Category - General Info

This section contains general information for Starlink users. You will find answers to common questions, handy Starlink updates, and more.

Starlink’s Secret $90 Service Plan Has A Major Loophole

In this video post, I talk about Starlink’s hidden service plan that is mentioned nowhere on their website. The “Standard – Discounted” plan is supposed to be only available for select rural addresses in the United States. But a huge loophole in the Starlink account management system allows…

Obstruction Data Is Now Saved In The App

Starlink obstruction tool

The obstruction data in the Starlink app no longer clears with each reboot. This change happened with a recent software update. The obstruction map can be manually reset if needed, and still updates with new information over time. In this article, I’ll explain the new obstruction map behavior and tell you how to reset the data. I will also talk about what Starlink is doing behind the scenes to improve performance for customers with obstructions. Starlink obstruction map If you aren’t already familiar, the Starlink obstruction map is a graphical representation of your dishes view of the sky. The map …

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Here’s Why You See A Blank Line In Your Starlink Obstruction Map

Line missing from the Starlink obstruction map

Starlink is satellite internet, using a dish on the ground to communicate with a constellation of thousands of satellites orbiting the Earth. With Starlink, you need a clear view of the sky to get reliable service. If there are trees or buildings blocking the view of the dish, you can experience interruptions. Starlink refers to these objects as obstructions. The Starlink app is your command center. You’ll find the status of your dish and router, as well as several different settings and options. One of the tools in the app is the obstruction map. The obstruction map allows you to …

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Gen 3 Accessory Guide

Starlink Gen 3 accessory boxes

Starlink has been offering satellite internet service for several years now. In that time, they’ve had three major hardware iterations. The latest Starlink dish, the Gen 3 “Standard”, is much different from previous versions. Many of the changes, like the improved Wifi router, result in increased performance and reliability. Some of the design changes, however, make previous Starlink accessories incompatible with Gen 3. I’ve received many comments and emails with confusion about Gen 3 accessories and compatibility. To help, I created this Gen 3 accessory guide. I will cover all the Starlink accessories offered for the Gen 3 dish. I …

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Gamers Aren’t Happy About Starlink’s Performance – Elon Musk Vows To Focus On Gaming Improvements

Starlink is providing high speed internet to millions of customers that previously didn’t have any other options. A lot of these customers are gamers, eager to finally be able to download large games, stream on Twitch, and reliably connect to multiplayer servers. Starlink internet specs make it ideal for gaming, at least on the surface. Their website advertises fast download speeds, respectable upload speeds, and low latency for their Standard service plan and equipment. It should be great internet for gaming, but there are some major issues, according to gamers posting to online Starlink communities and social media. Gamers are …

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Removing Unknown Devices From Your Starlink Wifi Network

The Starlink app is useful for a lot of things, like monitoring your Wifi network. You can check to see which devices are currently connected, allowing you to make sure only authorized devices are using your internet connection. Starlink is usually able to identify devices. The app will automatically assign names that let you know what they are. For example, when I connect my smart thermostat, it automatically shows up with the name, “ecobee”, which is the manufacturer of the device. Sometimes, Starlink isn’t able to identify or name a device automatically. When this happens, it will show up as …

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Starlink Standard Unboxing – Here Is What Comes With The Gen 3 Kit

Contents of the Gen 3 Standard Starlink kit

Starlink’s newest hardware, Gen 3 Standard, was launched in late 2023. If you are looking to get Starlink, or have already purchased a kit, you might be wondering what comes in the box. In this article, I will detail everything included in the Starlink Standard kit, so you know what to expect when your order arrives. The Gen 3 “Standard” hardware option is available for most service plans. It’s the default equipment for Residential and Roam. The Starlink Standard kit contains everything you need to get online in just a few minutes: As you can see, the Starlink system is …

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Standard vs Standard Actuated – Starlink Hardware Options Explained

Depending on your location, Starlink will offer you different hardware options. For Residential and Roam orders in the US, the choice comes down to “Standard” or “Standard Actuated”. The Starlink website doesn’t give much information on the differences between the two models, but there are a lot of things you should be aware of before making a decision. In this guide, I will break down all the differences between the two equipment options, Standard and Standard Actuated. Learn about the hardware, mounting options, installation process, and available accessories. I will talk about performance, reliability, and offer my overall recommendation for …

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Can You Pause Residential? Sort Of, Here’s How

One common question I receive from readers is whether or not Starlink Residential can be paused for seasonal use. For example, if I have a vacation home that I only visit during the summer, I don’t want to be paying for internet service the rest of the year when I’m not there. I know what you’re probably thinking, isn’t that what Starlink Roam is for? One of the features of Roam is the ability to pause and unpause service as needed, but there are also some drawbacks. The main one being the deprioritized service that Roam customers receive. Roam is …

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Device Limit Introduced For Residential Starlink Accounts

Starlink has introduced a new limit on the amount of Starlink subscriptions and kits that Residential customers can have at one time. The device limit is another move to curb the unauthorized reselling of Starlink kits on 3rd party marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. In addition to this new device limit, Starlink also requires customers to own their equipment for at least 90 days before it can be transferred or sold to someone else. Residential customers are now limited to 5 kits. If you are at the device limit, you won’t be able to purchase an additional Starlink on the …

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