Windows 8.1: WiFi dropping and/or "Limited"

I have the same problem. Did everything. Read the web. Installed 8.1 twice. Now back to factory settings. Have all the latest updates on everything. I too believe it is a hardware issue.

I own a laptop I bought at BestBuy only 6 months ago. It drops on me after several minutes. I reset my router, called the cable company, called Microsoft and still no fix. Help! I'm not going back to 8.1 until I read there has been fixes. I read tons of statements where many are having this same problem and we all have different machines but all having it none the less??????

Gateway NE56R

Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-311OM CPU @ 2.40GHz, 2400 Mhz, 2 Core(s)

Broadcom 802.11n

Same computer system as the user above however, I cannot connect AT ALL unless I plug straight into the router. Makes having a laptop very inconvenient. 

I have reinstalled drivers, Updated my IP settings, run an IPConfig - very frustrating. I am at the restore point which is obviously a last resort. What can we do?!

Gateway NE56R

Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-311OM CPU @ 2.40GHz, 2400 Mhz, 2 Core(s)

Broadcom 802.11n

Hi BHEDU,

Well after going back to factory settings a 2nd time. Suddenly wifi no longer worked like when I first got my computer and ran all the updates and kept on top of them. I manually updated my driver the 2nd go round. Not understanding why after going back to my factory setting that suddenly wifi no longer worked like before. Makes no sense after wiping the drive. Worked great before with no wifi drops. So, yes I decided if it is going to drop on 8.0 then I will go ahead and once again update to 8.1 since I like some of the new features. I am now able to browse the web, watch online videos and so forth. No drops until I run Second Life browser. A virtual world software. It drops about 10 or 15 minutes when logged on. Never had that issue before either. At least I can browse the web now. Not sure how it fixed that issue. All I did was reinstall 8.1 again. Did all the updates on my laptop Gateway and Microsoft. Microsoft tech told me the power settings effect the wifi. I got mine on balanced with "never" as the choice to turn off display and put the computer to sleep. Not sure if that helps or not. No idea. ?? Odd that it stays logged on now without a drop except on that one software I run. I did reset my router (Again!) and changed the channel it was on. There is still issues here however if I can't run my software program. I keep reading post all over the web. Too many people are having this same issue. It can't be on the  manufacturer's end since so many have this problem and we all don't own the same equipment.  I'll keep reading and hopefully someone will come along with a fix. sorry your having it too. So far this laptop has been excellent for the price otherwise. Runs better than the many HP's I had that cost twice as much. I still run Windows 7 on a mini desktop pc, so I have that option if all else. And on the last note...I run a smartphone and a nook hd tablet in my home and the wifi never drops on those at all. Even though it was dropping after the 8.1 update. You tell me???? LOL

I have also been having this problem.  I'm running:

Dell Alienware M17-R4

Windows 8.1

Qualcomm Atheros Osprey Wireless Network Adapter

I also have the same problem after upgrading to Windows 8.1 Pro, even after updating to the latest Intel Wireless LAN Driver Update at http://esupport.sony.com/CA/p/swu-download.pl?mdl=SVD112190S&upd_id=9214&os_group_id=27.  This did not happen with Windows 8 Pro.

When I connect to my iPhone 5s' WiFi hotspot over LTE, my WiFi connection is fine.

My hardware:

Sony Vaio Duo 11

Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6235

Apple AirPort