Windows 8.1: WiFi dropping and/or "Limited"

Anonymous
2013-10-20T17:01:27+00:00

Since installing 8.1 Pro, I'm having issues with WiFi dropping internet connectivity and always showing "Limited" when clicking on the system tray icon.  When I troubleshoot the problem using the system tool it is always the gateway that is faulty.  I have uninstalled/reinstalled the device drivers several times, installed the newest drivers directly from Intel, restarted the computer, etc.  I can restore connectivity by turning WiFi off then back on, but the connection will drop at what seems to be random intervals.  My applicable system specs are as follows;

Lenovo Y510P  Laptop

Windows 8.1 Pro

Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230

Apple Time Capsule router w/newest firmware

Needless to say this is quite an irritating bug that didn't exist prior to the update to 8.1  I hope this can be resolved quickly. Thanks!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

744 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2015-03-13T20:42:15+00:00

    "...At that time I will open a new Question thread... as long as the connection remains 'stable' I see no reason to 'fix' what ain't broken.... YKWIM?"

    Did you do it:

    CMD Admin

    pnputil.exe -e

    look wifi card OEM#

    pnputil.exe -d Oem#.inf

    After download Only oryginal driver (wifi card) (not aplication) 

    and instal manual in device manager.

    If want or not sure, can delete all Oem#.inf

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-03-13T20:27:21+00:00

    I didn't see an open question asked by you. It is better to open a new thread.

    If you can connect but it then drops and a manually disconnect and reconnect solves the issue do this

    press windows key + X > device manager > expand network adapters > double click the wireless one > power management tab > uncheck allow windows to turn off this device to save power.

    This will prevent windows from sending out notice it can sleep.

    Next press windows key + x > command prompt > type these commands and press enter after each one

    ipconfig /flushdns

    ipconfig /release

    ipconfig /renew

    if you get a message that there is no adapter or something similar let me know. When you get a chance to open a new question post this info in the question. To copy the info right click the command prompt and choose select all then press enter. This will copy the output of the command prompt

     I would need the output from these two commands

    ipconfig /all

    and

    netsh wlan show networks mode=BSSID

    I've already applied the 'power management' fix you suggested above.....

    Last night I tried a 'fix' that another user on this Forum suggested and so far I've had no connectivity ILimited connectivity or drops) issues whatsoever... I uninstalled Chrome and re-installed it, but DID NOT sign in to Chrome.... so far, so good. 

    The next time I lose connectivity, I will run the ipconfig and netsh commands that you suggested above and import the command results for you to evaluate. At that time I will open a new Question thread... as long as the connection remains 'stable' I see no reason to 'fix' what ain't broken.... YKWIM? 

    So far, this particular 'thread' on this Subject has been the most useful for me.... so, that's saying alot..... :)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-03-13T19:55:52+00:00

    CMD Admin

    pnputil.exe -e

    look wifi card OEM#

    pnputil.exe -d Oem#.inf

    Alternative:

    CMD Admin

    driverquery.exe 

    /?

    After download Only oryginal driver (wifi card)

    and instal manualu in device manager

    If it not working, it is hardware or BIOS power managment problem.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-03-13T19:48:51+00:00

    I didn't see an open question asked by you. It is better to open a new thread.

    If you can connect but it then drops and a manually disconnect and reconnect solves the issue do this

    press windows key + X > device manager > expand network adapters > double click the wireless one > power management tab > uncheck allow windows to turn off this device to save power.

    This will prevent windows from sending out notice it can sleep.

    Next press windows key + x > command prompt > type these commands and press enter after each one

    ipconfig /flushdns

    ipconfig /release

    ipconfig /renew

    if you get a message that there is no adapter or something similar let me know. When you get a chance to open a new question post this info in the question. To copy the info right click the command prompt and choose select all then press enter. This will copy the output of the command prompt

     I would need the output from these two commands

    ipconfig /all

    and

    netsh wlan show networks mode=BSSID

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2015-03-13T19:38:32+00:00

    You are referring to an API used by third party driver makers https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms706593(v=vs.85).aspx which was replaced by https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms706275(v=vs.85).aspx is for devolopers as part of WDF.

    You have hit the head on the nail. Windows provides the tools for the vendors to make a driver that works with Windows. How ever, like many programs there are bugs and programmers don't always get it right the first time.

    This is what my point is. Windows doesn't program these drivers the third party companies do. They are responsible for making, supporting and providing updates to the driver. That is why telling Microsoft to fix it will never work. They can't fix what they don't make. Telling the PC vendor they have a broken WNIC and not accepting its Windows fault will force them to get these issue fixed.

    Often their stuff works but the router has old firmware that doesn't support certain security or handles security in a way that causes the wireless connection to break. By telling the correct person you start a chain or communication that can get the issue fixed.

    Most of these issues were fixed already but since people don't always get an update to a router or other hardware a small amount of people will continue to get issues. Here is an example of an issue that was cause as a result of Windows 8 causing an issue. It was an issue that was always present but due to upgrades in security it wasn't caught until 8 was released http://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2749073

    This is what I am trying to convey so these issue are fixed. The way it works is Windows makes the OS. The vendor must provide support for windows and their PC for a year. In this year they can contact all of their hardware vendors and Microsoft to discover the issues and repair the issue.

    In a perfect world Microsoft could collect information from your computer and send the data collection to the vendors and force them to fix the issue. However due to privacy laws and other factors they can't collect data in this matter and send it off.

    Good luck I will look for your question and be happy to help you

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments