Wireless networks are a very important part of the daily life of users. There are many mobile devices that we use and we can connect thanks to Wi-Fi. However, sometimes problems can arise that affect signal quality, Internet speed or stability. In this article we will explain what is the loss of Wi-Fi packets , how to check if we suffer from this problem and, most importantly, how to avoid it.
What is Wi-Fi packet loss
With Wi-Fi packet loss we mean data loss from source to destination. Basically it is not receiving all the necessary information. This may mean that we have problems when playing online, for example. We will also notice a slowness when loading a web page, that downloads, calls or video calls are interrupted.
In short, the loss of Wi-Fi packets means that our connection does not work properly and therefore we will not be browsing in optimal conditions. This is a problem that can affect all kinds of devices.
Why does Wi-Fi packet loss occur? The main cause is that the signal that reaches us is very weak . For example if we are connected from a device very far from the router and the coverage is poor. It could also occur if there is interference with other equipment or if we are using defective hardware.
How to check the loss of Wi-Fi packets
We can make use of different tools and functions with which we can check whether or not we are having loss of Wi-Fi packages. In this way we can take measures in case there is a problem and try to reduce the damage as much as possible.
For this we can use the traceroute and ping commands. We have to go to Start, write Command Prompt and start it. Later we execute the tracert command followed by the IP or website that we want to check. For example tracert redeszone.net.
What it does first is communicate with the router and then with our ISP. If we see timeout, there may be packet loss.
We can also use the ping command and the page that interests us. For example ping redeszone.net. It will show us the number of packages sent and received, as well as any possible losses.
We can also make use of external and free applications such as Microsoft Network Monitor. It is a simple tool that captures packets and can analyze possible problems.
How to avoid losing Wi-Fi packets
We have seen what this problem is and how to check it, but now we are going to see how to prevent it from happening. One of the main problems of losing Wi-Fi packets is the distance to the router and therefore having a low signal. We can solve this in different ways. The easiest thing is to connect as close as possible to the router, but this is something that is not always possible. In cases where we cannot navigate near the router, we can always make use of network amplifiers , repeaters, Wi-Fi Mesh systems and other options to be able to navigate regardless of the distance from the router.
It is also a good idea to control the band that we are using. As we know modern routers have the 5 GHz band and also the 2.4 GHz band. Basically we can say that the first one is the one that offers more speed, but nevertheless we have to be closer to the router. The 2.4 GHz is the best to connect us further.
But sometimes the problems are with the hardware we are using. We must make sure that our network card is installed correctly, that it does not have any defects and also that the drivers are updated correctly.
In short, by following these simple steps we can avoid the loss of Wi-Fi packets that could jeopardize the proper functioning of our connections and affect the speed of the network.
