Troubleshooting Lag: Understanding & Running MTR

Lagging on CatCraft? An MTR test shows where the connection between you and the server slows down or loses packets, so staff can tell whether the problem is your network, your internet provider or the server. Pick how you play below and follow the steps.

What are you playing on?

Minecraft Java Edition

Run the test on the computer you play Minecraft on.

Your computer

Minecraft Bedrock Edition

Run the test on the device you play Minecraft on. Phones and tablets use a free network app instead of MTR, and the screenshots tell us the same thing.

Your device

Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch

Consoles can't run this test. Run it on a phone or computer that's connected to the same Wi-Fi or router as your console, so it takes the same path to the server.

It also helps to run your console's own network test and send us a screenshot of the result.

  • Xbox: Settings, General, Network settings, Test network speed & statistics.
  • PlayStation 5: Settings, Network, Connection Status, Test Internet Connection.
  • PlayStation 4: Settings, Network, Test Internet Connection.
  • Nintendo Switch: System Settings, Internet, Test Connection.

Device you'll run the test on

Windows

  1. Download WinMTR, open the zip and run WinMTR.exe (use the 64-bit one if there are two).
  2. Type play.catcraft.net into the Host box and click Start.
  3. Leave it running for about 2 minutes, ideally while you're lagging, then click Stop.
  4. Click Copy Text to clipboard and paste the results into a ticket on our Discord server.

Can't download programs? Open Command Prompt and run the command below. It takes 5 to 10 minutes. Copy everything it prints into your ticket.

pathping play.catcraft.net

Mac

  1. Open Terminal (Applications, Utilities, Terminal).
  2. If you don't have Homebrew yet, install it with this command. If Terminal then says brew: command not found, run the commands Homebrew shows under Next steps.
    /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
  3. Install MTR.
    brew install mtr
  4. Run the test. Enter your Mac password when asked (nothing shows while you type). It takes about 2 minutes.
    sudo mtr -w -c 100 -z play.catcraft.net
  5. Copy the results (Command + A, then Command + C) and paste them into a ticket on our Discord server.

Linux

  1. Open a terminal and install MTR. On Ubuntu, Debian or Mint:
    sudo apt install mtr-tiny
    On Fedora:
    sudo dnf install mtr
  2. Run the test. It takes about 2 minutes.
    mtr -w -c 100 -z play.catcraft.net
  3. Copy the results and paste them into a ticket on our Discord server.

If it says permission denied, put sudo in front of the command.

Android

  1. Install PingTools Network Utilities from Google Play.
  2. Open the menu, tap Traceroute, enter play.catcraft.net and start it. Take a screenshot when it finishes.
  3. Open Ping, enter play.catcraft.net and let it run for about 2 minutes. Take a screenshot showing the packet loss and average ping.
  4. Send both screenshots in a ticket on our Discord server.

iPhone and iPad

  1. Install Network Analyzer from the App Store.
  2. Open the traceroute tool, enter play.catcraft.net and start it. Take a screenshot when it finishes.
  3. Open the ping tool, enter play.catcraft.net and let it run for about 2 minutes. Take a screenshot showing the packet loss and average ping.
  4. Send both screenshots in a ticket on our Discord server.

When you open a ticket

  • Say which realm you were on and roughly when the lag happened.
  • Say whether you're on Wi-Fi or a cable, and whether anyone else on your internet was streaming or downloading.
  • Run the test while you're lagging if you can. A test from a good moment looks normal.

Additional Tips

  • Ensure your network devices (router, modem) are in good condition and updated.
  • Avoid running heavy internet-usage tasks while playing, as they can contribute to lag.
  • Regularly update your computer and software.
  • Use a stable and high-speed internet connection for better experience.
  • Get in touch with your ISP if you're experiencing consistent lag issues.