Windows 8.1: WiFi dropping and/or "Limited"

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.

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!

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.

I have the same problem. Did everything. Read the web. Installed 8.1 twice. Now back to factory settings. Have all the latest updates on everything. I too believe it is a hardware issue.

I own a laptop I bought at BestBuy only 6 months ago. It drops on me after several minutes. I reset my router, called the cable company, called Microsoft and still no fix. Help! I'm not going back to 8.1 until I read there has been fixes. I read tons of statements where many are having this same problem and we all have different machines but all having it none the less??????

Gateway NE56R
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-311OM CPU @ 2.40GHz, 2400 Mhz, 2 Core(s)
Broadcom 802.11n

Hi BHEDU,

Well after going back to factory settings a 2nd time. Suddenly wifi no longer worked like when I first got my computer and ran all the updates and kept on top of them. I manually updated my driver the 2nd go round. Not understanding why after going back to my factory setting that suddenly wifi no longer worked like before. Makes no sense after wiping the drive. Worked great before with no wifi drops. So, yes I decided if it is going to drop on 8.0 then I will go ahead and once again update to 8.1 since I like some of the new features. I am now able to browse the web, watch online videos and so forth. No drops until I run Second Life browser. A virtual world software. It drops about 10 or 15 minutes when logged on. Never had that issue before either. At least I can browse the web now. Not sure how it fixed that issue. All I did was reinstall 8.1 again. Did all the updates on my laptop Gateway and Microsoft. Microsoft tech told me the power settings effect the wifi. I got mine on balanced with "never" as the choice to turn off display and put the computer to sleep. Not sure if that helps or not. No idea. ?? Odd that it stays logged on now without a drop except on that one software I run. I did reset my router (Again!) and changed the channel it was on. There is still issues here however if I can't run my software program. I keep reading post all over the web. Too many people are having this same issue. It can't be on the  manufacturer's end since so many have this problem and we all don't own the same equipment.  I'll keep reading and hopefully someone will come along with a fix. sorry your having it too. So far this laptop has been excellent for the price otherwise. Runs better than the many HP's I had that cost twice as much. I still run Windows 7 on a mini desktop pc, so I have that option if all else. And on the last note...I run a smartphone and a nook hd tablet in my home and the wifi never drops on those at all. Even though it was dropping after the 8.1 update. You tell me???? LOL

I have also been having this problem.  I'm running:

Dell Alienware M17-R4

Windows 8.1

Qualcomm Atheros Osprey Wireless Network Adapter