You can test for packet loss with tools already included in Windows and macOS. First ping your router, then ping a reliable internet destination for at least 30 attempts. Comparing the two results helps separate a local Wi-Fi problem from an ISP or wider internet path problem.
What packet loss looks like
Packet loss means some test messages never receive a reply. It can cause frozen calls, game lag, buffering, or short dropouts even when a speed test reports a high download rate. Round-trip time measures delay; large swings in delay are jitter. They are related symptoms but not the same measurement.
Some networks deliberately limit or block ping replies, so a failed ping does not automatically prove that normal app traffic is failing. Compare several destinations and the real app behaviour before drawing a conclusion.
Find the router address
In Windows, open Settings → Network & internet, select the connected Wi-Fi network, and look for the default gateway or router address. On a Mac, Option-click the Wi-Fi menu or open the connected network’s details and note the router address.
Use only the address shown by your own connection. Common examples vary, and guessing an address can produce a misleading timeout.
Run the test on Windows
Open Command Prompt without administrator rights. Run ping -n 30 ROUTER_ADDRESS, replacing the placeholder with the router address. Then run ping -n 30 example.microsoft.com. Microsoft documents ping as a primary TCP/IP command for checking connectivity, reachability, name resolution, and round-trip time.
At the end, read the sent, received, and lost counts plus the minimum, maximum, and average time. Save a screenshot or copy the text with the date and time if you may need ISP support.
Run the test on a Mac
Open Terminal and run ping -c 30 ROUTER_ADDRESS, followed by ping -c 30 example.com. The -c 30 option stops after 30 requests. Read the packet-loss percentage and the round-trip statistics at the bottom.
For a broader Wi-Fi check, hold Option while selecting the Wi-Fi status menu and open Wireless Diagnostics. Apple says this tool analyses the network connection and reports detected issues without changing network settings.
Interpret the two results
- Loss to the router and internet: suspect weak signal, interference, a busy router, a failing adapter, or local congestion.
- No router loss but internet loss: suspect the modem, ISP, or route beyond the home network.
- No loss but very uneven times: congestion or interference may be causing jitter.
- Only one destination fails: that destination may block ping or have its own routing issue.
Test from the same room as the router, then from the problem location. If Ethernet is available, repeat the internet test over cable. Clean Ethernet results with poor Wi-Fi results strongly point to the wireless side.
Make the result useful to your ISP
Repeat the test during the actual problem and once during a quiet period. Record whether every device is affected, the router lights, connection type, and whether restarting the modem changes the result. Do not factory-reset provider equipment unless the ISP tells you what settings will be lost.
For gaming-specific latency, continue with how to fix high ping while gaming. If only one laptop drops Wi-Fi, use the laptop disconnection checks.
Checked against Microsoft and Apple networking guidance on August 29, 2026. Ping results are diagnostic clues, not a complete measurement of every application protocol.
