How To Unstow Starlink? – Complete Guide

If you’re wondering how to unstow Starlink, this guide will cover everything you need to know!

The “stow” feature is a fantastic functionality of the Starlink dish, allowing users to revert the positions of the dish into a default state.

This is a beautiful opportunity when packing your equipment since the dish takes less space this way and is easier to fit in your whereabouts.

To unstow your Starlink dish, connect to your Starlink router via WiFi or Ethernet (even if there is no internet connection) and access the app’s web version. You need to sign in using the credentials you use for the Starlink app, and from there, unstow your dish.

Let’s unwrap more essentials!

Starlink Dish Stow/Unstow – Explained

The Starlink dish is typically delivered in a stowed position, which is the default packaging state of the dish.

You can easily stow and unstow the Starlink dish anytime by using different ways, such as the Starlink app, or manually, with a more hands-on approach.

When stowed, the Starlink dish will not be operable. You won’t be able to use the internet when your dish is in the “stow” position.

To regain internet services and resume satellite communication, you need to “unstow” the Starlink dish by using one of the available methods.

When Should You Unstow Starlink?

The Starlink dish always arrives in a “stow” position when it’s packaged to avoid breaking the equipment.

You should unstow your Starlink dish when it’s mounted on its location and when there is nothing obstructing the dish from tilting, which is required when you initiate an unstow.

You shouldn’t connect to power and unstow your Starlink dish when it’s not cover-free and/or still in the box.

The unstow feature won’t work when your dish is upside down or laid down on a flat service, so you must first install your dish in its permanent location and then unstow it.

Important – Can’t Unstow Starlink?

The reason why many people can’t unstow their dish is because they are remotely connected to the dish by using the Starlink router’s WiFi.

When the dish is stowed, the WiFi will remain on, but you won’t be able to access the internet, which makes unstowing from the app impossible.

If you have stowed the dish through the app and now you cannot access the “unstow” feature, then you need to connect to your Starlink dish locally.

This is possible by accessing the admin panel of your Starlink equipment through a computer connected to the WiFi router via Ethernet.

We will discuss the entire method in depth, so let’s continue reading!

How to Unstow Starlink Dish in 3 Different Methods?

Tip: It’s essential to verify that your Starlink dish is connected to power to unstow!

1. Unstow Starlink Dish via Admin Panel

If you’ve stowed the Starlink dish from the Starlink app, when connected to the Starlink WiFi, you won’t be able to unstow the dish from the app.

This happens because your Starlink internet stops after you stow the dish, and you need to connect locally via the admin panel to unstow.

In other words, if you were using cellular data to stow the dish, you now need to get in range of your Starlink router for a local WiFi or Ethernet connection.

So, connect a computer (laptop or PC) to the Starlink router via Ethernet or WiFi to access the admin panel. 

To access the app’s web version, insert http://192.168.100.1 or go to dishy.starlink.com into your web browser.

Then, you need to sign in using your Starlink application credentials and be signed into the admin panel.

From here, you can manage your Starlink dish, and you’ll be able to find an “Unstow” option, which you can select and unstow your dish.

Reminder: You won’t be able to access the Starlink admin panel if your device is not connected to your Starlink router.

2. Unstow Starlink Dish – Power Reset!

If you’ve stowed your Starlink dish and cannot connect locally and unstow the dish from the app, the option you’ve got is the power reset.

When you unplug the dish from power, the services will refresh, and if your dish is stuck stowed, you should be able to unstow it via a local connection.

Try Flipping the Dish Upside Down!

A good way to manually stow and unstow a Starlink dish is to access and unmount the dish and position the unit upside down on a flat surface.

The Starlink dish will automatically start to cycle between stowed and unstowed positions, and you must then unplug the power to lock it.

To explain this more in-depth, let’s start with positioning the dish lying flat on a smooth surface to avoid damaging the equipment.

The power must stay connected and within reach, so you can unplug quickly when the dish is unstowed. 

So, wait for the dish to automatically unstow and unplug the power adapter to lock the dish in this position.

Then, turn the dish the correct way up and plug the power adapter to complete.

3. Unstow Starlink Dish With Your Hands

So, if your Starlink dish is defective and you cannot unstow it using the previous methods, it’s time to apply some force.

You can grab the lever and manually unstow the Starlink dish while the unit is unplugged from the power, which is a last-resort method when nothing else works.

So, follow the steps below to unstow your Starlink dish and avoid breaking anything:

1. First, unmount the dish from its position.
2. Unplug the power adapter from the outlet.
3. Then, lay down the dish on a flat surface.
4. Grab the lever and slowly start pulling it.
5. Apply force slowly until the dish is unstowed.

You may hear some grinding noises that come from the gears that are forced to run.

This is not damaging to your equipment, but do not overdue to prevent damaging your Starlink dish.

When you are ready, plug the dish into the power, and the device should now be in a “stow” position.

How to Unstow Starlink Remotely?

There is no known way to unstow the Starlink dish remotely without being connected to the router.

When stowed, the Starlink dish disconnects from the internet, and you cannot access the “Unstow” feature from the app. 

Some people claim that their dishes automatically became unstowed after 15 minutes, but other users justify that this didn’t happen when they tried. 

The only way to unstow Starlink dishes remotely is by contacting a person on-site you can trust to provide access to the Starlink admin panel.

That person must connect to the Starlink router via WiFi or Ethernet and unstow the Starlink dish from the application’s web interface.

If the dish can be accessed, you may request someone to unplug, power, and plug the dish back, which will reset the dish and unstow it.

Other than this, there are no other ways to unstow the Starlink dish remotely except if you can power off and on the dish’s power supply remotely.

How to “Stow” Starlink Dish Correctly?

The root cause for many problems with unstowing your Starlink dish is improper stowing in the first place.

The Starlink dish has a special feature that automatically stows the dish after the unit has been unmounted and positioned upside down.

When the dish detects that it has been unmounted, the device will automatically start stowing and remain this way until unstowed.

However, this can only happen when you leave the dish upside down for more than 60 seconds, and to unstow the dish later, use a local connection.

Starlink Dish Stuck in Stow?

To avoid your Starlink dish getting stuck in the stow position when you’re about to relocate your equipment and you need to stow the dish, use the Starlink app. 

Also, remember that to unstow the dish later, you must connect to Starlink WiFi, even if there is no internet connection, and access the admin portal. 

Need More Help?

If you’re experiencing difficulties with your equipment and the methods to unstow the dish are not working, perhaps something is wrong with your equipment.

The best way to identify further faults related to the inability to unstow your dish, contact Starlink Customer Support for help!

Quick Recap:

How to unstow Starlink? You can unstow your Starlink dish from the app or the app’s web interface when connected to your router’s WiFi or via Ethernet.

If you remotely stowed the Starlink dish, you would need someone on-site to cut or unstow the power.

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