Bring back the Wi-Fi icon in your Mac's menu bar

Why it happens

Each icon at the right end of the menu bar has its own switch, and Wi-Fi can get turned off there by accident or after an update. On a MacBook with a notch, too many icons can also push Wi-Fi out of sight. Your Wi-Fi itself keeps working, you just can't see the icon.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings and click Menu Bar in the sidebar.

2. Scroll to Menu Bar Controls and turn on Wi-Fi.

   Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls›Wi-Fi

3. Look at the top-right of your screen. The Wi-Fi icon appears among the other controls, and you can hold Command and drag it to a new spot.

4. You can also reach Wi-Fi any time from Control Center, the icon with two switches near the clock.

Still not fixed?

1. On a MacBook with a notch, turn off menu bar items you don't need under Menu Bar Controls, so Wi-Fi has room to show.

   Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls

2. Switch is on but the icon still isn't there? The menu bar may be stuck. Log out and back in, or restart your Mac.

3. Install any waiting update in General > Software Update. Menu bar glitches are often fixed in updates.

   General›Software Update

4. If Wi-Fi is missing from System Settings too, or says No hardware installed after a restart, contact Apple Support or a repair shop. The Wi-Fi hardware may need checking.