WHY is wifi symbol greyed out even though wifi is actually working!?

Question

WHY is wifi symbol greyed out even though wifi is actually working!?

Before upgrading to High Sierra 10.13.2 the wifi symbol in my top menu bar was ALWAYS black and if I lost connection it would then turn grey.

Since upgrading the symbol is now grey all the time YET I am actually still connected to the internet (I am using it now and it connect to my iPhone as well).

Hoping this would rectify it I asked to join network, put in all the details and ticked remember me.

If I click on the wifi symbol my network does not show in the drop down list.

If I click on Network Preferences it has a yellow dot next to the Wifi which says 'On' and the wifi fan icon is blue.

The Status says 'On' and there is a 'Turn wifi off' button next to it.

Underneath this it says Wi-fi is turned on but is not connected to a network.

Whats going on? - this is very puzzling to me.

I am connected by ethernet cable to the modem.

My mobile phone connects to the network via wifi and that works fine too.

What must I do to enable the wifi icon to stay black and not grey please?

iMac

Posted on Jan 23, 2018 4:31 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

John Galt

Level 10

156,200 points

Jan 23, 2018 5:10 PM in response to hardtofindausername

That's how it is connected: Ethernet. The reason the Wi-Fi icon is grey is that it is "on" but is not connected to a network.

So far all the indications you describe are normal. The Wi-Fi status indicator will remain yellow when your Mac's Wi-Fi radio is "on" but not connected to a network. Wi-Fi should be connected if you want to use certain macOS features, even if Ethernet is given priority in the network service order.

If I click on the wifi symbol my network does not show in the drop down list.

Is your wireless network's SSID hidden? If so it won't appear in the dropdown list. Be sure to read AirPort: Unable to join a Wi-Fi network with hidden SSID (Wi-Fi network name) - Apple Support also.

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Answer 2

Jan 23, 2018 4:45 PM in response to hardtofindausername

My guess is because you are actually connected by Ethernet and not WiFi. I imagine if you disconnect from Ethernet and connect using WiFi the icon would no longer be gray.

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Answer 3

Jan 23, 2018 5:19 PM in response to John Galt

Thank you John, mystery solved.

I had no idea if my SSID was hidden or not.

After reading the article link I re-entered my details and I think that was where the issue lay.

There were three wireless security keys in the list one irrelevant and the others being WPA/WPA2 Personal and another WPA. Previously I had chosen the WPA/WPA2 Personal, this time I chose the other and now my menu icon is BLACK.

Thank you ☺👍-1F3FB;

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Answer 4

John Galt

Level 10

156,200 points

Jan 23, 2018 4:54 PM in response to hardtofindausername

If I click on Network Preferences it has a yellow dot next to the Wifi which says 'On' and the wifi fan icon is blue.

The Status says 'On' and there is a 'Turn wifi off' button next to it.

Underneath this it says Wi-fi is turned on but is not connected to a network.

Are any green dots shown for any of the network interfaces? If so, which?

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Answer 5

Jan 23, 2018 4:54 PM in response to CountryGirl56

Thanks for your reply CountryGirl56 but connecting my mac via ethernet cable to the modem is the way it has been for the last 7 years, so not sure if High Sierra has now changed the way the symbol works.

When my phone connected to the wifi it doesn't go black either.

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Answer 6

Jan 23, 2018 5:14 PM in response to John Galt

John Galt wrote:

So far all the indications you describe are normal. Wi-Fi should also be connected though, if you want to use certain macOS features.

Interesting. I didn't realize it was possible to be connected by Ethernet and WiFi simultaneously. I thought if you were connected by Ethernet you just needed WiFi to be on for Location services etc.

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Answer 7

Jan 29, 2018 7:27 PM in response to CountryGirl56

Hi, John

Ive noticed that the symbol has greyed out again a few times.

Not sure if its happening each morning after wake up or not.

Once again its the same situation of there not being my wifi connection in the network list.

Any further suggestions?

Its only been since I upgraded to High Sierra.

Cheers 😊

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Answer 8

Jan 23, 2018 4:57 PM in response to John Galt

Thanks for your reply John, yes there is a green dot next to ethernet.

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Answer 9

Jan 23, 2018 5:02 PM in response to hardtofindausername

You're welcome. As I said, it was a guess. I can't test it because I don't use Ethernet. I assume that's why it's gray. I can't speak about iPhones since I don't own one.

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