Highlights
- If you want to ping Google, you can type the domain name “google.com” or enter the IP address.
- If you want to check by IP address, you can check your connection to Google using the IP addresses 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4.
- Not just windows, we will know the process to check in Linux & MacOS as well.
Introduction
Pinging is a common process that almost everyone performs if his internet connectivity is slow or not working. Pinging Google is the fastest and easiest way to check if your data packets are traveling from your computer to Google and back. If this process is completed successfully, then pat yourself – your internet connection is working well.
The beautiful part is that the process used in Windows, Linux, or MacOS is almost the same. It requires you to follow only a few simple steps in each operating system’s Command Line Interface (CLI).
This guide will touch on different important aspects, from understanding IP addresses vs domain names to knowing the process of pinging in various Operating Systems. We will learn to troubleshoot common ping issues and check the Ping Statistics.
Join us on a journey to understand this beautiful and simple testing method.
What is a Ping Test?
A ping test is a command generally executed from the Command Prompt (CMD) of the operating system. It also helps you measure the time in milliseconds. Run the command to know how fast the data is traveling between your computer and Google’s servers.
Understanding Ping as a testing tool:
A ping test is a network diagnostic tool used to check the status and responsiveness of a particular server or host computer by sending a small packet of data to it and measuring the response time.
When you initiate a testing sequence through ping, your computer sends a request to the target computer, asking it to send a reply or response against the request received. It is generally a remote server or a website; in our case, it is www.google.com.
If the target server is online and reachable, it sends a response back to the source computer. The time taken is measured, typically in milliseconds, for this round trip. This response time indicates the speed and reliability of the network connection between your (source) computer and the target.
Adverse scenario:
No response from the target computer can mean,
- It is offline,
- It has a network issue, or
- It has a blocked connection.
The ping test is commonly used as a diagnostic tool to troubleshoot network problems. It helps you check whether a specific computer or server is online and reachable to help users and administrators isolate connectivity issues quickly.
Also Read: How to Check the Response Time of a Website?
Understanding IP Addresses vs Domain Names
IP addresses and domain names are two important components of the internet. Besides, they serve different purposes. An IP address comprises a unique set of numbers assigned to each device connected to a network. The IP address is like a computer’s digital address that lets other devices locate it when online.
For example, an IP address might look like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.2.0. Despite being only numbers, it isn’t easy to remember any IP address. As a solution to this problem, domain names came into being. These domain names are user-friendly identifiers that map to these IP addresses, making it easier to reach websites. Instead of typing a cumbersome series of numbers, it is easier to type a simple domain name like “example.com.”
The tech experts developed a system called the Domain Name System (DNS), which translates the Domain Name into their corresponding IP address in the background. This seamless translation simplifies our browsing experience, allowing us to browse websites and connect to servers. This DNS system saves the time and effort needed to memorize IP addresses, making the internet more accessible and user-friendly.
Also Read: What is the Difference Between HTTP and FTP?
➢ How to Ping Google on Windows 10?
To ping Google.com from a system running on Windows 10, you must follow the steps below. The process is simple and easy to understand:
➔ Open the Command Prompt: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type ‘CMD’ into the search bar, and select ‘Command Prompt’ from the search results.
➔ Type the Ping Command: In the Command Prompt window, type ‘ping google.com’, and press ‘Enter.’ This command tells your computer to send a small data packet to Google’s servers and wait for a response.
➔ View the Results: After you press Enter, you’ll see a series of responses indicating whether the ping was successful. Each line shows how long it took (in milliseconds) for a packet to travel to Google and back. It also displays information on the number of packets sent, received, and lost, which can help identify any connection issues.
➔ If you see a series of response times, the ping test was successful, meaning your computer has an active internet connection to Google. If you see messages like ‘Request timed out,’ it could indicate an issue with your connection.
Also Read: How to Fix the err name not resolved Chrome
➢ How to Ping Google on Linux?
To ping Google.com on a Linux operating system, follow these steps:
➔ Open the Terminal: Press ‘Ctrl + Alt + T’ on your keyboard, or search for ‘Terminal’ in your applications menu and open it.
➔ Type the Ping Command: In the Terminal window, type ‘ping google.com’ and press Enter. This command initiates a continuous ping to Google’s servers, sending small data packets and waiting for responses.
➔ Monitor the Results: The Terminal will display lines of data, showing how long it took (in milliseconds) for each packet to reach Google and return to your device. This information includes values like the time taken, packet sequence number, and, occasionally, packet loss if any packets don’t return.
➔ A successful ping indicates that your device is connected to Google. If you see “Destination Host Unreachable” or other error messages, it may indicate a connection issue.
Also Read: How to Fix Err Tunnel Connection Failed in Chrome
➢ How to Ping Google on MacOS?
To ping Google.com on a MacOS operating system, follow these steps:
➔ Go to ‘Finder’ & click on ‘Applications.’
➔ Next, open the ‘Utilities.’ folder
➔ In that, you have to select ‘Terminal.’
2nd Method:
➔ Alternatively, you can use ‘Spotlight Search’ by pressing ‘Command + Space.’
➔ In that, type ‘Terminal,’ and press ‘Enter.’
➔ Type the Ping Command: In the Terminal window, type ‘ping google.com’ and press ‘Enter.’ This command starts a continuous ping to Google’s servers, sending small data packets and measuring the response time.
➔ Monitor the Results: The Terminal will display lines showing how long each packet took (in milliseconds) to travel to Google and back to your system. It will give you details about the connection speed and its reliability. You’ll see details such as the packet sequence number and the time for each round-trip.
➔ Stop the Ping Test: By default, the ping command runs indefinitely on MacOS. To stop it, press Control + C on your keyboard. This will end the test and display a summary, including the total number of packets sent, received, lost, and the average response time.
➔ If you see response times displayed, your Mac is successfully connecting to Google. If you see errors like “Request timeout for icmp_seq,” it could mean there’s a connectivity issue with your network.
Also Read: How to Fix This Site Can’t Be Reached the Connection Was Reset
Troubleshooting Common Ping Issues
To troubleshoot common ping issues, you must check for connectivity problems. Additionally, it is important to verify that the target server or website is online. It will help you determine if the issue is local or external. We will discuss the following points to understand more about common ping issues.
➢ Ping Request Timed Out
To troubleshoot common ping issues, start by examining the “Ping Request Timed Out” error. This error usually indicates that your computer isn’t receiving a response from the target server or the website.
This can happen due to network connection problems, incorrect firewall settings that block the request, or a possibility that the destination server is offline. In either of the cases, check your internet connection. Try turning off the firewall temporarily to test and verify whether the target server you’re pinging is reachable or not. This process will give you adequate clarity.
➢ Unknown Host Error
Receiving an “Unknown Host” error in a ping test requires you to troubleshoot and verify if you’ve entered the correct domain name. Any typos can often lead to this issue.
If the domain name is correct, the problem can be with the DNS (Domain Name System) resolving the name to an IP address. Try to reboot your router or switch to a different DNS server, like Google’s (8.8.8.8). Just see if these changes resolve the issue.
➢ General Connectivity Problems
The first thing to verify when troubleshooting general connectivity problems during a ping test is to check if your internet connection is active on other devices or websites. The next step is to restart your router and computer to refresh the network connection.
If you’re on Wi-Fi, try moving closer to the router. Alternatively, you can switch to a wired connection to rule out weak signal issues.
Also Read: How to Fix the 504 Bad Gateway Timeout Error?
How do I check the Ping Statistics?
After running the ping test, the user can check the ping statistics from the provided summary available at the end of the test. This summary typically appears when you press Ctrl + C (for Linux and MacOS) to terminate or stop the testing process. In the case of MS Windows, the user gets to see the ping test summary after a fixed number of pings are completed.
This summary displays three important values regarding the data packets. It shows the total number of sent, received, and lost (if any) packets during the test. It also shows the percentage of packet loss. If there is no packet loss, the % value will be displayed as zero. Moreover, it shows the minimum, maximum, and average round-trip times in milliseconds. These time values help you assess the internet connection’s stability and speed.
*Caution: High packet loss or too many response times may indicate network issues. It is important to understand that low and consistent times suggest a stable internet connection, which you should aim for every time you run a ping test.
Also Read: What is 406 Not Acceptable and How to Fix It?
Conclusion
By now, you would have gained a fairly good idea about pinging Google from your Windows, Linux, and MacOS systems. It is, by large, the quickest and most effective way to check your internet connection, diagnose network issues, and measure connection stability.
By following a simple process in each operating system (terminal windows), you can see in real-time how well your device communicates with the outside world (Google’s servers in our case).
Just like performing the ping testing, it is equally important to understand and interpret the result. This report will help you troubleshoot connectivity problems at home or in the office.
Now that you know how to run a ping test on each operating system and analyze the statistics, you’re equipped to handle basic network diagnostics and keep your connection running smoothly.
“Happy Pinging for Stronger Networks.”
Frequently Asked Questions For Pinging
1. What is a good response time for ping?
The response time for ping is often measured in milliseconds (ms). A good response time for ping must be under 20 ms. If your ping test cracks this standard, your connection is very fast and reliable.
For regular browsing or music and video streaming, a ping time under 50 ms is considered excellent. In comparison, ping time up to 100 ms is generally an acceptable norm.
When your ping test statistics begin to show anything over 150 ms, it will start to feel slow. It may cause a noticeable lag if you are working on a resource-intensive application, especially in real time.
Lower response times mean quicker communication between your device and the server, resulting in a smoother online experience.
2. Why do I receive ‘Request Timed Out’ when pinging Google?
When you see a “Request Timed Out” message while pinging Google, it usually means that your device didn’t receive a response from Google’s server within the expected time.
Here are a few reasons for this to happen:
- There may be an issue with your internet connection, like a weak Wi-Fi signal or disconnected cable. There can be an issue with your router or switches.
- Your firewall or network security settings might be blocking the ping request.
- Google’s servers could be temporarily unreachable.
To troubleshoot, you can check your connection, restart your router, or adjust firewall settings to see if it resolves the issue. You may temporarily turn off or bypass your firewall to test the connectivity.
Even if this arrangement works, avoid permanently disabling your firewall, as it makes your network susceptible to attacks and infections.
3. Can I ping Google using an alternative address?
Yes, you can ping Google using an alternative address, such as one of its IP addresses. For example, instead of typing ping google.com, you can try ping 8.8.8.8.
Note: 8.8.8.8 is Google’s public DNS server address.
This process helps if you are having trouble resolving domain names with DNS (Domain Name System). It lets you test the connection by directly pinging Google’s servers.
Important: If you receive a response when pinging the IP address instead of the domain name, then there can be an issue with your DNS setting.
4. Is 500 a bad ping?
Yes, a ping summary showing 500 milliseconds (ms) time is generally considered bad because it indicates a great delay in communication between your device and the server.
A 500 ms ping means it takes half a second for data to travel to the server and back. This indicates a noticeable lag, especially in online games, video calls, or other real-time activities.
Ideally, a good ping should be under 100 ms for smooth performance. Meanwhile, a ping time under 50 ms is considered excellent. High ping times like 500 ms usually suggest network issues, weak connections, or distant servers, all of which can impact your online experience.