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
    2014-10-09T14:06:27+00:00

    I'm using windows 8.1 and I got it fixed it :)

    Network and sharing center-change adapter settings-right click WIFI-properties

    Select configure-power management -UNCHECK-Allow computer to turn off this device to save power.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-11T10:07:31+00:00

    All of you who upgraded from Windows 7 or 8 to 8.1 please try the following:

    Go into Device Manager. You can do this by right-clicking This PC in Windows Explorer and selecting Manage then find Device Manager within Computer Management container.

    Find Network Adapters in Device Manager, then locate your wireless device (this will be Broadcom, Intel or other brand 802.11n or 802.11a/b/g/n or something similar).

    Right click on it and select Uninstall. Check the checkbox that says to remove/delete drivers completely.

    Proceed with uninstall then restart your computer.

    Upon restart your wireless adapter should be reinstalled with the driver that comes with Windows 8.1 and this driver should then work fine.

    The reason is, apparently after you upgrade from previous Windows version the driver does not get replaced automatically with Windows 8.1 driver so you have to perform the above procedure manually.

    I experienced the exact same connection dropping issues and this worked for me.

    Oh, and btw, when you get it working do not install your manufacturer's drivers if not absolutely neccessary.

    HTH

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-11T11:57:44+00:00

    All of you who upgraded from Windows 7 or 8 to 8.1 please try the following:

    Go into Device Manager. You can do this by right-clicking This PC in Windows Explorer and selecting Manage then find Device Manager within Computer Management container.

    Find Network Adapters in Device Manager, then locate your wireless device (this will be Broadcom, Intel or other brand 802.11n or 802.11a/b/g/n or something similar).

    Right click on it and select Uninstall. Check the checkbox that says to remove/delete drivers completely.

    Proceed with uninstall then restart your computer.

    Upon restart your wireless adapter should be reinstalled with the driver that comes with Windows 8.1 and this driver should then work fine.

    The reason is, apparently after you upgrade from previous Windows version the driver does not get replaced automatically with Windows 8.1 driver so you have to perform the above procedure manually.

    I experienced the exact same connection dropping issues and this worked for me.

    Oh, and btw, when you get it working do not install your manufacturer's drivers if not absolutely neccessary.

    HTH

    Interested to know date of the Microsoft driver for 8.1. I occasionally get drop outs now, so I must have fixed the main culprit that was causing problems when I first upgraded, but I cannot remember if I upgraded driver.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-10-11T16:07:29+00:00

    There is no 8.1 driver. Try this info www.vindamedia.com/windows/help/troubleshooting-your-network

    there is most common fixes there. One that can cause intermittent loss is the last one. But any can so its best to run down in the order they are displayed

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-10-11T18:58:03+00:00

    Of course there are drivers built-in. In fact, a lot of them and I prefer them over the manufacturer's ones.

    The steps from your link could be used but are not neccessary. If laptop's network card worked perfectly well on Windows 7/8 and now it doesn't work immediately after upgrade to 8.1 then it's driver related 100%.

    There was a built-in Windows 8.1 wi-fi driver for my HP Elitebook 8560 (Driver provider: Microsoft, 31.5.2013, 6.30.223.102) and I suggested the above steps for anyone who has issues after he/she upgraded. There are drivers built-in for most laptops from the past few years.

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