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
    2014-02-20T06:02:58+00:00

    Windows 8 and 8.1 are so frustrating and disappointing. This wifi **** never happened before I got windows 8. That's besides the point that microsoft FORCES you to register an account with them when you upgrade to 8.1... Which doesn't work all that differently...

    NEVER BUYING MICROSOFT PRODUCTS AGAIN.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-20T10:22:32+00:00

    Try one of these:

    Restart your computer.

    Restart your router.

    Check if all router cables are plugged in.

    Disable all your firewalls (e.g. Windows Firewall, Comodo Firewall).

    In Network and Sharing Center, troubleshoot the network.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-20T13:06:55+00:00

    LuisAnton03,

    While your information may seem pertinent, this particular solution is not relevant to this issue.  If you read the comments everything is working fine for all the other computers in the house (not a router issue), and was working fine on the computer until the update (not a firewall issue).

    The problem being reported is something new and it is definitely related to the OS installation.

    All that being said, the one thing that worked for me was to roll back my driver to a prior version.  I don't like it, but after trying SO MANY OTHER THINGS, I am just settling for a functioning internet.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-20T17:50:46+00:00

    Microsoft is unable to hire better programmers, software engineers etc etc...for whatever reason i dont know. the connection is metered which is why it drops the line, set it to non-metered and u are done

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-02-20T18:53:49+00:00

    SOLUTION

    The problem (maybe) is that Windows 8.1 has HIDDEN THE SETTING you need to change!  :(

    Here's the solution I used for my Sony VAIO Touch Ultrabook.

    Control Panel -> Device Manager.

    View (menu) choose "Show Hidden Devices"

    Network Adapters -> right-click Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter.

    Properties-> Power Management

    Unclick "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."

    I tried everything else before doing this and it didn't work.  I think that this HIDDEN Microsoft Virtual Wi-Fi Adapter was the problem.  It appears in all my Windows 8 machines.  I don't know yet if this is the absolute solution, but it has worked for me.  Please let me know if it works for you.

    TSM

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