What's the quickest way to check if my internet is down or just one site?

Run `ping 8.8.8.8`. If that responds but a specific site doesn't, the issue is likely DNS or that site, not your connection.

How do I find my saved Wi-Fi password in Windows?

Run `netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear` in Command Prompt and look for the Key Content field.

How can I see every device connected to my Wi-Fi?

Check your router's admin page, or use a scanning utility like NirSoft's Wireless Network Watcher for a quick list from your PC.

What does tracert actually show?

Every network hop between your PC and the destination, with response time for each — useful for spotting where latency is introduced.

Windows Network Troubleshooting Tools

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Windows includes a full set of network diagnostic tools without installing anything extra. This guide walks through the built-in commands and utilities to check connectivity, find devices on your network, and diagnose Wi-Fi problems.

Updated August 9, 2026 · PC Utility Hub Editorial Team

Start with built-in tools

Before reaching for third-party network utilities, Windows' own command-line and GUI tools handle most everyday troubleshooting: checking your own network configuration, testing connectivity to a site, tracing the path packets take, and inspecting Wi-Fi details.

ipconfig: check your own network configuration

Shows your IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers for each network adapter. Useful first step when troubleshooting 'no internet' issues.

1Open Command Prompt (search 'cmd' in Start).
2Run `ipconfig /all` to see full adapter details, or `ipconfig /flushdns` to clear a stale DNS cache.
3Run `ipconfig /release` then `ipconfig /renew` to request a new IP address from your router if the connection seems stuck.

ipconfig /all

ping and tracert: test connectivity

`ping` tests whether a remote address responds and how long it takes — useful for confirming whether an outage is local or beyond your network. `tracert` shows every hop a connection takes to reach its destination, helpful for spotting where a connection is slowing down or failing.

ping 8.8.8.8
tracert google.com

netsh wlan: inspect Wi-Fi details

`netsh wlan` commands report your current Wi-Fi signal, connection speed, and saved network profiles — including recovering a saved Wi-Fi password with the `key=clear` option on a network you've already connected to.

netsh wlan show interfaces
netsh wlan show profiles
netsh wlan show profile name="YourNetwork" key=clear

Resource Monitor: see live network activity by app

1Press Windows key, type Resource Monitor, and open it.
2Go to the Network tab to see which processes are using bandwidth and which TCP connections are active.
3Use this to spot an app unexpectedly consuming your connection.

When a third-party tool adds value

Built-in tools don't provide an easy list of every device currently on your Wi-Fi network by friendly name — that's the specific gap NirSoft's Wireless Network Watcher fills, scanning your subnet and listing connected devices with IP/MAC/manufacturer info. It complements, rather than replaces, the commands above.

This site is an independent resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the vendor. Always download software from the official vendor site linked below.

Frequently asked questions

What's the quickest way to check if my internet is down or just one site?: Run `ping 8.8.8.8`. If that responds but a specific site doesn't, the issue is likely DNS or that site, not your connection.
How do I find my saved Wi-Fi password in Windows?: Run `netsh wlan show profile name="NetworkName" key=clear` in Command Prompt and look for the Key Content field.
How can I see every device connected to my Wi-Fi?: Check your router's admin page, or use a scanning utility like NirSoft's Wireless Network Watcher for a quick list from your PC.
What does tracert actually show?: Every network hop between your PC and the destination, with response time for each — useful for spotting where latency is introduced.