Windows 8.1: WiFi dropping and/or "Limited"

Hi!

Sort of similar challenge. My Lenovo B575 can connect to a wireless source I used before I updated to Windows 8.1. Now that I'm using 8.1, I can only connect to the wireless source I used to download it. I can't connect at my new residence or the nearby cafe. My phone can connect just fine to any wifi.

I can't use any of the Windows help sources because my laptop can't connect so I'm using my phone to troubleshoot. 

I tried the command prompt tip, but am unsure what that did. I even tried plugging into the router with no success. Pressing the router button. Anybody have any ideas?

My laptop can connect, but apparently it's a one source wifi kind of person. It doesn't date other wifis.

That isn't a 8.1 issue its a conflict with third party software. The setting that fixed your computer has been around for a while and it was put there by the Windows team to give the user the ability to override the network vendor or PC vendors power saving drivers. What happens is Windows sends out a message when the PC is going to lower its power state. Then each piece of software reacts by saving and sleeping, telling it that they can't sleep they need to stay open or whatever is appropriate.

Then, when the power state is raised and the network card is needed it sends out another message telling it to wake up. However, Windows' team soon realized that third party vendors weren't correctly writing software and as a result the network card would not wake up. So they added a little setting to make it so windows will never allow a driver to tell the NIC to sleep.

If that solves the issue then you have a bigger one. It is probably a third party software conflict such as your virus software, leftover bits from and old virus software, or a built-in network enhancement from the PC bloatware that is effecting the network driver. Since that issue is really old and the driver worked in 8 the driver vendor for the NIC probably didn't mess-up in 8.1.

I would look and see if you can boot into clean boot with that setting on to check if you get the same issue. If it works with that setting back on you need to remove the effecting software because it will just cause issues later on and it is probably slowing down your network speed.

Any time you have an issue remember that if you boot in clean boot it is not a windows service and likely third party software or hardware. If you boot into safe mode and it works it is definitely not hardware and it is definitely third party software/drivers. Here are some generic fix-alls and there are some more specifc ones in the windows help list in the top nav http://www.vindamedia.com/windows/help/windows-8-general-errors Clean boot and safe mode instructions are there too

When you upgrade to 8.1 it isn't just the OS that is upgraded. All of the drivers and software on your computer upgrades to their newest version. IF you have an issue after an upgrade you can go into the software and drivers and tell them to use a version from 8 by using compatibility mode.

Apple has the same issues https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1022195?start=0&tstart=0 http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1765493 so buying a Mac just means the same issues and a lot more. I have known a few businesses that bought into the Macs just work ad campaign and I have seen the result. Their work production in video editing fell by 30% because the new Macs kept crashing and were slower in computing the complex calculations of 3D graphics and video editing compared to the lower spec 3 year old HPs they had been using

Again, sadly already been set that way too

Sadly in my case, it was already off :-(

try this...it might help!

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/poor-wifi-performance-windows

Sadly in my case, it was already off :-(