What Is Packet Loss?
Data travels across the internet in small chunks called packets. When some of them never arrive, that's packet loss. A little is normal. A lot causes lag, stutter in calls, and rubber-banding in games.
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What causes it
- Weak Wi-Fi, the most common culprit at home.
- An overloaded connection, with too much going on at once.
- Faulty cables or a failing router.
- Congestion or routing problems on your ISP's network.
How to reduce it
- Switch to a wired Ethernet connection for the device that matters most.
- Move closer to the router, or reduce interference from other devices and networks.
- Restart your router to clear congestion.
- Replace any old or damaged Ethernet cables.
- If it only happens at certain times or to certain destinations, note the details and report them to your ISP.
How much is too much?
Under 1 percent is generally fine. Between 1 and 2.5 percent you'll start to notice problems in real-time apps. Above that, calls and games become frustrating.