Network icon shows question mark in Ubuntu 18.04

Updated: 28 September 2026 · Applies to: Ubuntu 24.04 desktop (GNOME)

Ubuntu 18.04 is end of life; this applies to Ubuntu 24.04 too. A question mark on the network icon means NetworkManager's connectivity check failed: it could not reach Ubuntu's test address, so it assumes there is no full internet access (for example behind a login portal or a strict firewall).

If the internet works

Turn the check off: open Settings › Privacy & Security (or Privacy) and switch off Connectivity Checking. The question mark disappears.

If the internet does not work

• Open a web page: a hotel or office network may need you to log in first.
• Check DNS: resolvectl status and ping -c3 1.1.1.1 versus ping -c3 ubuntu.com.
• Restart networking: sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager.

Turn it off for all users

Create /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/99-connectivity.conf with the two lines [connectivity] and enabled=false, then run sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager. Remove the file to switch the check back on.