How to diagnose network issues with PathPing or MTR

A guide on how to use tools like Pathping and MTR to diagnose network-related issues impacting your experience. These tools are valuable in gathering, identifying and resolving network issues.

Instructions

1. Check Requirements
2. Run a Pathping test for Windows or MTR test for macOS and Linux
3. Saving the results
4. Opening a support ticket

Requirements

• Ensures test are run while on Ethernet
• Run baseline tests to 1.1.1.1 and 8.8.8.8

How to use PathPing (Windows)

PathPing is a useful tool that combines the functionality of Ping and Tracert. It provides information between you and the destination host, such as the path and ping results over a period of time.

Here is an input and output example, if you were using Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell:

Example Input:

pathping 1.1.1.1

Example Output:

pathping 1.1.1.1

Tracing route to one.one.one.one [1.1.1.1]
over a maximum of 30 hops:
  0  DESKTOP-95I6AB7.modem [xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx]
  1  TELSTRA-GATEWAY [xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx]
  2  gateway.qb10.brisbane.asp.telstra.net [58.162.20.10]
  3  ae10.cha-ice301.brisbane.telstra.net [203.50.61.1]
  4  bundle-ether25.cha-core10.brisbane.telstra.net [203.50.61.0]
  5  bundle-ether1.cha-edge902.brisbane.telstra.net [203.50.11.143]
  6  clo2241696.lnk.telstra.net [139.130.42.194]
  7  one.one.one.one [1.1.1.1]

Computing statistics for 175 seconds...
            Source to Here   This Node/Link
Hop  RTT    Lost/Sent = Pct  Lost/Sent = Pct  Address
  0                                           DESKTOP-95I6AB7.modem [xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx]
                                0/ 100 =  0%   |
  1    0ms     0/ 100 =  0%     0/ 100 =  0%  TELSTRA-GATEWAY [xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx]
                                0/ 100 =  0%   |
  2    7ms     0/ 100 =  0%     0/ 100 =  0%  gateway.qb10.brisbane.asp.telstra.net [58.162.26.10]
                                0/ 100 =  0%   |
  3    5ms     0/ 100 =  0%     0/ 100 =  0%  ae10.cha-ice301.brisbane.telstra.net [203.50.61.1]
                                0/ 100 =  0%   |
  4    4ms     0/ 100 =  0%     0/ 100 =  0%  bundle-ether25.cha-core10.brisbane.telstra.net [203.50.61.0]
                                0/ 100 =  0%   |
  5    6ms     0/ 100 =  0%     0/ 100 =  0%  bundle-ether1.cha-edge902.brisbane.telstra.net [203.50.11.143]
                                0/ 100 =  0%   |
  6    6ms     0/ 100 =  0%     0/ 100 =  0%  clo2241696.lnk.telstra.net [139.130.42.194]
                                0/ 100 =  0%   |
  7    4ms     0/ 100 =  0%     0/ 100 =  0%  one.one.one.one [1.1.1.1]

Trace complete.

Saving the results

To save the results of an MTR or PathPing, copy the output from your Terminal, Command Prompt or Windows Powershell and paste it into a text document.