Snow or Ice Blocking Antenna Face
The STARLINK-FROZEN (Starlink) EV fault code means: Snow or Ice Blocking Antenna Face. This is a moderate severity code.
- Keep driving?
- Yes, but fix soon
- DIY difficulty
- easy
- Estimated cost
- $0 if self-clearing or manually brushed. Dish replacement through Starlink if heater has failed: $149-$599 depending on your hardware plan and service tier.
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Common Symptoms
- Starlink mobile app shows status message 'Snow' or 'Frozen' under the dish status screen
- Internet speeds drop sharply or connection cuts out entirely during or after winter precipitation
- Dish appears to be working but signal quality is very low in the Statistics tab
- App Diagnostics screen shows high obstruction percentage even though the sky was previously clear
- Dish heating element activates but snow or ice layer is too thick to melt in time
- Connection recovers on its own once outdoor temperatures rise above freezing
- Visible crust of ice or heavy wet snow layer on the dish face when inspected from the ground
Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)
- Heavy wet snow accumulation overwhelming the built-in dish heater Very Likely
- Freezing rain or ice storm depositing a hard ice layer the heater cannot penetrate quickly Very Likely
- Dish heater working normally but ambient temperature is too far below freezing to keep up Likely
- Dish mounted at a low angle or in a shaded spot that prevents sun assistance and slows melt Likely
- Power interruption to the dish during the storm that paused heater operation Possible
- Dish heater element has failed, preventing any self-clearing in snowy conditions Less Likely
- Snow sliding from a roof or nearby structure re-covering the dish face after it clears Less Likely
Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure
Open the Starlink mobile app and tap the status icon. Confirm the fault reads 'Snow' or 'Frozen' and not a separate ObstructionFault or AntennaUnreachable fault. These require different fixes.
Check the Statistics tab in the Starlink mobile app. If signal quality is near zero and the obstruction map is mostly blocked, snow or ice is very likely covering the antenna face.
Safely inspect the dish from the ground or a safe vantage point. A visible white or icy layer on the flat face confirms the fault. Do not climb onto a roof in icy conditions.
If the dish is safely accessible, use a soft brush or your gloved hand to gently sweep snow off the antenna face. Do not use a metal scraper or sharp tool, which can damage the dish surface.
If the dish is covered in hard ice, do not chip it. Go back inside, leave the dish powered on, and let the built-in heater work. Check the app every 30 minutes. Most ice layers clear within one to two hours as long as power is uninterrupted.
Verify the dish has continuous power by checking the router in the Starlink mobile app. If the router shows offline, restore power to the router and cable run first. The heater cannot operate without power.
After snow is cleared or melts, wait up to five minutes and recheck the app. If the status still shows 'Frozen' or speeds remain near zero, restart the dish from the Starlink mobile app under Settings, then Advanced, then Reboot. If the fault clears but returns after every snowfall, consider a taller pole mount or a roof position that gets more sun exposure to help with future events.
If the fault persists in completely clear, dry conditions with no visible snow or ice, the heater element itself may have failed. This requires a dish replacement through Starlink support. There is no user-serviceable heater repair.
Common Fixes by Vehicle
What techs usually find when diagnosing STARLINK-FROZEN on specific platforms — tap a platform for the fix and the exact part:
Starlink in cold climates with snow Easy DIY
Dishy has a heating element to melt snow and ice, but heavy wet snow or freezing rain can overwhelm it. The heater pulls 40-100W which is significant. Symptoms: dish status shows heated, but obstruction warning appears only when snow accumulates. Manual fixes: (1) Brush off accessible snow -- use a soft snow broom, don't scrape with hard tools (you'll damage the antenna face). (2) Tilt dish at a steeper angle so snow slides off -- mounting bracket adjustments help in heavy-snow regions. (3) Heated dish covers (aftermarket) for extreme climates. Don't pour hot water on the dish -- thermal shock can crack the antenna face.
Labor: 5-10 min during snow eventsFrequently Asked Questions
What does the Starlink FROZEN status mean?
It means the dish has detected that snow or ice is covering its antenna face, blocking the signal to the satellites overhead. The dish has a built-in heater that tries to melt the buildup automatically, but heavy or wet snow can be too much for it to handle quickly on its own.
Can I still use the internet with the FROZEN fault active?
Usually not at full speed. You may get a very slow or intermittent connection, or none at all, until the dish face is clear. The fault does not permanently damage anything. Service returns to normal once the snow or ice is gone.
Should I turn off the dish to let it cool or heat up faster?
No. Keep the dish powered on at all times during a snow event. The heater only works when the dish has power. Turning it off slows the clearing process and makes the situation worse.
How much does it cost to fix this?
In most cases, nothing. Either the heater clears it on its own or you brush it off for free. If the heater element has permanently failed and the dish will not self-clear in any future snowfall, you would need a replacement dish from Starlink, which ranges from $149 to $599 depending on your equipment plan.