WiFi Limited Since Firmware 4.7.5.1.83.8.204 - Hom...

Question

Good afternoon all,
Putting this out there to see if anyone else has experienced or is experiencing the same problems. 
Since last Friday, 23rd Jan 2015, my Windows 8.1 laptop frequently drops it's wireless connection to the router (Home Hub 5). It's been faultless for months but now the connection frequently drops. So much so that I have been unable to complete any work today (I work from home and frequently VPN onto customer domains). 
The connection can remain stable for anything from a few minutes to a few hours but seemingly when I put the connection under strain (large uploads for example) the connection will drop. 
When it drops the wireless status says 'Limited' and 'No Internet Access'.
A quick troubleshoot and Windows declares that the 'Default Gateway is not available' and that it's been fixed. 
Connection then resumes for another x number of minutes until it drops again. 
At first I was cursing Windows 8.1. It's not my best friend and I had noticed a bunch of system updates just a few days before. Plus all my other devices (iPad, Android Phone, Lumia Phone, Sky and Xbox One) are ok. Hence fingers pointing at Windows. 
Alas, after removing all the updates I still had the same problem. 
Next I updated all my machine's network drivers. Problem still exists.
I tried a different channel on the Home Hub 5 rather than allow it to auto select. Problem still exists.
I've allocated a static IP to my laptop. Problem still exists.
Running out of ideas now so decided to check the Event Log on the HH5. Discovered that the firmware was updated to 4.7.5.1.83.8.204 on the 22nd Jan! 
Huzzah, firware updated on the 22nd. Problem with laptop dropping it's connection starts on the 23rd. 
By the powers of exclusion I therefore point blame at the latest firmware on the HH5.
Anyone else got this problem?
Solution for now is to plug an ethernet cable in. Not ideal as I'm a long way from the router and I now have an ethernet cable stretched across the house.
Cheers 

Answer 1

deanjackson88 wrote:
Alas the problems return. I've been kicked off multiple times today. 
Again, same solution is to run the 'troubleshooting' in the network properties and each time it gives the same message about the default gateway not being available (and that it's been fixed). 
Internet access returns for a little while before dropping out again. 
I'm starting to think that certain websites, VPN's and various other things that I access that employ Javascript is what is knocking this out. 
The VPN I have been using for this particular customer needs Javascript. 
A website that I was checking out earlier also uses Javascript.
Could this be the common denominator? 
Again why would this be a problem now though when I have had no problems like this in the past and why only with the BT HomeHub. Javascript is used all over the place so I struggle to understand why I have not had these problems before.
Perhaps the latest HomeHub Firmware has an issue with Javascript. I don't know. Clutching at straws...
Working from the office this morning (rather than at home) and I have no problems at all. Frustrating. 
Do you use the same pc at work?
This might be a bright red herring, so don't let it distract you to much.
There's been some problems with Java lately. I have a favourite website which uses Java and it was giving problems.
Check your Java updates.
Goto Control Panel and in the search area type in Java. This will take you to the Java control panel, and you can check your settings and updates. Perhaps you should adjust the settings to notify monthly (after retrieving any existing updates).
Perhaps finding the Java updates is not as simple in Windows 8.1. Is there a Control Panel equivalent in Windows 8.1?
This will eliminate one more variable for your existing problems.