Safety boundary: Use these instructions only for a router or network you own or are authorised to manage. Never enter a router password, Wi-Fi password, SSID, serial number or private network data into Router Portal.
Quick answer: Windows uses
tracert example.com; macOS/Linux commonly use traceroute example.com. Read repeated patterns, not one row.Commands
| Platform | Command | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | tracert example.com | Command Prompt; flags vary |
| macOS | traceroute example.com | Terminal; check man page |
| Linux | traceroute example.com | Install only from official distro guidance |
1Your device
↓
2Home gateway
↓
3ISP edge
↓
4Transit hops
↓
5Destination
Read a row
| Item | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hop number | Position in path |
| Hostname/IP | When revealed |
| Probe times | Response time in ms |
| * * * | No response; filtering is possible |
Patterns
- A spike that normalises later may be reply prioritisation.
- A persistent rise from one point onward is more useful evidence.
- Asterisks can mean filtering or rate limiting.
- A final timeout does not prove the destination is down.
Repeat and redact
Compare times, destinations and wired/wireless paths. Redact public IPs, hostnames, usernames and timestamps before sharing output. Pair with a ping test.
Frequently asked questions
What does traceroute prove?
Only the responding path and timing from that method and moment.
Why is an intermediate hop slow?
It may deprioritise probes while forwarding traffic normally.
Is tracert the same command?
Similar purpose, different OS implementation and flags.