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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

744 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-04-24T03:38:37+00:00

    So after wasting a full day, I was finally able to have my connection back! All I did was reset my router. I also downloaded all the latest drivers from both Lenovo(have a Yoga 2 Pro) and Intel website. I'm not an expert in computing but this website also really seemed to help, I followed the instructions about the TCP/IP settings.

    http://optimizewindows8.wordpress.com/2013/11/07/how-to-fix-limited-wi-fi-connectivity-issue-in-windows-8-1/

    My connection still shows ''limited'' but I can go to internet, run apps, netflix without  problems.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-23T17:37:01+00:00

    I have the Alienware M18-R2

    Running Win 8 (didn't want to upgrade until I knew all bugs were fixed)

    Qualcomm Atheros Osprey Wireless Network Adapter

    Well, so much for trying to stay safe on Win 8......

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-23T17:01:49+00:00

    Marc,

    As far as testing goes you can run the internet diagnostics function and review the log to see what the cause is.  My log had 50% dropped packets, difficult security handshakes and blamed the router for not resolving the DNS. You can also turn off security for a test. On my router I can configure guest access separately so I set up a temporary non secured SSID the problem should go away if it is driver/router based. Third you could try to get off AES security although that does cost speed.

    My suggestion is to determine the maker of the tcpip chip set through device manager and update it to the most current version from the Mfg website. It might not install automatically on check for updates. Once  that is done check for router firmware updates. When the two were in sync my problem went away and the connection went much faster.

    Doing all the above fixed my Windows 8.1 update issue but caused my old Roku to fail on AES, started to get slow blank screens and not authorized for Netflix. I already had a new Roku 2 so I installed the more current one and the problem went away.

    Overall I think there are two basic problems in this thread resulting in the different answers.

    1. Some people do not want the internet connection to go down at all. The power management and TCPIP settings seem to fix that by leaving the adapter on and not allowing the connection to time out.
    2. There is also a driver version issue related to security protocols especially WPA2-AES that does not exist in WPA-TKIP. This seems to be fixed by driver and router firmware to get the latest standards.

    Hope this helps!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-04-23T15:26:44+00:00

    I just bought a  1400$ Lenovo Yoga 2 pro a week ago and everything was fine when I had windows 8.1. Then I had to install 8.1 Pro to run Hyper V with Visual Studio 2013 to do some programming and now the wifi network shows ''limited''. Can't access web pages anything and ALL  my other devices at home work perfectly fine. 

    I did try to change the Network  drivers in the Device Manager but it didn't change anything. I really don't know what to do next.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2014-04-20T16:02:24+00:00

    NICE JOB Seth.  Just bought a Samsung ATIV 9 plus (a real doll baby I ms say).  I am road warrior and use Ipad Personal hotspot for internet w my laptop.  Great connectivity, no internet, Win 8.1. On a 64 bit machine.  Changed wireless driver from Intel to the Microsoft version 16.0.0.62.  Bam.  Works flawlessly. Thanks much!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments