Summary

This article provides instructions on performing a trace route on a Windows computer.

A trace route can be useful in troubleshooting in a number of situations, for example, when you are having trouble reaching a resource. It can give good information both about where the communication is failing and what path is being taken to the resource.

Windows has a command-line tool for performing a trace route. It is called "tracert".

How-To

Instructions

Step 1 - Open a command prompt. The easiest way to do that is to go to Start->Run and type in "cmd" then click "OK."

Step 2 - At the command prompt (see image below), type in `tracert <destination>` or, for a somewhat faster response `tracert -d <destination>` . 

Step 3 - For <destination> type the IP address or name of the site you wish to reach. For example, to trace route to www.unh.edu you would type `tracert -d www.unh.edu` 

Note: The "-d" is simply to prevent the resolution of IP addresses into names. You can leave out the "-d" and have the names resolve if you wish.

Step 4 - Press Enter to run the trace route.

Here is an example of the results:

Step 5 - The results of the trace route will continue to appear in the command window until the destination is reached or until the maximum number of "hops" is reached.

• The maximum is generally 30.
• Not all "hops" will necessarily respond, and it is not unusual for some "hops" to respond with a "Request timed out."
• If several "hops" in a row time out, then the trace route is almost certainly not going to complete and you can cancel it with a Ctrl-C.

Step 6 - Copy the results from the command prompt window to save or share with support.  

Note: Copying data from a command prompt window is a bit different than most other Windows interfaces. See detailed instructions below.

Step 7 - When finished you can close the command prompt window by typing `exit` and pressing Enter.

Outcome

You have performed a trace route on a Windows computer. If desired, you have copied the results from the trace route to save or share.

Instructions

Step 1 - Press "Ctrl-M" for "Mark"

Step 2 - Use the white rectangle to highlight the part of the window you want to copy.

Step 3 - Press "Enter" to copy selection to your clipboard

Step 4 - Paste the selected text elsewhere, such as in an email or document.

Outcome

You have copied the data from a command prompt window and pasted it into a location where you can save or share it.

Further Readings

Network Troubleshooting: Performing a Trace Route (MacOS)

Network Troubleshooting: Performing Nslookup (MacOS)

Network Troubleshooting: Performing NSLookup (Windows)

Need additional help?

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