Is your Starlink not working after power outage? Don’t worry. I have some simple solutions to solve it and get you online quickly.
But first, you should know that while Starlink is a remarkable technology, it’s prone to electrical surges, just like any other electronic.
When this happens, its internet components get affected, leading to slow internet or not working entirely.
Luckily, having gone through the same predicament, I researched thoroughly and came up with some possible causes and solutions.
Why Is My StarLink Not Working After Power Outage?
Although there may be other causes of Starlink not working issue, the following are the most probable causes:
- Power issue, which includes the adapter and the associated cables
- Wrong or incorrect router configurations
- Satellite communication loss or disruption
- Abrupt router, dish, or other Starlink accessory damage due to power surges
- Obstruction to the dish, hindering satellite communication
- Power outage or low power from the mains
- Internet outage from the vendor
- Improper ethernet cable connection
How to Solve the Issue Of Starlink Not Working After Power Outage
Now that you understand what might have caused the problem, let’s look for possible solutions.
I recommend trying each at a time before going to the next so that you can identify and solve the problem comprehensively.
Check Your Mains Power
The first and most obvious step is to check your power sockets to ascertain the power is there.
Sometimes, the sockets and power extensions get blown up by electrical surges, so it’s vital to check.
For this, you can use a voltage tester screwdriver to know if there is any electrical current flowing through your socket.
If you do not have this tester, you can plug your setup into another socket to know if the first one has problems.
While here, note that the power in your home can also fluctuate or may not be enough after the outage.
When this happens, electronics like the router do not get enough stable power, which makes them stop working.
To rule out this as the cause, hook a bulb to your mains and observe it. If it’s flickering, it means that your main has not regained its normal voltage.
In this case, the only solution is to wait and test the connection after a few hours.
Using a voltage tester
Inspect Your Connections
As you may know, an abrupt power outage or disruption can cause a power surge.
This phenomenon occurs when more than the usual current flows through your electronics.
When this happens, some components can get burned, resulting in disconnection.
While Starlink has the technology to protect its devices from power surges, it’s important to check all the devices just to be sure.
Check the dish router, cables, and power adapter for any signs of burning. If there is power, the router lights should be on.
Also, check the dish power supply to see if you have the circular model, which is powered independently.
Additionally, open the plug and check if the fuse is still intact. Also, check your house circuit breakers to ensure they didn’t react to the surge.
While here, inspect the cables and connectors to ensure they work properly.
If they are ok, I recommend unplugging, and replugging them properly until you hear a click.
Power Cycle Your Dish
If the above two methods fail, it’s time to power cycle your dish. The technique involves abruptly unplugging a device from the power to reset and refresh its system.
It is a popular way of cleaning static charges and eliminating connection glitches, errors, and bugs.
Power cycling your dish helps to reestablish the lost connection with the satellites in space.
However, note that power cycling the dish directly from power can only apply to the circular dish.
For those using the 2nd generation modern dish, you will need to disconnect it from the Starlink ethernet cable.
You can do this from the dish or the router end since the dish gets its power via this PoE cable.
After disconnecting, you will let it sit idle for about 20 minutes before reconnecting.
When you reconnect, be patient enough because satellite connection establishment may take several minutes.
Rectangular Starlink dish
Reboot the Router
Rebooting the rooter or resetting is also a power cycle method. You can combine this with the dish power cycle method, especially if you are on a second-generation dish.
All you need to do is unplug your router from the power and disconnect all its cables.
Then, let it sit idle for about five minutes. Finally, reconnect it again to the power, plug all its cables snugly, and wait for connection establishment.
Check for Starlink Internet Outage
If all the above methods fail, it could be an issue beyond your control. For example, a Starlink internet interruption over your region.
Fortunately, Starlink announced this, and all you have to do is wait until the network is back.
Check their official website or social media pages for any planned maintenance announcements.
Also, check the forums and social media pages of Starlink users to get an idea of when the network will be back.
Get Rid of Obstructions
From the Starlink installation manual, the dish requires a clear sky view to aid in satellite communication.
The ISP specifies at least a 100-degree field of view for the dish. If you do not achieve this percentage, chances are your Starlink will stop working.
Therefore, check for obstructions from fallen branches due to rain or leaves covering the dish surface.
If you find any, you should clear them or relocate your dish for a clear sky view.
You may also use the Starlink app to check for obstruction to the dish’s FOV. To do this, just open the app and select Obstructions.
Then click Check for Obstruction at the bottom of the page and scan your dish surface using the activated camera.
Finally, check the results to see if your dish sky view is obstructed. While there, I recommend installing your dish in an elevated place away from vegetation to prevent occasional internet disruptions.
Factory Reset Your Hardware
If the above methods do not work, a factory reset can be the only way to solve the errors and bugs.
Unfortunately, the method resets your router to its default settings, clearing all your data and associated configurations.
For those using the Gen 1 and Gen 3 dishes, you can find the reset button at the bottom of the router.
You just need to use a paper clip or a pin to press and hold it until the reboot initiates.
If you are using the second-generation dish, you must power cycle it three times in a row. Here, you must wait about 5 seconds after each power cycle.
Alternatively, you can factory reset from the Starlink app. Launch the app, go to Settings, and locate Factory Reset at the bottom of the page, under the Router tile.
Once the reboot has completed, you can reconfigure your setup and test the connection.
A router reset using a screwdriver
Be Aware of Bad Weather
Sometimes, power outages can come as a result of bad weather. If this is the case, you may expect your Starlink to stop working.
While Starlink can withstand mild rains and winds, heavy snow and storms can cause service disruption.
Clear any ice on the dish surface and enable its self-heating mechanism to melt snow automatically.
Conclusion
Now, you have all the troubleshooting solutions to make your Starlink work again after the power outage.
If the problem persists, I recommend contacting the Starlink customer service for assistance.