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How do I perform a traceroute?

Updated

PacketSky Support may ask you to perform a traceroute when investigating slow access, high latency, packet loss or difficulty reaching a particular website or server.

A traceroute shows the route that traffic takes between your connection and the destination.

What does a traceroute show?

The result is divided into a series of hops.

Each hop normally represents a router or network point along the route. The test also shows how long responses take to return.

A traceroute can help identify:

  • Where latency begins to increase
  • Whether traffic reaches the destination
  • Whether a route stops responding
  • Whether a problem appears close to your connection or farther away
  • Whether different destinations follow different routes

Note: An asterisk or timed-out hop does not automatically mean there is a fault. Some network devices are configured not to reply to traceroute requests while still forwarding traffic normally.

Before running the test

Where possible:

  • Connect the computer using Ethernet
  • Disconnect any VPN
  • Close unnecessary downloads and applications
  • Run the test while the problem is occurring
  • Use the exact website, server or IP address affected

Do not use a generic destination if the issue only affects one specific service.

Windows instructions

  1. Press the Windows key + R.
  2. Type cmd.
  3. Press Enter.
  4. At the Command Prompt, type:

tracert example.com

  1. Replace example.com with the relevant website or server.
  2. Press Enter.
  3. Wait for the trace to complete.

For example:

tracert google.com

macOS instructions

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Type:

traceroute example.com

  1. Replace example.com with the required destination.
  2. Press Return.
  3. Wait for the trace to complete.

For example:

traceroute google.com

Linux instructions

  1. Open a terminal window.
  2. Type:

traceroute example.com

  1. Press Enter.
  2. Wait for the trace to complete.

Some Linux installations do not include traceroute by default. If the command is unavailable, use the network diagnostic tool installed with your distribution or ask PacketSky Support for assistance.

How do I copy the Windows results?

After the test finishes:

  1. Select the traceroute text in the Command Prompt.
  2. Copy it using Ctrl + C, or right-click and choose the available copy option.
  3. Paste the results into the support ticket.

You may also take a clear screenshot, but copied text is often easier for technicians to review.

What information should I send with it?

Include:

  • The complete traceroute result
  • The destination tested
  • The time and date
  • A description of the problem
  • Whether the problem is constant or intermittent
  • Whether you were using Ethernet or Wi-Fi
  • A speed-test result where relevant

Submit this information through the PacketSky Customer Portal.

Avoid drawing conclusions from one hop

High latency or timeouts at an intermediate hop do not necessarily prove that the hop is causing the problem.

What matters is whether:

  • The increased latency continues through later hops
  • The destination remains reachable
  • Packet loss continues to the final destination
  • The same pattern appears repeatedly

PacketSky Support will assess the complete result in context.

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