Windows 8.1: WiFi dropping and/or "Limited"

Could be the hotels internet has an issue with IPv6. Go in to network and sharing > adapter settings > open the adapter properties and disable ipv6. WIndows does a check for ipV6 first with it works it uses it. However some networks aren't setup write and the begin to fail.

Also, try Windows key + x > command prompt admin > ipconfig /flushdns

If that doesn't work use the other items in the link I posted above

Using an Ethernet cable straight to the router doesn't work, either?

I would use these http://www.vindamedia.com/windows/help/troubleshooting-your-network

Try using the dism /online /cleanup-image /restore-health /limit-access in there.

Try to boot in safe mode with networking and see if you can connect to the router by opening a command prompt and type ipconfig to see if you get any adapters. If you do then get the default gateway and use that ip to ping the router using ping TYPE_ROUTER_IP_HERE

If you get a list of adapters that aren't connected you will need to download the drivers for the wireless and Ethernet to a usb drive or other media and uninstall the network driver then install the fresh copy of the driver. If there aren't any adapters then it could be virus software so remove third party software and windows defender will kick in. You can update it manually using a usb and run a scan

I see many people are still struggling with this issue so I have re posted what worked for me below in case people do not have time to trawl through the whole thread..  Since I used this I have had only two limited drops and both were solved by un connecting and re connecting to the network.  No unplugging of wi fi adapter as what was previously needed every 15 minutes after installing Windows 8.1.  It's bee a couple of months as well so this obviously worked for me.

I have decided to join this discussion as it was my first port of call when I experienced this issue which started last weekend after upgrading to Windows 8.1.  My network adapter is a Netgear N300 (WNA3100).

I tried every single option on the net practically plus advice from someone on the Microsoft forums but whilst a lot of ideas worked to start with within a couple of hours maximum the issue would return. 

The only thing that reconnected would be to unplug the adapter from itself then reconnect but this of course isn't a fix rather than an annoying reset.

Then I came across this site http://pureinfotech.com/2013/09/16/how-to-fix-wireless-limited-connectivity-windows-81/

I tried the first options but again only a temporary fix.  However I then tried the bottom option which is :

Update: If after trying all of the above solutions, you still having Limited Connectivity problems, changing the following network settings could also help.

Note: Apparently the following changes works best for Surface RT devices. However, you can try this solution on any Windows 8.1 PC, including Surface Pro.

This appears to have resolve the issue with my Lenovo x240 running Windows 8.1 and using Iphone5 and IPad4 personal hotspots, thanks for sharing it.   Oddly, the issue would NOT normally appear when using my usual household access points.

An explanation as to WHY this worked would be wonderful!  Thx!

1 Open the Command Prompt as administrator (refer to previous steps).

2 Next, type the following commands (one at a time) press Enter and OK on each one:

netsh int tcp set heuristics disabled

netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled

netsh int tcp set global rss=enabled

Then use the following command to verify all the previous settings are disabled:

netsh int tcp show global

3 Restart your device and see try to connect to your network.

I've tried all the suggestions. Nothing works. Everything else I own connects ok, it is only some hotels my W8.1 won't connect to, not all. Other people seem to have the same issue with W8.1, I am not the only one.

That isn't a 8.1 issue its a conflict with third party software. The setting that fixed your computer has been around for a while and it was put there by the Windows team to give the user the ability to override the network vendor or PC vendors power saving drivers. What happens is Windows sends out a message when the PC is going to lower its power state. Then each piece of software reacts by saving and sleeping, telling it that they can't sleep they need to stay open or whatever is appropriate.

Then, when the power state is raised and the network card is needed it sends out another message telling it to wake up. However, Windows' team soon realized that third party vendors weren't correctly writing software and as a result the network card would not wake up. So they added a little setting to make it so windows will never allow a driver to tell the NIC to sleep.

If that solves the issue then you have a bigger one. It is probably a third party software conflict such as your virus software, leftover bits from and old virus software, or a built-in network enhancement from the PC bloatware that is effecting the network driver. Since that issue is really old and the driver worked in 8 the driver vendor for the NIC probably didn't mess-up in 8.1.

I would look and see if you can boot into clean boot with that setting on to check if you get the same issue. If it works with that setting back on you need to remove the effecting software because it will just cause issues later on and it is probably slowing down your network speed.

Any time you have an issue remember that if you boot in clean boot it is not a windows service and likely third party software or hardware. If you boot into safe mode and it works it is definitely not hardware and it is definitely third party software/drivers. Here are some generic fix-alls and there are some more specifc ones in the windows help list in the top nav http://www.vindamedia.com/windows/help/windows-8-general-errors Clean boot and safe mode instructions are there too

When you upgrade to 8.1 it isn't just the OS that is upgraded. All of the drivers and software on your computer upgrades to their newest version. IF you have an issue after an upgrade you can go into the software and drivers and tell them to use a version from 8 by using compatibility mode.

Apple has the same issues https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1022195?start=0&tstart=0 http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1765493 so buying a Mac just means the same issues and a lot more. I have known a few businesses that bought into the Macs just work ad campaign and I have seen the result. Their work production in video editing fell by 30% because the new Macs kept crashing and were slower in computing the complex calculations of 3D graphics and video editing compared to the lower spec 3 year old HPs they had been using

so... Well I wrote last time.

Hardware adapter, it must be proven good brand.

Drivers must be compatible, ex. INTEL.