Your connection breaks data into small chunks called packets. Packet loss occurs when some of those packets never arrive, forcing TCP applications to slow down and retransmit while real-time apps simply skip the missing data.

Packet Loss Test

Q: What causes packet loss?

Common causes include Wi-Fi interference corrupting frames, damaged cables or connectors, duplex mismatches, overloaded routers dropping packets from full buffers, and saturated ISP or VPN links.

Q: How do I fix packet loss?

Inspect and replace suspect Ethernet cables and connectors, fix any duplex mismatch, move away from Wi-Fi interference sources, and test with the VPN off and at different times of day to isolate the culprit.

Q: How does this packet loss test work?

The test sends 40 sequential HTTP probes to the nearest test server with a 2-second timeout each. Any probe that fails or times out counts as lost, and the result is the percentage of failed probes.

Packet loss is the percentage of data that never arrives. Even tiny amounts cause choppy calls and broken gaming. Press GO to measure yours.

Packet Loss Reference

0% - Excellent

No packets dropped. Your connection is delivering all data reliably. Ideal for everything.

0.1–0.5% - Acceptable

Marginal loss. Most applications recover without visible impact, but calls may occasionally glitch.

1–2% - Noticeable

Video calls stutter, games rubber-band. TCP downloads slow significantly as the protocol retransmits lost data.

Above 2% - Severe

Calls drop, games are unplayable, pages load slowly. Indicates a hardware fault, Wi-Fi interference, or ISP problem.

What is packet loss?

Your internet connection works by breaking data into small chunks called packets. Each packet is sent independently and reassembled at the destination. Packet loss occurs when one or more of these packets fail to arrive.

Packet loss is measured as a percentage of total packets sent. While that sounds small, the impact is disproportionate - TCP-based applications (websites, file downloads) respond by slowing down dramatically to retransmit lost data, and real-time applications (VoIP, gaming) simply skip the missing data, causing audible glitches or visual lag.

How does this packet loss test work?

This test sends 40 sequential HTTP probes to the nearest test server. Each probe has a 2-second timeout - If no response arrives within that window, the packet is counted as lost. The result is the percentage of probes that failed or timed out.

What causes packet loss?

Wi-Fi interference - The most common cause; radio signal competition causes corrupted packets that are discarded
Faulty cables or connectors - A partially damaged Ethernet cable causes bit errors
Duplex mismatch - Mismatched full/half duplex settings between devices silently discard frames as collisions
Router or switch overload - Consumer hardware drops packets when its internal buffers fill during heavy traffic
ISP congestion - Upstream links at the ISP become saturated during peak hours
VPN congestion - A saturated or distant VPN server drops packets before they reach their destination

How do I fix packet loss?

Inspect physical connections first - A kinked Ethernet cable, corroded coax connector, or loose RJ45 plug produces bit errors that show up as steady, persistent loss
Check for a duplex mismatch - When one side of a link negotiates full duplex and the other half duplex, collisions silently discard frames; force both ends to auto-negotiate or matching settings
Hunt down Wi-Fi interference - Microwaves, baby monitors, and overlapping neighbour networks corrupt frames in bursts; relocating the router or changing channel often clears it
Test with your VPN disconnected - A saturated or distant VPN exit drops packets before they ever reach the destination
Note that browser tests use HTTP probes, not raw UDP/ICMP - Real-time apps using WebRTC or game traffic over UDP can see different loss patterns, so confirm severe results with your application's own connection stats

For a systematic approach, see our slow internet troubleshooting guide or our Wi-Fi improvement guide.