Running a Traceroute on Windows 10: Getting to the Bottom of Network Hiccups
Trying to work out why your internet keeps dropping out or slowing down, eh? That’s where traceroute comes in, and good news – it’s easier than you think. This tool shows the path your data packets take from your computer to the server you’re trying to connect with. If there’s a delay, you can narrow down where it’s happening. The main trick is to open the Command Prompt and use the tracert command. Just enter the destination address, and you’ll see the route your data travels—perfect for diagnosing those annoying network issues.
A User’s Guide to Traceroute on Windows 10
Tracking down network traffic problems might sound daunting, but for the keen tech enthusiast, it’s a bit of a thrill. Running a traceroute might be one of those tech tips you’ve heard about but weren’t sure how to do. Spoiler: it’s quite straightforward.
Open the Command Prompt
First, you need to open the Command Prompt. Think of it as your backstage pass to command-line magic. Click the search bar next to the Start button, type “cmd,” then select Command Prompt from the list. Or, for a quicker option, press Windows key + R, type “cmd”, and hit Enter. This is where all the network troubleshooting happens.
Time to Run the tracert Command
With Command Prompt open, it’s showtime. Type tracert followed by the website or IP address you want to check. For example, type tracert google.com to see how your data gets to Google. You can also add some extra options:
- /d: Skip hostname lookups to save time, just do
tracert /d google.com. - /h: Change the maximum number of hops if you want to explore beyond the default 30, like
tracert /h 50 google.com. - /w: Adjust how long it waits for each reply. If responses are slow, try
tracert /w 200 google.com.
Reading the Results
Once it runs, you’ll see the list of hops—each line shows a router the data passes through, along with the response times. If you notice response times jumping around, that’s a sign of trouble. If you see asterisks (* *), it means some routers aren’t replying—probably for security reasons or just stubborn devices. To copy the results, right-click, choose ‘Mark’, highlight what you need, then press Enter.
Spotting Problems
With your traceroute results in hand, it’s a matter of detective work. High response times on certain hops? That’s often where the lag or bottleneck is. If you spot those pesky asterisks again, it usually means traffic is being blocked somewhere along the way—check your firewall settings or chat with your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Saving Your Findings
If you want to share your traceroute with tech support or a friend, it’s easy to save the output. Use this command to save it directly to a text file:
tracert google.com > C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\traceroute_results.txt
Having a record can really help if the issue keeps cropping up.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Traceroute on Windows 10
To make the most of traceroute, run it at different times of day or under various network conditions. Remember, some routers don’t respond to ICMP requests, so a few asterisks are normal. Checking your firewall settings at Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Advanced Settings can also help. Looking at the overall results can help you figure out whether the problem is local or needs fixing by your ISP.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traceroute
Why use traceroute?
Traceroute helps identify where your internet connection is getting stuck—think of it as a map for network troubleshooting.
What do the asterisks mean?
Asterisks indicate that a router didn’t respond to ICMP requests—common for security reasons. It doesn’t always mean there’s a problem.
Can traceroute fix my broadband issues?
Not directly. But it gives you the info to identify where the trouble is so you can address it more effectively.
How long does it take?
Most traceroutes finish in a minute or two, depending on the number of hops and current network load.
Is there a limit on hops?
By default, Windows caps it at 30 hops—usually plenty. You can increase this with the /h option if needed.
Checklist for a Successful Traceroute
- Open the Command Prompt.
- Type
tracertplus the destination address. - Review the hops and response times.
- Identify any slow points or blockages.
- Keep a record for future troubleshooting.
Getting the hang of traceroute on Windows 10 can take a bit of practice, but it’s worthwhile. Knowing how to read the data path can make those persistent network gremlins disappear. Once you master this skill, you’re better positioned to troubleshoot problems yourself or have an informed chat with support. It’s less about fixing issues instantly and more about empowering yourself with the knowledge to solve them—good luck out there!