (KEY_RFKILL), value 0
Event: time 1555070280.383327, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------

* Turn off the airplane mode:
Event: time 1555070325.562502, type 1 (EV_KEY), code 247 (KEY_RFKILL), value 1
Event: time 1555070325.562502, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------
Event: time 1555070325.562514, type 1 (EV_KEY), code 247 (KEY_RFKILL), value 0
Event: time 1555070325.562514, -------------- SYN_REPORT ------------

dmesg for turning on the airplane mode:
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 systemd[1]: Starting Load/Save RF Kill Switch Status...
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 kernel: [ 1229.634982] wlp6s0: deauthenticating from 18:9c:5d:31:3f:e0 by local choice (Reason: 3=DEAUTH_LEAVING)
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070633.4574] manager: rfkill: WiFi now disabled by radio killswitch
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070633.4581] device (wlp6s0): state change: activated -> unavailable (reason 'none', sys-iface-state: 'managed')
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070633.4590] dhcp4 (wlp6s0): canceled DHCP transaction, DHCP client pid 6521
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070633.4590] dhcp4 (wlp6s0): state changed bound -> done
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 systemd[1]: Started Load/Save RF Kill Switch Status.
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 wpa_supplicant[951]: wlp6s0: CTRL-EVENT-DISCONNECTED bssid=18:9c:5d:31:3f:e0 reason=3 locally_generated=1
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 avahi-daemon[974]: Interface wlp6s0.IPv6 no longer relevant for mDNS.
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 avahi-daemon[974]: Leaving mDNS multicast group on interface wlp6s0.IPv6 with address fe80::bb23:69c3:d7b9:f6df.
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 avahi-daemon[974]: Interface wlp6s0.IPv4 no longer relevant for mDNS.
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 avahi-daemon[974]: Leaving mDNS multicast group on interface wlp6s0.IPv4 with address 10.101.46.102.
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 avahi-daemon[974]: Withdrawing address record for fe80::bb23:69c3:d7b9:f6df on wlp6s0.
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 avahi-daemon[974]: Withdrawing address record for 10.101.46.102 on wlp6s0.
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 wpa_supplicant[951]: rfkill: WLAN soft blocked
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 whoopsie[1976]: [08:03:53] Cannot reach: https://daisy.ubuntu.com
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 whoopsie[1976]: [08:03:53] offline
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 wpa_supplicant[951]: rfkill: WLAN soft blocked
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 whoopsie[1976]: [08:03:53] Cannot reach: https://daisy.ubuntu.com
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 dnsmasq[1424]: reading /etc/resolv.conf
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 dnsmasq[1424]: using nameserver 127.0.0.53#53
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 dnsmasq[1424]: reading /etc/resolv.conf
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 dnsmasq[1424]: using nameserver 127.0.0.53#53
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 dnsmasq[1424]: reading /etc/resolv.conf
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 dnsmasq[1424]: using nameserver 127.0.0.53#53
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 dnsmasq[1424]: reading /etc/resolv.conf
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 dnsmasq[1424]: using nameserver 127.0.0.53#53
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 dnsmasq[1424]: reading /etc/resolv.conf
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 dnsmasq[1424]: using nameserver 127.0.0.53#53
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 wpa_supplicant[951]: nl80211: deinit ifname=p2p-dev-wlp6s0 disabled_11b_rates=0
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 gsd-sharing[1866]: Failed to StopUnit service: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.systemd1.NoSuchUnit: Unit gnome-user-share-webdav.service not loaded.
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 gsd-sharing[1866]: Failed to StopUnit service: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.systemd1.NoSuchUnit: Unit rygel.service not loaded.
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 gsd-sharing[1866]: Failed to StopUnit service: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.systemd1.NoSuchUnit: Unit gnome-remote-desktop.service not loaded.
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 gsd-sharing[1866]: Failed to StopUnit service: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.systemd1.NoSuchUnit: Unit vino-server.service not loaded.
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 nm-dispatcher: req:2 'down' [wlp6s0]: new request (1 scripts)
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 nm-dispatcher: req:2 'down' [wlp6s0]: start running ordered scripts...
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 gnome-shell[1638]: An active wireless connection, in infrastructure mode, involves no access point?
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 gsd-rfkill[1856]: Failed to set RFKill: Stream has outstanding operation
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070633.6144] manager: rfkill: WWAN hardware radio set disabled
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070633.6149] audit: op="radio-control" arg="wwan-enabled" pid=1856 uid=1000 result="success"
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070633.6155] audit: op="radio-control" arg="wwan-enabled" pid=1856 uid=1000 result="success"
Apr 12 08:03:53 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 wpa_supplicant[951]: nl80211: deinit ifname=wlp6s0 disabled_11b_rates=0
Apr 12 08:03:55 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070635.0755] manager: NetworkManager state is now CONNECTED_LOCAL
Apr 12 08:03:55 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 nm-dispatcher: req:3 'connectivity-change': new request (1 scripts)
Apr 12 08:03:55 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 nm-dispatcher: req:3 'connectivity-change': start running ordered scripts...

* dmesg for turning off the airplane mode:
Apr 12 08:04:59 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 systemd[1]: Starting Load/Save RF Kill Switch Status...
Apr 12 08:04:59 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070699.7727] manager: rfkill: WiFi now enabled by radio killswitch
Apr 12 08:04:59 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 systemd[1]: Started Load/Save RF Kill Switch Status.
Apr 12 08:05:00 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 kernel: [ 1296.199263] IPv6: ADDRCONF(NETDEV_UP): wlp6s0: link is not ready
Apr 12 08:05:00 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <warn> [1555070700.0571] device (wlp6s0): device not up after timeout!
Apr 12 08:05:00 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070700.0575] manager: rfkill: WiFi now disabled by radio killswitch
Apr 12 08:05:00 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070700.0707] manager: rfkill: WWAN hardware radio set enabled
Apr 12 08:05:00 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070700.0709] audit: op="radio-control" arg="wwan-enabled" pid=1856 uid=1000 result="success"
Apr 12 08:05:00 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070700.0788] manager: rfkill: WWAN hardware radio set disabled
Apr 12 08:05:00 u-Dell-Precision-M3800 NetworkManager[968]: <info> [1555070700.0790] audit: op="radio-control" arg="wwan-enabled" pid=1856 uid=1000 result="success"

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.10
Package: linux-image-4.18.0-17-generic 4.18.0-17.18
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.18.0-17.18-generic 4.18.20
Uname: Linux 4.18.0-17-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.10-0ubuntu13.2
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: u 1660 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC1: u 1660 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Fri Apr 12 07:52:03 2019
InstallationDate: Installed on 2019-04-03 (9 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 18.10 "Cosmic Cuttlefish" - Release amd64 (20181017.3)
MachineType: Dell Inc. Dell Precision M3800
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm-256color
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.18.0-17-generic root=UUID=62683a38-d516-49dd-9344-9a248877fb9b ro quiet splash vt.handoff=1
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-4.18.0-17-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-4.18.0-17-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.175.1
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 10/14/2014
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.bios.version: A07
dmi.board.name: Dell Precision M3800
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.board.version: A07
dmi.chassis.type: 8
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.chassis.version: Not Specified
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA07:bd10/14/2014:svnDellInc.:pnDellPrecisionM3800:pvrA07:rvnDellInc.:rnDellPrecisionM3800:rvrA07:cvnDellInc.:ct8:cvrNotSpecified:
dmi.product.name: Dell Precision M3800
dmi.product.sku: Dell Precision M3800
dmi.product.version: A07
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.

[Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot)]

This change was made by a bot.

[Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng)]

Please attach full dmesg and `rfkill list` when this issue happens, thanks!

[Po-Hsu Lin (cypressyew)]

Before hitting the airplane mode key
$ rfkill list
0: hci0: Bluetooth
 Soft blocked: no
 Hard blocked: no
1: nfc0: NFC
 Soft blocked: no
 Hard blocked: no
2: phy0: Wireless LAN
 Soft blocked: no
 Hard blocked: no

After:
$ rfkill list
0: hci0: Bluetooth
 Soft blocked: yes
 Hard blocked: no
1: nfc0: NFC
 Soft blocked: yes
 Hard blocked: no
2: phy0: Wireless LAN
 Soft blocked: yes
 Hard blocked: no

dmesg attached after hitting the wireless key twice.

It feels like a repeat key issue (although the showkey command didn't suggest so), as the notification will pop-up twice for a single press.

[Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng)]

https://github.com/systemd/systemd/issues/10704

It's included in systemd 240, which is in Disco.

I think this issue happens on some platforms that support both Windows7 (where WLAN hotkey is implemented in BIOS) and Windows 8 (WLAN is signaled through WMI), handles WLAN from both sides.

This requires further investigation.

[Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng)]

Both AT Keyboard and Dell-RBTN emit wireless hotkey event. I think we should handle this in kernel to let only one driver to handle the event.

[Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng)]

This is fixed in Disco. Cosmic needs to be fixed though.

[Dan Streetman (ddstreet)]

please reopen if this is still an issue