How to Set Up Starlink: Step-by-Step Installation Guide (2026)

Setting up Starlink takes six steps: download the Starlink app, find a spot with a clear view of the sky, connect the cables, plug it in, line it up with the app’s alignment tool, then join the STARLINK WiFi network and set a password. After that, leave it on overnight so it can update. Starlink says it connects to satellites “within a few minutes” of being plugged in, and can take up to 30 minutes the first time (Starlink Help Center; initial setup help). A permanent roof, wall or pole mount is optional, and is where most of the real work is.

This guide follows Starlink’s own instructions for the kits it ships in 2026, including the new Starlink V5, and was checked against the Starlink Help Center on September 24, 2026. Where a step differs between kits, it says so. Starlink changes hardware often, so the setup guide for your exact kit, linked below, always wins.

Key Takeaways

• Check the sky first. The Starlink app’s Check for Obstructions tool scans the view from where the dish will sit. Trees, roofs and poles cause dropouts.
• Most current kits need you to aim them. Standard, Mini and V5 dishes are lined up by hand using the app’s alignment tool. Only the older Standard Actuated and Performance (Gen 1) level themselves.
• Your WiFi has no password until you set one. Add it in the app: Settings > Router.
• Don’t extend or cut the Starlink cable. Buy a longer Starlink cable instead; third-party cables can let water in and may void the warranty.
• Professional installation is free on the US Residential 200 Mbps and Max plans, according to Starlink’s plans page (September 2026).

Which Starlink Kit Do You Have?

Setup is nearly the same for every kit, but the router, the mount and the aiming step differ. Starlink’s “What Starlink Kit do I have?” page has photos of each one. The kits you are most likely to have:

Kit	What is different when you set it up
Standard 4 X / Standard 4 (guide)	Rectangular dish on a kickstand, with a separate Router 3 and power supply. You aim it with the app. 15 m (49.2 ft) Starlink cable.
Starlink V5 (guide)	Newest home kit, launched July 2026 (5Gstore) and in select areas only (Starlink). Smaller and lighter; comes with a Router Mini, a pipe adapter and a 15 m (50 ft) cable. You aim it with the app.
Starlink Mini (guide)	WiFi is built into the dish, so there is no separate router. Runs on 12–48V DC. Includes a pipe adapter and flat mount.
Mini X (guide)	A Mini plus a Router Mini for wider coverage. Set up the dish first, then pair the router in the app.
Standard Actuated (guide)	Older kit with a motor that aims itself; do not turn it by hand. Sits on an X-shaped base; the power supply is built into its Gen 2 router.
Performance (Gen 3) (guide)	Heavy-duty kit designed for higher performance. Comes with your choice of mount, an Advanced Power Supply and a 25 m cable.

Not sure whether to get the Mini or the Standard? See our Starlink Standard vs Mini comparison. Starlink says the Mini covers up to 1,200 sq ft and the Standard 4 X up to 3,200 sq ft (Starlink Help Center).

Before You Start

• Check for obstructions before you order if your property has a lot of trees. Starlink recommends this for heavily obstructed areas (Starlink Help Center).
• Measure the cable run. Standard, Mini and V5 kits come with about 15 m (50 ft) of cable between the dish and the router or power supply (cable lengths). If the best spot is farther away, order a longer Starlink cable.
• Plan where the router goes. It needs a power outlet and should be indoors, in a central spot, for the best WiFi. The Mini is the exception: its router is inside the dish.
• Have your phone charged with the Starlink app installed (iOS, Android).
• Bought the kit in a store? You will need to activate it; see activating a store-bought kit below.

How to Set Up Starlink, Step by Step

These steps follow Starlink’s setup guides for the Standard 4 X, Mini and V5 kits. The order matters less than you might think, but checking the sky before you run cables saves doing it twice.

Step 1: Download the Starlink App

Install the Starlink app and sign in. On Mini, Mini X and V5 kits, scan the QR code on the packaging and the app walks you through the rest (Mini guide; V5 guide).

Step 2: Find a Clear View of the Sky

Take your phone to where you want the dish and open Check for Obstructions. It uses the camera to scan the dish’s field of view and estimates how obstructed it is. Starlink says to hold the phone as close as possible to the height and angle the dish will have, and to try several spots (Starlink Help Center).

• Aim for as close to zero obstructions as you can. Anything in the way (a tree branch, pole or roof edge) causes short interruptions.
• Think about next summer. Trees without leaves look clear in winter.
• No clear spot at ground level? Go higher: a roof, wall or pole mount (Starlink Help Center). Our dish placement guide covers direction, mounts and common mistakes.
• Don’t set it up indoors or behind glass. Starlink needs to see the open sky; see can glass block Starlink.

Step 3: Connect the Cables

Lift the kickstand, then, depending on your kit:

• Standard 4 X / Standard 4: plug the Starlink cable into the dish with its locking tab facing up and push until it sits flush. Plug the other end into port 1 on the Router 3 (marked with the Starlink symbol), locking tab facing down. Then connect the power supply to the router and plug it into the wall (Starlink Help Center).
• Starlink Mini: plug the DC power cable into the dish until it is flush, then into the power supply, then into an outlet (Starlink Help Center).
• Starlink V5: plug the Starlink cable into the dish, locking tab up, until flush. If the cable will run inside a mounting pole, thread it through the pole and the pipe adapter first (Starlink Help Center).

A cable that isn’t fully seated is one of the most common setup problems, and it also breaks the dish’s water seal. Push it in until you feel it lock.

Step 4: Power It On and Wait

Once it has power, the dish boots and starts searching for satellites. Starlink says it connects within a few minutes, but the first connection can take up to 30 minutes. If you are on the STARLINK WiFi and still offline after 30 minutes, reboot the equipment (Starlink Help Center).

Standard Actuated and Performance (Gen 1) dishes will tilt and turn on their own at this point. Starlink says not to adjust them by hand (Starlink Help Center).

Step 5: Align the Dish With the App

Standard, Mini, V5 and Enterprise dishes have no motor, so you point them yourself. Once the dish is online, the app shows a “Starlink Misaligned” alert if it is more than 5° off. Tap it and turn or tilt the dish until it matches the picture on your screen. No alert means you are already within 5° (alignment tool). Keep the kickstand tilt; Starlink says to use the kickstand to tilt the dish for best results (Starlink Help Center).

Once it is aligned and unobstructed, you don’t need to move it again: these are phased-array antennas that track satellites electronically (Starlink Help Center).

Step 6: Connect to WiFi and Set a Password

On your phone or laptop, join the network called STARLINK. Then open the app and go to Settings > Router to set your own network name and password. Starlink calls this optional, but your Starlink WiFi is not password-protected until you set one (Starlink Help Center), so do it now.

| Related: Is Starlink Secure? What to Lock Down on Day One

Step 7: Let It Update

A new Starlink may need to download software after first setup. Starlink says this happens automatically overnight, and the app shows the update status (Starlink Help Center). Leave it powered on overnight after setup.

Then run a speed test to get a baseline: our Starlink speed test shows your speed and latency, and tells you whether you are on the Starlink network.

What the Starlink Router Lights Mean

The light on the Router 3 tells you where setup is up to (Router 3 guide):

Light	What it means
Flashing white	Trying to connect. Turns red if there is no internet after 20 minutes.
Solid white	Connected. Turns off after an hour, which is normal.
No light	No power, or connected for over an hour.
Red	Not connected to the internet.
Violet	Bypass mode is on. A factory reset is needed to turn it off.

On the Mini, the light is on the back of the dish: slow blinking means powered on, no light means no power (Starlink Help Center).

Making It Permanent: Mounts and Cable Routing

The kickstand is fine for testing and for many homes, but Starlink says a permanent install in a high spot gives the best performance, cable protection and long-term reliability (Starlink Help Center).

Choosing a Mount

• Mounts are kit-specific. Standard mounts only fit Standard dishes, and Mini mounts only fit the Mini (Do I need a mount?).
• Standard 4 X: the kickstand comes off, and it can also be screwed to a flat surface. Starlink sells wall, pivot, pipe-adapter and roof-rack mounts.
• Mini: the included pipe adapter fits existing poles 31–50 mm (1.25–2 in) across. See our Starlink Mini mounts guide.
• V5: the included pipe adapter fits 31–50 mm poles, and the optional V5 Home Mount works on walls, sloped roofs or flat surfaces (V5 guide; Home Mount guide).
• Poles: for clearing trees, a pole is often the answer; see our Starlink pole mount guide.

If you are not comfortable on a roof or with drilling into it, this is the part to hand to a professional.

Routing the Cable Indoors

• Starlink sells a cable routing kit and a masonry routing kit for getting the cable through a wall (Starlink Help Center).
• Keep the cable free of kinks, and don’t pinch it in a door or window. Damage to the cable affects service.
• Don’t bury it or run it under water; Starlink says the cable isn’t rated for either.
• Don’t cut, splice or extend it with another cable. Starlink says this can let water in and may void the warranty; buy a longer Starlink cable instead.
• Leave a drip loop (a dip in the cable) just before it enters the building, so rain drips off instead of running inside.

Power Supply and Weather

The Standard power supply can give off 30–40 W of heat at full load and shuts itself off if it overheats, so don’t seal it in a closed box without ventilation (Starlink Help Center). Keep the router indoors. For rain, snow and lightning precautions, see is Starlink waterproof and does Starlink work in bad weather.

Installing more than one Starlink at the same site? Starlink says to keep the mounts at least 3 m (about 10 ft) apart (Starlink Help Center).

Adding Mesh WiFi or Your Own Router

If the WiFi doesn’t reach every room, add mesh. Starlink’s own steps (Starlink Help Center):

1. Make sure your Starlink is already set up and online.
2. Plug the new mesh router into power where you want it.
3. Connect to your Starlink WiFi and open the app.
4. Wait 1–2 minutes for a “New Mesh Node(s)” notification, then tap Pair.
5. The node appears on the Network screen within a couple of minutes.

Starlink recommends placing nodes no more than one or two rooms apart, pairing each one directly to the main router, and not using more than three.

Using your own router instead? Plug it into one of the Router 3’s Ethernet ports, or turn on bypass mode to hand everything to your router. Older kits need the Starlink Ethernet adapter. For recommended add-ons, see our Starlink mesh and WiFi extender guide.

Professional Starlink Installation: Cost and What You Get

Starlink’s US plans page lists free professional home installation with the Residential 200 Mbps ($85/month) and Residential Max ($130/month) plans (Starlink Residential, checked September 24, 2026). You book it in your Starlink account after ordering, and in the US it is carried out by OnTech, a Starlink-trained installer. Some areas, including parts of Alaska, have no professional install coverage (Starlink Help Center).

According to Starlink, a standard installation takes about 90 minutes and includes (Starlink Help Center):

• a site check and choice of the best dish location,
• mounting the dish with a standard home mount,
• running the cable to the nearest entry point of the home,
• connecting and powering the router there, and
• activating the service, testing it and walking you through the app.

What it does not include:

• pole mounts (installers can’t do them),
• removing an old installation, and
• extras such as longer cables, trenching or special routing, which may cost more.

An adult (18 or older) must be home during the visit. You don’t have to wait for the appointment to go online: Starlink encourages you to use the kickstand in the meantime. Billing starts when you first connect, or 7 days after delivery, whichever comes first.

Best Buy and Other Installers

Best Buy sells a Starlink Installation (Setup and Mounting) service for $279 (September 2026). Its listing says installers mount the dish on your home’s exterior, run the cable through an exterior wall to the router inside, and help you set up the app and up to two devices; the mount kit is not included. Local satellite and antenna installers also do Starlink. If you use a third party, Starlink says you contract with them directly: it isn’t responsible for their pricing, workmanship or any damage, and it only refunds installations bought through starlink.com (Starlink Help Center).

| Related: How Much Does Starlink Cost? Hardware, Plans and Fees

Is Starlink Easy to Install Yourself?

For a basic setup, yes. Getting online on the kickstand needs no tools and no technical knowledge; the app does the aiming and the network settings. A permanent install is a normal home-improvement job: drilling, sealing a roof or wall entry, and working at height. That is where people pay for installation.

Do it yourself if	Consider a professional if
You have a clear view of the sky at ground level or from a low wall	The only clear view is on a steep or high roof
You are happy to drill and seal a small hole	You need the cable run through masonry or across a long distance
You are on the 100 Mbps plan (installation isn’t free on it)	You are on the 200 Mbps or Max plan (installation is free)

Buying Starlink From a Store? Activate It First

Kits bought from a retailer or reseller need to be activated at starlink.com/activate or in the Starlink app (Starlink Help Center). A few things to know:

• You get one hour of internet the first time you plug in a new retail kit, so you can finish signing up without another connection.
• The country must match. The country shown on the Starlink website must be the one you register your account in, or the kit may not activate.
• Busy areas may be limited. Residential plans can’t be activated where the area is at capacity; Starlink will offer a Roam plan instead. Check the Starlink availability map for your address, and see our congestion charge guide for fees in busy areas.

Setting Up Starlink in an RV, Car or Boat

The same steps apply on the road, with a Roam plan. The Mini is the usual choice: it runs on 12–48V DC, and Starlink suggests its 100 W USB-C cable or car adapter if a 12V supply gives trouble (Starlink Help Center). For the details, see Starlink for RVs, Starlink for cars, and Starlink power consumption for battery sizing.

Starlink Won’t Connect After Setup? Check These First

1. Open the app and read any alerts on the home screen: most setup problems show up there.
2. Check every cable is fully pushed in and locked, and nothing is kinked or damaged.
3. Give it the full 30 minutes on first setup.
4. Run Check for Obstructions again from the dish’s actual position.
5. Power cycle: unplug from the wall, wait, and plug back in.
6. If you can’t see the STARLINK network at all, factory reset the router (Starlink Help Center).

For specific app messages, see Starlink router unreachable, Starlink disconnected and fixing common Starlink problems.

Looking After Your Starlink

Starlink needs almost no maintenance. If the dish gets dirty, Starlink says a microfiber cloth and a glass cleaner are fine. Don’t paint it, cover it, or use products like NeverWet or Rain-X, which stop it shedding snow and rain (Starlink Help Center). Our Starlink dish cleaning guide has more. After storms, check that nothing has fallen on or near the dish and the cable is still secure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to set up Starlink?

Getting online on the kickstand usually takes minutes: Starlink says the dish connects within a few minutes of power-up, and up to 30 minutes on first setup (Starlink Help Center). A professional permanent installation takes about 90 minutes.

Can I install Starlink myself?

Yes. Every Starlink kit is designed for self-setup with the app. You only need a professional if you want a permanent roof or wall mount and aren’t comfortable doing it yourself.

How much does Starlink installation cost?

Doing it yourself costs nothing beyond any mount or longer cable you buy. Starlink’s US plans page lists free professional installation with the Residential 200 Mbps and Max plans (Starlink Residential, September 2026). Third-party installers set their own prices, and extras like long cable runs can cost more.

Can I set up Starlink inside my house?

No. The dish needs a clear, direct view of the sky, and roofs, walls and glass block the signal. Put the dish outside and the router inside. See can glass block Starlink.

Which direction should Starlink face?

Let the app decide. The alignment tool tells you how to turn and tilt Standard, Mini and V5 dishes; self-aiming kits find the direction themselves. Our dish placement guide explains why.

Does Starlink have to be on the roof?

No. Anywhere with a clear view of the sky works, including the ground, a wall or a pole. A roof is just often the easiest place to clear trees and buildings.

Can I extend the Starlink cable?

Not with a third-party extension. Starlink says joining or modifying the cable can let water in, hurt performance and may void the warranty. Buy a longer Starlink cable from the Starlink shop (Starlink Help Center).

How do I update Starlink?

You don’t have to. Software updates download and install automatically, usually overnight, and the app shows when one is pending. Just leave the dish powered on.

Do I need a Starlink account to set it up?

You need an active Starlink service plan to get online. If you bought the kit from a store, activate it at starlink.com/activate or in the app; a new retail kit gives you one hour of internet the first time you plug it in, so you can finish signing up (Starlink Help Center).

Checked September 24, 2026, against the Starlink Help Center and starlink.com. Starlink hardware, plans and installation offers change; the setup guide for your kit on starlink.com has the latest.