Starlink Static IP (2026): The Truth & Workarounds

If you are trying to access your home security cameras, Plex server, or remote desktop behind a Starlink connection, you have likely hit a brick wall. You tried to port forward, you looked for the setting in the app, and you found nothing.

Here is the hard truth to start 2026: Starlink Residential plans do not offer a Static IP address.

However, that doesn’t mean you are out of luck. Most users asking for a “Static IP” don’t actually need one; they just need Remote Access. Whether you are a casual user wanting to check your home assistant or a business needing a site-to-site tunnel, this guide covers every method to bypass Starlink’s restrictions.

Key Takeaways (The “TL;DR”)

• Residential Plans: Are stuck behind CGNAT. You cannot open ports or get a public IP.
• Priority Plans: Offer a Public Routable IP. It is not technically “Static” (it’s dynamic), but it is sticky enough to act like one.
• Best for Home Users: Use Tailscale or Cloudflare Tunnels. They are free, secure, and require no router changes.
• Best for Gamers: You must use IPv6 (with a 3rd party router) or a specialized VPN to host servers.
• The Future: IPv6 is the long-term solution, but the default Starlink router is still the bottleneck.

The Core Problem: What is CGNAT?

To solve the problem, you must understand the architecture. Starlink uses CGNAT (Carrier-Grade Network Address Translation).

The Apartment Building Analogy

Imagine the internet is a postal system.

• Standard Internet: You have your own house with a unique street address (Public IP). Delivery drivers (web traffic) can drive right to your door.
• Starlink (CGNAT): You live in a massive apartment complex. The whole building shares one street address (Public IP). You have an apartment number (Internal IP), but the outside world doesn’t know it. If a delivery driver tries to go to the building, the front desk (Starlink’s Gateway) doesn’t know which room to send the package to.

Because you share that Public IP with hundreds of other Starlink users, you cannot “Open a Port.” If Starlink opened Port 80 for you, it would block it for everyone else sharing that address.

Method 1: The “Official” Way (Priority Plans)

If you are willing to pay, Starlink has an official solution. It is not a true “Static” IP in the enterprise sense (hard-coded), but it is a Public Routable IP.

Who is this for?

• Businesses needing site-to-site VPNs.
• Users who despise technical workarounds and prefer throwing money at the problem.

How it Works

In 2026, the Priority (40GB/1TB/2TB) and Mobile Priority plans allow you to toggle on a Public IP.

1. Log into your Starlink Dashboard on the web.
2. Navigate to Manage Subscription.
3. Look for IP Policy.
4. Switch from Default to Public.

Note: You may need to reboot your Dish/Router for this to take effect.

Is it actually Static?

No. It is a reserved DHCP address. This means:

• It is Dynamic: If you move your dish to a new location or leave it unplugged for a week, the IP might change.
• It is Sticky: In practice, as long as your dish stays powered on, the IP rarely changes.
• The Fix: Use a DDNS (Dynamic DNS) service (like No-IP or DuckDNS) alongside this plan so that if the IP does change, your domain name updates automatically.

Feature	Standard (Residential)	Priority (Business/Boats)
IP Type	CGNAT (Private)	Public Routable
Port Forwarding?	No	Yes
Cost (Est. 2026)	~$120/mo	~$140 – $250+/mo
Ideal For	Streaming, Browsing	Corporate VPNs, NVRs

Method 2: The “Modern” Way (Overlay Networks)

Recommended for 95% of Home Users

Stop trying to open ports. That is the “2010 way” of thinking. In 2026, we use Overlay Networks. These install a small piece of software on your devices that punches a tunnel through Starlink’s CGNAT automatically.

Option A: Tailscale (Easiest)

Tailscale is a “zero-config” VPN based on WireGuard.

1. Install Tailscale on your home server (PC, Mac, NAS, or Raspberry Pi).
2. Install Tailscale on your phone/laptop.
3. Log in with Google/Apple.
4. Result: Your phone sees your home server as if it were on the same WiFi, anywhere in the world.

Pros:

• Free for personal use.
• No router configuration required.
• Secure (traffic is encrypted).

Cons:

• You must install the app on the viewing device (hard to use from a public library computer).

Option B: Cloudflare Tunnel (Best for Hosting)

If you want to host a website (e.g., www.my-starlink-blog.com) or a service like Home Assistant without using an app, use Cloudflare.

1. Buy a domain name.
2. Install cloudflared on your home server.
3. Result: Cloudflare acts as the “front door” on the public internet and securely tunnels traffic to your Starlink connection.

Method 3: The “Hardware” Way (VPN Routers)

If you cannot install software on your devices (e.g., you have an old DVR or an IoT device that needs to be accessed), you need a router-level solution.

1. Dedicated IP VPN

Services like NordVPN, PureVPN, or Ivacy offer “Dedicated IP” add-ons.

• The Setup: You buy a VPN-compatible router (like a GL.iNet Flint 2 or Asus running Merlin).
• The Connection: The router connects to the VPN provider constantly.
• The Result: The VPN provider gives you a static IP and forwards ports down the tunnel to your router.

2. VPS Tunneling (The DIY Power Move)

For advanced users, this offers the most control.

1. Rent a cheap VPS ($5/mo from DigitalOcean or Linode). This VPS has a true Static IP.
2. Set up a WireGuard server on the VPS.
3. Connect your home router (running OpenWRT/pfSense) to the VPS.
4. Use iptables on the VPS to forward traffic: Public IP:80 -> VPN Tunnel -> Starlink -> Home Server:80.

Method 4: The “Future” Way (IPv6)

Most outdated articles ignore this, but it is critical for 2026. Starlink does support IPv6, and IPv6 does not use CGNAT. Every device gets a public address.

The Catch

While the Starlink network provides IPv6, the Starlink Gen 2/Gen 3 Routers have very rudimentary firewalls. They often block incoming connections by default with no way to turn that protection off (for your safety).

How to use it

To use IPv6 for incoming connections, you generally need to:

1. Put your Starlink Router in Bypass Mode.
2. Use a robust third-party router (Unifi Cloud Gateway, MikroTik, or pfSense).
3. Configure the WAN to request a Prefix Delegation (/56).
4. Create firewall rules on your router to allow traffic to specific devices.

⚠️ Warning: IPv6 addresses are public. If you open your firewall incorrectly, your device is directly exposed to the internet.

Comparison: Which Solution fits your needs?

Here is a decision matrix to help you choose the right path without wasting money.

Requirement	Best Solution	Cost	Difficulty
Plex / Jellyfin Remote Access	Tailscale	Free	⭐ (Very Easy)
Home Assistant / Smart Home	Cloudflare Tunnel	Free (requires domain)	⭐⭐ (Easy)
CCTV / NVR (No software support)	VPN with Dedicated IP	~$10/mo	⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate)
Multi-Site Business VPN	Priority Plan	~$140+/mo	⭐ (Easy)
Hosting Public Game Server	VPS Tunnel or IPv6	$5/mo	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Hard)

Recommended Hardware (2026 Edition)

Don’t buy outdated gear. If you are going the “Bypass Mode” route to manage your own routing table, these are the top picks for Starlink users:

1. GL.iNet GL-MT6000 (Flint 2): Excellent WireGuard speeds (~900Mbps), making it perfect for VPN tunneling.
2. Ubiquiti Unifi Cloud Gateway Ultra: Great for visualizing network traffic and handling IPv6 properly.
3. Starlink Ethernet Adapter: Mandatory if you are still rocking the Gen 2 (Rectangular) Dish. (Note: The Gen 3 “Kickstand” router has Ethernet ports built-in).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I call Starlink support and ask for a Static IP?

No. Support tickets requesting static IPs on Residential plans are auto-closed or replied to with a template directing you to upgrade to a Priority plan. There is no manual override they can perform for you.

2. Does the “High Performance” dish come with a Static IP?

No. The hardware (Standard vs. High Performance) does not determine your IP address; the Service Plan does. You can have a High-Performance dish on a Residential plan (CGNAT), or a Standard dish on a Priority plan (Public IP).

3. Why does my location show up as wrong?

Because of CGNAT and Starlink’s “Point of Presence” (PoP) architecture. You might be in Ohio, but your ground station routes traffic to a PoP in Chicago or New York. This is normal and cannot be changed by the user.

4. Is a “Public IP” the same as a “Static IP”?

Technically, no.

• Static IP: Manually entered into your router settings. Never changes.
• Public IP (Dynamic): Assigned by the ISP automatically. Accessible from the internet, but can change.
  Starlink Priority plans offer the latter.

5. Does gaming work better with a Static IP?

Not necessarily. Latency (ping) is determined by satellite physics, not your IP type. However, getting a Public IP (Priority plan) can solve “Strict NAT” issues in games like Call of Duty or Xbox Live without needing complex VPN setups.

Final Verdict

In 2026, paying for a Static IP is largely unnecessary for 95% of users.

The rise of Mesh VPNs like Tailscale has rendered the old “Port Forwarding” headache obsolete. They are more secure, free, and work beautifully with Starlink’s architecture.

However, if you are running a business that requires a whitelist-able IP address, stop looking for hacks and upgrade to the Priority Plan. The time you save trying to engineer a workaround is worth the extra monthly cost.