Help White wi-fi bars??

[witty18]

Hey everyone,

I have the Droid Razr M and sometimes, like when I'm at school, the wi-fi bars are white and internet is not working. I am connected with a perfect connection but the internet is still not working. Usually the bars are blue but for some reason they are white. please explain why???

Thanks!

 

[gtbarry]

Blue means you are connected to Google services. White or grey'd out means you are connected to the Internet but are currently not syncing with Google services.

Any wifi bars means you should be connecting to the Internet. The school is likely employing a firewall.

To test, try to ping a server such as "www.google.com"

 

[witty18]

This will sound stupid but what does it mean "connected to Google services?" What makes that different than not being connected?

 

[jhawkkw]

This will sound stupid but what does it mean "connected to Google services?" What makes that different than not being connected?

It means that you're able to connect to Google's servers for stuff like the checking for updates, syncing services like music, play store, videos, books, contacts, gmail, etc.

 

[witty18]

It means that you're able to connect to Google's servers for stuff like the checking for updates, syncing services like music, play store, videos, books, contacts, gmail, etc.

So if I'm not connected to their servers, what can I do on my phone??

 

[jhawkkw]

So if I'm not connected to their servers, what can I do on my phone??

Assuming you're still assigned an ip address, and there's no firewall blocking you, you should still have full internet access. So you can use you're mobile browser or use a non Google app (like tapatalk) to use the internet.

 

[witty18]

Assuming you're still assigned an ip address, and there's no firewall blocking you, you should still have full internet access. So you can use you're mobile browser or use a non Google app (like tapatalk) to use the internet.

Well that would totally make sense then because I only use Chrome when I'm at school. Thanks!!!

 

[LilBit]

Moved so more people can share the knowledge. Problem has been fixed.:thumb:

 

[bigbadwulff]

I always thought white bars meant you there was a signal but you weren't "connected" to the router. I don't know what this "google services" thing is all about.

 

[stepbill]

And I always thought that the blue bars meant that you were using your data plan and the white bars meant that you were using a Wi-Fi access point such as your home router or a public spot like Starbucks or Panera Bread and were not using your data plan.

 

[jhawkkw]

It's a common thinking that white bars means you have no internet because generally having white wifi bars means that there's a connection problem because in most situations, you should be able to connect to Google's servers. Only in the instances where they're being blocked, or their down do they appear white while still having general internet.

 

[smankins]

White means you are connected to the Wi-Fi network but not the internet. Blue means you are also connected to the internet. I think trying to connect to a Google service is how it determines you have internet access.

 

[artaxerxes]

Technically, if you have Wi-Fi bars (i.e. you are connected to a Wi-Fi network), it really means that you are connected to an AP. APs may or may not be connected to the Internet (intentionally or unintentionally).

This may not be entirely accurate, but it might help:
Wireless access point - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For me, as flawed as it may seem, seeing white bars can actually be useful. Yes I know that it's really all about Google Services. But in my case, it helps me (but not the only tool I use) diagnose internal and external network issues. For example, if my ISP goes to lunch. My ISP has a habit of doing that every once and awhile. If that's the case, I either wait, or call them up and scream at them. Internally, I can diagnose and fix issues with my APs and, in general, the network.

It's a quick, simple, look at my phone test. I'll check with my computer to confirm if necessary. And the other way around, if my computer is having an issue, I'll check my phone. It also helps that my computer is on a separate AP than my phone.

It works.

 

[zincfinger]

Hi
I've read all the above but I still can't get anything internet related to work. Not youtube, bbc iplayer, audible or my device brouser. They all say that there is no connection despite my wi fi settings saying I'm connected but with white bars.
Any solutions anyone?

 

[davidchsw]

I had parent teacher thing at my kids high school. I noticed my wifi bars were white. I couldn't get to Facebook, but could see Google+. I noticed some apps auto updated while I was there.
Yes it was so interesting I was playing with my phone.

 

[RicardoB]

Hi
I've read all the above but I still can't get anything internet related to work. Not youtube, bbc iplayer, audible or my device brouser. They all say that there is no connection despite my wi fi settings saying I'm connected but with white bars.
Any solutions anyone?

Hi All

this is an interesting thread, as is a problems I've experienced. Can I put my own two-penneth in for a solution?

I had the white bars, no internet connection issue, but could send/receive texts and make/receive calls. My APN settings were all correct. I found what I think might be the answer.

On the ZTE home screen, bring down the hidden menu. Do this by dragging down the black bar at the top of the home screen where the clock and connection icons are.

Across the top of this new screen you should see several buttons including Wifi. If it is greyed out, press it once, it turns on and then you should find that your white bars then turn green (in my case) or maybe blue.

Your internet connection is now, hopefully, restored (as long as everything else is as it should be )

Hope this all make sense (not an Android expert here)
Richie.

 

[bigbadwulff]

Connected to my Go Pro camera: white bars and therefore no internet.

Blue: internet(and whatever else)