How to Run a Traceroute (tracert) Command

Run a traceroute to track the path data takes from your device to a specific IP address or domain. This command helps identify delays, network issues, or routing problems. It's a valuable tool for troubleshooting connectivity across Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.

In this section, we will discuss:

• Run a traceroute (tracert) command using Windows
• Run a traceroute command using Mac OS X
• Run a traceroute in Linux
• Run a traceroute
• Reviews

 

Run a traceroute (tracert) command using Windows

To use the traceroute command with computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system (XP):

1. Select Start > Run.
2. Type 'cmd’, then click OK.
3. Type 'tracert' followed by a space and the domain name or IP address (for example: tracert example.com or tracert 10.0.2.1).
4. Press the Enter key to run the command.

To use the traceroute command with computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system (Vista, 7):

1. Open your control panel on your local computer.
2. Click Programs.
3. In the 'Programs and Features' window that appears, click the list under 'Turn Windows features on or off' to expand it.
4. In the list that appears, check the box next to 'Telnet client’.
5. Click OK.
6. Select Start > Run.
7. Type 'cmd’, then click OK.
8. Type 'tracert' followed by a space and the domain name or IP address (for example: tracert example.com or tracert 10.0.2.1).
9. Press the Enter key to run the command.

Once complete, a 'Trace complete' message will display. To copy the results of the traceroute command:

1. Right-click the command prompt window, then select Select All.
2. Press the Enter key to copy this information to your computer's clipboard.
3. Open a new blank document (using Microsoft Word, Notepad, or a similar program).
4. Right-click the blank document, then select Paste.

 

Run a traceroute command using Mac OS X

To use the traceroute command with computers running the Apple Macintosh operating system (OS X):

1. Open the Applications folder.
2. Click Network Utilities.
3. Select the 'Traceroute' tab.
4. Enter an IP address or domain name in the text field, then click Trace.

Once complete, a 'Trace complete' message will display. To copy the results of the traceroute command:

1. While holding down the left mouse button, select and highlight all the displayed results of the traceroute command.
2. You can copy these results by pressing the Command key () and the C key (or right-clicking the results and selecting Copy).
3. Open a new blank document (using TextEdit, Microsoft Word, or a similar program).
4. Left-click the blank document, then press the Command key () and the V key (or right-click the blank page and select Paste).

It will insert the copied results of the traceroute command into the document, which you can then save to your local computer for future troubleshooting purposes.

 

Run traceroute in Linux

Traceroute is a basic Linux system utility available for nearly all distribution repositories. You must first install it on your system using the package manager.

Some install examples:

Ubuntu/Debia

 

OpenSUSE

 

Arch Linux

 

Run a traceroute

Run 'traceroute' by typing the command, followed by an IP address or domain name.

 

Review

Traceroute works in real time in your terminal window. You may see a few or many stops before reaching your destination. Some networks are configured to block traceroute, so if the command stops outputting information in your terminal and starts showing asterisk characters, that may be the reason. Traceroute can show you if there are any blocks, slow areas, or bottlenecks that need to be improved.