Starlink Not Working: How To Fix

Starlink has been a fantastic internet service that is serving me well, but there are times when it simply does not work as it should.

This can be due to different reasons, but it does happen and I figured I needed to make a guide as to how one can be prepared for what the service throws at you.

With plenty of first-hand experience with Starlink and it's issues, this is the guide I came up with to help you with your Starlink internet not working as intended.

If the Starlink dish is not working due to signal issues, check the service address and clear any obstacles blocking its access to the Starlink constellations. For slow speeds, recheck the current Starlink plans and wait out unwarranted weather conditions.

For Starlink dishes stuck on searching or disconnected status, check the connectivity, update its firmware, power cycle, and reset the Starlink dish.

Here's a brief look at the most possible scenarios that you may come across:

Scenario	Fixes
Starlink No Signal Was Received	Check for Obstructions Check the Service Address
Slow Speeds on Starlink	Unfavorable Weather Conditions Check Your Starlink Plans
Starlink Disconnected	Check the Cables and Connections Update the Starlink Dish Firmware
Starlink Stuck on Searching	Power Cycle the Starlink Dish Reset the Starlink Dish
Starlink Degraded Service	Wait for Starlink to fix it

Let's now dive right into the many ways Starlink can stop working and how to fix such errors:

Starlink No Signal Was Received

The most common issue that I, and plenty of other users noticed is the Starlink 'No Signal Received' error.

This can happen if your Starlink dish cannot correctly establish and receive data from a Starlink constellation in the sky.

Fortunately, there are a few steps that you can take to rectify this issue.

Check for Obstructions

Obstructions, or the absence of them, play a key role in how your Starlink dish, or any satellite internet connection for that matter, receives signals from its companion satellites.

Your Starlink dish requires a direct line of sight contact with the Starlink constellations above to establish the channel of communication needed.

So any obstacle, be it roofs or trees can qualify to pose a threat to the signals that you are supposed to receive.

So make sure that your Starlink dish is facing the skies without any physical objects hindering its line of sight.

The best Starlink Dish placement option is on your roof with a J mount or any mount of your choice.

Check the Service Address

A Starlink connection is heavily dependent on your service address.

So if you moved your Starlink Residential connection to a different location, especially remote areas without enabling the portability feature, then you will most definitely face connectivity issues.

So do a double check of your service address and contact Starlink to get your address changed if necessary.

Slow Speeds on Starlink

Slow speeds are something that plagues almost every internet user, and Starlink is no different.

However, the reasons why slow internet speeds on Starlink connections are radically different compared to a typical fiber internet connection.

Fortunately, I have found and listed the main fixes to getting over slow speeds.

Check Weather Conditions

Weather conditions play a key role in deciding the overall quality of the signal that you receive on your Starlink dish from the Starlink constellations above.

In fact, it can be also listed as an obstruction that heavily impacts the signal strength.

So if your area is currently experiencing bad weather, then there are chances for a speed drop in your internet.

Unfortunately, there isn't much that you can do, other than wait it out.

You can invoke the snow melt feature if snow is the type of precipitation hindering the proper function of your Starlink dish.

For the time being, you can also try shifting the dish to a location that isn't affected too much by the downpour.

Check Your Starlink Plans

If you are on a basic access plan or if you have somehow burnt through your monthly data reserves consuming loads of content, then you will be downgraded to experience slower speeds, which is one of the major disadvantages of Starlink.

So check the status of your Starlink plan and get in touch with Starlink if you wish to upgrade, or pay extra for better speeds after exhausting your data limit.

Starlink Disconnected

If your Starlink dish is showing up as disconnected on your Starlink app, then it could be an issue with your Starlink hardware.

This hardware conundrum can be either an issue with your connections or even software-related.

Check the Cables and Connections

The primary cause of a Starlink disconnected error is with your cables and connectivity.

If your cables are not plugged in properly or have suffered noticeable wear and tear that affects their functionality, your Starlink can show up as disconnected.

So check if your Starlink cables are in usable condition and are properly plugged in.

Update the Starlink Dish Firmware

Starlink does update its firmware on a regular basis, bringing in security patches and bug fixes.

If your Starlink disconnected error is some sort of a software bug that popped up due to a weird technical issue, then updating to the latest firmware might help.

So ensure that your Starlink dish is updated to the latest available firmware.

Starlink Stuck on Searching

If your Starlink dish is stuck on the 'Searching' status, then it is probably having a tough time catching on to the signals from a Starlink constellation above.

If the above steps of clearing obstacles, checking service addresses, and waiting out weather conditions don't seem to fix your issue then some general troubleshooting tips might help.

Power Cycle the Starlink Dish

A power cycle is basically a hardware-level reboot for your Starlink dish, ensuring that the charges within the system get refreshed.

To power cycle your Starlink dish, follow the steps below:

• Unplug the Starlink router/dish from power and let it sit idle for about a minute.
• Plug the Starlink router/dish back into power and let it sit idle for another minute.

Reset the Starlink Dish

If power cycling didn't help, then you can proceed to reset your Starlink dish.

This ensures that the dish gets refreshed completely, clearing out any software bugs in the process as well, leaving you with a Starlink dish that is as fresh as when you first got it.

But do note that you will need to set up your Starlink dish from scratch, including setting up a new network ID and password for WiFi.

Resetting the Starlink dish is as easy as performing a power cycle three times in a row.

Starlink Degraded Service

If you are getting a Starlink degraded service message, then there is not a lot you can do.

It relays the information that there is some server-side issue with the Starlink constellations that you are connected to.

Given the nature of the earth's atmosphere, this can be due to a wide range of issues, such as solar flares and harsh climate changes.

The only way to go about this is to wait it out and hope Starlink fixes the issue from their end.

Final Thoughts

If you have further queries regarding your Starlink not working, contact Starlink support.

I hope my article on how you can fix your Starlink connection that is not working has been a helpful read and has aided you with the same.

Have a good day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Starlink owned by SpaceX?

Starlink is a satellite internet service that is operated and is a division of SpaceX.

Do Starlink satellites cause light pollution?

Starlink satellites do cause light pollution, which is especially evident at night when the Starlink constellations can easily be misinterpreted as stars in the sky.

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