If you’re wondering how to make Starlink faster, this guide is just for you!
Starlink is a satellite-based internet service that works everywhere but is undeniably slower than regular cable internet.
When external factors also slow your signal or WiFi, the connection may become so bad, even unusable, and many of you wonder how to optimize your Starlink setup.
To boost the speed of your Starlink internet, you need to verify that nothing is slowing your dish satellite signals. In addition, use an Ethernet cable to connect your devices to the Starlink modem instead of connecting to the WiFi to reach faster internet speeds.
Let’s keep unwrapping!
Why is Starlink So Slow?
Starlink is a satellite internet service fundamentally wireless compared to wired internet such as Ethernet or Fiber.
The maximum internet speed for Starlink is 500 Mbps, while cable can reach speeds up to 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) and more.
Well, 500 Mbps is pretty good. Such internet speed suits anything from streaming to browser viewing and working.
However, it all depends on whether your Starlink dish can properly acquire the signal from the satellite and deliver the promised speed to your modem and your setup.
How Slow is Your Starlink?
First, test your internet connection for free to determine your download and upload speeds.
Remember, the speed test would show you speeds in megabytes, not bits; hence, for every 100 Mbps, you can expect 10 megabytes/second download speed.
So if you’re subscribed to the, for example, 200 Mbps plan, you need to see at least 15 Mbps; otherwise, something is wrong.
Note: Performing a test on WiFi will not show you the full-speed internet due to the wireless connection, so we recommend testing your Starlink internet via Ethernet.
How to Make Starlink Faster in 6 Easy Steps?
Tip: Try all of the steps in chronological order!
1. Inspect Starlink Dish for Obstruction!
Satellite internet, such as Starlink, works best when the dish is out wide, facing toward the sky, without any obstructions in its surroundings.
Installing the dish in alleys, places with heavy vegetation, or below large buildings, trees, or other obstructions is not recommended.
Here are a few tips to verify that your dish is positioned correctly:
- Preferably install the Starlink dish on the roof or balcony.
- Verify that the dish has a clear line of sight with the sky.
- Clean the dish out of any snow or other accumulations.
- Use a J-mount method to install the Starlink dish optimally.
It’s essential to verify that your dish signal is not being impacted and slowed down by any sort of obstructions.
This will guarantee the optimal performance of your dish and make Starlink faster!
Check Starlink App Optimal Placement!
In case you didn’t know, the Starlink app is equipped with a tool to help you identify whether your Starlink dish is obstructed.
So, continue reading the steps below to perform this test:
- Open the Starlink mobile application.
- Then, tap on the “Visibility” option.
- Next, carefully read the instructions.
- Then, on the bottom, tap “I’m Ready.”
- Using the phone’s camera, scan the sky.
Shortly, you’ll be shown the results, where the bright spots would be the places with the best signal.
This would suggest whether your Starlink dish is optimally installed and positioned well.
Note: You may need to find a better spot for your Starlink dish!
2. Power Cycle the Starlink Modem!
Sometimes, your Starlink satellite internet is very slow due to the modem because of different possibilities, such as congestion, overheating, and power insufficiency.
One way to address multiple causes at once would be power circulation.
This method works by unplugging the Starlink modem from the power for 60 seconds.
This will restart the WiFi service and allow the machine to cool down.
In the meantime, we recommend coming up with a solution to plug the Starlink modem directly into the wall outlet to avoid fluctuations or insufficiency from strips.
Tip: Don’t place the Starlink router on a stiff surface like carpets to prevent WiFi disconnects due to overheating in the hot seasons.
3. Optimize the Starlink Internet & WiFi
Optimization is fundamental for any networking setup, especially for satellite-based services like Starlink.
The reason why is Starlink taking so long to load could be due to internal factors that influence your Starlink internet speed.
Here are the best ways to optimize your Starlink internet and WiFi:
- Unpair unused WiFi devices from the Starlink modem.
- Temporarily stop streaming, uploading, or downloading.
- Change your Starlink WiFi password to prevent intrusion.
- Disable any activated VPN services or a network Proxy.
- Move your WiFi devices closer to your Starlink modem.
In addition, we recommend checking whether the service cable connecting your Starlink dish to the modem is intact.
Feel free to reconnect the connector and verify that the link is intact, which, on its own, will again refresh the Starlink internet service.
Tip: For better and faster WiFi, the Starlink router must be positioned in a centralized spot to increase the reception area.
4. Switch to an Ethernet Connection (Wired)
The best way to reach the maximum Starlink internet speed is to use a wired connection from your modem to your computer.
Not all devices can connect via Ethernet cable, but some laptops and most PCs have an Ethernet port, which you can use to set up a wired connection.
This way, you’ll avoid numerous WiFi limitations such as distance, interference, and limitations from the WiFi receiver.
With a wired connection, you’ll see your actual Starlink internet speed. To set up a wired connection, you will need an Ethernet cable!
You must connect one end of the Ethernet cable to your Starlink modem and the other to an Ethernet-enabled computer, smart TV, or other device.
Some computers will automatically set up the connection, but in some cases, you might have to insert the addresses manually.
Tip: You can discover more details about wired connection in the Starlink user’s manual.
5. Use Starlink Mesh to Extend the WiFi
Moving closer to the router increases the internet speed on your Starlink WiFi, but, in some cases, this would be difficult.
So, a permanent solution would be to set up a Starlink Mesh network, which consists of individual nodes, to increase the WiFi coverage in your home.
The Starlink Mesh system is needed when your home is large, and a single router can’t cover the entire area and all rooms.
This is why it’s likely that your WiFi is very weak in some areas of your home, and when using a mesh node, it’s like you’ve got a secondary router.
How to Set Up Starlink Mesh?
- Connect your Mesh Node directly to the wall outlet.
- In 2 minutes, the app will send you a notification.
- Open the notification and tap on the “Pair” button.
- Repeat for all other nodes in your Starlink system.
Note: From the Starlink app, you can view the node pairing status in the “Network” tab.
6. Upgrade Your Starlink Internet Speed
Still wondering how to get Starlink faster?
If you receive the total capacity of your promised Starlink internet speeds, you cannot do much else.
The only way to upgrade your internet speed from here would be to subscribe to a faster Starlink Internet plan.
Let’s take a look at the available Starlink internet subscription plans:
Starlink Plan | Speed | Latency | Best For | Price |
Starlink Residential | 25-220 Mbps | 25-50ms | Browsing and streaming | $ |
Starlink Business | 220 Mbps | 25-50ms | Work, browsing, streaming | $$ |
Starlink Roam | 5-50 Mbps | 25-50ms | Recreational Vehicle | $$$ |
Starlink Mobility | 220 Mbps | 25-50ms | Work with prioritization | $$$$ |
Starlink Maritime | 220 Mbps | 100+ms | Sea vessels | $$$$$ |
So, based on your internet speed requirements, preferences, and occasion, you can select a Starlink plan.
Also, the new Starlink Premium promises up to 500 Mbps, so if you’re interested, contact Starlink directly for additional information.
How to Upgrade Starlink Service?
- Sign in to your Starlink account page.
- Then, click on the “Manage” button.
- Next, click on “Change Service Plan.”
- Select a new plan from the drop menu.
Note: You can only upgrade to a plan that matches your Starlink equipment without requiring extra steps.
Quick Recap:
To know how to make Starlink faster, you must verify that the Starlink dish is not obstructed and that the signal is not slowed down.
To improve your Starlink WiFi, the modem must be restarted and optimized before you can reach the maximum plan speed.
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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.