Starlink Obstructions

Frequent dropouts from blocked sky.

Obstructions are the single biggest cause of Starlink performance problems — dropouts, stuttering, latency spikes, and slow speeds. The Starlink app's obstruction map tells you exactly what's blocking your sky view. This page covers how to read it and clear the blockage.

Key takeaways

Aim for under 2% total obstruction; above 5% causes noticeable dropouts.
The obstruction map needs up to 12 hours to fully populate.
Trees, chimneys, and buildings are the usual culprits.
A pole mount is the most flexible fix for tree blockage.

How obstructions affect Starlink

Starlink dishes track satellites moving across a wide swath of sky. Anything in that field of view — trees, buildings, chimneys — blocks individual satellites as they pass behind it. Each blocked satellite causes a brief dropout (1–3 seconds) that repeats on the satellite's orbital schedule, producing the stuttering and lag spikes you feel.

Reading the obstruction map

1Open the Starlink app → Settings → Obstructions.
2The shaded areas on the map are blocked sky; white areas are clear.
3Check the total obstruction percentage at the top.
4Note the direction of the worst blockage to identify the cause outside.

The obstruction map needs up to 12 hours of dish operation to fully populate. If you just installed or moved the dish, give it overnight before judging the results.

Clearing the obstruction

1Go outside and identify what's blocking the sky in the direction the map shows.
2For trees: trim branches, top the tree, or raise the dish on a taller pole.
3For buildings or chimneys: relocate the dish to the other side of the roof or use a pole mount.
4Re-run the 'Check for Obstructions' camera tool at the new spot before committing.

Mounting to beat obstructions

Obstruction type	Best fix
Nearby trees	Pole mount above the tree line, or trim branches
Chimney or roof peak	Relocate dish to clear side of roof
Neighbor's building	Raise the dish or relocate to a clearer side
Seasonal leaf growth	Re-scan each season; trim or raise as needed

Seasonal changes

A spot that's clear in winter (no leaves) may be obstructed by spring growth. Snow on branches can sag them into the dish's view. Re-run the obstruction scan after spring leaf-out and after major snow events.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good obstruction percentage for Starlink?

Under 2% is excellent — you'll rarely notice dropouts. 2–5% is acceptable but may cause brief stutters on video calls. Above 5% causes noticeable, repeated dropouts and you should reposition the dish.

How do I fix Starlink obstructions from trees?

Trim the branches, top the tree, or raise the dish above the tree line using a pole mount. A pole mount is the most flexible fix because you can extend it taller without roof work. Re-run the obstruction scan after any change.

Why do my Starlink obstructions change by season?

Trees lose leaves in fall and regrow them in spring, changing the sky view. Snow on branches can sag them into the dish's view. Re-run the obstruction scan after spring leaf-out and after major snow events.

Try these common fixes first

Power-cycle the whole system

1.Unplug the Starlink router from power.
2.Wait at least 60 seconds.
3.Plug it back in and wait 2–5 minutes for reconnection.
4.Run a speed test in the Starlink app.

Rescan for obstructions

1.Open the Starlink app.
2.Go to Settings → Obstructions.
3.Wait for the 12-hour scan to populate.
4.Move the dish to a spot with less than 2% obstruction.

Check for cable damage

1.Inspect the dish cable for kinks or cuts.
2.Reseat both ends firmly.
3.Replace any damaged cable with an official Starlink replacement.
4.Confirm the dish shows 'Online' in the app.

Still stuck? Ask SkyBeam Helper in the bottom-right chat for a fast answer.

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