Packet loss occurs when a network connection loses information while it's in transit. It can make your connection seem slower than it should be and reduces the reliability of network communication with local and remote devices. Knowing how to stop ping test packet loss should be a top priority for anyone looking to improve a troublesome network.
Causes of Packet Loss
Packet loss doesn't happen for only one reason. Diagnosing the cause of packet loss on your network will tell you what you need to fix:
Network bandwidth and congestion: A primary cause of packet loss is insufficient network bandwidth. This happens when too many devices attempt to communicate on the same network.
Insufficient hardware: Problems with any hardware on a network that routes packets can cause packet loss. Routers, switches, firewalls, and other networking devices are the most vulnerable.
Damaged cables: Packet loss can occur on the physical network layer. If Ethernet cables are damaged, improperly wired, or too slow to handle the network's traffic, the cables leak packets.
Software bugs: The firmware in the network hardware or computer software can have bugs that cause packet loss.
How to Fix Packet Loss on Your Network
To determine the cause of packet loss, start with the easiest problem to detect:
Check the physical connections. Check the Ethernet connection between the devices. Look for signs of physical damage or misfiring and see if switching out the cables solves the problem.
Free up bandwidth. Is any piece of hardware handling more connections than it should? If so, limit the bandwidth on the router.
Replace the hardware. Swap out potentially problematic devices on the network to see if the packet loss disappears when a specific device is removed.
Report software bugs. If you suspect software bugs caused the packet loss, the only way to fix it is through a firmware patch from the vendor supplying the hardware. Report suspected bugs as you find these issues to encourage vendors to fix the problem.