Activate Mac -- no WiFi menu to select network

I have a 16" 2021 MacBook with M1 Max chip. I needed to erase it because of some problems I ran into. Once it rebooted and I selected the language it needs to be activated. It says to select a WiFi network from the WiFi icon at the top right of the menu bar. But there is no WiFi icon there. There is a battery icon and a select input icon (to select alphabet.) And that's it.


How do I get the WiFi menu to appear?


Thanks,

Judy

Posted on Jan 30, 2022 7:39 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best answer

Hi Judy,


If you cannot connect to Wi-Fi in macOS Recovery, try these options:


  • If you have an Ethernet (female) to USB-C (male) adapter, use it to connect your Mac to an Ethernet cable.


  • If Ethernet isn't available, and you have a second Mac, use your second Mac to restore (not revive) your 16" MacBook Pro. The restore process reinstalls the firmware, macOS, and macOS Recovery. It also attempts to activate your Mac, if Activation Lock is disabled. (To disable Activation Lock, check the Find My app on one of your Apple devices, or on the web. If your 16" MacBook Pro appears in your list of devices, remove it.)

Posted on Jan 30, 2022 7:54 PM

116 replies

Jun 18, 2023 7:28 AM in response to judyereese

Hi! So I’ve had this issue today! It’s a brand new MacBook Pro too!


spoke to the senior engineer at Apple on the phone and he advised me of the following.


open mac in recovery mode > it’ll ask to connect to wifi on the menu but there won’t be any option for wifi anywhere > top left there’s the apple symbol and next to that is ‘recovery assistant’ > click ‘recovery assistant’ > and then click ‘erase mac’.


follow the instructions and then itll

reset

this should reboot itself and then top right when it loads up and you select your language it should now show you the wifi symbol to select a wifi network! Hurray!

Jul 10, 2023 8:59 AM in response to kaylajimenezz

Of all the myriad options this worked:


  • key aspect: extended power hold.
  • Verified solution: power click to options, power click then keyboard to options did not work.
  • to know it worked: as above you get to central options icon with trackpad enabled, spinning process icon, Wi-Fi upper right.
  • To know it failed: you don't get central options icon.


many thanks.


MacBook Pro: 2022 64gb M1


Aug 20, 2023 11:47 PM in response to judyereese

I experienced the same problem with my MacBook M1. I tried all the recommendations provided, but to no avail. However, I discovered a fix. First, power off your MacBook. Then, quickly tap the power button once and release it. Immediately after, press and hold the power button until the Options menu shows up. From there, proceed by selecting your language. After that, you should see the WiFi icon.


Activate Mac -- no WiFi menu to select network

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