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100% Packet Loss: What Does It Mean And How to Fix It?
5 min. read
Updated onJanuary 29, 2024
updated onJanuary 29, 2024
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100% packet loss is an extreme situation that may even render you unable to access the Internet. A broad range of factors can cause it, and it can be located everywhere throughout your connection or just on specific nodes.
However, even if it sounds bad, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. Fortunately, nowadays, we have the necessary tools to identify the location of the issue and troubleshoot it effectively.
But first, let’s do a quick recap.
What does 100% packet loss mean?
Packet lossis a phenomenon that occurs whenever packets of data that you send or receive never make it to their destination. The amount of packets that are lost within the session is translated into percentage values.
So, for instance, you send 100 packets, but only 84 reach the destination point. By subtracting them out of the total, we have 14 data packets that get lost on the way. Thus, we can say that we have a 14% packet loss.
100% packet loss occurs whenever no packet that you send makes it to the destination. As a result, there’s no response from the server we pinged (or attempted to send the requests to).
What causes 100% packet loss?
Here’s where things get a bit complicated. Packet loss can be caused by a lot of factors. For instance, even oldEthernet cablesor outdatednetwork adapterdrivers can lead to packet leaks.
On the other hand, it seems one of the factors outweighs them all:network congestion. More often than not, you’ll find that being on an overcrowded network can lead to packet loss, and the bad news is that you can’t do much to prevent it.
But that mostly applies for less severe cases of packet loss (i.e. when it’s not 100%). A 100% packet loss is, as we’ve said earlier, severe, as it means there’s absolutely zero connectivity between two of the nodes on the network.
How to test packet loss?
Each hop in your connection is related to a part of your route. As the hop number increases, your connection strays further away from the device you tested. Check the screenshot below.For instance, the first hop will always be your PC, and the last one will be the destination server (i.e. google.com, if you used our example).
Any hops in between the source and destination will either belong to your ISP, the upstream network distribution company, and relay servers.
How do I fix 100% packet loss?
1. Use a VPN
Often, your ISP can cause a 100% packet loss situation by either throttling your bandwidth, blocking you, or having improper network routing. It’s easy to see whether your ISP is the cause or not during the test.
ExpressVPN
Just use the screenshot above to check whether the packet loss occurs on your ISP’s side.
However, note that not even using aVPNcan help you if your Internet connection is completely down. Sometimes an ISP might cut your connection for various reasons (maybe you’re late with the payment).
In this situation, not even aVPNcan help you, otherwise, aVPN can help reducing packet loss.
2. Troubleshoot your connection manually
Sometimes your network routing might impede you from accessing a certain service or website. In those cases, running a pathping test will often return confusing results, such as anunreachable ping destination host, but no packet loss.
You can often fix 100% packet loss
All things considered, 100% packet loss might be an extreme connectivity issue, but it can be fixed nevertheless. More often than not it’s caused by your ISP, which will be glad to assist you in solving it. You have to give them a call.
Other times it can be caused by improper routing, or even DDoS attacks if you’re unfortunate enough.
Using aVPNmight help if there seems to be an issue on your ISP’s side of the connection. However, note that it won’t do much if your ISP has completely cut down your connection (for not paying your subscription).
Last but not least, VPN use can sometimes worsen things, especially if it comes with a built-infirewall. Make sure you have all the right facts before deciding to invest in aVPNfor attempting to fix 100% packet loss.
More about the topics:Fix network issues,packet loss
Vlad Constantinescu
Vlad might have a degree in Animal Husbandry and Livestock Management, but he’s currently rocking anything software related, ranging from testing programs to writing in-depth reviews about them.
He spent 3-4 years as a software editor at Softpedia and another year as a VPN specialist before he landed his current job as an author at Windows Report.
In his free time, Vlad enjoys playing guitar, doing jigsaw puzzles, researching cybersecurity, and even having a good read on rainy days.
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