Windows 8.1: WiFi dropping and/or "Limited"

There are now >192K views to this post. This is a serious problem that needs one of the vendors, preferably MSFT, to take the lead on fixing this. I have the same issue on my Dell XPS, not only with the Intel NIC driver, but also with a brand new Netgear USB WIFI adapter. It does not seem probable that both Intel, who has not provided a fix for my driver, or Netgear, who has no suggestions at this time, have both incorrectly written driver code. As an MSDN developer, I have tried all posted and known fixes, short of writing my own driver. I feel for those of you with this problem. It is annoying to me, but as I have several laptops and tablets, I can deal with it.

FINALLY found a solution to this! !!!

The many replies on this thread included a solution to revise the power settings so the laptop didn’t save power when plugged in. Many found relief here. Didn’t help,

But there was ANOTHER setting, only accessible by going into devices and selecting the network adapter. Within that menu, I found a box to uncheck that said the computer could save power and shut down the wifi periodically. GOOD GRIEF! That explained why it would go out after a revved-up whirring sound in the laptop.

Thank you for all your suggestions. If any of you are still having issues, try unchecking the setting for the network adapter that allows the computer to shut the wifi down.

I was about to give up on the computer and Windows and head into the Mac world.

Diana K.

If that were true you would see millions of people not being able to connect and it would be headline news. Could be a bad driver or the radio signal.

Try these, if they don't work start a new thread to get the issue fixed. http://www.vindamedia.com/windows/help/troubleshooting-your-network

It is most likely an 8.1 issue.  My laptop with Windows 7 connects via wifi with no disruptions.  My desktop after the recent upgrade from 8.0 to 8.1 is now disconnecting from the network once or twice a day.  My hardware is NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller.

Tutorial on issues regarding the wi fi connectivity in Windows 8.1 and Windows 8

Option one:

1. Press and hold the buttons “Windows” and “R”.
2. Type in the box that pops up the word in quotes: “devmgmt.msc”.
3. Under the topic “Bluetooth” you will need to disable everything you have there.
4. Under the topic “Network Adapter” you will have to disable all the entries except the one for the Wireless adapter you have.
5. Reboot the Windows 8.1 PC or laptop.
6. See if you have a stable wi fi connection after the restart.

Option two:

You will have to look on the manufacturer’s website and see if you have any wifi drivers available and are compatible with your Windows 8.1. After the Windows 8.1 was released most of the manufacturers released the drivers necessary to run your devices in Windows 8.1.

Install the driver if you found it on the website and reboot the Windows 8 PC. After you reboot check if it still disconnects frequently.

Option three:

If the above options did not work we are going to uninstall the current driver you have in Windows 8.1 for the wifi adapter and let Windows 8.1 install it automatically after a reboot.

1. Press and hold the buttons “Windows” and “R”
2. Type in the box that appeared in the new window “devmgmt.msc”
3. Click(left click) on “Network adapters”
4. On all the wi fi adapters you have there you need to click(right click) on them and select the “Uninstall” feature.
5. Reboot the Windows 8.1 PC or laptop.
6. After the reboot the installation of the wi fi drivers will begin automatically.
7. Check and see if your wi fi still disconnects after you rebooted.

Option four:

Do this only if the above options did not work for you.

1. Press and hold the buttons “Windows” and “R”.
2. Type in the box you are presented in the new window “Control Panel”
3. Click(left click) on “Power options” situated in the Control panel window.
4. Click(left click) on “Change Plan Settings”.
5. Click(left click) on “Change Advanced Power Settings”
6. Click(left click) on “Wireless Adapter Settings”
7. Click(left click) on “Power Saving Mode”
8. You have there a feature that says “Plugged in”, you will have to change this to “Maximum Performance” feature.
9. Reboot the Windows 8.1 PC and check if the wi fi works now.

Option five:

1. Press and hold the buttons “Windows” and “R”.
2. Type in the box that appeared “ncpa.cpl”
3. You will have to click(right click) on the wi fi connection you have there and select “Properties”
4. Click(left click) on “Configure”
5. In the upper side of the new window you will have to click(left click) on the “Power Management” tab.
6. From the “Power Management” tab you will need to uncheck the feature that says “Allow this computer to turn off this device to save power”
7. Click(left click) on “OK”
8. Reboot the Windows 8.1 PC and check your wi fi connection now