Getting Limited or no connectivity alert on a Windows-based computer

The Limited or no connectivity alert usually appears when your Windows®-based computer is not receiving incoming signals from the network.  This means that you cannot access the Internet or other network resources.  It could be because of your computer, the Internet Service Provider (ISP) or other network issues.  This problem can occur either in wired or wireless connections.

These are the things you need to do when you see the Limited or no connectivity alert:

Wired connection

Check your hardware connection

Ensure that the cable is NOT broken.  If you are using a switch, modem, or router on your network, make sure that they are connected properly then switched ON.  Sometimes, the solution might be as simple as restarting the modem / router, then your computer.  You can also try connecting the Ethernet cable to another port of the router to test.
 

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NOTE:  A lit Ethernet LED indicates a working cable and proper connectivity.  If the Power LED on your Linksys router is blinking, it means the firmware is corrupted.

Ensure that your adapter is working properly

Disable and enable your network adapter to make sure that it is functioning.  Also check if the computer is set to Obtain an IP Address automatically.  To learn how to do this, click
here.

Check if you have an IP Address conflict with another device

Verify that your computer gets a unique and valid IP Address from the modem or router.  IP Address conflict happens when two computers on the network have the same IP Address.  To learn how to resolve this, click here.

QUICK TIP:  If your computer is directly connected to the modem and is experiencing limited or no connectivity, you may need to contact your ISP  to check if there’s any problem with the network.  If there is, wait until the problem is resolved before you troubleshoot further.
 

Wireless connection

Incorrect wireless key / password

Connecting to a secured wireless network requires WEP, WPA Personal or WPA2 Personal security key or passphrase.  You may encounter this error when you have changed the wireless settings of your router.  To avoid this or if you are unsure about your wireless key or password, check the wireless security settings of your router.  You can also try removing or forgetting your wireless network profiles or preferred networks.  To learn how, click here.

NOTE:  Not all wireless adapters are compatible with WPA2™ Personal.  Check if your adapter and computer’s operating system are compatible with the router’s wireless security.

Wireless MAC Filter enabled on the router

Most Linksys routers have Wireless MAC Filter feature.  This limits the number of wireless clients that will be allowed to connect to the wireless network.


Ensure that your adapter is working properly

Your computer’s wireless adapter performs better if the drivers are up-to-date.  Wireless adapter’s compatibility with Wireless-AC, N, G, A or B standards should also be considered.  Contact your hardware manufacturer for complete specifications of your wireless adapter.  You can also check the connectivity of other wireless devices within the network.  The router should be working fine if all other devices have good wireless connectivity to the network.

QUICK TIP:  To isolate the wireless connectivity issue, you can try connecting your computer or your other wireless devices to other wireless routers (coffee shop WiFi, etc.).  You can also disable and enable your network adapter to reset it.


Distance from the router

To ensure stable wireless connectivity, make sure that your computer is within range of the wireless router.  Computers may also have problems connecting to wireless networks due to interference from neighboring wireless devices such as cordless phones and microwave ovens.  To avoid wireless interference, changing the channel of your router is recommended.  If you’re using Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, click here for instructions.

Outdated router firmware

Firmware updates fix bug issues on a router.  If all of your wireless computers and devices are having problems connecting to the wireless network, you may need to update the router’s firmware.  To learn how to update the firmware of the Linksys router, click here.

NOTE:  Updating the firmware on a Linksys router might require resetting it to factory defaults.  You need to either back up your router settings or reconfigure the router after the Reset procedure.  

 

Related Articles:
 

Encountering Intermittent Wireless Connection Using a Linksys Router

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