Have Wi-Fi icon but no Wi-Fi

[BillHon]

What does it mean when I loose Wi-Fi, but the Wi-Fi icon is showing on the display of my iPhone and iPad?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much.

 

[MacInWin]

Can you provide a little more information? What do you mean when you say you lose Wifi? Where are you? Home? On road? Restaurant? The WiFi icon is always there, but it is darker when it has no service, then the arcs brighten as the signal gets stronger until all three are white, not grey.

 

[BillHon]

Thank you so much for the reply.

I’m home and the Wi-Fi icon is not greyed out. I’m familiar with the difference. The arcs are bright. But I have no Wi-Fi connection in I that I receive messages saying No Internet Connection when I use Safari and all other apps that connect to the internet.

It’s the same condition as if you turn off Wi-Fi, but the Wi-Fi is on, and the the Wi-Fi icon shows as active.

Your attention is much appreciated.

 

[RadDave]

Thank you so much for the reply.

I’m home and the Wi-Fi icon is not greyed out. I’m familiar with the difference. The arcs are bright. But I have no Wi-Fi connection in I that I receive messages saying No Internet Connection when I use Safari and all other apps that connect to the internet.

It’s the same condition as if you turn off Wi-Fi, but the Wi-Fi is on, and the the Wi-Fi icon shows as active.

Your attention is much appreciated.

Hi Bill... - just for starters have you re-booted your modem and router (may be two or one devices)? Also, does your phone and/or iPad connect to a Wi-Fi network somewhere else, like a cafe or similar site? I'm sure Jake will be back with advice and further questions. Also in the meantime, take a look at this article which may help? Dave

 

[pm-r]

It’s the same condition as if you turn off Wi-Fi, but the Wi-Fi is on, and the the Wi-Fi icon shows as active.

Try shutting down both your Mac and your wireless access point and then start them both up and see if things have improved.

You can also try running your Network preferences pain and use the help me diagnostic option to check for what the problem might be. Give the wireless router time to establish and create a proper connection.

Did the problem just suddenly start or what...???



- Patrick
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[MacInWin]

You have been given excellent advice. One question is whether or not ANYTHING in the network can see the Internet? If not, the issue may be with the modem or the internet service provider (ISP). All the WiFi icon shows is that you are connected to your local network, not that the local network has Internet access.

 

[BillHon]

Thank you all again.
-This’s happened 3 times in the last month.
-Everything on the network disconnects to the internet each time.
-Each time it happens, I shut off and unplug the modem/router and replace the cables and connections and it works for several days.
-I want to be able to diagnose if the issue is the modem/router or something before it before I purchase a new modem/router. That’s what’s motivating my question about the appearance of an active Wi-Fi icon on all my devices, but no internet connection. Even the Wi-Fi thermostat loses connection.
-There is no other Wi-Fi nearby to affect this issue.
-When the disconnect occurs, the World Wide Web icon on the modem/router goes black. I’m just not sure if that’s the modem/router or not.

 

[MacInWin]

Unfortunately, you probably cannot diagnose the issue by yourself. The active WiFi means that your device is connecting to the router over WiFi successfully. Lack of internet could be an issue on the modem side, or with the ISP itself, or in the interface/cable between the modem and router. Even the fact that you do what you do and it works for a few days is not good enough to determine where the issue really lies. What you can do is to contact your ISP to have them check out the lines to your home to verify that that link works. If they say the signal strength and reliability are up to par, then the next most likely candidate is the modem/router. Is that one device? Did your ISP provide it or did you buy it directly?

 

[pm-r]

When the disconnect occurs, the World Wide Web icon on the modem/router goes black. I’m just not sure if that’s the modem/router or not.

I don't know if it would help answer your questions, but I wonder if running the Mac's built-in Network preference pane Diagnostics option.

All I can suggest is try giving it a try and hopefully maybe it might tell you something useful.

Have you called your ISP regarding the problem and see if they have any answers or a solution for you? I'd give that a try as well, maybe they might even loan you or give you a new wireless router to try at no charge.



- Patrick
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