Starlink Troubleshooting Guide
Starlink doesn't show numeric error codes -- it surfaces named status messages in the mobile app. Common ones: ObstructionFault (sky blocked), AntennaUnreachable (cable problem), Booting (still warming up), Disconnected (account or upstream), Overheated (hot weather), and various router and authentication issues. This hub covers what each status means, why it happens, what to check first, and when to swap hardware.
30 Starlink fault statuses documented· 7 platforms (Standard / Gen 3 / Mini / Roam / Business / Maritime / Mesh) · Diagnose via Starlink mobile app
Most Common Starlink Issues
Showing 30 of 30 Starlink statuses, sorted by severity. Each links to causes, diagnostics, and fixes.
STARLINK-ANTENNA_UNREACHABLE critical
Router Lost Communication With Dishy Antenna
STARLINK-DISH_HARDWARE_FAULT critical
Dish Internal Self-Test Failed, Hardware Fault
STARLINK-PAYMENT_FAILED critical
Subscription Payment Failed, Service Suspended
STARLINK-SUSPENDED critical
Service Suspended Due to Account Hold
STARLINK-ACCOUNT_AUTH_FAILURE serious
Dish Cannot Verify Account With Starlink Servers
STARLINK-DISCONNECTED serious
Dish Online But No Internet Uplink Detected
STARLINK-MOTOR_FAULT serious
Antenna Motor Fault During Stow or Unstow
STARLINK-NO_SIGNAL_RECEIVED serious
Dish Online But No Satellite Signal Acquired
STARLINK-OBSTRUCTED serious
Dish Detects Sky Blockage Interrupting Satellite View
STARLINK-OVERHEATED serious
Dish Overheated, Service Reduced to Protect Hardware
STARLINK-POE_INSUFFICIENT serious
Dishy Not Receiving Enough Power via Cable
STARLINK-ROAM_INACTIVE serious
Roam Plan Inactive Outside Coverage Zone
STARLINK-FROZEN moderate
Snow or Ice Blocking Antenna Face
STARLINK-HIGH_PACKET_LOSS moderate
Persistent High Packet Loss Detected
STARLINK-MESH_NOT_PAIRED moderate
Mesh Node Not Paired to Account
STARLINK-MESH_OUT_OF_RANGE moderate
Mesh Node Signal Too Weak or Out of Range
STARLINK-NETWORK_CONFIG_ERROR moderate
Router Has Invalid or Conflicting Network Settings
STARLINK-PARTIAL_OBSTRUCTION moderate
Partial Sky Blockage Causing Intermittent Outages
STARLINK-PORTABILITY_DEGRADED moderate
Fixed Plan Active Outside Registered Service Cell
STARLINK-ROUTER_DATA_ERROR moderate
Router Failed to Download Configuration Update
STARLINK-ROUTER_UNREACHABLE moderate
App Cannot Reach Router for Stats or Config
STARLINK-SLOW_INTERNET moderate
Reported Download Speeds Below Expected Plan Tier
STARLINK-SOFTWARE_UPDATE_FAILED moderate
Firmware Update Started But Did Not Complete
STARLINK-STOWED moderate
Antenna Manually Stowed, Service Paused
STARLINK-UPLOAD_DEGRADED moderate
Upload Speed Far Below Normal Range
STARLINK-WIFI_PASSWORD_NOT_SET moderate
Router Broadcasting Unsecured Open WiFi Network
STARLINK-BOOTING minor
Dish Startup Sequence In Progress
STARLINK-BYPASS_MODE_ENABLED minor
Bypass Mode Active, Built-in Router Disabled
STARLINK-SCHEDULED_MAINTENANCE minor
Planned Network Maintenance Outage In Progress
STARLINK-SOFTWARE_UPDATE_REQUIRED minor
Firmware Update Queued for Installation
Starlink Hardware Platforms
| Platform | Description |
|---|---|
| Standard (Gen 2) | Rectangular Dishy + Standard router. Most common residential install. |
| Gen 3 | Newer rectangular antenna, mesh-capable router with WiFi 6. |
| Mini | Portable backpack-friendly dish. Travelers, vanlife, off-grid camps. |
| Roam / RV | Mobile plan, reduced-priority service, works anywhere with sky view. |
| Maritime | High-performance dish for boats, ships. Higher cost tier. |
| Business | Priority service tier, higher upload, dedicated SLA. Same hardware as Gen 3 / High Performance. |
| Mesh | Additional WiFi node for whole-home coverage. Pairs with Standard or Gen 3 router. |
Common Issues at a Glance
- Obstruction Fault -- trees, roof, or structures blocking sky view (use the app Visibility tool to map)
- Antenna Unreachable -- water in the proprietary cable connector, kinked cable, or rodent damage
- Booting -- normal 2-5 min cold boot, longer means hardware issue
- Disconnected -- account suspended, region/portability mismatch, or upstream outage
- Overheated -- direct sun in hot climates, provide shade without obstructing sky
- Slow Speeds -- congestion in your cell, partial obstruction, or pre-failure dish
- Account Auth Failure -- email change, password reset, plan downgrade pending
- Software Update Required -- mandatory firmware update queued for next idle window