WiFi icon PARTLY greyed out

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Level 1

21 points

WiFi icon PARTLY greyed out

I have two iMacs running WiFi from a Vodafone network. The two computers are next to each other. On one, I have a full black WiFi icon in the Finder toolbar. On the other, just two feet away, the icon sometimes is partly greyed out. Despite this, it appears to work satisfactorily. I've checked that both computers are connected to the correct Vodafone network - they are. I've tried turning the wiFi off and on again, removing and replacing the icon, restarting Finder and restarting the computer. None of these have solved the problem. Here's what the icon looks like:

It isn't desperate, but any ideas would be welcome.

Mac mini, macOS 10.14

Posted on Sep 7, 2020 4:31 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

dialabrain

Level 10

122,897 points

Sep 7, 2020 4:50 AM in response to sunnyjohn

There is nothing to fix. Since the two iMacs aren't in the identical position it's not surprising they indicate slightly different signal strengths. You could always swap their positions. It's nothing to be concerned with.

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Answer 2

sunnyjohn Author

Level 1

21 points

Sep 19, 2020 9:23 AM in response to dialabrain

I found the answer and thought this might help others. Because of the way our computers and router are arranged, it turns out that with the Mac Mini lying flat on the desk, the iMac to its right was blocking the wi fi signal from the router in the adjacent room. When I stood the Mac mini on its side, with a bigger area to pick up the wi fi signal the problem disappeared.

Here's what it looked like before I stood the Mini on its side:

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Answer 3

sunnyjohn Author

Level 1

21 points

Sep 19, 2020 9:26 AM in response to sunnyjohn

Sorry, the diagram didn't paste! Here it is:

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Answer 4

sunnyjohn Author

Level 1

21 points

Sep 7, 2020 4:52 AM in response to dialabrain

Many thanks, Dialabrain, you have put my mind at rest!

John W

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

122,897 points

Sep 7, 2020 5:02 AM in response to sunnyjohn

You're welcome. Just to add, one of my Macs, a MacBook, some days shows two bars and other days shows three. And that's when it's in the exact same position.

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Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

240,833 points

Sep 19, 2020 10:54 AM in response to sunnyjohn

Great work! :)

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WiFi icon PARTLY greyed out

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