How to Aim Your Starlink Dish and Clear Obstructions
Obstructions are the #1 cause of Starlink dropouts, stuttering video calls, and lag spikes. The good news: the Starlink app tells you exactly where the blockage is. This guide covers how to read the obstruction map, reposition your dish, and get back to a stable connection.
Key takeaways
- Obstructions cause intermittent dropouts even when the app shows 'Online'.
- The app's obstruction map needs up to 12 hours to fully populate — be patient.
- Aim for under 2% total obstruction; above 5% is noticeable.
- Trees grow — a spot that worked last year may need re-evaluation.
How Starlink obstructions work
Starlink dishes are motorized phased-array antennas that track satellites moving across the sky. They need a clear view of a wide swath of sky — not a single point. Anything in that field of view (trees, buildings, chimneys, even a neighbor's roofline) blocks individual satellites as they pass behind it, causing brief dropouts that repeat on the satellites' orbital schedule.
Reading the obstruction map
- 1Open the Starlink app and tap Settings → Obstructions.
- 2The map shows your dish's field of view with obstructed areas shaded. White or light areas are clear sky.
- 3Look at the percentage at the top — this is your total obstruction. Under 2% is excellent; over 5% will cause noticeable dropouts.
- 4Note the direction of the worst obstructions. In the Northern Hemisphere, the dish looks mostly north and overhead, so northern trees are the usual culprit.
The obstruction map needs up to 12 hours of dish operation to fully populate. If you just installed, give it overnight before judging the results.
How to clear obstructions
- 1Identify the obstruction direction from the app map and go outside to spot what's blocking that part of the sky.
- 2If it's a tree, trimming branches or topping the tree is often the cheapest fix. A pole mount can get above nearby tree lines.
- 3If it's a building or chimney, relocate the dish to the other side of the roof or use a taller pole.
- 4After moving the dish, run the 'Check for Obstructions' tool with your phone camera at the new spot before committing to the mount.
Mounting options to beat obstructions
| Mount type | Best for | Obstruction advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Roof mount | Single-story homes with clear roofline | Gets above nearby fences and shrubs |
| Pole mount | Properties with tall trees or roof access limits | Can extend above tree lines; easiest to relocate |
| Wall mount | Two-story homes with clear south/north face | Avoids roof work; limited by wall height |
| Ground tripod | Rentals, temporary setups, testing | Flexible placement; lowest sky view |
When in doubt, a pole mount is the most flexible option. You can always make it taller or move it, and it avoids roof penetrations entirely.
Seasonal obstruction changes
Trees drop leaves in fall and regrow them in spring — a spot that was clear in November may be obstructed by May. Snow accumulation on nearby branches can also sag them into the dish's view. Re-run the obstruction scan each season, especially after spring leaf-out.
Frequently asked questions
What is an acceptable obstruction percentage for Starlink?
Why does Starlink show 'Online' but still drop out?
Can I trim my neighbor's tree that's blocking Starlink?
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