What Is Packet Loss and How Can You Fix It?
If you're struggling with slow Internet, there are many potential causes. It's possible there are too many devices on the same network; maybe your ISP struggles during peak traffic hours. However, sometimes the problem is more complicated. You may be losing data packets in your communications. In this article, learn what packet loss is, how to tell if you're experiencing it on your network, and how to resolve it.
What is a packet?
A data packet, or network packet, is a tiny unit of data that you transmit via a computer network or the Internet. Though very small - only 1-1,500 bytes - it has a ton of information. Data packets contain the following constituent parts:
- A payload of data
- Metadata describing the contents
- Sender and receiver IP addresses
- Connection protocols
These are the bedrock of any Internet connection or wireless network. Think of them like blood cells in the body that make up a continuous stream of information. Packets allow you to visit websites, download data, and play low-latency online games; essentially, they allow you to do any type of Internet activity.
Packets break data down so that it's easier and faster to send. When it reaches the other end, the recipient's computer reassembles it into a cohesive unit. This also allows for efficient error correction thanks to checksums and packet headers.
Though an excellent method to sustain high-speed Internet, it's not without its flaws. One such is, of course, packet loss.
What is packet loss?
Packet loss is a failure in data transmission where the packets never arrive at their destination. A very small amount of loss is normal in every connection, but it's negligible. It's only when you have a large sum of lost packets that it becomes a network issue.
When you suffer this type of data loss, it manifests in the form of poor network performance and unsatisfactory user experience. Your Internet will be slow, applications will be less responsive, and games will have high ping. That said, it causes more problems than just a connection that feels inferior. It can result in data loss and issues in communication down the line.
Symptoms of packet loss
It's important to distinguish loss of data packets from other types of network issues. A slow Internet connection or failed downloads aren't necessarily a result of lost packets. If you have the following symptoms, you're likely losing packets. You can use speed test tools to check for it.
Poor communication quality
Anything that relies on real-time connections suffers the worst from packet loss. Voice over IP, which people use in voice calling and online conferencing, media streaming, and competitive online gaming, is one such example.
It takes as little as a 2% loss to begin to notice errors, such as gaps in speech, or video jitter.
Limited throughput
Throughput, or the amount of data passing through a network each second, naturally suffers when packets start to get lost. This is because transport layer protocols may interpret this loss as congestion. To compensate for this, they reduce their transmission rate to avoid how perceptible the slowdown is.
Reduction in communication security
Hackers can compromise VoIP apps thanks to the backdoors that packet loss may create. Packet loss could, therefore, result in potential security incidents.
Lost encrypted data
Packets, especially when using an encrypted protocol or virtual private network connection, may become vulnerable as they get lost. Hackers sometimes use packet loss to circumvent certain security measures.
Packet drops
Packets can get "dropped," which means the receiver fails to process them. This usually happens if there is already a delay, which increases your latency.
Incomplete or corrupt data
Data packets are sort of like Lego blocks that make up a bigger data structure. When you lose too many, this can lead to incomplete or corrupt data. You may experience this as broken images, warped speech, or corrupted files.
What does packet loss affect the most?
Packet loss occurs most often when using applications that rely on low latency. This means it affects video streaming, audio streaming, calling, and online gaming in particular, as all of these real-time applications suffer with high latency. Latency is how long it takes your connection to respond, measured in milliseconds; the higher the latency, the slower the connection.
IT experts calculate packet loss in percentages. They measure how many packets were lost versus the amount sent. Some applications - especially online games - can detect packet loss and display the result in real-time.
On a personal basis, packet loss is an inconvenience. You may experience disruptions while watching your favorite shows or playing your favorite games.
Packet loss becomes a major problem for businesses that rely on cloud computing services. Network congestion and errors can harm productivity and result in lost profits.
What causes packet loss?
You can lose packets from issues with your Internet service provider or issues with the server you are connecting to. However, there are generally four common causes of packet loss.
- Network congestion. Every network only has a limited amount of bandwidth. In order to "catch up" upon reaching maximum capacity, a network may reject or ignore incoming packets. Applications can resend these packets later, but it does slow things down.
- Hardware issues. Internet hardware, such as routers, needs regular replacement to stay up-to-date with new tech and protocols. Old hardware will slow down your network and cause packet loss.
- Software bugs. No software is perfect, and it may be malfunctioning in such a way that it induces packet loss. Updating your software on your network and network devices regularly may prevent this.
- Security breaches. Sometimes, hackers rely on packet loss to intentionally crash a system. They may flood a target server with requests, known as a DDoS attack. A massive packet loss spike might be a sign that you are the victim of a cyber attack.
Packet loss doesn't have one direct cause, but if you're experiencing it, it's likely that it's caused by one of these reasons. Make sure to keep your hardware and software updated and secured to minimize packet loss risk.
How to test packet loss
If you want to test or check your packet loss, you have a couple of different options. Many websites online offer packet loss tests that you can use to evaluate your data transmissions. However, if you want to measure your packet loss on your own, there are several commands you can use.
The ping command is one of the best ways to test packet loss. This tool is simple and available on most operating systems. With the ping command, you can send an ICMP Echo Request to monitor the packet response time.
You can also use the traceroute command, which traces the route that packets take to reach their destination. If you're experiencing confirmed packet issues, this command helps you determine where the problem lies.
How to fix packet loss
Though packet loss is troublesome, there's a lot you can do to prevent of fix packet loss. Consider these solutions for how to stop packet loss and restore your connection.
Change your protocol
There are two main transmission protocols: TCP and UDP.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is usually faster simply because it does not retransmit lost packets. The connection must manually resend them. However, this can lead to losing data unless you set up the connection to terminate once it detects loss.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), on the other hand, works to actively negate losing data packets. TCP automatically re-transmits any data packets that don't make it to their destination. Changing to TCP will help to reduce packet loss.
Keep in mind that TCP may, by design, make your network a tiny bit slower.
Get more bandwidth
You may simply have an Internet connection that is too slow for your requirements. If losing packets is a persistent issue, consider upgrading to a higher ISP bandwidth allotment. More bandwidth allows more users and requests, thus reducing connection delays.
Conduct DPI (Deep Packet Inspection)
For enterprise networks, deep packet inspection can mitigate some of the network slowdown. This method can identify, locate, reroute, classify, or block a packet based on its payload or content.
Think of this as a tool that prunes your traffic to streamline the flow. DPI helps prioritize important packets over those of lesser need, such as VoIP over cloud backups.
Generally, the best way to deal with data packet issues is to employ network monitoring and performance tools. Many of these tools can automatically isolate problems and fix your packet loss. Scanning devices may also reveal what is causing packet loss.
Update your hardware and software
Updating your hardware and software is vital, regardless of who you are. Updates patch bugs and vulnerabilities and help to optimize your network. If you have packet loss issues, try updating everything.
Prioritize a wired connection
Wired connections are more stable than wireless connections since packets can get lost in the airwaves. Use Ethernet cables as much as possible.
Avoid obstructions and interference
Sometimes, you have no choice but to use WiFi. If that's the case, then do everything you can to keep the signal clean and unobstructed. Place WiFi routers close to the devices that use them and avoid putting walls or objects in between.
Further, take inventory of interference that may be damaging the signal. These could be things like Bluetooth mice and keyboards, headphones, or wire clutter. Relocating or disconnecting any interfering devices may reduce packet loss.
Frequently asked questions
What is packet loss in gaming?
In gaming, losing data packets means that data is lost in the exchange between your computer and the game server. The data isn't only transferring slowly; it's getting lost in the transfer so that it doesn't arrive at all. This then causes lag, which is problematic for gamers who rely on quick speeds and instantaneous data transfer for a smooth game.
What does packet loss mean?
Packet loss means that your data is not properly transferring across a network or connection, resulting in an absence of information and a lagging connection.
What is a bad packet loss number?
Losing any packets indicates an issue, but a rate over 2% is a bad packet loss number.