Strange wi-fi problem

I have a strange problem which is not specifically related to Windows 8 (at least I don't think it is) but would like to seek the opinions of any 'Gurus' who may read this.


I have an internet setup with UK provider Talktalk. This consists of a D-Link DSL-3680 wireless router which is in one room and from this I have a wired connection to a Netgear DG834G wireless router in another room which acts as an extender.


Most of the time my laptop is connected to the internet via the Netgear as I usually use the laptop in a room where the Netgear wi-fi signal is stronger.


This setup has worked well for some months with no problems.


The other day my Laptop (Acer) died - so I replaced it with a newer more up to date model (HP) and that is when the problem started.


What is happening is that after random periods of connection the wi-fi indicator on the laptop shows a 'Limited Connection' label (the red ! in a yellow Triangle), and I can no longer access the internet on my Laptop, although my Tablet can still access the internet using the same wi-fi connection as the laptop.


The only way to get back a wi-fi internet connection is to turn wi-fi on the tablet off then on again.


I tried moving the laptop closed to the source D-link, and still experience the same problem


It is not that the laptop drops the wifi connection it is just that it cannot see the internet at times.


I am in the throws of testing a wired connection to see if that stays connected but in the meantime wonder if anyone here can shed any light on the problem.


The Laptop is an HP ENVY 17-j184na Notebook PC.

You could try disabling Power saving feature in Power management tab(Device Manager) by untick "Allow the computer to turn off........) and switching DNS to either google dns or Open dns also may be helpful.

How to change the DNS settings on the Dlink DSL-3680

Thanks Brummyfan.

I will try your suggestion.
The problem is that the connection was breaking after anything from 20 minutes to an hour and a half so it will take a little time before the results are in - but I will let you know the outcome.

In the meantime I am trying something else.
For some reason HP saw fit to install a program called Bonjour on the laptop - and I found a post where someone said that this was on his laptop and kept breaking the connection to his printer - over wi-fi. So I have un-installed that and am waiting with baited breath to see what the outcome is.

In the meantime - any other suggestions to try would be welcomed.

Also, try checking your wifi drivers to confirm the most recent version via HP support. If you have the latest, try rolling back to previous driver or uninstalling recent version then reinstall latest version. If that doesn't help you might have a hardware problem or it could be a configuration issue. I've had bad wifi adapters and ended up replacing it with a different one.

Thanks guys.

I did 3 things simultaneously
- disabled the Power saving feature
- removed Bonjour
- found and installed a new driver for wifi

The result? - 5 hours of up time (downloading constantly) with no drop, the longest connected time so far.

Here's hoping.

pewe said:

Thanks guys.

I did 3 things simultaneously
- disabled the Power saving feature
- removed Bonjour
- found and installed a new driver for wifi

The result? - 5 hours of up time (downloading constantly) with no drop, the longest connected time so far.

Here's hoping.

Click to expand...

Good luck :thumb:

So far so good - no disconnections since last report - thanks again guys.