Click on the WiFi network menu, regardless of the OS.
See 15 or 20 different open, unlocked wifi networks that I can connect to.
Pick the first, the wifi symbol pulses, and … no connection.
Pick the second, the wifi symbol pulses, and … no connection.
Pick the third, the wifi symbol pulses, and … nope.
When will it connect? On my Mac and Windows laptops, only if there’s four full bars. They won’t even bother working with weaker signals. However, smart TVs at home have no problem with less-than-perfect wifi.
So, what’s the point of showing all these wifi networks that are too weak to connect to? Or, alternatively, why do laptop computers turn up their noses at weak wifi, when other “Intetnet of things” products have no issues working with a one bar signal?
The problem with unlocked wifi these days is it often isn’t really connected anywhere. No idea why people set these up but I know what you mean. If it isn’t Xfinity wifi (requires credentials) or Starbucks wifi or airport wifi (soft sign in page) it generally offers no internet connectivity.
“One bar” is not an objective indication of signal quality. Different devices and systems indicate signal strength in widely varying ways. As for why weak networks show up in a WiFi list, when scanning for networks the adapter listens for the beacon frames that are broadcast by access points. The computer and adapter can’t know in advance whether the signal from a particular access point is too weak to use until it is actually tried.
The problem can also be that your device can pick up a reasonable signal level, but you are too far or or there is too much noise for the router/access point to pick up your transmission. As a result, your request to associate isn’t heard.
Adding to the above, when there are many connections there are many signals, thus interference. You may need more than ‘one bar’ in a congested wifi area so your signal is not ‘stepped on’ (by other more powerful signals).
I wondered about that too. I’ve seen signals for printers and whatnot, but the majority of open “NETGEAR”, “linksys”, and “dlink” networks I’ve come across have no Internet connection on the other side.
Independent coffeehouses and diners in small towns seem to be some of the worst offenders when it comes to useless wifi with no Internet connectivity, for some reason.