Does Starlink says offline occasionally and you’re looking for a solution?
Make sure to stick around because, in this guide, we’ll get familiar with all of the problems that your average Starlink setup could output.
We’ll go through all possible scenarios of missing reception, lost connection, and setup problems that you could’ve let slip by.
Let’s now learn why your Starlink WiFi says offline:
If Starlink keeps saying offline, it could be due to lost reception of the dish, faulty device placement, or a connection problem with the router. Another thing that could cause issues is enabled VPN services on your device and improper router installation.
Keep reading to review the following causes in a detailed manner!
Why Does My Starlink Says Offline Booting – Explained!
To help you understand what could exactly cross your Starlink’s functionality, we must go back to the causes of the problem.
Factors that could potentially cause interference with your Starlink, could both be environmental and related to the setup that you’ve done.
Let’s go through an organized list of causes for the problem with your Starlink:
- No Starlink Reception to your Location
- Starlink Servers/Satellites are Offline
- Installation Problem with your Router
- A Fault in the Cable Connections
- Improper Placement of the Starlink Dish
Make sure you’ve paid close attention to all of the following causes and once you feel ready to troubleshoot, proceed with our guide!
How to Fix When Starlink Says Offline?
After learning what could cause your Starlink to say offline after the booting sequence, it’s time to address all of the facts with actual troubleshooting solutions.
We’ll be going over the best community recommendations, as well as solutions from Starlink themselves!
Let’s jump into the guide right away!
Solution #1 Power Cycle the Dish
A power cycle on your Starlink dish is done by simply unplugging and plugging the device back in.
This will help refresh the dish’s services and its connection to the Starlink satellites that are in our atmosphere.
It’s one of the best working solutions and in most cases, users manage to settle the problem with their Starlink connection by performing the Power Cycle.
Here’s how to do it:
- Ensure that the Starlink Dish is currently plugged in with the router.
- Locate the Internet Cable of the dish that it gets power through.
- Unplug the dish from the router.
- Wait for the least 5 minutes, before plugging the dish back in.
- Grab ahold of the dish’s internet cable and plug it back into the router.
- Test the Starlink connection now…
Keep in mind that 5 minutes is the last time you should keep the dish disconnected. The longer the dish’s power supply is cut, the better it’ll power cycle and refresh all services!
Tip: Some users said that keeping their Starlink dish disconnected for 20 minutes helped.
Solution #2 Relocate the Starlink Dish
Since the Starlink satellite dish connects with satellites in the sky, it’s really important that the device is positioned correctly.
Not having a clear view of the outside, may prevent the dish from establishing a connection with Starlink’s satellites and therefore bringing the internet to your home.
In addition, particular objects near the dish could also cause the so-called wireless interference, which interrupts the signal from reaching your dish.
Your Starlink satellite dish must be placed outside at ground level, in order to have a clear view of the Sky and connect with the satellites.
You should also watch out for any objects that are covering the dish or any other signal transmitters in close proximity to the dish. Those could cause the interference we’re looking to eliminate from your setup.
Alert: Make sure nothing is on top of the Starlink dish and it sights the sky clearly!
Solution #3 Disable Activated VPNs on your Device
Having an activated VPN on your mobile device could prevent your device from connecting with Starlink WiFi.
That problem is more likely to occur with your mobile device (or any device you’re trying to connect), rather than with the Starlink dish and router setup.
What you should do is make sure that you have disabled all VPN services on your device, since they could make the status of the Starlink connection “Offline” while it is not.
Once the VPN on your device is disabled, attempt to connect with the Starlink network and make sure you’re typing the password correctly.
Keep the VPN services disabled until you’ve reached the end of our guide, or you’ve identified or fixed the problem with your Starlink.
We know that keeping your VPN disabled for a long may not be to your liking, but it’s time the only way to resolve the problem with your Starlink.
Note: You should check whether the VPN changes important location settings as well.
Solution #4 Reboot the Starlink Router
Perhaps, the issue is with the Starlink Router, rather than with the dish or the device you’re trying to connect.
The next thing we’ll do is perform a reboot to your Starlink Router, to make sure a fault has occurred with the software of the device.
We’ll be performing a type of advanced reboot to your router, by unplugging the device from the power.
It’ll be the same way as you completed the power cycle to your Starlink dish.
Here’s how to reboot your Starlink router in an advanced way:
- Locate the Power Cord of the Starlink Router.
- Disconnect the device from the electrical outlet.
- Wait for 5 minutes before reconnecting the Starlink router.
- Plug the device back into the power outlet.
- Wait for the router to turn on.
- Test the connection of the network now…
Once your Starlink router gets connected back to the power, it’ll immediately startup and bring all of the WiFi networks you have hosted back online.
After a minute of waiting, you’ll be able to test the connection of the device you wish to pair with Starlink.
Note: Make sure you’re standing close enough to the Starlink router before attempting a connection.
Solution #5 Reseat/Replace the Internet Cable
In order to supply the internet, your dish must be connected to your Starlink router via Ethernet Cable.
This Ethernet cable will transfer and convert the acquired signal from the dish to the router and allow for the host of a WiFi connection.
If the cable between the dish and the internet cable has gone faulty or no longer works, your Starlink will stay offline until further notice.
You should first try to reseat the Ethernet cable on both ends, including your dish and router. Test the connection and if the fault still persists, replace the cable.
You’ll be able to acquire a replacement Ethernet cable for your setup from each and every nearby technical store. Once you have the new cable, using the old walkthrough, lead the new cable as you take away the old one.
Note: Once you’ve installed the new Ethernet cable, test your Starlink connection.
Solution #6 Factory Reset the Starlink Router
If nothing worked so far, then your only valid option is to perform a Factory Reset on the router.
It is often when users have to reset the Starlink router, where it fails to boot or has issues hosting the WiFi.
The factory reset is the ultimate solution to any problems with the device that have something to do with the WiFi’s functionality.
To perform a Factory Reset on the Starlink router, power cycle the device 6 times in a row, by unplugging and plugging it into the electrical outlet.
You’ll know that the reset has started, once the lights on your router blink in an unusual light.
After waiting for around 2 – 3 minutes, you’ll be able to undergo the setup once again, from the Starlink application on your mobile smartphone.
Alert: Mind what settings you enable/disable during the setup of your Starlink router.
Quick Recap:
Thus, to fix when Starlink says offline, your first step is to Power Cycle the Starlink Dish and reseat the internet cable between the dish and the router.
After that, make sure the dish is placed in an open spot, reboot, and then factory reset the router in your setup.
Perhaps, Starlink’s customer support will be able to guide you if our solutions aren’t enough!
Read Next: Is Starlink Faster Than Fiber?
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.