So you’ve got received your Starlink satellite tv for pc web service up and operating. However what if you wish to add a special Wi-Fi router to your own home setup? What if the included Wi-Fi router is not delivering the type of protection you want? We have been testing and writing about Starlink for years, so we all know the ins and outs of the favored but idiosyncratic web service from Elon Musk’s SpaceX. On this information, we’ll allow you to arrange your Starlink service to work with a third-party Wi-Fi router. Many good causes would possibly immediate you to make the change. The Starlink router that comes along with your dish is satisfactory for fundamental Wi-Fi connectivity, and it is important for powering and speaking along with your dish. Nonetheless, it is not probably the most refined residence networking resolution. Gaming routers provide extra choices when it comes to Wi-Fi prioritization and High quality of Service (QoS) settings. Mesh routers allow you to increase your community to embody considerably bigger areas, higher service multi-story properties, and accommodate older development that will have signal-killing supplies like brick partitions or metal beams.And the advantages of utilizing a third-party router do not cease there. Relying upon which Starlink router you will have, you would possibly end up stymied by a scarcity of exterior connections to accommodate your entire wired units, like printers or network-attached storage (NAS) drives. Or, you would possibly simply be confused about which port is which and the best way to alter the settings. Which Starlink Router Do You Have?Starlink shifted to new {hardware} earlier this 12 months, making the Dish V4 and Gen 3 Router the usual for brand new prospects. This transfer brings with it quite a few enhancements to each the specs and the efficiency. However the change additionally complicates the directions for including your personal router to the combination. So, earlier than we do the rest, let’s determine which mannequin you will have.For those who received your rectangular dish in 2022 or 2023, you may be utilizing the Gen 2 router, a Wi-Fi 5 router that has no exterior connectors past energy and the proprietary cable that connects to the dish.
The Starlink Gen 2 router with Wi-Fi 5 was the usual till not too long ago. (Credit score: Brian Westover)
For this router, you may want to purchase a Starlink Ethernet Adapter. To make the acquisition, you may want to show to the equipment bought by the Starlink store, which is simply out there to Starlink prospects. Along with dish mounts and alternative cables, the corporate retailer affords equipment for networking your complete residence, whether or not by including wired units or extending your Wi-Fi protection with a appropriate third-party router.For those who purchased your gear this 12 months, then again, you most likely have the newer Wi-Fi 6 mannequin, referred to as the Gen 3 Router. It comes with two exterior Ethernet ports (although they’re barely hidden, so that you may not see them at first), so no adapter is required.
The Starlink Router Gen 3 with Wi-Fi 6 is what Starlink is promoting now. (Credit score: Brian Westover)
Whichever router you will have, the method of connecting Starlink web to your personal {hardware} is fairly simple however not instantly intuitive. For those who’ve received the newest tools, learn on for the best way to do it. For those who’ve received an older model, skip to the part titled “For Older Gen 2 Routers, You will Want a Starlink Ethernet Adapter.” On New 2024 {Hardware}, Seize an Ethernet CableNewer prospects will get the Wi-Fi 6 router that comes with the 2024 Normal Set up Equipment. Referred to as the Gen 3 Router in assist supplies, the brand new router has a low, rectangular physique and a detachable port cowl on the again of the unit that hides two RJ-45 Ethernet ports on the again.
(Credit score: Brian Westover)
As a result of the ports are included, you do not want the Ethernet Adapter that older Gen 2 Routers require. Utilizing an Ethernet cable, you possibly can join the Starlink Gen 3 Router to the router or mesh networking {hardware} of your selection. Whether or not that is a mesh system or a gaming router, the method is identical.
(Credit score: Starlink)
After getting your Starlink system put in, with the dish correctly aligned, the router related, and the correct account related within the Starlink app, you possibly can add a secondary router in only a few minutes, no adapter vital.Pull off the rubber port cowl from the again of the router to show two RJ-45 Ethernet ports…
(Credit score: Brian Westover)
These might be used to attach your Starlink web to the third-party router of your selection. You will want a typical Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable (NOT a crossover cable) to attach the Starlink router—both of the 2 Ethernet jacks within the center will do—to the WAN (web) port in your third-party router.The Starlink router should keep powered on always because it powers each the router and the dish. Additionally, you will have to energy the third-party router you are including, so plan accordingly to make sure sufficient shops can be found for every thing.Subsequent, you may have to disable the Wi-Fi in your Starlink router to stop community points on the brand new tools. Skip to the part titled “Utilizing Starlink Bypass Mode” to learn the way.For Older Gen 2 Routers, You will Want a Starlink Ethernet AdapterIf you will have the older Wi-Fi 5 router from 2021, additionally referred to as the Gen 2 router, then you definately’ll want to purchase the Starlink Ethernet Adapter, as talked about earlier. This $25 accent connects the Starlink dish cable to the Wi-Fi router and provides a single wired web connection, which can be utilized to attach your Starlink service to different units.
(Credit score: Starlink)
That makes it the perfect accent for connecting networked units comparable to printers. It’s also a terrific possibility for utilizing a separate router or mesh system along with your Starlink web connection.Utilizing the Ethernet Adapter and your personal router or Wi-Fi mesh system, you will get whole-house protection and superior router options for the price of a number of cups of espresso. It is also easy to arrange, due to a plug-and-play design. As a substitute of connecting your dish cable on to the Starlink router, you plug it into the Ethernet Adapter, which plugs into the router as a substitute.
Starlink’s $25 Ethernet Adapter suits between the corporate’s dish cable and Wi-Fi router. (Credit score: Starlink)
That is all there’s to it—there are not any energy cables to plug in or system settings to fiddle with. In seconds, you’ve got received an Ethernet port proper subsequent to your Starlink router.A few caveats do exist, nevertheless, with regards to utilizing your personal networking gear. This Starlink router makes use of an older wi-fi normal (802.11ac, often called Wi-Fi 5), making it tempting to improve by including a quicker Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E router (we have listed our prime picks beneath).
The Greatest Wi-Fi 6 Routers We have Examined
Utilizing Starlink Bypass ModeRegardless of which router you will have and whether or not or not it requires an adapter, you may have to put the Starlink router into Bypass Mode. This disables the Wi-Fi on the router, letting it operate purely as a modem and energy provide for the dish, passing the web routing duties on to the secondary router.To do that, you’ll open the Starlink app and navigate to the Settings menu, the place router settings needs to be chosen by default.
(Credit score: Brian Westover/Starlink)
If the Starlink dish settings are proven, merely use the slider on the prime of the settings web page to change over to router settings. Within the router settings, scroll all the way down to Superior settings and choose Bypass Mode.
(Credit score: Brian Westover/Starlink)
As soon as within the Bypass Mode web page, there might be a easy slider and a warning message about Bypass Mode disabling Starlink Wi-Fi. Slide that slider all the best way to the best to place the router into Bypass Mode.Lastly, you may have to configure the brand new router in keeping with no matter directions it comes with. Utilizing Starlink as your web supply, you need to be capable of arrange the router or mesh system as you’ll with another ISP, with no extra adjustments wanted to be used with Starlink.Disable Bypass Mode With a Manufacturing facility ResetIf you ever need to change again to plain router features, you may have to reset the router to manufacturing unit settings. That course of is slightly totally different relying on which router you will have.
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To do a manufacturing unit reset on a Gen 3 Starlink router, you may disconnect the additional router however go away the Starlink router related to wall energy. Utilizing a paperclip, you possibly can press the reset button on the again of the Starlink router, which returns the router to default settings and again to regular operate because the Wi-Fi router in your Starlink dish.
(Credit score: Brian Westover)
For older Gen 2 Starlink routers, it is not as simple. As a substitute of a easy reset button, you may have to power-cycle the router six instances in a row. And because the router has no energy button, which means unplugging and re-plugging the ability wire that connects to the router. (It is simpler to do that by unplugging on the wall outlet than on the router itself because the cumbersome plug finish is a bit awkward.)Unplug, wait not less than 1 second, after which replug, ready for the ability gentle to activate. Repeat that 5 extra instances. After the sixth energy cycle, the router will default again to manufacturing unit settings.What is the Greatest Router for Starlink?Just about any router can be utilized with Starlink web by following the directions above, whether or not you want one thing inexpensive, one thing made for gaming, or a range-expanding mesh system. For those who’ve received an older Wi-Fi 5-equipped Gen 2 router, then you definately’ll profit from even probably the most fundamental Wi-Fi 6 router from our collection of the perfect low-cost routers. Something you add that has Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E might be a major enchancment in your residence community, and most will embody parental controls and security measures that the fundamental Starlink unit would not have built-in. Newer Gen 3 Starlink routers already provide Wi-Fi 6, however you may all the time improve to Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7.
The Greatest Wi-Fi Mesh Community Techniques We have Examined
Connectivity requirements and speeds aren’t the one components that go into selecting a router for Starlink, although, particularly in case you’re into on-line gaming or dwell in a bigger residence.For gaming, we advocate getting a gaming router that is made for the job. The standout capabilities embody superior QoS, which helps you to prioritize gaming site visitors above different makes use of, and gaming-focused firmware that provides every thing from community monitoring and optimization to geo-filter instruments that robotically prioritize nearer host servers for quicker connections with much less lag.And in case you’re discovering that the inventory Starlink router Wi-Fi sign is not protecting your complete home, the easiest way to get rid of lifeless spots is to make use of a mesh router. These techniques use a number of related nodes to offer bigger protection areas for Wi-Fi, increasing to deal with any home or property, regardless of how massive. Every node in a mesh community is its personal supply of Wi-Fi sign, permitting you to get rid of lifeless spots and stretch your Wi-Fi so far as it must go. These techniques have their very own options, like apps for managing the totally different nodes and extra safety and monitoring instruments.The right way to Set Up Starlink Mesh Wi-FiBut mesh networking is not restricted to third-party {hardware}. Starlink has mesh capabilities constructed into its routers. For those who want an additional Wi-Fi node, you should use the older Gen 2 Router with each previous and new Starlink routers, whereas the present Gen 3 router will also be paired with different Gen 3 items.The setup is easy, with the technical particulars dealt with by the Starlink app. The toughest half is solely discovering a great spot to plug it in.
(Credit score: Starlink)
First, place the router in an space with a robust Wi-Fi sign from the bottom unit, however nearer to the issue space the place you need stronger Wi-Fi. A very good rule of thumb is to go within the route of a weak spot, whether or not up a flight of stairs or throughout an expanse of property, after which plug the node in on the farthest level the place a steady sign is obtainable. Whereas Starlink would not specify the precise vary of its mesh nodes, the set up supplies do advise that the nodes “work finest once they’re no a couple of to 2 rooms aside from one another.”After you’ve got positioned the mesh node, plug it into an influence outlet. From there, it is merely a matter of opening the Starlink app, ready for the app to acknowledge the brand new node, after which following the in-app directions to pair the node along with your current Wi-Fi community. If it’s essential to lengthen your wi-fi protection throughout even larger distances, repeat the method with a second or third mesh node.Nonetheless questioning about Starlink? Take a look at our full Starlink assessment and detailed information to setting it up at your own home.
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