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
    2015-05-19T06:55:38+00:00

    I've tried everything suggested and nothings worked but here are a fee more ideas

    http://4sysops.com/archives/if-wifi-is-not-working

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-06-02T08:21:54+00:00

    Situations I was in:

    A) Dell AW m14 r4 with Win 7 (factory image) -> all fine

        I installed my own Win 8.0 -> WiFi started to drop randomly 20 times per day (at least)

        Upgraded to Win 8.0 Pro -> same issue 

        No fix, until I returned to Dell Factory image 

    B) Dell Precision M6800 + Win 8.1 Pro Factory image -> All fine for 4 months

        Windows installed MS driver for my WiFi -> Connection dropped 4 times in 2 hours (other devices on the same router still work flawless) 

        Tried to get to WiFi settings and unchecked "allow system to turn off this device" ... for now it works fine (2 hours - no WiFi drop)

    C) Dell XPS + raw install of MS (non-Dell) Win 8.1 Pro. 

       1st attempt -> WiFi drops randomly

       2nd attempt, this time I forbid OS to install HW drivers automatically. Installed all drivers directly from USB (downloaded from Dell driver page) -> WiFi works fine

    Conclusion: something is very wrong with MS drivers (that love to push themselves on our machines and overwrite original drivers... )

    Just don't allow MS to install WiFi drivers, always download drivers from official page of your PC manufacturer (Dell, Lenovo, Asus...) and this problem could be prevented. 

    If all files, check power management (more info: https://icnerd.com/fix-windows-8-laptop-dropping-wifi-connection-constantly/)

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-06-02T18:45:42+00:00

    Microsoft doesn't make wifi drivers the wifi manufacture or PC vendor makes a forked driver. You probably didn't have a fully updated machine

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-06-03T11:51:49+00:00

    Microsoft doesn't make wifi drivers the wifi manufacture or PC vendor makes a forked driver. You probably didn't have a fully updated machine

    IF what you're saying is true, then WHY is it Microsoft's Drivers always result in shoddy WiFi connectivity? hmmmmmmmmmm?

    Again, Google the Numbers... this is a RAMPANT Issue with Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 Machines..... 

    People currently buying Brand New Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 Computers have absolutely NO Knowledge that they are going to be experiencing Shoddy WiFi connections when they plug in those Machines for the first time..... Many, if not most Win8 and 8.1 Users, will end up having to spend MONTHS having ill equipped Repair People attempting to solve the Dilemma, to no avail.... MOST will have NO IDEA where to turn to for the solution either. MOST People are so busy with Family and Work that they don't want to spend HOURS, WEEKS and MONTHS dealing with Quality Control issues on their Computers.... they just want to take that thing out of the Box, Plug it in, set it up and get things done with it.... as it should be.

    Even when I FINALLY managed to 'roll back' my WiFi Driver to a 'compatible' Version for my Computer, I STILL had to make 'other' TWEAKS to my Computer in order to maintain stable and solid WiFi connectivity.... so, just 'fully updating' your Computer (as you suggested above) isn't always the complete solution either.... I had to do a LOT more. Haven't I told you previously it took me many long MONTHS before I successfully accomplished this? 

    I'm on this Board attempting to help others find a PERMANENT SOLUTION to the Limited WiFi Connection Issues they're experiencing... it seems to me that you're on here just to PARROT phrases in defense of Microsoft.... I, for one, am more than a little tired of it....

    You didn't fix MY Computer when I rose to your Challenge to give you the opportunity to do so....  All you kept doing was advising me to open a 'new thread' (which I did) that you didn't even respond to.... I didn't have a NEW QUESTION that needed answered, it was the SAME ONE everyone on this Thread has been asking OVER and OVER again (now 69 pages deep and counting!)....  

    Windows 8.1: WiFi dropping and/or "Limited" 

    WHEN are you gonna actually start HELPING People to FIX this Problem?

    You can keep repeating the same Message over and over again and the General Public's position is STILL this; 

    "It's Microsoft's responsibility to insure their Operating System Software is compatible with ALL of the Manufacturer's Machines.... period".

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-06-03T18:58:34+00:00

    As an IT professional I have to agree totally! This is part of a long list of Windows bugs and problems. No matter how much diagnostics we try to do I'm afraid this OS is simply not made for the high end business user and can barely remain stable with intense home use. I'm fed up with the amount of time I've wasted helping Microsoft do R&D while putting up with an almost dysfunctional OS.

    My company has logged a number of complaints in addition the Wifi issue since installation 8. We're giving Microsoft one month to come up with some answers after which company licenses start disappearing to other operating systems.

    If you have any useful suggestions for life after Windows 8 or comprehensive fixes I'd be happy to hear it. Right now the two options are to downgrade to 7 or go to another OS. Sorry for sounding so negative but there comes a point when we're just diagnosing what is a faulty system at its core!

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