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
    2014-07-23T03:23:39+00:00

    Thanks for the info. It will help to diagnose connection problems. I don't know if it can automatically change bands, interesting if it does since there is rarely an advantage to do so since when something interferes with a band it usually wipes out all of them. Maybe since it has a 5ghz band there is more advantage.

    But I think you hit on an obvious oversight in America routers usually only have 2.4 GHz band range while in other places they use a wider range. New routers are using more bands and there may be something the wireless cards are having and issue with.

    Thanks for adding you solution I will have to investigate if it is the router or the wireless adapters that cause this

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-07-22T14:24:47+00:00

    Full disclosure - I am not super technical. BUT - this was happening to me, and we found the solution. I have a Windows 8.1 Lenovo X1 Carbon for work - and it works really well in the office (and at Google powered Starbucks), but will not work at all at home. At home, I have at least 10 APPLE devices that all stay connected to my Apple time capsule without issue. Windows 8.1 - not at all. Well, it works for 20 minutes and drops. And when on VPN, forget it. I heard from a networking person who spoke to my husband that the problem is: Apple routers are programmed to change channel automatically when they see a lot of traffic on the system - and Apple devices know this - and know to follow the protocol. Windows devices do not do this and use a different protocol. Solution - change the channel to a consistent channel - and don't let it automatically change. Tah-dah! Works like a charm. Here's how. http://www.imore.com/getting-slow-speeds-or-dropped-connections-your-airport-extreme-or-airport-express-heres-how-fix-it

    Hope this helps!

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-07-22T05:22:38+00:00

    Start a new thread and post a link here I will help you get back online

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-07-22T04:22:43+00:00

    Upgraded to 8.1 last week, it just won't stop dropping wifi

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-07-20T17:52:30+00:00

    Sorry to agree with you "no 8.1 vehicle in the garage" . 2 years of the significant problem, hundreds of words and pseudo-solutions but zero value reaction from Microsoft. Vaclav.

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