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
    2014-12-30T03:43:40+00:00

    Having worked with MSFT for many years, often in Redmond, I am well experienced with driver development and how the process used to work. My lab would never have tolerated a situation that affects so many users to linger.  Moreover sales and QC, as well as the MSFT team would have scheduled conferences with us to discuss and work toward a resolution, as was often done. Subjecting W8.1 to this disappointment does not seem reasonable. I have contacted Intel thrice with a response that they have resolved similar issues but not for all drivers. I have also posted on this thread previously after doing so. In the case of so many thread contributors attempting to resolve this issue by adjusting device power management, it would seem logical for a distributed notation to W8.1 users describing such, if it indeed would resolve at least some of the issues, or not if this is not a recommended solution.  When my previous lab received a smattering of reported driver related issues, from WHQL, end users or vendors, we would initiate a response team.

    As would have been expected, Dell advised I contact MSFT, as did Intel, regarding this issue.

    I respond and monitor this thread on behalf of my clients. Myself and all of the engineers I work with prefer and still use W7 for technical and lab use. Not because we want to but because the industry has not come together in the historical and successful manner of W7, W3.11, etc., to make W8.1 solid enough. Hopefully W10 will be.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-12-30T05:13:30+00:00

    How do you purpose Microsoft make a fix all for so many possible issues with driver, device, software and other configurations?

    The issue lies here "As would have been expected, Dell advised I contact MSFT, as did Intel, regarding this issue."

    It is Dells job to deal with this not pass blame. They are the ones doing QA. It won't get much better in W10 except for possibly a better self debug. One tricky thing about WiFi issues is its hard to use some of the enhancements such as the additions to DISM and it is also hard for Windows or any driver to analyze the actual issue. SInce there is no actual connection to the LAN and the WAN can't contact windows update for a driver or corrupt file replacement it may take longer then it should. Some times a simple hookup to Ethernet and DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth in an elevated command prompt can fix the issue. 

     As you know virus software can install tons of drivers of their own in and around the  drivers that handle WiFi and any network connections. When places like Dell preinstall something like Norton or MacAfee then user uninstall them they don't always clean up like they should. Knowing that they cause such an issue you would think they would stop. Especially when a new version of Windows comes out and the issues will be greater because of the unknowns. In addition it is hard to fix issues when the problem lies with another company. You can hack a fix together because it could be a security risk or risk breaking other parts of the system.

    It is impossible to think Microsoft doesn't care if users can connect to the internet, it would be unimaginable.

    As you may know most of the data points used by Microsoft is their field techs and the enterprise customers. That is one of the easiest ways to get a solid point of where the issue lies. However, Microsoft or the vendor won't ever come out pubic about another company. They will hand off the info and their field devs that work with the companies will do what they can to help the vendors

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-01-01T12:46:47+00:00

    I have written here before.

    I Year time, buying cheap network card (Atheros, Broadcom, Killer)

    Also I thought it was a bad system.

    That's not true, hardware and hardware driver, manufacturer decides not the system,

    If it works with Intel.

    Why other cheap brands do not work?

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-01-02T15:29:38+00:00

    I respect and think I understand what you write here, ccicarl - BUT it's not enlightening. There maybe hope that history mayrepeat itself (as with W7, W3.11) and that the industry (not MS!?) mayput enough effort into it to fix W10 (...but probably not W8.1, if so - I guess a response team already would have gotten into it...)

    After reading this, my conclusion is that we, who have tried all possible tricks during the past 18 months - without resolution - are to be left in the cold until W10 mayfix things :-(

    (Btw, my impression is also, that the finger seems to be (too) politely pointed at MS from other vendors...)

    Having worked with MSFT for many years, often in Redmond, I am well experienced with driver development and how the process usedtoworkMy lab would never have tolerated a situation that affects so many users to linger. 

    <...cut...>

    As would have been expected, Dell advised I contact MSFT, as did Intel, regarding this issue. 

    I respond and monitor this thread on behalf of my clients. Myself and all of the engineers I work with prefer and still use W7 for technical and lab use. Not because we want tobut because the industry has not come together in the historical and successful manner of W7, W3.11, etc., to make W8.1 solid enough. Hopefully W10 will

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-01-03T02:18:47+00:00

    I respect and think I understand what you write here, ccicarl - BUT it's not enlightening. There maybe hope that history mayrepeat itself (as with W7, W3.11) and that the industry (not MS!?) mayput enough effort into it to fix W10 (...but probably not W8.1, if so - I guess a response team already would have gotten into it...)

    After reading this, my conclusion is that we, who have tried all possible tricks during the past 18 months - without resolution - are to be left in the cold until W10 mayfix things :-(

    (Btw, my impression is also, that the finger seems to be (too) politely pointed at MS from other vendors...)

    Having worked with MSFT for many years, often in Redmond, I am well experienced with driver development and how the process usedtoworkMy lab would never have tolerated a situation that affects so many users to linger. 

    <...cut...>

    As would have been expected, Dell advised I contact MSFT, as did Intel, regarding this issue. 

    I respond and monitor this thread on behalf of my clients. Myself and all of the engineers I work with prefer and still use W7 for technical and lab use. Not because we want tobut because the industry has not come together in the historical and successful manner of W7, W3.11, etc., to make W8.1 solid enough. Hopefully W10 will

    What will you do if:

    • Old router  G + N 150Mbs
    • Old TV  G
    • Old Printer  G
    • smartphone G + N
    • Your new computer N + W10
    • hardware driver, this is a decision? or not ?

    Again, the system will be guilty  :-)

    EX: If one milion "go to" it is time for W11 :-)

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