Windows shows “Limited connectivity”, sometimes phrased as “Limited access”, when the device has joined the Wi-Fi network but cannot get what it needs to use it: usually a valid IP address, or a working path to the internet. The Wi-Fi link itself is up, but the connection is not usable.
The fix, in order
Restart the router and the device. A stuck DHCP service on the router is the most common cause, and a restart clears it.
Release and renew the IP address. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew.
Reset the network stack. In the same admin Command Prompt, run netsh winsock reset and netsh int ip reset, then restart.
Forget the network and reconnect. In Settings, Network and internet, Wi-Fi, Manage known networks, choose Forget, then reconnect with the password.
Check the IP settings are automatic. In the adapter properties, open Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and make sure “Obtain an IP address automatically” is selected.
Update the Wi-Fi driver. A driver that fails after a Windows update can leave the adapter unable to complete the connection. Install the latest driver from the computer maker's site.
Limited connectivity on a public network can also mean the network needs you to sign in first, so check for a captive portal login page before changing settings.
If it still happens
If the message appears on every device, the router's DHCP service is the likely cause, so check its settings and firmware. If it appears on one device only after a network reset, the adapter may be failing, so test with a USB Wi-Fi adapter.
Common questions
What does limited connectivity mean? It means the device connected to the Wi-Fi network but cannot fully use it, usually because it did not get a valid IP address or cannot reach the internet through the router.
Is limited connectivity the same as no internet? Almost. Both mean the device cannot reach the internet. Limited connectivity is the older Windows wording for the same underlying problem, often tied to a DHCP failure.