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

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-03-31T17:48:32+00:00

    Sadly you are assuming that they actually give-a-dam, I suspect that you could return 100 surface pros and they would not be bothered.

    Best of luck, I'd like a fix too so I will join you and hope they listen... I also buy a lottery ticket I wonder which is the better odds?

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-31T15:56:01+00:00

    come on Microsoft quit ignoring and blowing off ur customers this is a problem created by Microsoft and needs quick fixing by Microsoft. If it doesn't get fixed my surface pro 2 is still under warranty and I will return it.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-30T03:32:27+00:00

    I have used and developed for every version of Windows since 16-bit Windows 3.1, and Windows 8.1 is the first time I have seen what appears to be a networking instability problem caused by Windows (granted, Win3.1 did not have a networking stack  ;)  ).

    Have you tried setting your Wi-fi adapter to 802.11b/g only and turning off 802.11n? 

    That is the only workaround that has allowed me to have a stable Wi-fi connection on Windows 8.1.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-03-29T20:21:24+00:00

    This response is absolute rubbish.  I bought my router brand new about 3 weeks ago (D-Link DIR-810L).  Other laptops in the house (one with Vista, one with XP, one with 7.1) and my WD media player (which all 3 use wifi), and a Sipura VOIP box (wired) have absolutely no issues with this new router.  Although I'm new to Windows 8.1, I'm not a newbie when it comes to computers, networking, and programming.  I've done enough troubleshooting in my lifetime (for work and for fun) to recognize when someone is grasping at straws for an explanation.  Keep grasping because this one didn't get it.  A lot of people are having this issue and claiming hardware issues doesn't cut it.

    So far the best way that I've been able to handle it (I only got this computer 2 days ago and haven't had much time to play with it since I work for a living and have a life outside of work), is by going into the network settings, disconnecting, and then reconnecting to the network.  Do NOT waste time rebooting the router because you'll spend all your free time waiting for the router to reboot because you have to reboot it every 10 minutes or so. 

    I've gone into the power management settings for it and unchecked the box that lets the system put it to sleep, but that didn't work either. I looked around for a setting that might have a maximum connection time but have been unable to find it.  I will keep my eye out for such a setting while I try to figure this out.  There's an issue with the operating system/driver somewhere since this seems to span across all network adapters (I've done my research).

    Instead of fluffing people off, Microsoft needs to acknowledge that there's an issue here and figure out a way to fix it.  I have another 12 days to return my laptop.  If I can't figure this out in that time, this laptop is going back and don't expect me to be very happy with MS if that happens.  Then again, if MS is up in an ivory tower, it probably won't care...

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-03-29T07:54:34+00:00

    Well, I tried an Avast scan, then a MalwareBytes one, nothing found.

    Always looking for the easiest options, I right clicked on the wi-fi icon down on bottom right, then clicked on diagnose problems.

    That pulled up 4 issues to do with connectivity. Didn't understand any as I'm defo' not very 'tekky'. Anyway it searched for repairs and supposedly 'fixed' them. Last night and 'so far' this morning it has not dropped out........ Early days obviously.......finger crossed!

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