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
    2014-03-08T17:14:15+00:00

    After running for close to a month without this issue, it appeared overnight with seemingly no changes on my laptop. I've tried everything (dns/winsock flush, disable autotuning, static ip/dns cfg), and while I'm now able to connect again, it's still very chopping/intermittent. This is just sad for win8.1.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-08T19:08:44+00:00

    I have tried these commands - but sad to say I've fallen back into the "Limited" pit...

    It this works permanently for you, that is just great! Could you please confirm after a couple of days and a few sleep / restart cycles whether it still is working OK ? :-)

    Well I had a full morning with no problems at all.  Got home this afternoon and turned on from PC sleep and there was no connectivity but no dreaded yellow bars!  Just clicked the connection bars and connected to my router and all has been fine since so far.  At least I didn't have to unplug the adapter and re-plug it which is the only way previously I could connect.

    I'll keep you posted as to how things go although one disconnection in 24 hours is a massive improvement,

    I spoke with a friend about this and he said that - "There were issues with some of the network drivers updated in Windows 8.1 ". - and he is pretty well placed in the industry so no idea why it is taking so long for Microsoft to admit that the problem is their side and produce a permanent fix.  So many people without any issues before an upgrade kind of gives the game away!!!

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-08T19:27:44+00:00

    I think MS is ignoring this thread because they're hoping the next 8.1 update that comes out in a week or so fixes it. Those of you who keep playing with your router, it's really not a router issue even though it may fix it for some of you. This is a MS Windows 8.1 issue entirely.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-03-09T03:42:31+00:00

    Wow, this is really sad. Brand new computer (DELL XPS 15, Windows 8.1) and I am having the same problem -- Wifi drops to either 0 or limited every hour or so. Turning off the wifi and then turning it back on again fixes it immediately, but definitely a pain in the ****.

    And yes, we have 10 additional devices using the same wifi in the house, all flawlessly, for years (OSX x 2, iOS x 5, Android x 1, Blackberry x 2). That is fine, for a couple days. But the fact that this has been a widespread and well-documented issue for over six months is pathetic.

    Windows Fail.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-03-09T17:36:39+00:00

    I am experiencing the same issue since yesterday afternoon once the driver update recommended by HP was installed on my system. HP, Asus, Lenovo, Dell, Gateway, they all run Windows OS and are told by MS what needs to be done to continue a seamless user experience internet access (ie driver updates, etc). My system:

    HP2000 Notebook PC

    Windows 8.1 64-bit

    Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter

    The issue started yesterday when I was booted off the router because of a MS update (not sure which one as there are too many to list in a single day) which required me to re-enter my router sec key (even though I used the 'always remember' feature provided by MS). When I input it, I went and manually updated the driver as it requested. For the first 6 hours or so it was fine, no boot-offs, no limited connections. At 2am when I was watching Netflix it kept bumping me off. I found an article that seemed to help temporarily - but it is not a permanent fix. See here http://www.ppartyka.com/2012/12/tutorial-windows-8-laptop-keeps.html ....So, here I am back online looking for a permanent solution before I'm booted off again ;-/ Hoping to find a fix or a patch or an upgrade that resolves this issue.

    NOTE to MS: I know your techs are not the repair guys for every router out there, and it is not your job to determine what router will be used to access the internet. However, the main purpose of a laptop or any other device WITH a keyboard & monitor is to access the fabulous WWW...why else do you think your in business? Therefore, if it has your MS WINDOWS OS on it I believe IT IS YOUR JOB TO ENSURE YOUR SOFTWARE WORKS SEAMLESSLY WITH ALL GATEWAYS TO THE INTERNET BEFORE YOU RELEASE YOUR SOFTWARE...Right? That said, it seems there are numerous people experiencing the same problem and it is forcing everyone to rethink what their next OS will be - MAC OR WINDOWS!!!! Capish? Get on it boys and girls asap - please!!!!!

    ty...freelance4life designer who depends on my little computer and the internet for my bread, butter, gas...you get the point.

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