How to run a ping test

A ping test checks how data packets are sent to a specific address using your internet connection, including how long it took and whether any packets were lost.

If you use PingPlotter, it will run a ping test and a traceroute at the same time.

Select one of the links below to jump to a query:

Common addresses to ping

Address to ping What is it? Why ping it?
tpg.com.au TPG's web address To check that DNS is working on your computer.
203.12.160.35 One of TPG’s DNS servers To check that TCP/IP settings are working on your computer.
127.0.0.1 A loopback test to your own computer To check that there’s no issue with your computer’s network adapter or connection settings.

 

PingPlotter on Windows

  1. Download PingPlotter at: http://pingplotter.com/download

    You don't need to buy a subscription, you can use the Free version.

  2. Open PingPlotter and hit the + (plus) icon to open a New Trace tab. 

    Windows PingPlotter ping test 1

  3. Type tpg.com.au or another address you want to to ping or traceroute, then hit Start. 

    Windows PingPlotter ping test 2

  4. Let the test run for at least 60 seconds, then hit Pause. 

    Windows PingPlotter ping test 3

  5. Hit the Print Screen (PrntScr) key on your keyboard to screenshot your test results. You can use CTRL+V to paste your screenshot into any text editor, image editor or email app.

 

PingPlotter on macOS

  1. Download PingPlotter at: http://pingplotter.com/download

    You don't need to buy a subscription, you can use the Free version.

  2. Open PingPlotter and type tpg.com.au or another address you want to ping or traceroute, then hit the Start. 

    Mac PingPlotter ping test 1

  3. Let the test run for at least 60 seconds, then hit Pause. 

    Mac PingPlotter ping test 2

  4. Use the Command ⌘+Shift+3 keys on your keyboard to screenshot your test results. You can use Command ⌘+V to paste your screenshot into any text editor, image editor or email app.

 

PingPlotter on iOS (iPhone/iPad)

  1. Open the App Store and search for 'PingPlotter" to install PingPlotter. 

    You don't need to buy a subscription, you can use the Free version.

    PingPlotter on App Store

  2. Open PingPlotter and type tpg.com.au or another address you want to ping or traceroute, then hit Start. 

    pingplotter_ios2ii

  3. Let the test run for at least 60 seconds, then hit Pause. 

    iPhone PingPlotter ping test 1

  4. Hit the Share icon and select Screenshot. 

    iPhone PingPlotter ping test 2

  5. You can choose to save your screenshot to Pictures, or share it by Mail.

 

Ping test in Windows

  1. Hit Search and type "cmd" into the search bar. 

    Windows 10 Search icon

  2. Open the Command Prompt app. 

    Windows CMD Prompt

  3. Type “ping” then hit Space on your keyboard. 

  4. Type the address you want to ping, then hit Enter on your keyboard.

    e.g. "ping tpg.com.au"

    Windows Ping

  5. Wait for the ping results.

    Windows Ping Results

    If a ping test fails, you'll get a "Request timed out", "Destination host unreachable", or "Transmit failed, error code #" messge instead of ping results. You may need to troubleshoot your internet if a ping test fails.

    With some browsing issues, you may be able to ping a DNS server, but not a web address. If this is the case, you should try manually setting your DNS server.

  6. To copy-paste your ping results: Highlight the text results and simply press the Enter key.

    Note: For Windows 10, right-click in the Command Prompt window and select Mark to turn on the cursor. You can use the up/down arrow keys on your keyboard to move the cursor to the start of the text you want to copy.

    Hold the Shift key and use the down/right arrow keys to highlight the text you want to copy, then hit the Enter key to copy the text.

    Open Word, Notepad or any other text editor or email app and use CTRL+V to paste the copied text.  

 

Ping test in macOS

  1. Hit Search and type “network utility” in the search bar.

  2. Open the Network Utility app.
    You can also find this app at /System/Library/CoreServices/Applications.

    Mac ping test 1

  3. Select the Ping tab and type the address you want to ping, then hit Ping.

    Mac ping test 2

  4. Wait for the ping results.

    If a ping test fails, you'll get a "Request timed out", "Destination host unreachable", or "Transmit failed, error code #" messge instead of ping results. You may need to troubleshoot your internet if a ping test fails.

    With some browsing issues, you may be able to ping a DNS server, but not a web address. If this is the case, you should try manually setting your DNS server.

  5. To copy-paste your ping results: Click and drag the cursor to select the text you want to copy, then right-click and select Copy, or hit Command ⌘+C on your keyboard.

    Open TextEdit or any other text editor or email app and use Command ⌘+V to paste the copied text.

Understanding ping test results

Ping test results are similar for both Windows and macOS.

  1. If a ping test is successful, it means that your computer was able to connect to that address.

  2. You’ll see a "reply" listed for each data packet sent in the ping test, and how long it took.
    A Windows ping test will typically send 4 packets; a macOS ping test may send more.  

    Successful Ping

  3. The statistics will show if any data packets were lost during the ping test.

    Successful Ping

 

 

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