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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  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-16T11:26:25+00:00

    I've had this problem for around 5 months but my connectivity now seems to be OK. I have followed all advice pointed to from her, that seemed worth trying, but the problem persisted all along the way. OR - until it suddenly disappeared, a week or two ago. Without no specific action from my side  for many weeks - other than that I successfully logged onto another wifi network. After that, my wifi has been remarkably stable. So, I have no idea why the problem disappeared, but it seems OK now.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-16T10:01:22+00:00

    I'm having the same problem with Nokia (now owned by Microsoft) Lumia 2520 tablet (brand new) running Windows RT 8.1.   after tablet power up or reset, WiFi adapter changes from "connected" to "limited" and internet connection is lost.  5 kids with 10 other WiFi devices (windows, android, iOS) in the house and this is only device experiencing this issue.   sounds like a bug to me.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-04-11T18:18:55+00:00

    Mine is fluctuating between 14.5 and 29.0 mps according to the WiFi status window.

    Having said that, I just checked my internet connect at speedtest.net, and I'm at 21 mps, which is the max for the plan I have with my provider, so I'm happy enough.

    thanks

    Ken

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-04-11T17:55:45+00:00

    I actually tried several different drivers for the Athernos adapter and all failed the same way. Currently I am running the most recent of all fixes from Microsoft for Win 8.1 (god knows there are a million of them!) and the most current drivers from the Toshiba website which are dated March of 2014. I even applied the fixes suggested from Toshiba for Win 8.1 and updated the Satellite BIOS to version 1.4.

    It is interesting to note that other solutions have advocated:

    1. Change the adapter to Intel (might work since my other PCs seem to be fine).
    2. Change from the WPA2-PSK protocol (might work since the router said this is a standards issue).
    3. Change all sorts of TCP IP parameters with NETSH IP .. did not work for me
    4. Back level the adapter driver - I used the MS one and older Qualcomm ones with no success
    5. Hardcode the DNS to 8.8.8.8 the Google DNS.. did not work for me.
    6. Use a wired connection -- definitely works since this is a wireless issue only.
    7. Change the power scheme for the wireless adapter.. did not work for me.

    The windows logs were screaming that is was a router issue and in my case they were right. These are the internet diagnostic logs not the event logs which did not see any issue other than the failure to resolve the DNS. I also note that my other wireless connections have speeded up as well. Even my Nexus 7 was periodically saying the internet was not available. Considering I am on a 50mb circuit that was unlikely.

    I agree a driver older than October 2013 seems like it would help since my Netgear bios was about that old when I updated it. Your method might be the only one for users that have non current support routers. I would hate to give up mine since AAC rocks! Talk about speed!

    Does your connection show 150 or 72.2 speed some other posts said the lower speed was because the Qualcomm chip did not support dual channel. Obviously it does since my speed is back to flying with no hardware change.

    Thanks

    Konrad

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