Starlink allows you to manage almost everything within its app – oftentimes with just a few clicks.
In this article, I am going to detail how to access your router’s settings as well as what each of the features you can use means.
How To Access Starlink Router Settings
There are two ways of accessing your Starlink router settings – either through the mobile app or a browser.
Once you’ve opened the app, your router settings are literally just a click away. Simply tap SETTINGS on the home screen and you’ll land on the following page:
Alternatively, you can use a browser to access the router settings, too. To do that, make sure that you’re connected to the Starlink Wi-Fi network.
You can use either of those two addresses to access the settings via a browser:
Here you’ll be presented with a home screen that looks as follows:
Again, click on SETTINGS to be able to configure your router and dishy.
What you’ll quickly discover is that some features, such as renaming your connection (under WIFI CONFIGURATION) or snow melting, are only available in the app (see picture below).
Starlink didn’t provide a reason as to why some features are missing in the browser.
In all likelihood, it’s because the browser option isn’t used that often, so pushing those features into production was probably not worth the cost. Plus, maintaining two code bases adds technical debt and thus complexity.
With that said, let’s now take a closer look at all of the features that Starlink’s router can be configured on.
Change Starlink Router Name & Password
The first neat feature that Starlink offers is the ability to change the name and password of your Wi-Fi network.
Simply click on your network’s name (VIKTOR-STARLINK in my case) and you’ll see two text boxes that allow you to edit the name and password.
Additionally, you can split up your Wi-Fi network into separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks by pressing the toggle.
Separating a Wi-Fi connection into 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz offers multiple advantages, including:
- Range vs Speed: 2.4 GHz has better range but transmits data at a slower speed, while 5 GHz provides faster speeds but doesn’t have as good a range. This means that devices closer to the router can use the 5 GHz network for faster speeds, while devices farther away can still stay connected via the 2.4 GHz network.
- Congestion and Interference: 2.4 GHz frequencies can get congested because many common household devices like cordless phones, baby monitors, and microwaves also operate on the same frequency. Splitting the network lets you move devices that can use the 5 GHz frequency to a less crowded and less interfered spectrum.
- Device Compatibility: Not all devices support 5 GHz Wi-Fi, particularly older devices. If you split your networks, you can ensure compatibility by connecting these devices to the 2.4 GHz network.
- Network Control: Splitting your network allows you to control which devices connect to which network. For example, you might want your gaming console or streaming device on the 5 GHz network for better performance, while less data-hungry devices like your smart home devices could use the 2.4 GHz network.
Keep in mind that if you change your network name and password or decide to split up into 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, then you will be disconnected from your existing Wi-Fi network. As a result, you need to reconnect within your phone’s Wi-Fi settings.
Content Filtering
In May 2023, Starlink implemented a new feature dubbed Content Filtering, which as the name suggests, enables you to automatically exclude certain (sensitive) materials from being loaded.
By default, the feature is not enabled (see picture below). You then have two options to filter out 1) malware or 2) malware and adult content.
Starlink, if the feature is not enabled (first toggle), uses Cloudflare DNS (Domain Name System) 1.1.1.1 configuration. Malware and malware/adult filter switches to 1.1.1.2/1.0.0.2 or 1.1.1.3/1.0.0.3, respectively.
You do have the option to set up a custom DNS (see two chapters below) via the app or a third-party router, too.
However, doing so is substantially more complex. Plus, you can take advantage of Cloudflare’s world-class DNS filtering system, which is tailor-made for those use cases.
Rebooting Starlink Router
Starlink allows you to reboot both your router as well as the antenna (under the STARLINK tab). Simply move the slider to the right and wait for the hardware to reboot.
Rebooting your router may be necessary due to multiple reasons such as:
- Resolving Network Issues: Reboots can fix temporary software bugs or glitches.
- Memory Management: Reboots can solve memory leaks or fragmentation, improving performance.
- Connection Stability: Rebooting can reset ongoing processes and stabilize internet speed.
- Applying Updates: Reboots may be required to implement new updates or changes in settings.
- Reducing Congestion: Rebooting clears outdated information, reducing network congestion.
Keep in mind that you’ll be disconnected for a short time. Network performance, if rebooting the antenna, should stabilize after around 15 mins as your dishy establishes a connection to the satellite constellation.
Custom DNS
Starlink, apart from content filtering, also enables you to filter out specific IP addresses via its custom DNS feature.
Simply click on the toggle and then manually enter the IP addresses that you would like your connection to be routed through.
When you want to use a custom DNS, you need to tell your device or router the IP address of the DNS server you want to use.
As for why you need an IP address to set up a custom DNS, it’s because DNS itself works based on IP addresses. The DNS server is essentially a directory that matches human-friendly website names (like www.example.com) to their corresponding IP addresses (like 93.184.216.34).
Doing so offers multiple benefits such as increased privacy (some ISPs track your web browsing through their DNS servers), enhanced security, better speed and performance, and the above-mentioned content filtering option.
As I’ve mentioned above, if you do not have a specific use case, then I’d stick to Cloudflare’s content filtering system as they’re the best in the business at doing so.
Enabling Bypass Mode
Starlink’s Bypass (or Bridge) mode allows users to completely disable the built-in Starlink WiFi router functionality.
Bypass mode is primarily aimed at those who want to use their own router and not the one that comes in the hardware kit. If you use two routers (one external and the Starlink router), then you will have two WiFi frequencies in use.
Related: how to enable Bypass Mode
The Starlink router does come with some limitations, such as a lack of Ethernet ports (to connect other devices), enabling port forwarding, or setting up a mesh system for extended internet coverage.
Third-party routers may also be able to provide you with greater bandwidth, meaning both download and upload speeds could potentially be higher.
Keep in mind that Bypass mode is only supported for those who own a Standard or High Performance rectangular dish. The original circular dishy does not offer Bridge mode.
Router Factory Reset
Starlink, apart from rebooting, also allows you to completely reset your router to its factory settings. It detailed the process of both rebooting and factory resetting in a separate article.
Resetting your router may be necessary due to a variety of different factors. For example, it is required if you want to bypass the Starlink router or when deciding to sell your kit and cancel your service.
In most cases, especially if you simply want to clean cache and boost performance, a simple rebooting is sufficient.
Thank you excellent explanations. I do have one question tho in the enabling the 2.4 and 5 ghz can the both share the same SSID and password? Thanks for any help with that.
Bert dunsford
bert.dunsford@gmail.com
Hi Bert, that should be possible, yes.
Hi Victor,
An excellent explanation. thanks very much.
A question. I have just had a heat pump installed which can be programmed over wifi – the problem being that the installer was not able to make that happen. He says i have to set up Starlink to recognise the heat pump gateway at 2.4GHz. Of the 8 devices the star-link app recognises 3 are at 2.4 and 5 at 5GHz.. . However I did not set up a split so I assume this means it is automatically connecting at the right frequency for any 2.4ghz device. Is that correct?
Hi Rod, yes, Starlink will automatically assign the right connection method.
Beware, however that not all 2.4 Ghz devices will auto-negotiate with your Starlink router. This is not limited to Starlink and can occur with any device/router pair. you may need to split the connection so that the heat-pump can see the router. I’ve seen this with some printers as well as things like smat-plugs.
Good point!
Hello, are you aware if i set up the address in an address in the United States and I reside in Mexico. will the IP address reflect that i am internationally? Or will it reflect ip address in the United states.
Hi Daisy,
that depends on the nearest PoP location, which is based on your current location. Chances are that your IP address would be Mexican.
Hi Victor,
An excellent explanation to how starlink router works.
I have a question, is possible to use DDNS to connect with satlink router or a third part router and to open ports.
Thanks
Can you temporarily disable Starlink from the app? (Couple of hours)
I’m aware I could go unplug it but I’m not there.
Yes, you can also do that within the router settings.
Just installed Starlink, everything working well but our android TV box does nothing but buffer
Hi Cheryl,
is the Android box connected to the Starlink router?
Por desgracia mi caso es totalmente distinto, me hackean la conexión, impidiendo que tenga varias conexiones a la vez ,también la app para copiar las contraseñas ,un desastre, ingenuo pensé, que poniendo conexión satelital evitaría estos problemas…
Great simple explanations, Very nice to have a place to go for help that’s not in a language that I have to look up every other word.
The second great thing you do is respond to follow ups, if only device mfg and software designers did the same
Thanks for your generosity of experience and time. I recommend your site to everyone.
Again Thank You
Carl Pullen
hello and thank you i am trying to set up two separate passwords for 5ghz and one for the other 2.4 GHz network any help
Excellent explanation of the custom DNS, i have a question, i have seen there is Primary and seScondary, isnt it that i should just put my server ip address on both or on primary only.
you put your server on the primary. And if your server for some reason fails (powered off) the secondary dns which can be a public dns like 8.8.8.8 (google dns) will be used so that you can at least reach the internet.
Any advice – since installing starlink we are unable to send any emails from gmail accounts – on iphone or laptop – the only way around is when we put a VPN on they send. Have you heard of this? maybe there is a setting we need to change? Starlink suggested rebooting 6 times – 6 being the magic number, but it made no difference. Can send any other email, outlook etc but not gmail. Thank you!
I, like it seems do other folk, am having extreme difficulty in getting a weather station monitor to connect with Starlink. First, one has to put the monitor to go into “AP” mode by logging it onto the internet. Then, I’m told to go to http://192/168/1.1. to enter a bunch of info.
All I get from that web address is a black screen showing ‘Starlink’ in the middle.
Any help would be appreciated.
I have a Avaya SIP network phone thru my company w / internal VPN will it work? the router appears to have assigned it a DHCP IP address but it will not connect to my Companies back office