Run a Ping or Traceroute

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Ping and Traceroutes allow you to test how quickly data can be sent to an online destination and the path it takes over the Internet to get there. If you're having problems with your broadband, running a Ping or Traceroute can help you to find out what's causing the issue. Instructions for carrying out these tests on a PC or Mac can be found below. 

Run a ping

Follow the instructions for your operating system below.

Windows 10 or 8

The below steps are based on the desktop view in Windows 8. If you are on the Metro interface, you just need to click on the Desktop tile first.

1. Hold down the Windows key and press R on your keyboard
2. Type cmd into the box that appears and click OK
3. Type ping google.co.uk into the command prompt and press Enter on your keyboard
4. The ping will now begin and you will receive 4 responses showing whether the destination could be reached and how long it took

Apple Mac

1. Open Network Utility located in the Applications folder
2. Click on the Ping tab
3. Enter google.co.uk into the address to ping field
4. Set the number of pings to send to 4
5. Click Ping
6. The Ping test will now begin and you will receive 4 responses followed by a summary of the results

Windows 7 or Vista

1. Click on Start
2. Type cmd into the search box and click OK
3. When the command prompt appears, type in ping google.co.uk and press Enter on your keyboard
4. The ping will now begin and you'll receive 4 responses showing whether the destination could be reached and how long it took

Run a Traceroute

Follow the instructions for your operating system below.

Windows 10 or 8

The below steps are based on the desktop view in Windows 8. If you are on the Metro interface, you just need to click on the Desktop tile first.

1. Hold down the Windows key and press R on your keyboard
2. Type cmd into the box that appears and click OK
3. Type tracert google.co.uk into the command prompt and press Enter on your keyboard
4. The Traceroute will now begin and you will receive a response from each step along the way to the destination
5. Each step will receive 3 pieces of data so you will have 3 times detailed for each step

Apple Mac

1. Open Network Utility located in the Applications folder
2. Click on the Traceroute tab
3. Enter www.google.co.uk into the address to trace an internet route to field
4. Click Trace
5. The test will now begin and you will receive a response from each step along the way to the destination
6. Each step will receive 3 pieces of data so you will have 3 times detailed for each step

Windows 7 or Vista

1. Click on Start
2. Type cmd into the search box and click OK
3. When the command prompt appears, type in tracert google.co.uk and press Enter on your keyboard
4. The Traceroute will now begin and you'll receive a response for each step along the way to the destination
5. Each step will receive 3 pieces of data so you will have 3 times detailed for each step

Remember to copy and paste your results into a word document for reference. If you have lots of devices online whilst you carry out the tests, the results will not be accurate.