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Start with the status shown in the Starlink app. Disconnected usually means your phone cannot reach the Starlink router; Searching, Obstructed, or a hardware alert means the router is reachable but the dish or service is not online. Check the correct branch below, beginning with power, cables, and the dish’s view of the sky. For a new installation, Starlink says the system can take up to 30 minutes to connect.
First determine what is actually offline
There are two different failures that are often described as “Starlink is offline.” In the first, your phone cannot communicate with the Starlink router. In the second, your phone is connected to the router, but the dish has no satellite connection or internet service. The fix depends on which one you have.
When the app says “Disconnected”
Disconnected means the phone is not connected to the Starlink router. Look at the router first: an indicator showing no power points to an electrical or adapter problem. On your phone, open Wi‑Fi settings and join the Starlink network, then reopen the app. Temporarily disable a VPN while testing, because it can prevent local access to the router.
Third-party routers, mesh systems, switches, and other network equipment can also stop the app from reaching Starlink hardware. For the first diagnostic test, connect directly to the Starlink router and remove intermediate equipment. If the phone still cannot join, use the factory-reset procedure for your exact router model, then connect to the network named STARLINK and complete Wi‑Fi setup again. Reset instructions differ by model, so do not use a procedure written for another generation.
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When Wi‑Fi works but the internet does not
If your phone is connected to Starlink Wi‑Fi, do not keep treating the problem as a Wi‑Fi pairing failure. Stay connected to the router, open the Starlink app, and read the current status and alert. The next step may involve the dish’s location, an obstruction, software, overheating, or a hardware fault.
New installation: give it time, then check the basics
During initial setup, use the app’s Check for Obstructions tool before deciding where to place the dish. It scans for objects that block the dish’s view of the sky and is more reliable than judging the position from ground level.
- Place the dish where the obstruction scan shows the clearest available sky view.
- Confirm that the power supply is connected and that every cable is fully seated at both ends.
- Connect your phone to the Starlink Wi‑Fi network and follow the setup prompts in the app.
- Leave the system powered for up to 30 minutes. A newly powered system may need that long to establish service or complete an update.
- If it remains offline after 30 minutes, reboot the equipment once, then follow the status-specific instruction displayed by the app.
Do not repeatedly reset a system that is still completing its first connection. A reset erases Wi‑Fi configuration and can add another setup step without fixing a blocked sky view, missing power, or a service-location problem.
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Sudden outage after Starlink was working
Open the app while connected to Starlink Wi‑Fi and inspect its alert before changing hardware. If the Wi‑Fi network itself has disappeared, power-cycle the router and check its indicator. If the app shows a cloud icon beside the network name, select that network and choose Local to connect directly to the router. This local connection lets the app display dish and service diagnostics even when internet access is unavailable.
- Unplug the Starlink router from power.
- Check the power lead and both ends of the dish cable while the equipment is unplugged.
- Reconnect the cables firmly, restore power, and wait for the router to start.
- Rejoin the Starlink Wi‑Fi network and read the app’s new status or alert.
If the alert identifies a Starlink service outage, use that status information rather than assuming the dish has failed. If no outage is shown, continue with the matching status below.
What each Starlink app status means
| App status or alert | What it indicates | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Searching | The dish is looking for satellites. It may also be downloading an update. | For stationary service, verify that the system is at the service address on the account. Power-cycle it and allow at least 30 minutes. If it remains Searching, submit a support ticket in the app. |
| Obstructed | Part of the dish’s sky view is blocked, causing interruptions. | Open the obstruction map, identify the blocked direction, and look for branches, new leaves, debris, snow, material buildup, or a dish that has shifted. Relocate or raise the dish only when it can be done safely. |
| Overheated | The system shut down because its temperature became too high. | Allow the equipment to cool. It should reconnect after returning to a safe operating temperature. |
| Unexpected location | The system’s current position conflicts with the service address, registered country, or plan rules. | Check the address and country registered on the account, confirm the plan permits service at the current location, and follow the alert’s instructions. |
| Update required or unsupported software | The dish or router needs an over-the-air software update. | Keep the system powered with a clear sky view. The app explains when the update will occur and may offer an option to apply it immediately. |
| Wi‑Fi configuration required | The router has not finished its Wi‑Fi setup. | Follow the app prompt to create or configure the Starlink Wi‑Fi network. |
| Router hardware issue | The app has detected a likely router fault. | Contact Starlink support through the app or account for replacement options. |
Resolving “Searching”
Searching is not the same as a dead router: the dish is attempting to acquire satellites. A stationary system should be at the service address associated with the account. After checking that location and power-cycling, leave it running for at least 30 minutes. If it is still Searching, open an in-app support ticket rather than performing repeated resets. The app ticket includes system details that help support diagnose a persistent acquisition problem.
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Resolving “Obstructed”
Use the obstruction map to determine whether the problem is above, beside, or in front of the dish. Seasonal growth, a branch that moved, snow, dirt, or other material can create a new blockage. A dish can also shift on its mount. If the scan confirms that a higher or clearer position is needed, Starlink lists mount and extended-cable options. Unplug and reboot after relocating the dish so it can reassess its position.
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Only clear snow or debris when you can do so without climbing, handling live electrical equipment, cutting trees, or exposing yourself to other hazards. Hire a qualified installer for unsafe mounting or tree work.
Inspect power, cables, and connectors safely
Unplug the equipment before examining the physical connections. Inspect the entire cable length for cuts, crushed sections, sharp kinks, or exposed conductors. Examine both connectors for bent, contaminated, or damaged parts, then reseat them firmly. Check any Ethernet adapter or extension already installed between the Starlink hardware and your network.
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Use cables designed for your Starlink kit. Official guidance recommends the correct Starlink cable to avoid compatibility problems, but cable compatibility varies by hardware generation. A replacement cable is sensible only when you find visible damage or the app’s diagnostics point to a cable issue; it is not a universal remedy for Searching, Obstructed, or location alerts.
Identify the kit before following cable instructions. Starlink’s intermittent-internet guidance does not apply its cable section to Starlink Mini, and sudden-offline instructions are not written for third-party routers. If you use a non-Starlink router, temporarily test with the Starlink router so that network equipment is not mistaken for a dish or cable fault.
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Interpret router lights only for the correct model
Indicator colors are not universal across Starlink equipment. The following meanings come from the Gen 3 Router Setup Guide (Standard Circular) and should not be applied automatically to another router or dish.
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| Gen 3 router light | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Flashing white | The router is trying to connect. |
| Solid white | The router is connected to the internet. |
| No light | The router has no power. |
| Red | The router is not connected to the internet. |
| Violet | Bypass mode is enabled. |
That guide says a Gen 3 router that cannot connect within 20 minutes turns red and describes a reset-button factory reset. Before pressing reset, confirm that your unit is the Gen 3 model covered by that guide. Other generations use different indicators and reset procedures; use the guide for the exact kit shown in your account or on the hardware.
When a reset helps—and when it does not
A factory reset is appropriate when the phone cannot reach a Starlink router after you have confirmed power and direct Wi‑Fi access is unavailable, or when the model-specific support procedure calls for it. Resetting removes your Wi‑Fi configuration, so you will need to join the default STARLINK network and configure Wi‑Fi again.
Do not use a reset to solve an obstruction, unexpected-location alert, overheating shutdown, or a damaged cable. Those conditions remain after a reset. Likewise, a reset cannot authorize service at a location excluded by the account’s plan.
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Escalate through Starlink support
Open a support ticket in the Starlink app or your account when any of these conditions applies:
- The dish remains Searching after the location, power, and waiting-period checks.
- The app reports a router hardware issue.
- A cable or connector is visibly damaged and the system still will not connect after reseating connections.
- The app continues to show an alert after you have completed its prescribed action.
Use the app ticket for a persistent Searching state because it carries more detailed system information. Phone support is offered only in some regions and may be limited to selected residential customers; eligibility, hours, and availability can change. Check the current support page for your country instead of relying on a universal telephone number.
Quick Recap
A quick decision checklist
- Phone cannot join Starlink Wi‑Fi: check router power, disable the VPN, connect directly to the Starlink router, remove third-party network equipment, and use the exact model’s reset procedure if necessary.
- Phone joins Wi‑Fi but the app says Searching: verify the service address, power-cycle, wait at least 30 minutes, and open an in-app ticket if the state persists.
- App says Obstructed: run the obstruction scan, remove or avoid the blockage, and reboot after a safe relocation.
- App says Overheated: let the equipment cool before testing again.
- App says Unexpected location: correct the account address, country, or plan issue rather than replacing cables.
- App says Update required: keep the system powered with a clear sky view until the update can install.
- Router light is red or absent: compare the indication with the guide for your exact model, then check power and connections.
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