Complete Starlink Installation Guide: From Box to Online

What's in the box

A standard Starlink kit includes the dish (Starlink calls it the user terminal), a Gen 3 router, a 15-meter (50 ft) cable, a base mount, and a power supply. The Gen 3 router has a built-in power supply, so there's no separate brick to manage. Confirm you received all components before you start — a missing cable is the most common reason an install stalls.

Step 1: Choose your mounting location

This is the most important decision in the entire install. Starlink satellites orbit in a constellation that, from most of North America and Europe, favors a clear view toward the north and overhead. Trees, buildings, and chimneys blocking that view will cause dropouts.

1. 1Download the Starlink app and open the 'Check for Obstructions' tool before you buy or mount anything.
2. 2Stand where you plan to mount the dish and follow the on-screen prompts — the app uses your phone camera to estimate the sky view.
3. 3Aim for less than 2% total obstruction. Anything above 5% will cause noticeable dropouts.
4. 4Roof mounts, pole mounts, and wall mounts all work; pick whichever gives the clearest sky view with the shortest cable run.

Step 2: Assemble and mount the dish

1. 1Attach the dish stem to the base mount (or your optional pivot mount / pole adapter).
2. 2Set the dish into the mount — it's motorized and will self-orient after power-up, so don't force it into position.
3. 3Hand-tighten any set screws. Over-tightening can crack the housing.
4. 4Confirm the mount is stable. The dish moves during operation; a wobbly mount causes micro-dropouts.

Step 3: Route the cable

The included cable is 15 meters. Measure your route before you commit — if you need more length, order an official Starlink extension or a coupler rather than a third-party cable, which can cause power delivery issues.

1. 1Route the cable from the dish to where the router will live, keeping it away from heat sources and sharp edges.
2. 2Use the cable routing kit (or a 3/4-inch drill bit) to pass through walls. Keep the hole angled slightly downward outside so water runs away.
3. 3Seal the exterior penetration with silicone weatherproofing.
4. 4Connect the cable to the dish first, then to the router. The connectors click into place.

Step 4: Power up and connect

1. 1Plug the router into power. The LED on the front should light up.
2. 2On your phone or computer, find the 'Starlink' Wi-Fi network and connect (the default name and password are on the router or in the app).
3. 3Open the Starlink app and follow the on-screen setup — it will detect the dish, run a self-check, and begin stowing/unstowing.
4. 4Wait 2–5 minutes for the dish to orient and connect to satellites. The app will show 'Online' when ready.

Step 5: Run your first speed test

Once the app shows 'Online', run a speed test from within the app or a browser-based tester. Typical Residential speeds range from 50–250 Mbps down with 25–50 ms latency. If you're well below that, the most likely culprit is obstructions — let the app run its 12-hour obstruction scan and re-check.

Common installation mistakes to avoid

• Mounting under eaves or near chimneys that block part of the sky.
• Using a long third-party cable that drops voltage below the dish's threshold.
• Skipping the obstruction scan and assuming 'close enough' is fine.
• Drilling the wall penetration without angling it downward, leading to water ingress.