Packet loss jumped to 126% abruptly!
Packet loss jumped to 126% abruptly!
How bad is this...? http://imgur.com/a/bUmxbN6 Checked cables, reset router... No change. It's just odd because I never had this before today, it was always 0% packet loss so not sure if this is an error or what.
I just pinged Google... 30 packets sent, 0% loss So it *does* look like Ookla is f^ once again... Not the first time, just the first time it's showing me high packet loss, constantly... And you're almost right, because I did call my ISPs sometimes and they *will* tell you if there's a general issue at least usually so you know if it's an issue on their end most likely or not - but it can also be they'll say there's nothing, so yeah.
Using speed tests on packetoss will consistently show packet loss. This behavior is part of how TCP functions and its algorithms operate. Try testing with sites like fast.com or others before drawing conclusions. No, simply reporting packet loss in a speed test app isn't the best approach. While they can identify issues, packet loss often has more nuanced causes.
It's near worthless to call them because unless it's an issue effecting everything and causing actual application problems and downloads to fail then either there is misreporting of packet loss in the application or the fault is not within the control of the ISP so would be pointless to ring them. You'll know when you have an actual problem with your connection because you'll have trouble using it at all, for anything. When that happens the problem is almost always between your house and the road side distribution. Internet is just a giant Jenga tower where every block is a different person/entity, only takes one of them to make the tower fall over. Oh and there is a Jenga tower per service/website so good luck trying to actually find root cause of issue when nobody has any real overall insight at all. Also that picture of yours shows negative packet loss which is clearly just a math error/bug. Negative loss is impossible and so is more than 100%, unless your network has found a way to create packets from nothing (magic maybe?).
I'd prefer Windows CMD or Linux Terminal for a more accurate view of packet loss than an online speed test. Try a ping, keep it running for 5 minutes, 15 minutes or longer if you're comfortable. Note any packet loss that appears. If the client shows minimal or no loss, Ookla's percentage will be significantly inaccurate—particularly since it would be a negative value above 100%. That doesn't make sense.