How to check packet loss during a gaming session

Your game freezes for a moment, characters jump across the screen, or you get disconnected after playing for a while. A quick speed test may look normal, but that does not rule out brief connection drops during a match.

Use the Connection Stability test to look for lost requests, response-time spikes, and jitter over a few minutes. Repeat it at different points in a gaming session to see whether the problem is steady, occasional, or linked to something else using your connection.

Check for packet loss during a session

1. Open Connection Stability on the computer you use for gaming. Keep the computer on the same network and connection type you use to play.
2. Run the test for a few minutes before launching the game. Note any lost requests, dropouts, or large response-time changes.
3. Start your game and play as usual. If the problem appears, run the test again while the game is open, or as soon as you can after the interruption.
4. Repeat the check on another session, ideally at a different time of day. Record whether you used Wi-Fi or Ethernet, whether other people were streaming or downloading, and when the game lagged.
5. If possible, compare the same setup using Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi. Change only one thing at a time so you can tell which change affected the result.

Keep the game and test in the foreground if you can. A hidden browser tab may be slowed by the browser, and a test running at the same time as a large download can add traffic of its own. You do not need to leave the test running all night. A few repeatable checks around the time the symptoms occur are more useful than one long, uncontrolled run.

What the result means

Lost requests or dropouts appear around the time of lag

The connection from your browser to the test endpoint is losing some requests or briefly stopping. That supports the idea that your local connection or internet route is unstable, but it does not prove that the game is losing packets. The browser and game may use different routes and servers.

Response time rises, but no requests are lost

The connection is still responding, but it takes longer. A sudden rise can make a game feel delayed even when there is no packet loss. If the rise happens while someone starts a backup, stream, or large upload, traffic congestion may be contributing.

Jitter changes sharply

Jitter means response time varies from one request to the next. A low average can hide sudden changes, so look at whether the spikes match the moments when your game stutters. Unstable Wi-Fi, busy network traffic, or a congested router can all contribute.

The test looks steady while the game lags

Your browser's route to the test endpoint was steady during that check. The issue could still be on the route to the game server, in the game itself, or on the gaming computer. Check the game's connection indicator and server status, and compare with another online game before changing your router settings.

How to fix packet loss and lag

1. Pause large downloads and uploads. Stop cloud backups, game updates, and video uploads on your network, then check again. A full upload queue can delay game traffic even if download speed looks good.
2. Use Ethernet for a comparison. Connect the gaming computer directly to the router with a network cable, then repeat the test and play for a similar length of time. If the issue improves, focus on Wi-Fi rather than changing game settings.
3. Move closer to the router. If Ethernet is not practical, test from the same room as the router and avoid placing the computer behind metal furniture or inside a cabinet. On Windows 11, check Settings › Network & internet › Wi-Fi to confirm the connection. On macOS, check System Settings › Wi-Fi.
4. Restart the router and computer. Restarting can clear a temporary connection problem. Power the router off, wait about 30 seconds, turn it back on, and wait for the connection to return before testing.
5. Reconnect to the Wi-Fi network. On Windows 11, open Settings › Network & internet › Wi-Fi › Manage known networks, select your network, and choose Forget, then connect again. On macOS, open System Settings › Wi-Fi, select the network details, and forget the network before rejoining. You will need the Wi-Fi password.
6. Compare with a different network. Try Ethernet or a trusted alternate connection, such as a phone hotspot, for a short test. A hotspot is not always faster or more stable, but a clear difference can help identify whether your home router or internet connection is involved.
7. Check for a game-specific route issue. If the browser test stays steady but one game keeps lagging, try another game server region if the game offers one. If the issue only occurs with IPv6, see IPv6 routing problems in multiplayer games.

When the problem may be your hardware

If the connection drops on both Ethernet and Wi-Fi, across multiple devices, and at different times, contact your internet provider with the times and results you recorded. If only one computer has the problem, update its network adapter driver through the computer or adapter maker's support process, or have the adapter checked. A damaged Ethernet cable or a failing Wi-Fi adapter may need replacement.

What this test can and cannot show

Connection Stability checks response time, jitter, lost requests, and dropouts from the browser over a few minutes. It cannot capture the packets exchanged between your game and its server, read Wi-Fi signal strength in dBm, or guarantee that a longer session will stay stable. Treat the result as evidence about your general connection, then compare it with the game's own indicators and repeat the check when symptoms occur.