Set up your Starlink
The four steps every kit follows, and where to find the per-kit instructions.
Overview
Every Starlink kit gets online the same way. You find a spot with a clear view of the sky, plug the dish into the router, let it find satellites, then join its WiFi network. The differences between kits are in the cables and the alignment step, not in the shape of the process.
Before you start
- Install the Starlink app on your phone. iOS or Android.
- Know which kit you have. See Identify your hardware if the box is long gone.
- Have somewhere in mind with sky visible in every direction. See Where to install.
Steps
- Find a clear view of the sky. Use Check for Obstructions in the app before you commit to a location. A branch or a roofline that clips the dish’s field of view will drop your connection for seconds at a time, all day.
- Plug Starlink into power. The dish cable goes to the router, the power supply goes to the router, and the router goes to the wall.
- Wait for it to find satellites. This takes a few minutes. On the Standard 4, Standard 4 X and Mini you point the dish yourself using the alignment tool; there is no motor.
- Connect to the
STARLINKnetwork from your device’s WiFi settings, then set a network name and password in the app. The network ships with no password.
Your Starlink may download a software update after setup. It usually happens overnight on its own.
Per-kit instructions
| Kit | Guide |
|---|---|
| Standard 4 X | Standard 4 X setup |
| Standard 4 | Standard 4 X setup covers it; the difference is the Router Mini in the box |
| Starlink Mini | Starlink Mini setup |
| Mini X | Mini X setup |
Troubleshooting
Nothing comes online after 20 minutes. Connect to the Starlink WiFi, open the app, and read the home screen. Alerts there name the actual fault. If you cannot even reach the WiFi, work through Cannot get online during initial setup.
The app never gets past “Searching”. The dish has power but no satellite lock. Almost always obstructions or alignment. See Obstructions.