Windows 8.1: WiFi dropping and/or "Limited"

Question

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!

Answer 1

Hi,

Limited connection means the PC has successfully connected to the router, but the PC wasn't assigned a valid IP address, so you can't actually get to the Internet. It can also indicate that a valid IP address was assigned but that the PC doesn't have Internet connectivity. If you're connected to a home network, try restarting the router.

However Internet connection problems are most commonly caused by disconnected cables or by routers and modems that aren't working correctly.

Try these steps:

Run Ipconfig /all at the command prompt to check if you are able to obtain an IP (internet protocol) address.

a.Go to Start screen type command prompt select command prompt as an Administrator.

 b.Click ‘OK’ to open a MS-DOS command line window.

c. Type "ipconfig /all" (without the quotation marks), and then hit the**‘ENTER’** key.

You may also refer to the following links and check:

Wired and wireless network problems

Why can't I connect to the Internet?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/cant-connect-to-internet

Please revert with the issue status.

Answer 2

Anannya,

Thanks for the reply! I know that my modem/router are working properly as there are several other devices in the house that have not suffered connectivity issues.  This problem is unique to my laptop only after updating to 8.1

Something that did make the disconnects slightly less frequent was to disable any "WiFi Assistants" from Intel running in the background.  However, it is still happening occasionally.  Prior to installing 8.1, I could count the number of WiFi disconnects on one hand over the last several months.  After 8.1, it was several an hour.  This makes me think there is a software issues.  Thanks!

Answer 3

I too had this issue with my Lenovo Yoga and a wifi driver update from support.lenovo.com fixed it. They just released the updated driver for my machine last week.

Answer 4

I checked out the site you referenced, and it directs me to the Intel software which was giving me issues before.  I have disabled every type of wireless software other than the basic Windows 8.1 drivers and I'm still getting disconnects.  Anyone have any luck/know of any upcoming patches?  Thanks!

Answer 5

Hi,

I'm having the same issue.

My config:

Sony Vaio VPCF1

Windows 8.1 pro

Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6250 AGN

Apple Aiport Extreme w/newest firmware

Tks,