How To Fix MacOS Sonoma Menu Bar Not Dark

When you’re using macOS Sonoma and the menu bar isn’t displaying in dark mode as expected, there are a few steps you can take to resolve the issue.

In this article, we will be discussing all the fixes that will help you to fix the issue of macOS Sonoma Menu Bar not dark without any hassle.

How To Fix MacOS Sonoma Menu Bar Not Dark?

To fix macOS Sonoma Menu Bar not dark, you can check the system settings, adjust wallpaper settings and reduce transparency. Additionally, you can also restart Mac in safe mode to fix the issue.

1. Check Your System Settings

The first step is to ensure that dark mode is activated on your Mac:

1. Go to Apple > System Settings > Appearance.

1. Select the Dark option. If you prefer, you can choose Auto, which will switch between light and dark depending on the time of day.

This should change your menu bar to dark mode. However, if the menu bar still isn’t dark, proceed with the following troubleshooting steps.

2. Adjust Wallpaper Settings

Sometimes, the menu bar color can be affected by the desktop wallpaper you’re using, especially if it has a light top portion that can make the menu bar look less dark.

1. Change your wallpaper to one with a darker top portion. This can help if the issue is related to the transparency effects used by macOS.
2. Navigate to Apple > System Settings > Wallpaper and choose a wallpaper with a dark top area or a solid black color.

3. Reduce Transparency

Transparency effects in macOS can also affect the appearance of the menu bar. To make the menu bar darker, you might need to reduce transparency:

1. Go to Accessibility > Display and click on Reduce Transparency.
2. This will reduce the transparency effects and can result in a darker appearance for the menu bar.

4. Restart In Safe Mode

If the issue persists, try restarting your Mac in Safe Mode to see if the problem is caused by any software conflicts:

1. Restart your Mac and hold down the Shift key.
2. Release the Shift key when you see the login window.
3. Log in, and you may need to log in again if prompted.

Safe Mode can help resolve issues by preventing some software from automatically loading or opening.

5. Reset NVRAM Or PRAM

Sometimes, resetting the NVRAM (nonvolatile random-access memory) or PRAM (Parameter RAM) can resolve display-related issues:

1. Shut down your Mac.

1. Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the Option, Command, P, and R keys together.
2. Release the keys after about 20 seconds. This process will reset the NVRAM/PRAM.

6. Reinstall MacOS

As a last resort, if none of the above steps work and you’re still experiencing issues with the menu bar not appearing dark in macOS Sonoma, you might need to consider reinstalling macOS:

1. Backup your data using Time Machine or another backup method.

1. Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold Command + R to boot into Recovery Mode.
2. Choose “Reinstall macOS” from the utilities window and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall macOS.

7. Contact Apple Support

If none of these steps resolve the issue, it may be a more complex problem with macOS Sonoma itself. In this case, it’s best to reach out to Apple Support for further assistance:

1. Visit the official Apple Support website.
2. Choose the option to get support for your Mac.
3. You can start a chat session, schedule a phone call, or find an Apple Store or authorized service provider nearby.