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Outage guide · Updated April 18, 2026

Starlink outage

Starlink uses a constellation of low-Earth-orbit satellites rather than a single geostationary satellite, which fundamentally changes the outage picture. Because the dish is always tracking a moving fleet, brief signal interruptions (a few seconds during a satellite handoff, a few minutes during heavy rain or obstruction) are more common than with other services, but full-region outages are rare. The Starlink app exposes more real-time diagnostic data than almost any consumer ISP tool.

Check Starlink outage status

Official Starlink status pageNo direct outage phone, support is handled through the Starlink app

The Starlink status page is the only real-time source. Use it first, this guide explains what to do next.

This page does not reflect real-time outage status. Always check Starlink's official status page (linked above) for current incidents. Our guide covers what to do, how to report the problem, and how to request a credit, but the live state of the network is only accurate on Starlink's own status tools.

Service impact and typical duration

What's affected

Starlink is internet-only; no TV or voice service to impact. Any internet-connected device at your home loses connectivity during an outage. Starlink Mini and Roam users traveling between cells may experience more frequent handoffs than Residential users. Because Starlink provides the only broadband option at many rural addresses, outages feel more acute than in markets with alternatives.

Typical restoration time

Obstructions and satellite handoffs: seconds to a few minutes, ongoing during the obstruction window. Severe weather: 15-60 minutes, clears with the storm. Ground station outages: 30 minutes to several hours. Constellation-wide software pushes: under 10 minutes total.

How to report a Starlink outage

The fastest way to confirm an incident and get notified when service returns.

  • Starlink app (support chat)

    The primary support channel. Sign in, tap Support, and submit a ticket. Starlink's first-line support is responsive over chat and text rather than phone.

  • Starlink app Statistics tab

    Shows live connection status, obstruction map, outage history, and the specific cause of recent disruptions (obstructions vs. beta downtime vs. no signal). The most useful diagnostic in the industry.

  • Starlink Support site

    starlink.com/support lists known service advisories and region-wide issues. Updated less frequently than the app.

  • Starlink community and @Starlink on X

    Because Starlink doesn't publish a public outage map, community threads on Reddit r/Starlink and @Starlink on X are often the fastest signal of region-wide issues.

What to do during a Starlink outage

  1. Open the Starlink app and check Statistics

    The app's Statistics tab shows live connectivity, an obstruction map, and the cause of any recent disruption. This is the most detailed diagnostic available for any residential ISP in the US.

  2. Check the Obstructions view

    In the app, tap Visibility > Obstructions. The overlay shows any part of the sky your dish can't see. Persistent obstructions cause recurring short outages, you may need to move the dish to a clearer location.

  3. Clear snow or debris from the dish

    The dish has a built-in heater but it can be overwhelmed by heavy wet snow. Carefully brushing snow off with a soft broom restores service quickly. Never use a metal tool or hot water, you can damage the phased array antenna.

  4. Restart the router and dish

    In the app, tap Settings > Reboot. Or unplug the power injector for 60 seconds. Boot-up and satellite reacquisition take 3-5 minutes.

  5. Check for region-wide issues

    Search 'Starlink outage' on X and r/Starlink on Reddit. Because Starlink doesn't publish a public outage map, community reports are often the fastest confirmation of a ground-station or constellation issue.

  6. Open a support ticket in the app

    If the issue persists after reboot and the outage history doesn't explain it, submit a support ticket through the app. Starlink's first-line support is chat-based and typically responds within a few hours.

  7. Request a credit for extended downtime

    Starlink has applied account credits for confirmed extended outages on request. Describe the downtime window in your support ticket and ask for a prorated credit. Short weather-related outages are not typically credited.

Common causes of Starlink outages

  • Obstructions, anything between the dish and the sky (trees, roof overhangs, snow on the dish) causes brief outages as satellites pass through the blocked region of the sky. The app's obstruction map shows exactly where and for how long.
  • Severe weather, heavy rain, dense cloud cover, and especially wet snow can attenuate the Ku-band signal. Most weather outages clear within 30 minutes of the precipitation stopping.
  • Solar storms and space weather, significant solar flares can cause satellite reboots and brief service drops. These are rare and usually announced by Starlink after the fact.
  • Ground-station outages, Starlink signals go through terrestrial ground stations ('gateways') to reach the internet backbone. A gateway outage takes customers in that region off-line even with a clear sky.
  • Scheduled constellation updates, SpaceX occasionally pushes firmware updates to satellites, causing brief (under 5 minute) service drops. These are not announced in advance for residential service.

Outage credit policy

Starlink does not publish a formal outage-credit policy. In practice, credits for extended outages are applied on request when you submit a support ticket through the app. Credits are typically prorated to the downtime period, but amounts and thresholds vary, brief weather-related outages are generally not credited.

Frequently asked questions

Is Starlink down right now?
Open the Starlink app and check the Statistics tab for live connection status, or search 'Starlink outage' on X and r/Starlink on Reddit. Starlink doesn't publish a public outage map, so community reports are often the fastest indicator of a region-wide issue. This page is not real-time.
Why does my Starlink drop for a few seconds at a time?
Brief drops (2-5 seconds) usually happen when your dish is handing off between satellites as one moves below the horizon. This is normal behavior in low-Earth-orbit service. If drops are frequent (more than once per hour), check the obstruction map, a tree or overhang is likely in the line of sight.
Does rain take Starlink down?
Heavy rain attenuates the Ku-band signal, and dense storms can cause temporary outages lasting the duration of the heaviest precipitation. Light rain rarely causes problems. Wet snow is worse than rain because it accumulates on the dish and blocks the signal until melted or cleared.
My dish has snow on it, will the heater melt it off?
Usually yes, the dish runs a heater that's effective against light to moderate snow. Heavy, wet snow can overwhelm the heater, in which case service stays out until you clear it. Use a soft broom; never use hot water or sharp tools on the phased-array antenna.
Can I call Starlink support if my service is down?
Starlink doesn't publish a phone support line for residential customers. All support goes through the Starlink app or web portal, submit a ticket and the support team responds via chat and email. Response times are typically a few hours for non-urgent issues.
What's a ground station outage and how often do they happen?
Starlink traffic goes from your dish to a satellite, then down to a terrestrial ground station ('gateway') that connects to the internet backbone. A ground station outage, power loss, fiber cut, maintenance, takes every customer routed through it offline. These are rare and usually resolve within a few hours.
Will Starlink credit me for downtime?
On request. Starlink doesn't publish a formal credit policy, but will often apply prorated credits for extended outages when you submit a support ticket describing the downtime window. Brief weather-related outages are generally not credited.
Does Starlink Mini or Roam have different outage patterns than Residential?
Yes. Mini and Roam plans use different capacity pools and may be deprioritized during congestion. Roam users moving between regions experience more handoffs and occasionally need to re-select a service cell through the app. Residential service is pinned to a specific cell and has more stable performance.

Related Starlink resources

If outages keep affecting you, it's worth seeing what else is available at your address.