With Starlink's subscription fees increasing by the year, I often wonder whether I should sell my Starlink equipment and service to others in need.
With increasing waitlist time and demand for the service, I might even get a very good deal out of my equipment, but I wondered if my service can be transferred too.
After raising a ticket with Starlink support and getting all my queries addressed, I came up with this article on everything you need to know when selling your used Starlink.
Before selling existing Starlink hardware, note down and send the Device ID, terminal ID, and the serial number of the dish to the buyer that is required for registration before factory resetting the hardware. After buying a used Starlink hardware kit, register the existing hardware to your service address via the Starlink hardware identifier from the Starlink website.
It is not possible to transfer a Starlink connection to a third party. Only the hardware can be transferred to a third party.
How to Safely Sell Your Starlink
Selling your existing Starlink connection can initially seem like a very tricky procedure to follow, but Starlink has made a lot of the process simpler, compared to competing services.
One of the key points that help in selling off your hardware is that Starlink has a one-time purchasing fee for the hardware.
This is in stark contrast to competing services such as Viasat and Hughesnet, who ask for a monthly or yearly fee, essentially making them the owners of your hardware.
Prerequisites Before Selling a Used Starlink
There are still a few essential prerequisites that you need to keep in mind before selling off your Starlink hardware for a good deal:
- You can only sell or transfer a Starlink Residential, Business, RV, or Best Effort service connection.
Now that we got the prerequisites out of the way, let's start with the actual procedure of how you can safely sell your Starlink connection:
Step One: Get the Device ID
The Device ID is one of three main data that you might need to note down in order to initiate a transfer of ownership.
The Device ID basically is the unique identifier number for your Starlink router.
In order to obtain your Starlink Router's device ID, follow the steps given below:
- From your PC, log in to Starlink's website and open your Starlink account portal by logging in with your credentials.
- Navigate to Your Starlink.
- Click on Manage.
- Scroll down to the section named Devices that shows the status of your current devices.
- The Device ID should be under the title STARLINK, formatted as the following: KITXXX. Make sure to note down the whole number.
Step Two: Get the Serial Number
The Serial Number refers to the unique serial number of your Starlink dish.
This cannot be obtained online, and you will need to check the sticker on the bottom of the mast of your Starlink dish.
Step Three: Get Terminal ID
The Terminal ID refers to another ID associated with your Starlink router, which can be found by following the steps given below:
- From your smartphone or tablet, open the Starlink app and make sure your Starlink is online and connected.
- Tap on Settings.
- Tap on Advanced.
- Under the ROUTER tab, note down the ID, formatted as Router-XXX. Make sure to note down the whole number.
Step Four: Cancel Your Starlink Connection
Now that the IDs and Serial numbers have been obtained, you can safely cancel your Starlink service.
Canceling a Starlink connection midway through a subscription will not initiate any refunds, but you will still have access to your service till your plan expires.
To cancel your Starlink connection, follow the steps given below:
- From your PC, log in to Starlink's website and open your Starlink account portal by logging in with your credentials.
- Navigate to Your Starlink.
- Click on Manage.
- Tap on Cancel Service.
- On the Cancel Service tab that pops up, make sure to uncheck the option that says the following: I would like to return my hardware.
- Select a reason of your choice for cancellation and tap on Confirm.
Step Five: Factory Reset the Starlink Router and Dish
Factory resetting your Starlink Router and the dish should be a logical inclusion on your list when it comes to selling your Starlink hardware to someone else.
A factory reset will wipe out all the data from the router, making sure that all previous connections are wiped out and the hardware is as fresh as new.
The steps to initiate the factory reset are different, depending on the generation of your Starlink dish.
To perform a factory reset on the beta 1st generation circular Starlink dish, follow the steps given below:
- Locate the reset button on the bottom of your Starlink router.
- Press and hold the button till the status indicator lights start blinking blue.
To perform a factory reset on the 2nd generation rectangular Starlink dish, follow the steps given below:
- Power cycle the router six times in a row.
A power cycle is when you unplug the Starlink router from power and plug it back into power.
Step Six: Ship or Hand Over the Starlink to the Buyer
After the factory reset, you can safely ship or hand over the Starlink hardware to the buyer.
Make sure to hand over the Device ID, Serial number, and Terminal ID as well to register and transfer the Starlink connection.
Procedure to Safely Buy a Used Starlink Hardware
If you are in the market for used Starlink hardware, the process is straightforward, mostly thanks to the ease with which you can transfer ownership of the hardware.
There are still a few key prerequisites that you need to keep in mind before jumping the gun and getting yourself the cheapest Starlink hardware you can get your hands on:
- Visit the Starlink coverage map and make sure to check if your node or location currently has access to Starlink connectivity and is not at full capacity.
If your node is at full capacity, you might have to opt for the Best Effort service or Starlink RV in order to gain access to the Starlink servers.
- Make sure that all the components of the Starlink hardware kit are included in the box.
- It is best to get photographs of all components before shipping so that you can get an idea of the quality and condition of the dish and peripherals.
Step One: Get the Device ID, Serial number, and Terminal ID of the Starlink
The Device ID, Serial number, and Terminal ID of the hardware are essential in order to register to a Starlink connection using the used Starlink hardware.
It is best to link the seller to the information given above regarding selling Starlink hardware and the transfer of connection.
Step Two: Request Starlink for Connection
You will still need to request Starlink for a new service when you get your hands on a used Starlink.
You cannot transfer the service slot of a previous owner, and you will need to initiate a new connection after the transfer. The service will be dependent on the availability of your service location.
You can request Starlink to initiate a connection to their servers by following the steps given below:
- From your PC, visit Starlink's website.
- Input your address on the tab titled Service Address and tap on Order Now.
- On the resultant page, select the Starlink subscription such as Residential, Business, or RV based on the hardware.
If your location is at full capacity, you will only find options for Starlink RV or Best Effort, after which you can place a $99 deposit for upgrading when your slot becomes available.
- Starlink should now ask you about the type of hardware that you need. Ensure that you have the I already have my Starlink option checked before proceeding.
- Starlink should ask you for your device ID number, terminal ID, or Serial number, which you can input on the page.
- Once Starlink identifies your hardware, you will be asked the general information on your service address and proceed with your payments.
This will register your Starlink hardware with your service address.
Final Thoughts
If you have further doubts regarding selling off your Starlink equipment, you can contact Starlink support.
I hope my article on how you can buy and sell used Starlink connections safely has been a helpful read and has aided you with the same.
Have a good day!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the warranty get void after the transfer of Starlink hardware?
The warranty for Starlink's hardware does not get void if you sell or buy it used.
Starlink's warranty period is stated to be from the date of the original purchase of hardware and does not start over or get void when transferred to third parties.
Is Starlink faster than a fiber internet connection?
A wired fiber connection is almost always faster than a Starlink connection.
Are there legal complications regarding reselling Starlink hardware?
Since Starlink sells the hardware for a one-time fee, the customers are owners of the hardware and therefore are free to sell it.
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