Before you start
- A computer (ideally on Ethernet for a baseline)
Method 1 Run two continuous pings
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Step 1: Find the router address
Run ipconfig and note Default Gateway (e.g. 192.168.1.1).
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Step 2: Ping the router
In Terminal, run ping -t 192.168.1.1 (Mac/Linux: ping 192.168.1.1).
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Step 3: Ping the internet
In a second window, run ping -t 1.1.1.1.
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Step 4: Stop and read
After a while (or when a drop happens), press Ctrl + C for a summary of lost packets and min/max/average times.
ping -t 192.168.1.1 (router, Windows)
ping -t 1.1.1.1 (internet, Windows)
ping 1.1.1.1 (Mac/Linux, stop with Ctrl+C)| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Router ping times out or spikes | Wi-Fi interference, weak signal or a struggling router |
| Router fine, internet times out | Modem/provider connection drops |
| Internet time high only when busy | Bufferbloat or congestion |
| Both fine but apps drop | DNS or application issue |
Method 2 Log results to a file
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Step 1: Add timestamps (PowerShell)
Use the PowerShell command below to save each result with a timestamp, useful evidence for your provider.
ping.exe -t 1.1.1.1 | ForEach-Object { "{0} - {1}" -f (Get-Date), $_ } | Tee-Object -FilePath "$HOME\Desktop\pinglog.txt"Troubleshooting
“Destination host unreachable”
Your PC lost its connection to the network. Check Wi-Fi/Ethernet status.
Router times are 1–2 ms on cable, 5–30 ms on Wi-Fi
That’s normal. Spikes to hundreds of ms are not.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal ping to the router?
Under 2 ms on Ethernet and under 10 ms on good Wi-Fi.
How long should I run the test?
Long enough to catch a drop: an hour or through the time drops usually happen.
Summary
Ping your router and 1.1.1.1 continuously at the same time. Router problems show on both; provider problems only on the internet ping. Log results with timestamps to show your provider.
