Windows OS

How to Fix “WiFi Limited Access Problem” in Windows 10?

The “WiFi Limited Access” error is indicated in the form of a “Limited or No connectivity” message. This issue can be encountered while connecting the PC/laptop to the Wi-Fi. There can be several reasons for this error to be faced, including the outdated WiFi driver, distorted signals, or the enabled optimal power management feature.

This write-up will discuss the approaches to resolve the malfunctioning of WiFi in Windows 10.

How to Fix “WiFi Limited Access Problem” in Windows 10?

To resolve the “WiFi Limited Access” limitation In Windows 10, implement the following fixes:

Fix 1: Restart Internet Device/Modem

The “WiFi Limited Access” issue can occur due to distorted or fluctuating signals. In such a case, restarting the associated internet device or modem can assist in resolving this issue. After doing so, check if the limitation is figured out. Else, consider the next approach.

Fix 2: Re-Enable WiFi Adapter

The WiFi adapter enables a device to become wirelessly capable. Therefore, re-enabling the WiFi adapter can also resolve the discussed issue by following the below-listed steps.

Step 1: Open “Device Manager”

Hit the “Windows + X” shortcut keys and opt for “Device Manager” to open the Device Manager:

Step 2: Disable Network Driver

In the next step, expand the “Network adapters” options, right-click the highlighted driver and select “Disable device”:

Step 3: Enable Network Driver

To re-enable the corresponding network adapter, likewise, right-click on the disabled driver and hit “Enable device”:

After the driver is re-enabled, observe if the faced limitation is resolved.

Fix 3: Apply Network Troubleshooter

Troubleshooting the network can help resolve many of the issues. Therefore, initiating this particular troubleshooter can also help eliminate the limited WiFi access issue. For doing so, apply the below-listed steps.

Step 1: Navigate to “Network Problems”

Type “network problems” in the search bar and switch to “Network Problems”:

Step 2: Initiate the Troubleshooter

Finally, hit the “Next” button in the following pop-up to detect the faced issues and resolve them:

After doing so, the faced issues will be detected and resolved, as evident in the following progress window:

If the issue remains, apply the next fix.

Fix 4: Change Power Management Option

At times, there can be a possibility that the system disables the adapter in order to ensure optimal power management. In such a case, disabling this feature can also cope with the “WiFi Limited Access” problem.

Step 1: Navigate to “Network Adapter”

First of all, double-click your associated network adapter from the “Device Manager”:


Step 2: Disable the Feature

Now, make sure that the highlighted checkbox is unmarked in order to ensure that the network adapter always remains enabled:

This approach will make sure that the particular network adapter is always enabled irrespective of any circumstances and the encountered issue might resolve.

Fix 5: Change the DNS Servers

Allocating the DNS server addresses can also get rid of the discussed limitation. To carry out this approach, implement the following steps.

Step 1: Navigate to “Network Connections”

First of all, enter “ncpa.cpl” in the Run box to navigate to “Network Connections”:

In the Connections, double-click the connected network. After that, hit the “Properties” button in the following window:

Step 2: Switch to “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” Properties

Now, navigate to the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” properties by double-clicking the highlighted option:

Step 3: Set the “DNS Server Address”

After that, mark the “Use the following DNS server addresses” radio button and assign the stated values in the preferred and alternate DNS servers, respectively:

Finally, observe if the “WiFi Limited Access” limitation vanishes. Otherwise, proceed to the next approach.

Fix 6: Update WiFi Driver

Since updating the drivers improve the security and compatibility issues. Therefore, updating the corresponding network driver can also streamline this issue.

Step 1: Update Driver

Right-click on your network driver and hit “Update driver”:

Step 2: Install the Driver

In the below popped-up window, opt for the former option to install the driver automatedly:

Restart the PC and see if this approach made a difference. In the other case, apply the next approach.

Fix 7: Reinstall WiFi Driver

If the previous approach didn’t work out for you, try reinstalling the WiFi driver instead by applying the below-listed steps.

Step 1: Uninstall Driver

Right-click on your WiFi driver and trigger “Uninstall device”:

After the associated driver is uninstalled, apply the following last steps.

Step 2: Reinstall the Driver

Lastly, right-click on your PC’s name and opt for “Scan for hardware changes”:

This will result in re-installing the driver, and the limited access issue might resolve.

Fix 8: Disable Auto-tuning Feature

The “Auto-tuning” feature improves the performance of the programs automatically that fetches the TCP data over the network. Disabling this particulate feature can also assist in resolving the discussed problem. Overview the following steps to do so.

Step 1: Run Command Prompt

Open up the Command Prompt being an “administrator”:

Step 2: Disable Auto-tuning Feature

First of all, disable the tcp heuristics:

>netsh int tcp set heuristics disabled

Now, enter the below-given command to disable the “Auto-tuning” level:

>netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled

Finally, distribute the network efficiently by typing the following command:

>netsh int tcp set global rss=enabled

Fix 9: Maximize the Performance of Power Options

Maximizing the performance can also help in coping up with the limited WiFi access limitation. To make this approach come into effect, apply the below-given steps.

Step 1: Open “Control Panel”

First of all, open the “Control Panel”:

Step 2: Switch to “Power Options”

Now, open “All Control Panel Items-> Power Options”:

In the following pop-up, hit the highlighted link:

Step 3: Navigate to “Advanced Power Settings”

Now, opt for “Change advanced power settings” option to switch to the advanced power options:

Step 4: Maximize Performance

Here, expand the “Wireless Adapter Settings” and “Power Saving Mode” options, one by one. After that, configure “Maximum power savings” for both “On battery” and “Plugged in”:

This will, resultantly, maximize the overall performance, and the discussed issue will be resolved.

Conclusion

To resolve the “WiFi Limited Access” issue in Windows 10, restart the Internet device/modem, re-enable the WiFi adapter, apply Network Troubleshooter, change the Power Management option, change the DNS servers, update the WiFi driver, reinstall the WiFi driver, disable Auto-tuning feature, or maximize the performance in Power Options. This blog stated the approaches to cope with the limited WiFi access issue in Windows 10.

About the author

Umar Hassan

I am a Front-End Web Developer. Being a technical author, I try to learn new things and adapt with them every day. I am passionate to write about evolving software tools and technologies and make it understandable for the end-user.