The Starlink router hot operating temperatures are not healthy for the device.
In severe cases, you might encounter drops in the WiFi connection simply because the router is overheating.
So, in this guide, we’ll familiarize you with the best ways to keep your Starlink router optimally cool.
To cool down your Starlink router, begin by turning the unit off. Next, unclog the Starlink router ventilation openings and lift up your router from the surface to allow airflow.
Let’s continue to unwrap!
What is the Starlink Router Operating Temperature?
The optimal operating temperature, not only for Starlink but for other routers as well, is from – 30°C to 50°C, which is 22 °F to 122 °F.
If your Starlink router feels too hot to the touch, it’s likely that the internal temperatures are surpassing the margin, which means overheating.
Why is My Starlink Router Hot?
Typically there are quite a few factors that, when combined, contribute towards increasing the internal heat of your Starlink router, ultimately increasing the temperature.
However, there are many good ways to address these factors, so let’s first learn what’s causing heat:
Typically, overheating in routers comes from continuous usage.
When you haven’t restarted your router in weeks, and the outside weather is very hot, the chances of overheating are high, so in order to decrease the changes, you’ll need to pay attention to each factor individually.
Let’s move on with the best ways to do so!
Starlink Router Hot Temperatures – How to Cool Down?
Tip: Try all of the steps below!
1. Power OFF Your Starlink Router!
The first step against Starlink overheating would be to power off and unplug your router from the power outlet.
This is the quickest way to decrease internal temperatures in order to preserve your router’s hardware components and avoid worrying about any damage caused by the heat.
Unplug your Starlink router from the power for 10 minutes!
This will immediately cool down your router and allow you to unclog the ventilation openings from dust accumulation.
How to Clean a Starlink Router?
First, you need to disconnect the wiring from the back to be able to inspect your Starlink router thoroughly and identify the location of all vents.
Then you can either use a toothpick with a dry cloth or a can of compressed air to unclog and allow your Starlink router to circulate the air.
Tip: Clean your Starlink router outdoors!
2. Ventilate the Router’s Environment
One of the most significant contributors to router overheating is the still air in the room.
This might sound odd at first, but the room’s temperature heavily impacts the temperature of your Starlink router, so you might have to ventilate (if possible).
Simple ways to ventilate your room involve opening a window or a door to allow some air to stream throughout your home.
If you have an A/C or thermostat test, lower the room’s temperature and check whether this will prevent your Starlink router from heating up too much.
If you cannot decrease the room’s temperature, continue reading further…
3. Prevent Direct Sunlight Exposure
One of the most critical factors for high Starlink router temperatures is the direct exposure of the unit to sunlight.
This factor can be controlled by implementing a sun cover or simply relocating your Starlink router to a shady spot.
You may not notice the effects immediately, especially if your Starlink router is still hot.
So, if you’re about to relocate your Starlink router, here are some tips to follow:
- The router must be as high in the room as possible.
- The Starlink router must not be covered with anything.
- The router shouldn’t be installed in enclosed spaces.
- Any dust should be cleared before the router is moved.
- The router must not be on a stiff surface such as a carpet.
Note: Restart your Starlink router to cool down and test for overheating at the new location!
4. Lift Up Your Starlink WiFi Router!
One of the best techniques against Starlink overheating is to put a cardboard box or something small underneath the router.
This way, the router will hang from both sides in a levitating position. This will prevent the heat from spreading in the material beneath the router.
In addition, this method allows your router to circulate the air efficiently by uncovering the vents on the bottom of your unit.
If you’re able to hang the router into the wall, that would be an even better solution, but as for now, lift up your router from the surface and continue reading further!
Note: Feel free to use any object as long as it’s not metallic, and of course, verify that your router is stable when standing on top.
5. Avoid Overloading your Starlink
The Starlink router might be overheating because there are too many devices connected at the same time, performing resource utilization tasks.
In combination with high room temperatures, the Starlink router could begin to overheat when the internal heat reaches the thermal margin.
So, there are a couple of practical ways to relieve your Starlink:
- Unpair WiFi devices from the Starlink router.
- Stop downloading, uploading, or streaming.
- Power cycle your Starlink router to discharge.
Tip: You can also use any DIY ventilation, by using various objects in order to cool down your Starlink router.
6. Use a Fan to Cool Down Starlink!
Starlink routers typically overheat during the warm seasons in the summer.
In some cases, it’s tough to regulate the temperature in the room and prevent our devices from overheating.
This is why an efficient method would be to turn on any fan blowing against the Starlink router.
If you’re looking for such a solution, you can easily purchase a cooling fan for any purpose at many online stores.
These fans are not expensive but highly efficient for specific situations when your area is extremely hot, and your devices might use some air.
These fans come with a USB connector, so you only need to use your own adapter to connect to power and point toward your Starlink router.
This helps keep your router in the operational temperature range, even on the hottest summer days.
Info: Feel free to explore external fans at Amazon that would fit your Starlink router’s installation and will help you keep your router cool during the warm seasons.
Starlink Router Hot to Touch – Is It Dangerous?
Put simply, every router is warm when you touch its top panel. This is normal as it’s not exceedingly hot to capture your attention.
Typically, routers have a self-defense mechanism that will shut down services one by one when the internal temperatures are too high.
So if your Starlink router is actively overheating, the first thing that you’ll notice is that your WiFi will start dropping.
Sometimes, the Starlink router might reboot by itself in an attempt to lower the temperatures and avoid lethal damage to the internal hardware components.
Note: In extreme cases, the Starlink router might be lethally damaged due to very high internal temperatures, so it’s recommended to react as soon as possible.
Overheating Won’t Stop – What to Do?
In case you’re unable to prevent the Starlink overheating, know that this is normal only in a few extreme cases where the weather outside is very, very hot.
If the environmental heat is not extreme, it’s not unlikely that your Starlink router is faulty, so you should use some help!
Feel free to contact Starlink Help anytime!
If you feel that your router is unusually hot and something is wrong, the Starlink support team should assist you further.
Don’t forget to share what you’ve already tried, and good luck!
Reminder: Check your Starlink equipment warranty!
Quick Recap:
Hence whenever the Starlink router is hot on the touch, unplug the unit from the power in order to cool down and unclog the vents from dust accumulation.
Then, lift your Starlink router up, avoid positioning on stiff surfaces, and use an external fan for router cooling!
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.