Windows 8.1: WiFi dropping and/or "Limited"

Hope it works for you. Connecting to Ethernet is commonly over looked to test where the issue is. Also, connecting it to Ethernet is a good fix in some cases. Since the network troubleshooter can't really connect to the network, doing it over wireless doesn't help much, Whereas having the device connected to the network it can troubleshoot a wider variety of issues. Glad you mentioned that.

Good luck

You should re-read my post. I was giving you advice about what to add when telling people to downgrade their windows 8 to windows 7. You misunderstood everything I said. It isn't polite to give people advice based off emotion or pure guess work. Nor is it fair to give advice that can cause catastrophic effects without advising them of all potential outcomes.

You said  "I'm actively 'researching' and 'working' towards finding a Permanent FIX for ALL of the People who are experiencing WiFi Connectivity Issues on their Windows 8 and 8.1 systems... so do your 'research' and realize this IS a Software Problem and Micro Soft has been UNIVERSALLY found at fault."

I have researched many fixes. I am not sure why you adopted my advise for you to first suggest downgrading the driver as the only fix in the world. However, that method is advantageous to a OS overwrite since it is a few seconds of work before suggesting downgrading an entire OS. 

If you would like to have a discussion on what can be done to fix a limited connection feel free to start a discussion and we can talk. I am not sure what field of programming you practice or in what field of IT you work in. If you would like to elaborate, the conversation could be more pointed toward the experience level you are at and the field in which you practice.

Here is a good resource you can use to fulfill your quest to find a universal fix -- in case you don't already know about driver programming -- it may give you more understanding about drivers https://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowshardware/site/search?f%5B0%5D.Type=Topic&f%5B0%5D.Value=Networking.

Also helpful is to understand where there is abstraction and inheritance between the many drivers there are to run a single device. Networking, especially wireless, has a huge N-Tier architecture https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff564862(v=vs.85).aspx#possible_driver_layers 

Here is a link to the WiFi alliance which has useful information about certified devices and standards that are developed and should be adhered to for consistent connectivity http://www.wi-fi.org/

I tend to agree with Eve at the moment. This is what I posted recently in a Dell forum about  the issue of 'limited connectivity' I'm having with a Win 8 laptop, and my experimenting with it:

As of today, I don't think this is strictly a driver issue. I've now tried several different drivers and gotten the same result. I started with the most recent Win 8 driver on the Dell site (Dell Wireless 1704 802.11b/g/n 6.30.223.215) and, after seeing something someone else tried, I've also tried the Win 7 driver (6.20.55.49), and then a pure Broadcom Win 7 driver I found online (BCM 6.30.223.228).

All of these work perfectly connecting to wi-fi at home, which is thru an AT&T 'Arris' wireless unit (typical U-verse setup. All of these also work perfectly at 3 or 4 local wi-fi hotspots around town, but they all fail to get to the Internet at two Starbucks locations, at a major entertainment venue, and at a small local shop. So, the hardware is willing to 'radio' connect to any hotspot router, and it connects that far every time. But in only some cases does it successfully acquire an IP address/connection and get thru to the Internet. In other cases, notably Starbucks (which is about as typical as the average user will encounter), it will not get beyond a limited connection (i.e. no Internet).

One thing I've noted that might be significant, not sure, but it's begun to make me wonder, is that the times the connection does go through fully to the Internet, there seems to be some kind of web-page authentication required. Meaning, the hotspot connects but you need to open a browser to click an 'accept' button in order to finally have Internet access. However, since it doesn't connect to the "Google Starbucks" routers or all the other places it fails, I can't know if those places also direct you to a webpage before granting Internet access, so this is just an observation. I think Starbucks may do that, but I don't know.

As an example of how odd it is: A few hours ago I went to a location where I could park directly between a Starbucks and an AT&T store, both of which have public wi-fi access. The wi-fi connection on the laptop could see both, and I could connect completely to AT&T's router by connecting and opening their web page and accepting the terms, etc..then have full Internet. But even though I was actually closer to Starbucks and could connect to their router just fine, it showed "limited" on the laptop and I never got any Internet access, couldn't ping anywhere, nothing!

  I actually got out and sat at Starbucks and uninstalled and reinstalled the various drivers (and rebooted several times) and proved to my satisfaction that at Starbucks I could not connect to their wi-fi router with any of the various drivers, but--I could still see and connect to the AT&T router about 75' away. @#$%...aggravating.

With all this easily demonstrable, I have to conclude that Dell and Microsoft must be fully aware of this problem by now and are either ignoring it to avoid having to take any responsibility, or just ignoring it out of lack of caring. I don't think it's a hardware problem since I can always connect to the sites that will connect, and I doubt it's a strict driver problem since both Win7 and Win8 drivers have worked equally well in my testing. That suggests an OS problem, or at least something in the OS is causing interference or keeping this WLAN adapter from communicating effectively with some very common and popular wi-fi routers/locations (Starbucks, for cryin' out loud!)

At this stage I think either Dell or Microsoft need to fix or replace these laptops (not to mention Win 8) and satisfy their obligation to customers who bought these in good faith. I bought this for my son for Christmas, and the experience has been nothing but an embarrassment.

AMEN and THANK YOU!!!!!

Downgrading a driver to a windows 7 version has about the same effect as downgrading the OS. If a wifi adapter work on some routers an not others and windows 7 devices work the issue tends to be the wireless adapters manufacture created a new driver with updated features or security the an older router doesn't work with it and requires a firmware update to the router which may not be possible if you don't have access to the router

Cisco router have an issue where the incorrectly handle the four way handshake with newer protocols and they have releases an updated firmware for those routers.

I'm not defending Microsoft I just know more about how wifi is handled and it unfortunately Microsoft doesn't write function drivers for third party hardware makers

Rolling Back and/or/Downgrading MY Network Adapter Drivers is EXACTLY one of the 'many' fixes I had to perform in order to keep my Computer connected to the Internet without experiencing "Limited" WiFi and other Connectivity issues.... but I didn't downgrade to Windows 7 Drivers, so I don't know WHERE you deducted that from my previous post.

I didn't suggest in my previous post or recommend anybody downgrade their Wireless Network Adapter Drivers to Windows 7 Drivers.... I recommended that IF they want to truly circumvent these Connectivity Issues entirely, that they completely uninstall the Windows 8 or 8.1 OPERATING SYSTEM and re-install Windows 7....  because while Windows 7 may be an 'older' Operating System, at least it's STABLE with NO "Limited" WiFi or other Connectivity Issues... 

I know, you keep REPEATING the same thing about how this is NOT a Micro Soft Operating System problem, and that it's the Manufacturer's of the Wireless Adapters Adapters responsible for the Connectivity problems, but THOUSANDS of us against YOU should be indicative that your Judgement is in error. 

You 'may' know HOW WiFi is handled, but  you don't have a Clue about HOW to fix this Windows 8 Software problem that is CREATING conflicts with People's WiFi and Network Adapter Drivers...

BTW, if you REALLY want to 'learn' where the BLAME has rightfully been laid regarding Windows 8.1 - Finish reading THIS enlightening Article by Paul Thurrott ;

God knows, Microsoft tries. It's a wonderful observer and follower. After watching Windows Vista get mismanaged and then slapped around by Apple, it tapped Steven Sinofsky to reimagine Windows. It's fair to say that this man shares many of the same character traits—and flaws—that defined Steve Jobs. He was belligerent and one-sided, didn't work well with others, had no qualms about tossing out features and technologies that didn't originate with his group, and had absolutely zero respect for customer feedback. Here, finally, was a guy who could push through a Steve Jobs-style, singular product vision.

And he did. Sadly, the result was Windows 8.

The reason this happened is that while Sinofsky had the maniacal power and force of will of a Steve Jobs, he lacked Jobs' best gift: An innate understanding of good design. Windows 8 is not well-designed. It's a mess. But Windows 8 is a bigger problem than that. Windows 8 is a disaster in every sense of the word.

This is not open to debate, is not part of some cute imaginary world where everyone's opinion is equally valid or whatever. Windows 8 isa disaster. Period.

Those of you interested can read the 'rest' of the Article here - http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/what-heck-happening-windows

Here's a not so glowing Review of Windows 8.1 from an IT Professional:

I run Divisional IT at a Research University. We're no IBM.. I've only got ~1500 Laptops and Desktops in the Divison. ;-)

I have yet to receive a request for Windows 8 or 8.1 on a new machine or a re-install. Maybe one slipped by and was handled by my Desktop Support guys but I've still got a good pulse on what the clients want.

What I do hear, regularly, is "please don't install Windows 8 on my computer", "Can I get that with Windows 7", and "can you reinstall that with Windows 7 when it comes in?"

BTW.. the ironic thing is.. I really liked what Microsoft was trying to do with unifying tablets and real personal computers across one flexible OS. It was a great idea.. in theory. It's the execution that was a total failure.

'Execution' means Software that just doesn't cut the Mustard and causes 'problems' with Peripherals, Adapters, Other Programs and/or Software..... what have you. 

End of Story. 

I'm actively 'researching' and 'working' towards finding a Permanent FIX for ALL of the People who are experiencing WiFi Connectivity Issues on their Windows 8 and 8.1 systems... so do your 'research' and realize this IS a Software Problem and Micro Soft has been UNIVERSALLY found at fault.

I tend to agree with Eve at the moment. This is what I posted recently in a Dell forum about  the issue of 'limited connectivity' I'm having with a Win 8 laptop, and my experimenting with it:

As of today, I don't think this is strictly a driver issue. I've now tried several different drivers and gotten the same result. I started with the most recent Win 8 driver on the Dell site (Dell Wireless 1704 802.11b/g/n 6.30.223.215) and, after seeing something someone else tried, I've also tried the Win 7 driver (6.20.55.49), and then a pure Broadcom Win 7 driver I found online (BCM 6.30.223.228).

All of these work perfectly connecting to wi-fi at home, which is thru an AT&T 'Arris' wireless unit (typical U-verse setup. All of these also work perfectly at 3 or 4 local wi-fi hotspots around town, but they all fail to get to the Internet at two Starbucks locations, at a major entertainment venue, and at a small local shop. So, the hardware is willing to 'radio' connect to any hotspot router, and it connects that far every time. But in only some cases does it successfully acquire an IP address/connection and get thru to the Internet. In other cases, notably Starbucks (which is about as typical as the average user will encounter), it will not get beyond a limited connection (i.e. no Internet).

One thing I've noted that might be significant, not sure, but it's begun to make me wonder, is that the times the connection does go through fully to the Internet, there seems to be some kind of web-page authentication required. Meaning, the hotspot connects but you need to open a browser to click an 'accept' button in order to finally have Internet access. However, since it doesn't connect to the "Google Starbucks" routers or all the other places it fails, I can't know if those places also direct you to a webpage before granting Internet access, so this is just an observation. I think Starbucks may do that, but I don't know.

As an example of how odd it is: A few hours ago I went to a location where I could park directly between a Starbucks and an AT&T store, both of which have public wi-fi access. The wi-fi connection on the laptop could see both, and I could connect completely to AT&T's router by connecting and opening their web page and accepting the terms, etc..then have full Internet. But even though I was actually closer to Starbucks and could connect to their router just fine, it showed "limited" on the laptop and I never got any Internet access, couldn't ping anywhere, nothing!

  I actually got out and sat at Starbucks and uninstalled and reinstalled the various drivers (and rebooted several times) and proved to my satisfaction that at Starbucks I could not connect to their wi-fi router with any of the various drivers, but--I could still see and connect to the AT&T router about 75' away. @#$%...aggravating.

With all this easily demonstrable, I have to conclude that Dell and Microsoft must be fully aware of this problem by now and are either ignoring it to avoid having to take any responsibility, or just ignoring it out of lack of caring. I don't think it's a hardware problem since I can always connect to the sites that will connect, and I doubt it's a strict driver problem since both Win7 and Win8 drivers have worked equally well in my testing. That suggests an OS problem, or at least something in the OS is causing interference or keeping this WLAN adapter from communicating effectively with some very common and popular wi-fi routers/locations (Starbucks, for cryin' out loud!)

At this stage I think either Dell or Microsoft need to fix or replace these laptops (not to mention Win 8) and satisfy their obligation to customers who bought these in good faith. I bought this for my son for Christmas, and the experience has been nothing but an embarrassment.