# Slow speeds

> Separate a WiFi bottleneck from a service problem, and know what peak hours are supposed to look like.

Source: https://joinnasnet.com/en/guides/starlink/slow-speeds/
Last updated: 2026-08-18

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## Overview

Most "Starlink is slow" reports are WiFi problems, not satellite problems. The
first job is to tell them apart, and the app's Advanced Speed Test does exactly
that.

If you are on a **Roam** plan, expect slower speeds than other plans,
particularly at peak times and in busy areas. Roam is deprioritised by design.

## Diagnose it first

Run **Speed Test → Advanced** in the app and take all three readings:

| Test | What it measures |
| ---- | ---------------- |
| Router → Internet | What the service is actually delivering |
| Device → Router | Your WiFi link alone |
| Device → Internet | End to end, WiFi included. What other speed test sites report |

**If Device → Router is much lower than Router → Internet, your WiFi is the
bottleneck.** Fix the WiFi and stop investigating the dish. See
[Frequent interruptions](/en/guides/starlink/interruptions/).

Run the test on the 5 GHz band, close to the router, and keep the device still
while it runs. Beamforming takes a few seconds to adapt to your position.

## Narrow it down

**Turn off any VPN** and test again. A VPN slows the connection and is the
single most common overlooked cause. If you will not disable it, test from
another device that has the app and no VPN.

**Is it every device or one device?** If it is one device, the problem is that
device's connection.

- **On WiFi.** 2.4 GHz reaches further but is slower; 5 GHz is faster but
  struggles through walls. Splitting the bands often fixes an individual
  device.
- **On ethernet.** Check the cable's printed markings. **Anything below Cat5e
  limits your speed.** Use Cat5e or better.

**Split the bands**

1. Open the app and sign in.
2. Go to **Settings**.
3. Under **Router → Networks**, pick your Starlink WiFi.
4. Turn on **Split 2.4 / 5 GHz networks**.
5. Give one band a distinguishing name, for example a `-2.4` or `-5` suffix.
6. Save.
7. **Reboot the router** so it takes effect.

**Remove third-party equipment.** Routers, mesh nodes and switches that
Starlink did not make are a real cause and Starlink's troubleshooting for them
is limited. Pull them out and test with Starlink equipment only. If speeds
improve, you have your answer.

If you have to keep a third-party router in place, connect a computer by
ethernet directly to the Starlink power supply, or put the Starlink router into
bypass mode, so the test result means something.

## Check it against expectations

Compare your result with the speeds listed for your area on the
[Starlink availability map](https://www.starlink.com/map). **Within about
±10 Mbps of the listed figure is normal.**

There is also an official
[Expected Speeds Per Service Plan](https://www.starlink.com/legal/documents/DOC-1400-28829-70)
chart.

## Peak hours

Peak is typically **6 pm to 11 pm local time**, when many users in your cell
are online at once. Variable and reduced speeds in that window are expected
behaviour, not a fault, and they are worse on Roam.

Starlink manages traffic dynamically and adds capacity by launching more
satellites, so this changes over time.

## Slow all day, not just at peak

Consistent slowness through the day points at your setup rather than the
network.

1. Check the app home screen for alerts about outages, obstructions or hardware.
2. Confirm you are at the service address on your account. Mobile service is
   slower.
3. **On a Priority plan, check whether you have hit the data limit.** Past it,
   you are capped at about 1 Mbps down and 0.5 Mbps up until you add data.
4. Look at the dish for dirt, debris or anything covering its face. See
   [Where to install](/en/guides/starlink/install-guidance/).
5. Power cycle the dish and router at the wall.
6. Remove third-party hardware and test off-peak with the Starlink app and
   router.
7. Confirm the device has good signal and is on 5 GHz. The **Network** screen
   in the app shows per-client details.

## Getting help

If nothing above helps, submit a ticket **through the app** with screenshots of
your speed test results and the dates and times you ran them.

## Related

- [App tools](/en/guides/starlink/app-tools/)
- [Frequent interruptions](/en/guides/starlink/interruptions/)
- [Obstructions](/en/guides/starlink/obstructions/)
- [Third-party devices](/en/guides/starlink/third-party-devices/)