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

744 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-12-04T18:59:08+00:00

    Its just taken me an age to re-establish connection.

    As an experiment I didn't shut my laptop down I just closed the lid, I then after about an hour opened the lid, this is when it failed to connect.

    It seems to be better if I fully close down Windows.

    I have set the power management to unchecked so that it doesn't let the adapter sleep, but I've a feeling it is being turned off when the lid is closed.

    I find it amazing that Microsoft Community MODS on this forum are not making any comments or suggestions!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-12-04T17:42:04+00:00

    being transferred to another dept after 25 minutes of hold.  Surprised?  Me either.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-04T17:39:33+00:00

    Same issue, ended up manually updating the driver.  Now i can connect but at speeds of less than 1 meg on a 16 meg connection.  Arrg!!  I have been fighting this for a week, i have called Microsoft support and been disconnected 3 times.  

    I checked Lenovo's site and they do not have my laptop listed as a supported Windows 8.1 device.  Great, maybe that's a thought for next time, but seeing as going back to 8 is an ugly mess that may not be able to occur what do I do now?  On hold with MS again, will let you know how it turns out.

    When the issue first showed it was failure to connect to DNS server, and a limited connection indicator with no internet access.  I could connect to other networks no problem, it was just all my existing connections that were in place before i upgraded.  Also great, thanks for that.  After installing the latest Broadcom Driver manually as Windows refused to use it I get connected and get through DNS, but again, what's the point at 0.3 to 1meg of speed.

    And yes, all my other devices still work at full speed.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2013-12-04T15:44:24+00:00

    My WMM (wireless multimedia) was already disabled and still drops out, I've got the old driver back now and seems more stable, not perfect yet but good enough to wait for either Microsoft or Intel to pull their fingers out and sort the problem with a proper driver update for Windows 8.1

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2013-12-04T13:58:23+00:00

    don't speak too soon... i had nearly a week trouble free after this but the same problem has now returned.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments