The Wifi router that comes with the Starlink kit will work great for most people. But what if you need more features, or advanced networking options? In order to use your own 3rd party router with Starlink, you’ll want to enable bypass mode.
Bypass mode is a feature on the Starlink router that disables the Wifi and router functions, so that a 3rd party router can take over. Since the Starlink router doubles as the dish power supply, you can’t remove the router from the system completely. But in bypass mode, all networking functions are disabled, making it act only as a power supply.
In this guide, I will explain the accessories required to use your own router. I’ll also show you step-by-step how to enable bypass mode. Finally, I will provide answers to some of the common questions and issues that come up when trying to use your own router.
Note: This tutorial applies to the Standard, rectangular Starlink model.
Video tutorial
Note: Some ad blockers will block our video player. If you don’t see the video, try disabling your ad blocker, and then reload the page.
Accessories needed
Before you can use your own 3rd party router with Starlink, you need to purchase the Starlink Ethernet Adapter. The Ethernet Adapter, pictured above, is the accessory that gives you access to an Ethernet port. An Ethernet port is required to be able to connect an aftermarket router to Starlink.
The Ethernet Adapter costs $25, and is available in the Starlink shop.
Obviously, you will also need a 3rd party router if you want to ditch the Starlink one. Almost any aftermarket router will work. In this guide, I’m using a TP-Link router. It came with an Ethernet cable, which is the last accessory that you will need before continuing on.
Related: Best Aftermarket Wifi Routers For Starlink
Connect 3rd party router to Starlink
To connect a 3rd party router to Starlink, first hook up the Starlink Ethernet Adapter. Unplug the Starlink cable from the bottom of the router. Plug in the Ethernet Adapter to the router. Then plug in the Starlink cable to the connector on the Ethernet Adapter. Wait a few minutes to allow the dish to boot back up, and verify that Starlink is online.
Next, use the Ethernet cable included with your 3rd party router to connect the router to Starlink. One end of the Ethernet cable will plug into the Starlink Ethernet Adapter, and the other end will connect to the Internet or WAN port on your 3rd party router.
For more on installing the Starlink Ethernet Adapter, check out our setup and review article.
Configure 3rd party router
If you haven’t already done so, plug in the power for your 3rd party router, and turn it on. Before you can begin to use it as a router, you need to go through the setup process. The setup process varies by manufacturer and model, so be sure to follow the instructions for your particular router.
I’m using a TP-Link router for this guide. All I had to do was download the Tether app on my phone, and it walked me through a simple setup wizard. You don’t need any special router settings to connect to Starlink. I applied all the default settings, and just renamed the Wifi network and set my own password.
Once your 3rd party router is configured, connect to it, and make sure you have internet access. At this point you will notice that you have two Wifi networks. The Starlink Wifi, and the Wifi from your 3rd party router. Having two routers connected to one internet source means you are double NAT’ed. While it can work this way, having two NAT configurations isn’t ideal. That’s why we will enable bypass mode on the Starlink router next.
Enable bypass mode
Once your 3rd party router is connected and working, you can put the Starlink router in bypass mode. To enable, connect back to your Starlink Wifi network. Open up the Starlink app, and tap on Settings in the menu. Below the Wifi settings, tap on Advanced to bring up the bypass mode setting.
Toggle bypass to on, and then hit Save. A confirmation prompt will appear, tap OK to confirm that you would like to enable bypass mode. After several minutes, the Starlink Wifi network should disappear. Connect back to your 3rd party router Wifi network to verify that you still have internet access.
Managing Starlink in bypass mode
Even though the Starlink router is now in bypass mode, you can still access most of the dish settings from either the app, or the Starlink web interface. You’ll need to be on a device that is connected to your 3rd party router. If you aren’t familiar with the web interface, it can be accessed from a web browser by visiting:
http://dishy.starlink.com
or
http://192.168.100.1
If the Starlink app isn’t connecting, but you have internet on your 3rd party router Wifi network, try to access Starlink using the web interface from your device first, and then try the app. If neither the app or web interface is connecting, you may have to create a static route in your router configuration settings. Create a static route to the IP address of Starlink, 192.168.100.1.
Turning off bypass mode
If you ever need to go back to using the Starlink router, turn off bypass mode by performing a factory reset. A reset will restore the Starlink router to factory settings, allowing you to configure a new Starlink Wifi network and password.
To factory reset the Starlink router, unplug and plug in the Starlink router power cable 6 times in a row, waiting a couple seconds in between each power cycle.
If successful, a new Wifi network should appear, named STINKY or STARLINK. Connect to the new network and follow the instructions. After you set a new Wifi network name and password, connect to your new network, and open the Starlink app to confirm everything is working.
For more details, check out our article on performing a factory reset of the Starlink router.
What about other Starlink dish models?
Bypass mode is only necessary on the Standard rectangular Starlink model because the router and dish power supply are integrated as one unit. It is not necessary for the original round dish, the High Performance (Business) dish, or the Flat High Performance in-motion dish.
The Starlink router for those models can be completely removed from the system and replaced with a 3rd party router. To use a 3rd party router on the round dish, remove the Starlink router and plug in your own router to the Starlink power supply Ethernet port. On the High Performance and Flat High Performance models, use the included Starlink Ethernet cable to plug in your own router to the power supply.
Interesting questions for you… I’m part of the IT team for a non-profit that hosts events, approx. 4-5, each year in mainly rural locations with very spotty limited cell service. We would like to provide internet for our guests (around 150-200) but also leave enough bandwidth for credit card processing. I’m certain I would have to use a 3rd party router for QOS purposes along with some line-of-site access points. Would the Starlink Roam plan work in my situation or am I barking up the wrong tree? Since there’s no SL salesperson I can talk to, I appreciate any info/suggestions you can provide.
The Roam service and dish would provide very limited bandwidth with that amount of people. But I think as long as you prioritize the vendor CC processing, it would at least provide some basic connectivity for the guests. Mobile Priority (Mobility) would be a better option. The dish hardware is better and you’ll have Starlink traffic priority over other users in the area. Also, I believe since this is for non-profit use, you would technically need Mobile Priority anyway to be complaint with the terms of service.
Using your existing router, you can use QoS (Quality of Service) features to prioritize your credit card processing. There are many factors, though, just be advised of that. This would be true of any setup you might have, separate from Starlink, even.
If I do this, will the new third party router work with the Starlink Mesh nodes? I would like to use a better router for my system. The SL router is in a utility room in the garage and there are several walls between it and the main living area of the house. I’m hoping a third party router (I have a brand new TP-Link AC1900 router) will send out a stronger signal to the Mesh nodes.
No, the Starlink Mesh Nodes are only compatible with the Starlink router.
Hi Again ! Seems obvious to me but that doesn’t mean much. Once I set up my router I can make all my computer connections wired as opposed to wireless. Or does it merely mean my computer connections will still be wireless it is just that the wireless signal will be from my router? I think the former is the case. Thanks!!!!
Either one can be the case, depending on what your needs are. The wireless signal will come from your own router after bypassing the Starlink one, and you can also plug all your devices into your own router directly if you want. Usually, aftermarket routers have at least 2 additional LAN ports to use if you don’t want your devices on the wireless network.
Thanks!!
I used the ethernet adapter from starlink- ethernet cable to a master bridge- to a slave bridge, ethernet cable to a router in my garage 300 ft away. Works great but when I have internet in the garage, I have no internet in the house. When I unplug the ethernet cable from the starlink adapter, I have no internet in the garage but have internet in he house. How do I fix this, so I have internet in the garage and house at the same time??
Hi, your blog and the video tutorial was helpful. I tried the procedure by connecting Starlink with a secondary router Asus RT N65U through Starlink ethernet adapter and enabling bypass mode. And I performed your procedure four times but I am still facing double NAT problem. I am getting the following message:
“IP conflict detected. Click Next to get a new IP address.”
“Router’s updated IP address: 192.168.2.1″
And the starlink wifi don’t go away.

Do you think the skylink router is faulty? Or should I keep trying more?
Thanks
If enabling bypass mode isn’t disabling the Starlink router Wifi, it sounds like a problem with either the router, or perhaps your account/app. I would recommend doing a factory reset of the router and trying again. If it still doesn’t work, contact support.
I purchased the Yaosheng Dishy Cable Adapter that eliminates the need to hack a Starlink Ethernet Adapter, via Amazon. Took three weeks to arrive. Removed my hacked Starlink Adapter. The Yaosheng adapter works. I have noticed a decrease in performance. I need to go back and try the Starlink adapter to test if its the Yaosheng
I used everything else the same. I am using a Tycon POE injector, and 110V-48V 144W AC-DC power supply vice a buck converter. I have Starlink connected to a Google Nest WiFi Pro 6e 3 node mesh. Peak with the Yaosheng is around 50 mps. A few weeks ago with the Starlink adapter it was 140-150. Not sure if Yaosheng is cause yet, but easy to switch back. Starlink is a backup ISP, so not a must do test to check speed.
Good to know that it works, let us know if it was the Yaosheng causing the speed issue.
I’m already using a second router (double NAT) without issues. What would happen if I entered bypass mode and then later on simply switched off bypass mode without resetting anything and just rebooting? Also, doesn’t bypass mode have to be off in order for my dishy to receive updates?
Bypass mode doesn’t affect firmware updates. The actual firmware and internet modem are contained in the dish itself. The only way to turn off bypass mode is to factory reset the router, so you would have to be at the physical router in order to power cycle it 6 times.
are you using both the Starlink wifi router and a third party router simultaneously?
Why do I ask? I am in the process of moving into a new home build. Hoping to us both the Starlink router and a third party router connected via ethernet to the ethernet adapter. Still good 8 months out from moving in.
I’m using both simultaneously and usually getting 150+ Mbps down. Ten times better than the Verizon LTE that I had beforehand. Not having any issues one-year on but will try bypass mode to see if my speeds increase.
This doesn’t work for me. No mater what router I use or switch when I enter bypass mode the eithernet adaptor also stops. It works great when not in bypass mode and I can have wifi 6 from the 3rd party one but still sucks I can’t turn off or hide the SL wifi.
I would put in a support ticket with Starlink. Sounds like a faulty router to me.
Can you get into the bypass mode from any other way but the Website. We are locked out of the Website
Connect your ethernet cable directly from your computer to the starlink ethernet brick and go to either http://dishy.starlink.com or http://192.168.100.1 from a web browser. There is no login since its a local path (not to the internet, just to the starlink). Most routers will use 192.168.0.1 so it will block you from getting to the starlink that way. If so, just use http://dishy.starlink.com.