How To Fix The Limited Wi-Fi Connectivity Issue On Microsoft Surface

After a long development cycle and some cheesy advertisements, both Windows 8 and the Surface RT tablet finally made their way to the consumers on October 26th 2012, apparently to mixed reaction from critics and users alike. Rather than encouraging the UI overhaul, various users have found the latest version of Windows to be schlocky and flawed. According to some recent reports, a number of Surface users (including ourselves) have been facing limited Wi-Fi connectivity issues since day one. The tablet sometimes shows ‘Limited Connectivity’ error in network status, thereby leaving you unable to use the internet unless you reconnect to the Wi-Fi router or access point. Although Microsoft has released an update to combat this issue, a lot of users are still facing the same conundrum. On the bright side, however, the issue can be easily fixed by following a few simple steps.

Disclaimer: Please be advised that the solution provided in this guide requires changing a few core Windows RT files on the Surface tablet, which may result in malfunctioning of the OS if things go wrong. Proceed at your own risk as AddictiveTips won’t be held responsible if your device gets harmed in the process.

To get started, go to the Start Screen by pressing the Win key on the tablet (alternatively, you may press the Win key on your Touch or Type cover). Now open the Search Charm by swiping from the right edge of the screen and type ‘cmd’ (without the quotes) in the search bar. Press and hold the ‘Command Prompt’ app in the search results, swipe down to bring up the app bar at the bottom, and tap the ‘Run as administrator’ button.

This in turn will open the Command Prompt window in the desktop running under administrator privileges. Now enter the following three commands one by one:

netsh int tcp set heuristics disabled

netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled

netsh int tcp set global rss=enabled

You will see an ‘Ok.’ confirmation after each of the aforementioned commands.

Next, type the following command and press Enter:

netsh int tcp show global

After entering this command, you will see the some output similar to what’s demonstrated in the screenshot below. Verify that all the settings are disabled, except for the few shown below as enabled or having other values.

Now close the command prompt window and reconnect to your internet Wi-Fi router. That’s all, we hope you won’t face the Limited Wi-Fi Connectivity error anymore.

Tried this hack on your Surface? How did the experience go? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments below.

[via Microsoft Answer]

Charley R
The fact that an entire parapgraph is required to Simply Open a Command Prompt, that right there is the reason why Windows 8 is badly designed, and majorly flawed.
Anyone else experience an OS where you had to search the Web for How to Shut Down the Computer !! (Win Key + I). :O
“To get started, go to the Start Screen by pressing the Win key on the
tablet (alternatively, you may press the Win key on your Touch or Type
cover). Now open the Search Charm by swiping from the right edge of the
screen and type ‘cmd’ (without the quotes) in the search bar. Press and
hold the ‘Command Prompt’ app in the search results, swipe down to bring
up the app bar at the bottom, and tap the ‘Run as administrator’
button.”
Griffin
Charley, it’s actually a good tablet. I really like mine and can use it as a pretty decent replacement to a computer. Not everyone knows command prompt, and AT has to accommodate for that. Powering down the machine takes two seconds to do. Every bit of software has bugs, even iOS. For the radical shift they made, they’re doing a good job ironing issues out pretty well.
Ocelotty1
Actually in the Metro (Modern UI) home screen; to search – Just start typing no other steps needed 🙂
Joost van Schaik
I think it might be a good idea to include a procedure how to reverse the behavior to its normal operation. Just in case.
Mark
For Windows 8 right select the bottom left corner and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”. For powering down on a Surface swap in from the right edge and select settings (bottom charm). The power button is displayed. There’s always a variety of ways to do things on Windows.
elmortero
This didn’t work for me. 2 minutes after rebooting, it dropped back to limited again.
woodabomb
didn’t work for me. followed all the steps but still limited. windows 8 sucks