A Starlink replacement dish is necessary for anyone at some point. But setting it up requires some tact to ensure it’s up and working with your existing infrastructure.
Welcome to our stepwise explanation of how to remove your faulty Starlink Dish and replace it with a better version. Here’s everything you should know.
When Do You Need a Starlink Replacement Dish?
There are several reasons you may think of replacing your current Starlink dish. The major ones include:
- If you live in an area synonymous with strong winds, hailstorms, or snow, your dish will undoubtedly spoil at some point.
- Also, a replacement is necessary if a heavy object like a tree lands on your house roof and hits your dish.
- Some dishes will, without any reason, stop providing a clear signal, especially if you’re dealing with a secondhand one.
- Finally, note that the Starlink dish model does not receive the latest updates, putting your system at risk of failure.
Practicing proper maintenance is a rule of thumb for increased longevity of your dish. Ensure you always have it in good shape; otherwise, you may have to replace it in less than two years.
Is there a Charge for the Starlink Replacement Dish?
Dish Installation.
You could incur a hefty dish replacement cost or no cost at all. It will all depend on if your warranty is still valid.
What if your warranty is no more?
If that’s the case, you will have to break the bank, as a new one would cost as much as $599. Your alternative is buying a refurb or an old dish from marketplaces like Facebook or eBay.
However, buying the entire kit from Starlink is the most logical thing if your router also needs replacement.
How to Install a New Starlink Replacement Dish
Below are the steps to acquire, remove the old, and install a new Starlink dish.
Order a New Dish
First, order a new dish from Starlink by informing the company that your old model needs replacing. They’ll furnish you with a new dish in a few weeks if it’s within the warranty period.
Also, remember that you should not have contravened the warranty terms; otherwise, Starlink won’t supply your order.
Removal and Installation
Old Dish Removal.
The same way you installed the dish is also how you uninstall and fix your new one.
Here are the steps:
- Find a convenient way to reach the old dish. We assume you’ve erected it at a high point where you cannot get it while standing. Therefore, you will require a ladder.
- Also, you’ll need to unplug the cables from the old dish, as you don’t want them damaged during the uninstalling process.
- Next, unplug the clips holding your old dish and remove it from the mount. Don’t cast away the old dish; you could still sell it.
- Now, you can install the new dish on the mount you used for the old model. It is imperative because your pre-selected area had a clear sky view.
- Plug in the new dish and ensure it is firm to prevent easy swaying by wind and other weather elements. You must ensure the dish is free to move at this juncture, which is imperative for self-alignment.
Ship Your Old Dish
You can ship the dish for repair to Starlink and must follow the proper shipping procedures. But if you’re done with it, simply package it appropriately and store it well. You may sell it in the future and recoup some of the money you spent to acquire it.
Install Cables
A Tripod Stand Mount.
You need cables running from the dish to the house’s interior, where you have placed the router. Therefore, you might need to drill a hole in the wall if there wasn’t any before. Using a drill, make a hole and run the cable from the dish to the router via this opening.
Connect the end of your power cable to the router on the port you’ll find on the router’s base. Most importantly, ensure your router is close to an electrical socket for easy plugging. Connect it to power and allow your dish to align towards the most relative satellite.
Connect to Your Starlink Internet
Starlink Dish.
Once your dish is well aligned, you can immediately access the internet. So, switch on WiFi on your Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as a smartphone or tab. You’ll access the networks within your range, and one of them will be called STINKY.
It is Starlink’s official WiFi name, so click on it to connect. Next, you will set up your unique WiFi name and password. Input these details, and now you’re ready to use the network.
Install a Starlink App
Everything is perfect up to this point, but you still require the Starlink app. It will be handy whenever you want to make some changes, such as:
- Customizing WiFi Settings
- Checking for issues when you can’t connect to the internet, etc.
If you find the app inconvenient, the alternative is logging via the web browser. But you must always try to access it while connected to Starlink’s WiFi; otherwise, it’ll be inaccessible.
Conclusion
Replacing your faulty Starlink dish is a task you can do yourself. It will ensure you restore your connection without incurring unnecessary costs. Nonetheless, you must ensure you follow our guide so that you get all the installation steps right.