How to fix WiFi Limited Access issue?

Sometimes it happens when you are attempting to connect to a WiFi Access Point, you get connected but you can access the internet? The status one the connection says “Limited Access” ?

This can happen to any other computer trying to access WiFi /AP, and the troubleshooting is pretty much the same- that is, it is probably not the WiFi  or
AP settings that is causing the problem, but your computer which is causing the problem.

When having problems connecting to WiFi networks,
one should first check if the SSID and the Passkey is correct. Of course, the limited access issues come after this stage though, that is, you are already authenticated and connected to the WiFi network. So, something else is wrong.

So here are some checks on how to solve “limited access” issues with WiFi : 

(example steps as on Windows 7)

• Try rebooting the computer

Yeah! It's not funny. Rebooting does solves some computer issues on it's own. Weird huh? Try it.

• Test your WiFi  with another wireless device 

Check the WiFi with other devices if you have, such as a mobile phone with WiFi capability or another laptop.  If it is not working for others as well, pretty sure you need to check problems on the WiFi /AP device. If others are working, then it is clear the problem is on the computer/device you are trying to connect to the WiFi /AP.

• Check if drivers are okay

1. Go to “Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Administrative Tools\Computer Management”
2. On the left tree, select “Device Manager”
3. See if there are any “Yellow” or “Red” markings related to network drivers

If yes, try updating the driver. Right-click on the item with issue and select "Update Driver Software"

OR you can also uninstall, and then “right-click” anywhere in the right side tree in device Manager and do “Scan for hardware changes”. It will scan and try to re-install drivers.

• Try disabling and re-enabling the WiFi  adapter

1. Right-click on the WiFi  icon in the system tray
2. On the left, click on “Change Adapter Settings”
3. Right-click and select disable
4. Wait for some time.
5. Right-click and select enable

• Check if there are any obsolete protocols installed in the WiFi  adapter properties

1. Right-click on the WiFi  icon in the system tray
2. On the left, click on “Change Adapter Settings”
3. Right-click on the wireless network adapter in use and select properties
4. See that there are no obsolete items and uninstall

You should look for any items that are installed by network related software or by anti-virus etc. If you find any, select and uninstall.

A sample default items in the Wireless Network Connection properties would look like this:

 This time, in my case, there was an item installed by Connectify software (WiFi  hotspot software) in the connection items above. This program was uninstalled from the computer but it stayed there. After uninstalling it from the WiFi  adapter properties, the “limited access” is no more.