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
    2014-01-21T22:41:00+00:00

    If you guys try going to Control Panel, Network and Internet, Network Connections, right click wifi, click properties, then click configure, click on the power management tab, and uncheck the box that says, allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-21T20:40:44+00:00

    Very dissatisfied with this response. All other device connected to my router working fine (before, during and after upgrade) MS Laptop restarts and bang it can't connect to wi-fi. I have not purchased a MS product since the Vista and quite frankly I should of learnt my lesson.

    Can you please post a slightly less insulting and disrespectful response with maybe some help rather then blaming the Customer.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-21T12:26:20+00:00

    Thanks a lot!!!  That worked like a beauty!!!   Saved my day!  

    I would normally go into the router menu and restart the Huawei E5776 that I am using. And it takes a few clicks - but it would get me back online. But this was great. Just click on a .bat file on my desktop!!  Thanks a lot!!  I will be in a better mood every day now!

    Just to the ones that are not too familiar with this:   Instead of 'myWifi' you write the name of your wifi unit. So my default one is displayed on the Network Connections on your PC and in my case I use

    netsh wlan disconnect

    netsh wlan connect name="BTHOTSPOT-2FA7 2 3 4"

    Again thanks a lot for a very useful workaround.

    Tip: If you are to use you internet bank or fill in other forms - just click on the .bat file and you have maximum time to complete your work.  If you are on Skype - don't worry - if you start when your lines are open then it works even if your connection goes down.

    May I also mention that my system has been 10 min on, 6 min off, 10  min on, 6 min off and it just continues like that.  Now that I did this suggested method it has been up and running about an hour without hickups!!!   Great!

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-21T11:53:46+00:00

    Same issue here, wi-fi not working or with limited connection. This problem like everyone else that posted, didn't start until I "down" graded from win7 to 8/8.1. The issue first appeared in Windows 8, it was fixed by downloading an updated driver for my NIC, now in 8.1, the same problem?

    How about this Microsoft, instead of adding all your bloatware no one actually uses, how about you write your application to use a set of common hardware architectures ie.. Intel, Broadcom, 3com, and Realtek, then leave it the **** alone! I mean sheesh! I sell this stuff to organizations on a daily basis, and unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of telling the customers to reboot their systems or check their router settings when the issue is isolated to only the Windows 88.1 laptops...

    I think I will upgrade my system back to win7, I'm done with the whole metro interface anyway... Where's my start menu button....

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-01-21T11:43:47+00:00

    Not a fix but a workaround.

    Create a new text file and rename the extension to .bat or .cmd. For example, filename.txt to filename**.cmd** or filename**.bat**

    Open the file in Notepad and copy the syntax below. Where name="enter your Wifi network name"

    netsh wlan disconnect

    netsh wlan connect name="myWifi"

    Save it to your desktop or if it is in another folder create a shortcut to it. Double-click anytime you have this issue to reconnect quickly.

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