Why You Need an Internet Stability Test
In my seven years as a systems administrator, I've dealt with countless complaints about "slow internet." What's interesting is that many times the problem wasn't speed—it was stability. Losing just 2-5% of packets can turn a video call into a slideshow and make online gaming nearly impossible.
I built this tool after explaining the difference between speed and stability to yet another frustrated client. Regular speed tests only measure bandwidth, completely ignoring connection quality. But it's stability that actually determines your day-to-day internet experience.
How the Internet Stability Test Works
The service sends sequential requests to servers and measures how many reach their destination and with what delay. The test uses lightweight requests to reliable servers to minimize load on your connection. Each request uses only a few kilobytes of data, making the test virtually invisible even during extended use. The interval between checks is optimized to balance diagnostic accuracy with resource efficiency.
Each bar on the chart represents a connection attempt. Green means successful delivery with normal latency, yellow signals elevated ping, red indicates serious issues, and gray shows complete packet loss. The visualization helps you immediately see results online and understand whether problems are constant or intermittent.
What the Test Measures
Packet Loss — the main stability indicator. Even 1% loss can be noticeable during video calls. Packet loss causes video freezing, audio dropouts, and game lag. Anything above 5% makes most online activities difficult.
Latency (Ping) — network response time. For comfortable browsing, 100 ms is sufficient, for gaming you want under 50 ms, and professional esports players need every millisecond they can get.
Jitter — latency variation. High jitter makes your connection unpredictable. That's when ping is 20 ms one moment and 200 ms the next.
Usage Recommendations
- ✓ Run the test for at least 1-3 minutes to get an accurate picture. I usually let it run for 3-10 minutes, especially if I suspect intermittent issues. Some problems only show up under specific conditions or at certain times.
- ✓ Test internet stability at different times of day. Evening results, when all your neighbors are streaming shows, might differ drastically from morning numbers. This is especially true for wireless connections.
- ✓ If you're on Wi-Fi, try connecting via cable for comparison. Often the problem is with your wireless connection, not your ISP. I've seen dozens of cases where simply moving the router solved everything.
- ✓ Disable VPN and close resource-intensive applications for more accurate results. Save screenshots of your results when contacting your provider.
How to Interpret Results
- Excellent Connection: 0% packet loss, latency up to 30 ms, jitter up to 5 ms. Chart consistently green with no drops. Perfect for any online activity.
- Good Connection: loss up to 0.5%, latency up to 50 ms, jitter up to 10 ms. Occasional yellow bars. Suitable for gaming and video calls.
- Fair Connection: loss 0.5-2%, latency up to 100 ms, jitter up to 20 ms. Noticeable periodic fluctuations. Comfortable for browsing and video, but gaming may be problematic.
- Problematic Connection: loss above 2%, unstable latency, high jitter. Chart filled with red and gray bars. Time to investigate and contact your provider.
| Connection Type | Packet Loss | Latency | Jitter | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 0% | up to 30 ms | up to 5 ms | Consistently green chart, ideal for any task |
| Good | up to 0.5% | up to 50 ms | up to 10 ms | Occasional yellow bars. Good for gaming and calls |
| Fair | 0.5–2% | up to 100 ms | up to 20 ms | Periodic fluctuations, possible gaming issues |
| Problematic | over 2% | unstable | high | Red and gray bars. Needs diagnosis |
Excellent
Packet Loss: 0%
Latency: up to 30 ms
Jitter: up to 5 ms
Characteristics: Consistently green chart, ideal for any task
Good
Packet Loss: up to 0.5%
Latency: up to 50 ms
Jitter: up to 10 ms
Characteristics: Occasional yellow bars. Good for gaming and calls
Fair
Packet Loss: 0.5–2%
Latency: up to 100 ms
Jitter: up to 20 ms
Characteristics: Periodic fluctuations, possible gaming issues
Problematic
Packet Loss: over 2%
Latency: unstable
Jitter: high
Characteristics: Red and gray bars. Needs diagnosis
Watch for these patterns:
- Periodic spikes — may indicate channel congestion from other devices on your network
- Consistently high ping — problem on your ISP's side or congested routing
- Regular losses at specific times — ISP network overload during peak hours
- Chaotic spikes — possible WiFi router issues or wireless interference
Common Questions
Why does the test show problems but websites load fine?
Regular browsing tolerates packet loss well because TCP automatically resends lost data. But streaming video, calls, and games use UDP, where each lost packet matters. You might not notice issues reading articles but struggle with Zoom or online gaming.
What percentage of packet loss is normal?
Ideally — 0%. In practice, up to 0.5% is acceptable. From 0.5% to 2% — noticeable in demanding applications. Above 2% is a serious problem requiring attention. If you consistently see over 5% loss, your connection is practically unusable for modern online services.
Why does latency fluctuate?
Latency changes based on network congestion, routing, and interference. Slight variations are normal, but wild swings indicate stability problems. High jitter makes applications feel sluggish even if average ping looks decent.
What should I do if I find problems?
First, test with a wired connection if you're on Wi-Fi. Restart your router. Make sure no one on your network is downloading torrents or updating games. If the problem persists, run the test on another device. Consistent problems across all devices mean it's time to contact your ISP with specific data.
Does the test affect my internet speed?
The test uses minimal traffic — just a few kilobytes per second. That's comparable to loading a simple web page. It won't impact your work, video streaming, or gaming. We designed it to be as lightweight as possible to avoid adding network load.
Can I use the test on mobile devices?
Yes, the test is fully optimized for smartphones and tablets. You can check the stability of both Wi-Fi and mobile data. When testing mobile connections, keep in mind that results can vary based on your location, signal strength, and cell tower congestion.
How often should I test my connection?
Regular testing only makes sense if you notice problems. I recommend running a test after installing new equipment, moving locations, or when you start having issues with online services. It's also useful to test before important video calls or tournaments to avoid unpleasant surprises.