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Mac OS X Snow Leopard: Why does my wifi icon have an exclamation mark?

Just upgraded to Mac OS X Snow Leopard and am a bit baffled: the icon on the top menu bar for airport wifi service now has an exclamation mark through it. What does that mean?

Dave's Answer:

Congrats on upgrading to the new, tweaked / cleaned up version of Mac OS X 10.5, aka 10.6, aka Snow Leopard, etc etc. I just updated my MacBook Pro and plan on a series of articles here in AskDaveTaylor that focus on some of the changes and updates, particularly focused on fixing and improving things.

What you're talking about with Snow Leopard reflects that Apple has taken the bold move and now has the wifi icon conveying information by state, rather than just showing whether you're connected or not.

For example, you're familiar with the standard display. Connect to a wireless base station and you'll see:

What you're seeing, however, is this:

As you can see, the menu gives you the clue: Alert: No Internet Connection.

So that's what it's telling you: you've lost your Internet connection.

Hope that's helpful and as you come up to speed on Snow Leopard (and as I do to), please come back and check out my Snow Leopard help.

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Categorized: Mac OS X Help (Article 9068)
Tagged: apple airport, mac os x, snow leopard, wifi
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Comments

Hi, I have the same issue with the exclamation mark on the wireless icon on snow leopard however I did notice the alert no internet connection once you click on the wireless icon.

The strange thing is that I am still able to use the internet and it does not have the exclamation mark at home, only in my University campus. As I say the internet is working but the exclamation mark remains. My university has no idea and have confirmed that is is only with snow leopard macbooks. This did not appear on the icon until I upgraded to snow leopard.

Any ideas? Thanks!

Posted by: Eric O'Mahony at October 14, 2009 7:55 AM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!