What is Tracert?
Tracert (short for Traceroute) is a network diagnostic tool used to track the path data packets take from your computer to a destination server. It helps identify where delays or connection issues occur along the route by displaying each hop (router) between the source and the target.
How Does Tracert Work?
Tracert operates by sending packets with gradually increasing Time-To-Live (TTL) values. Each router along the route decreases the TTL by one before forwarding the packet. When the TTL reaches zero, the router responds with an error message, allowing Tracert to map out the path and measure latency at each step.
Key Information Provided by Tracert:
- The number of hops between your device and the destination.
- The IP address and hostname of each hop.
- The latency (response time in milliseconds) for each hop to detect network slowdowns or outages.
How to Perform a Tracert Test
On Windows:
- Open the Command Prompt:
- Press Win + R, type
cmd, and hit Enter.
- Press Win + R, type
- Type the following command and press Enter:
(Replacetracert example.comexample.comwith the actual domain or IP you want to test.) - Wait for the results to display the route and latency of each hop.
On macOS and Linux:
- Open the Terminal.
- Run the following command:
traceroute example.com - Review the output for details on each hop and latency.
How to Analyze Tracert Results
- Asterisks (
* * *) indicate a timeout, which could mean packet loss or firewall restrictions. - A sudden spike in latency between hops may indicate network congestion or a slow link.
- The last hop should match the destination’s IP address, confirming a successful route.
Need Help?
If you're experiencing network issues and need assistance analyzing your Tracert results, feel free to open a support ticket with the output attached.