How To Set Up Your Starlink in Less Than 30 Minutes

Starlink is the ultimate DIY internet since it’s engineered to be entirely self-installed by customers, and I’m here to show you the easiest way to get online. Starlink only provides the hardware and doesn’t install it for you. However, Starlink is much simpler to set up than other satellite providers. All you really need is a Starlink kit and a smartphone.

I got my hands on the latest version of the Starlink Standard dish and decided to test it at my cabin in rural Utah, high up in the mountains. It’s the first internet provider I’ve used that’s completely self-install. Cable, fiber, and other satellite providers require a technician to enter your home and set up their hardware. Instead of being a pain to install, I found the process straightforward: getting online in just over 20 minutes.

Not a fan of self-installing your internet? Compare Starlink to Viasat and Hughesnet, which both provide professional installation.

This approach to setup means your installation can be as simple or complex as needed. For example, I would simply set the dish on the ground outside my cabin for the weekend—then pack it up and put it away when I finished. You can also permanently install your Starlink dish on your home like a traditional satellite dish, but as you can imagine, it will require more work and materials.

Don’t have your Starlink kit yet? Check to see if Starlink is available in your area.

Someone opening their Starlink kit for the first time may expect it to come with a detailed instruction booklet like most complicated tech hardware. However, I was surprised that the only instructions that came in the box were a simple diagram on poster board that didn’t even have words.

Starlink provides more detailed install instructions on the mobile app and website. However, with so many ways to set up and install dishes, I want to show you the recommended setup for first-time owners that won’t take longer than half an hour. If you’re unfamiliar with Starlink, this guide will answer a few questions that Starlink doesn’t necessarily disclose from the top.

[These steps are for the current Standard kit but apply to the older Standard Actuated kit unless otherwise specified.]

What comes in the Standard Kit: 

• The Standard Starlink V4 Dish
• Gen 3 Router
• Starlink Cable (Dish to Router) - 49.2 ft.
• Power Supply w/cable (Router to Power Supply) - 4.92 ft
• AC Cable (Power Supply to AC outlet) - 4.92 ft

It does not include equipment for mounting and permanent installation.

What you’ll need:

• Smartphone w/ Starlink app
• Power source of at least 75 Watts
• (Optional) Weights or straps to secure dish from heavy winds

The Starlink App is essential for setting up your Starlink, and you do not need a cellular signal, but make sure you install it on your mobile phone and sign into your account. The app has a tool to help you determine the best location for your dish to catch the best signal.

Open the Obstructions tool on the app. Stand at or near the spot where the dish will go, and ensure you can get a 360-degree view of the sky. Simply hold your phone to the sky and point it in the direction indicated by the app.

Move the camera around the sky until you thoroughly scan the designated area. After a few moments, you’ll see an obstruction map with stats estimating how well your Starlink will perform at that location. If the app shows a majority of red (obstructions), your signal may be subpar, or it’s probably best to pick a different spot.   

Since trees and hills surround my cabin, I needed to try multiple spots before getting an optimal signal with fewer obstructions. However, even if the app advised that interruptions were possible, I found my signal good enough and didn’t notice significant slowdowns.

Next is finding a good spot for the Starlink router and power supply. Like any Wi-Fi router, the ideal place is in the most central location of your home. The kit comes with a 50-foot ethernet cable connecting the dish to the router, but I understand there may be some circumstances when it’s insufficient to reach your desired location. 

Luckily, I found the Starlink router’s Wi-Fi to be pretty strong. The signal came in perfectly through multiple walls and floors. Through testing, we’ve found it’s good enough to accommodate most small- to medium-sized homes no matter where you place them.

When you’re happy with the dish, router, and power supply placement, it’s time to connect everything. Connect the dish and router with the included Starlink cable, a Cat6 ethernet cable. You’re free to use any Cat6 ethernet cable; for example, if you need a cable longer than the supplied 50-foot one. However, I recommend using the provided cable when possible since it’s rated for the outdoors, and the ends of the cable keep moisture out of the dish and router. If you need a longer cable, Starlink sells a 150-foot cable on their website.

Everything will power on automatically when connected. When the router and dish are powered on, open the app, which should prompt you to connect your phone to the default Wi-Fi network STARLINK.

Give it a few moments to ensure everything is connected. Select which type of Starlink dish you’re setting up. When setting up the Standard V4, it will ask if you’re mounting it or using the kickstand. When you’ve selected, the dish will search for satellites to connect to. The app may prompt you to adjust the dish's alignment. Luckily, the app makes it easy and shows you how to turn it using a compass interface.

[When using the Standard Actuated, the dish will do this automatically with its motorized stand.]

The app will soon indicate that you’re online when everything is set up correctly. However, Starlink will still need to go through some initial updating before it’s ready. This update took me 10 minutes, but times can vary depending on your connection strength.

Once it’s finished updating, you can set up your Wi-Fi network. Just tap the message on the app that reads “Router not configured.” It will take you to a screen where you can customize your network's name and password. [This is for setting up the Starlink Wi-Fi router. For instructions on setting up Starlink with a different router, read our Starlink Bypass Mode guide].

The Starlink app is your number one tool for managing your Starlink and network from now on. Read our Starlink app guide for more on configuring your internet settings and viewing performance and data usage statistics. It’s also the fastest way to submit support tickets if your Starlink isn’t performing well.

Don’t toss the box. If you’re like me and use satellite internet at a second home temporarily, the Starlink box is handy for storing and organizing all the components. It’s also important to hang on to it in case you decide to return your Starlink within the first 30 days.

Caring for your dish is easy. It’s built to be outside at all times, so it’s tougher than it looks. It’s possible the dish may get nicks and scratches as it is outside, but they’ll have little effect on your Starlink’s performance. My dish even came with a few scratches out of the box. The one thing you need to be concerned with is snow build-up, but Starlink dishes have a heating feature to melt the snow off.

If you’re still considering Starlink, I hope this guide has shown you how easy it is to get up and running. Its versatility for setup makes it ideal if you live in very rural areas or have unique circumstances where a traditional dish install wouldn’t work. It’s also great for seasonal use and traveling since you can easily pack up the dish and equipment. Plus, you can pause your service when you’re not using it. 

For more information about Starlink satellite internet, read our full review.