Starlink Setup And Install Guide – Starlink Hardware

I’ll start this guide by letting you know that the hard part is over. waiting to get your starlink dish is the hardest part of setting it up, hands down. But now that you’ve got your plate sorted, it’s important to know how to properly assemble and set it up. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be an IT expert to get it up and running!

starlink internet installation is simple and can be completed in a few steps. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps necessary to get your new StarLink Internet up and running. Then you can finally enjoy high-speed, low-latency broadband internet at home! I will also share some additional resources regarding starlink accessories and permanent mount options.

Let’s get started!

download the app

Before we delve into the fascinating hardware, please download and install the starlink app on your phone. the starlink app is available on android and ios devices. the app is a critical part of how you manage your starlink internet. it is useful for initial setup. You will also use the app to configure various settings and troubleshoot any issues after your Starlink is up and running. search for starlink in your app store.

You can also manage your starlink system from a web browser if you don’t want to use the app. it will simply navigate to the following url on a computer connected to the starlink wifi network:

check for obstructions

starlink app has a neat tool that allows you to check installation locations for possible obstructions. obstructions are anything that can block the signals being sent to and from the satellites (trees, buildings, etc.). the starlink dish needs a wide field of view towards the sky, about 100 degrees. if you live in the northern hemisphere, the dish will point slightly north. If you have any obstruction according to the application, your internet performance will be affected. You will need to find a mounting location with no obstructions for StarLink to work properly.

go outside and stand where you would like to install the starlink dish. open the starlink app and tap check for obstructions.

When you’re ready to get started, tap I’m ready! and follow the on-screen instructions. the obstruction tool will use your phone’s camera to scan the sky for possible obstructions. after the scan is complete, you will be presented with results indicating whether or not that location is suitable. You will need to find a mounting location that is free of obstructions, so keep scanning in different locations until you find a suitable place to mount the satellite dish.

unpack the starlink kit

everything you need to experience the next generation of satellite internet is contained in your starlink box. when you open it, look for the following pieces:

• dish/antenna
• mounting base
• 75′ cable
• wireless router
• power cable from wireless router

assemble and install the dish

To assemble, first plug the 75′ data/power cable into the dish. the connection is near the bottom of the mast. on the cable, there are two different sides. one connector is straight, the other is an elbow. the straight connector plugs into the plate. make sure the connector is fully seated, as shown in the image below. then insert the mast into the mounting base, allowing the two spring tabs to snap into place.

The included mounting base is versatile and can be used for permanent, temporary or portable installations. Even if you plan to permanently mount the dish to your ceiling, I recommend trying the included base. you will want to install the dish in approximately the same location that you checked for obstructions. remember, starlink only works well when there are no obstructions!

Additional mounting solutions are beyond the scope of this article, but Starlink offers several mounting accessories. you can also use aftermarket mounts. For more information on the different types of official and aftermarket mounts, check out our Starlink mounting guide.

connect everything

The other end of the 75 foot cable should be routed inside your house, back to the wireless router. the elbow connector plugs into the bottom of the router. For permanent installations, you will need to drill a hole to run the cable through the outside of your home. for temporary testing purposes you can simply run it through an open window, door, etc.

The final connection is to plug the router into a wall outlet with the supplied power cord. Before plugging in the router, make sure your turntable is mounted where you want it and is free to rotate and tilt. once you connect the router, the dish will turn on and begin the satellite search process.

the starlink disk is self-aligning. there is no need to manually move, aim or align the dish. As long as the dish mast is almost vertical and there are no obstructions, StarLink will automatically find satellites.

connect to starlink

When the router powers up, it will begin an initialization process that may take several minutes. After waiting for a few minutes, open the Wi-Fi settings on your phone. you should see a new wireless network called starlink. connect to it to continue.

On a successful connection, a new window will open asking you to set a new network name and password. once saved, you are now connected to your starlink system.

go back to wi-fi settings and connect to your new starlink network with the password you just created.

use the app to manage starlink

open the starlink app. If you haven’t already, sign in with your starlink account.

On the main screen, you will see the status of your starlink. you have successfully installed starlink if your status is listed as online.

If you just turned on your dish, it may take a while to find satellites. it will say offline and search if it is still trying to find satellites. give it a little

If you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network and your status appears as offline or disconnected for an extended period of time, check both cable connections. If you’re still having trouble, tap support for help troubleshooting.

visibility

The visibility page shows you any obstructions that may be preventing your coil from operating at its best. it will take up to 12 hours of data collection to populate accurate clog information, so check back later. use the visibility page to monitor for obstructions, especially if your coil is mounted around trees or other tall objects.

statistics

The statistics page gives you information about network outages, latency, and bandwidth. this page is useful for troubleshooting potential problems. For example, if your internet goes down, check the stats to see if an outage is occurring. again, it may take some time for accurate data to start populating on this page.

related: does starlink work well in bad weather?

speed

The Starlink app has a built-in speed test that you can use to test your upload and download speeds. Starlink says that customers should expect download speeds between 50 and 250 Mbps.

see also: starlink internet speeds

settings

The settings page contains some basic and advanced settings that you can configure for your own situation. You can do things like change your wifi network name and password, restart starlink, turn on snow melting, etc.

how to get support

Hopefully, the starlink setup went smoothly. If you’re having trouble, there are a couple of ways to get help.

starlink official support

For official starlink help, open the app (or website) and visit the support page. you can search for your problem or browse the support topics. If the support topics do not answer your question, you can submit a support ticket to starlink. in any of the support topic articles, scroll to the bottom and hit the like icon where it says did this answer your question? you will be redirected to a contact page where you can get in touch to starlink for help.

starlink does not have a public email, phone number, or chat system for support at this time. the ticket system is the only way to contact starlink.

starlink fan communities

There are numerous fan-made Starlink communities that can answer questions. our favorite is the starlink subreddit on reddit. you can not only ask questions, there are many interesting DIY installations, images and speed tests to check. there are also starlink communities on facebook, forums, etc.

frequently asked questions

does starlink need power?

yes, the starlink dish works with 100-240 vac. the dish will draw about 2 amps and use between 50 and 75 watts of power.

how far can the starlink dish be from the house?

The starlink dish can be up to 150 feet away from the house if you purchase the starlink 150 foot extension cable. included cord is 75 ft. If you need to extend the distance beyond what the StarLink cable allows, you can use the StarLink Ethernet Adapter + Ubiquiti PowerBeam to wirelessly extend the signal to your home.

can i bury my starlink cable?

starlink cable is not rated for burial, but you can enclose it in conduit if you need to bury the cable from its installation location to your home.

conclusion

that sums it up! setting up starlink is a simple process. Check that you have all the correct hardware, assemble the dish, connect everything, and complete the setup in the Starlink app.

If you have any further questions or concerns about this guide, feel free to leave a comment below or contact us.