How to Run a Traceroute to a Website from Your Computer Print

A traceroute is a tool used to see the path data takes from your computer to a website. It helps identify where there might be delays or issues in the connection. Running a traceroute can help us troubleshoot problems like slow loading times or connection failures. Follow the steps below to run a traceroute from your computer.

For Windows Users:

1. Open the Command Prompt:

   • Click the Start menu (the Windows icon in the bottom left).
   • In the search bar, type cmd and press Enter. This will open the Command Prompt window.

2. Run the Traceroute:

   • In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:

     tracert yourwebsite.com
     Replace yourwebsite.com with the actual website you want to trace. For example, if you're having trouble with "example.com", type:

     tracert example.com
   • Press Enter. You’ll see a series of lines showing the path your data takes to the website.

3. Wait for Results:

   • The process might take a few moments. Once it's done, you’ll see a list of “hops,” which are the servers the data passes through on its way to the website.

4. Copy or Save the Results:

   • Right-click anywhere in the Command Prompt window, select Mark, highlight the results, and press Enter to copy.
   • Paste the results into a document or a support ticket so we can help review them.

For macOS Users:

1. Open the Terminal:

   • Press Command (⌘) + Spacebar to open Spotlight search.
   • Type Terminal and press Enter.

2. Run the Traceroute:

   • In the Terminal window, type the following command:

     traceroute yourwebsite.com
     Replace yourwebsite.com with the actual website you want to trace. For example:

     traceroute example.com
   • Press Enter. The Terminal will show you a series of lines with the path data takes to reach the website.

3. Wait for Results:

   • Just like on Windows, this will take a few moments. When it’s done, you’ll see a list of the servers (hops) your data passes through.

4. Copy or Save the Results:

   • Highlight the text by clicking and dragging, then press Command (⌘) + C to copy the results.
   • Paste the results into a document or a support ticket so we can assist you.

For Linux Users:

1. Open the Terminal:

   • Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Terminal.

2. Run the Traceroute:

   • Type the following command:

     traceroute yourwebsite.com
     Replace yourwebsite.com with the website you want to trace. For example:

     traceroute example.com
   • Press Enter.

3. Wait for Results:

   • Like on other systems, this may take a minute. You’ll see the hops displayed one by one.

4. Copy or Save the Results:

   • Highlight the results, then press Ctrl + Shift + C to copy them.
   • Paste the results into a document or support ticket for us to review.

Why This Helps

A traceroute shows us exactly where in the network the delay or problem is happening. It could be an issue with your connection, or it could be a server somewhere between you and the website that’s causing the delay. With the traceroute results, we can pinpoint where the issue lies and get things working again.

If you need any help running a traceroute, feel free to contact our support team!