Testing For Packet Loss

Troubleshooting Broadcast Errors, buffering, and other networking issues can be tedious and time consuming. You've ran plenty of speed tests and your upload speed meets the requirements for the resolution you're streaming at. What else could be causing these issues? It's likely that you're experiencing packet loss.

Note: To learn more about internet requirements for livestreaming, check out the Stream Quality Settings & Required Upload Speeds article.

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What is Packet Loss?

Packet loss occurs when one or more packets of data traveling across a computer network fail to reach their destination. Packet loss is either caused by errors in data transmission, typically across wireless networks, or network congestion.

Packet loss is like the silent killer for internet. Your speed can look great and other things like browsing and watching YouTube can work fine. Streaming is different though. Event the smallest amount of packet loss can take down your stream. To test for packet loss, you will first need either a Windows or Mac OS computer.

Testing for Packet Loss on Windows

To test for packet loss on a Windows computer:

  1. Open Command Prompt/Windows PowerShell (either will work)

    1. Right click the windows icon in the bottom-left corner.

    2. Select Command Prompt or Powershell.

  2. Enter the command as follows: ping -n 100 1.1.1.1

    1. ping = The command to ping, leave unchanged.

    2. -n XXX = This allows you to set the number of times it tests.

    3. X.X.X.X = This is the ip address you are testing the connection too. We recommend CloudFlare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8).

  3. Check the summary when completed for percentage of packet loss.

Note: Any amount of packet loss is bad. You should report this to your internet service provider so they can investigate further.

Testing for Packet Loss on MacOS

To test for packet loss on a Mac computer:

  1. Open the Spotlight Search (magnifying glass icon) in the upper right-hand corner.

  2. Search for a program named "Terminal"

  3. Type ping 1.1.1.1

  4. Press the Return key.

  5. Let it run for at least 50 entries.

  6. Stop the test by pressing the Control and C keys at the same time.

    1. Your results can be found in the highlighted part below.

Note: Any amount of packet loss is bad. You should report this to your internet service provider so they can investigate further.


Keyword(s): packet, loss, test, Google, CloudFlare, ping, data