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Connection Stability Test

Sends 100 parallel requests and measures failure rate and latency spikes — the two signals that reveal packet loss, congestion, or a faulty modem. Runs fully on this site.

ReceivedDelayedFailed

Requests

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Failures

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Spikes

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How this test works: Browsers use TCP, which automatically retransmits dropped packets — so true IP-level packet loss cannot be measured in a browser. This test sends 100 parallel requests and reports: Failures (requests that never completed) and Spikes (requests taking more than 3× the baseline — the fingerprint of a TCP retransmission). A connection showing 0% failures with yellow spikes may still have underlying packet loss that TCP masked.

Connection stability thresholds (failure rate)

0%PerfectNo failures — clean connection
0–2%StableMinimal impact on gaming and VoIP
2–5%UnstableGaming and video call quality degrades
5–10%DegradedContact your ISP
10%+UnreliableConnection needs urgent investigation

Why can't browsers measure real packet loss?

Browsers use TCP, which automatically retransmits any dropped packets before your app even sees them. True IP-level packet loss — as measured by tools like WinMTR or the command-line ping — is invisible to a browser. This test instead detects the symptoms: request failures and latency spikes that indicate retransmissions are happening. A connection with 0 failures but frequent yellow spikes may still have underlying packet loss that TCP is masking.

Common causes of connection instability

  • Faulty or aging coaxial or ethernet cables
  • Wi-Fi interference from neighbours or nearby devices
  • Overloaded network — ISP congestion during peak hours
  • Defective modem or router — try rebooting or replacing
  • Loose or corroded cable connections at the wall or modem