The right test or reference page is often faster than waiting for a technician for network issues. This is the curated list we point users to most.
Speed and connection tests
- Speedtest.net — the standard
- Fast.com — Netflix-run, focuses on streaming
- Cloudflare Speed Test — measures latency under load too
- WaveForm Bufferbloat Test — checks if your connection chokes under load
- DSLReports Speedtest — detailed jitter and packet loss
DNS and lookup tools
- DNS Checker — DNS propagation worldwide
- MX Toolbox — DNS, SMTP, blacklist, header analysis
- Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 — fast public DNS
- Google Public DNS — 8.8.8.8
- Quad9 — DNS with malware filtering
- What's My DNS Server — see your current DNS server
IP and connectivity
- What Is My IP Address — your public IP + geolocation
- ifconfig.me — text-only public IP (good for scripts)
- Port Checker — test if a port is open from outside
- Looking Glass servers list — see routing from various points
Outage / status pages
- Down Detector — community-reported outages
- Microsoft 365 Status — official MS service status (requires sign-in)
- Google Workspace Status — official
- AWS Status — official
- Cloudflare Status — official
Wi-Fi diagnostic tools
- WiFi Analyzer (Microsoft Store) — Windows app, shows channel congestion
- WiFi Explorer (macOS) — Mac equivalent
- NetSpot Free Heatmap — Wi-Fi heatmapping
- Acrylic Wi-Fi Home — free Windows Wi-Fi scanner
Learning and reference
- Wireshark — packet capture (advanced, but invaluable)
- How DNS Works (Cloudflare) — clear primer
- Cisco Networking Basics — foundational concepts
- PingPlotter — visual traceroute over time, great for intermittent issues