Starlink Problem Finder: Fix Slow Speeds, Drops & Wi-Fi

Use the finder before buying a mount, mesh system, cable or power accessory. If you are still comparing the service itself, start with our Starlink Internet Advice for Canadians hub or the current Starlink plans and pricing guide. Plan rules checked: September 24, 2026.

Starlink Problem Finder

Choose the closest answers. The tool will give you a likely cause, plan-specific checks and a message you can copy for Starlink support.

What problem are you having? Required Choose one…Slow download speedBuffering or streaming problemsInternet drops out completelyGaming lag or high pingVideo calls freeze or cut outWi-Fi is weak in parts of the homeStarlink Mini power issueI am not sure

Which plan do you have? Required Choose one…Residential 100Residential 200Residential MaxRoam 100GBRoam 300GBRoam UnlimitedLocal or Global PriorityStandby ModeNot sure

Where are you using Starlink? Choose one…Rural homeCottage or cabinFarm or acreageRV or camperBoatBusiness or remote workBackup internetOther

What Starlink kit are you using? Choose one…Standard kitStarlink MiniHigh Performance or Performance kitI am not sure

What does the Starlink app show? Choose one…Obstruction warningNetwork outage alertHardware or cable alertStarlink is online but slowNo obvious alertI have not checked the app yet

When is the problem worst? Choose one…All dayEvenings onlyDuring rain or snowWhen it is windyWhen gamingDuring video callsFar from the routerOnly on one device

How are you connected? Choose one…Wi-Fi close to routerWi-Fi far from routerEthernetStarlink meshThird-party routerI am not sure

Are there trees, buildings or hills near the dish? Choose one…Yes, trees nearbyYes, buildings nearbyYes, hills or terrain nearbyNo, the sky is clearI am not sure

Have you run the advanced speed test? Choose one…YesNoI do not know how

Find My Likely Problem Reset

Start With These Six Checks

Run these checks before spending money. They separate a plan restriction from a dish, network or Wi-Fi problem.

1. Check the app for alerts. Save a screenshot of any obstruction, outage, cable or hardware message.
2. Confirm your plan and data use. Standby, capped Roam and exhausted Priority data can all create intentionally slow service.
3. Run the advanced speed test. Compare Starlink-to-router speed with router-to-device speed.
4. Check the obstruction map. Trees and rooflines can cause brief drops even when downloads sometimes look fast.
5. Test close to the router or over Ethernet. A large improvement points to Wi-Fi rather than the satellite connection.
6. Compare different times. Morning, afternoon and evening tests reveal congestion that one test cannot.

What Your Starlink Plan Changes

The same test result can mean different things on different plans. Check the exact plan name under Subscription in the Starlink app or account.

Plan	What to check	What slow service may mean
Residential 100	Advanced test and evening pattern	The plan has a named 100 Mbps ceiling. Lower results may still come from congestion, Wi-Fi or obstructions.
Residential 200	Advanced test and evening pattern	The plan has a named 200 Mbps ceiling. Do not compare it with Residential Max results.
Residential Max	Obstructions, Wi-Fi and app alerts	It has the strongest Residential priority, but local capacity and physical problems still matter.
Roam 100GB	Current-cycle data use	After 100GB of high-speed data, service continues at low speed until the allowance resets or the plan changes.
Roam 300GB	Current-cycle data use	After 300GB of high-speed data, service continues at low speed.
Roam Unlimited	Time of day and location	There is no 100GB or 300GB cap, but Roam generally has lower network priority than Residential.
Local or Global Priority	Priority data remaining	After the Priority block is used, speeds can fall to about 1 Mbps down and 0.5 Mbps up.
Standby Mode	Whether full service was resumed	Up to 500 Kbps each way is expected in Standby. It is not full broadband service.

Plan availability and account rules can change. Use our Starlink plans and pricing guide for the dated Canadian comparison, then confirm your own account.

Obstructions: The First Physical Check

Starlink needs a wide view of the sky. Trees, buildings, hills, chimneys and rooflines can interrupt the connection as satellites move overhead. A short interruption may barely affect streaming but can freeze a call or disconnect a game.

• Use the app’s obstruction map and Check for Obstructions tool.
• Test a temporary clearing before drilling or buying a permanent mount.
• Remember that a location clear in winter may be blocked after trees leaf out.
• Do not climb onto a wet, icy or steep roof to adjust the dish.

Is the Problem Wi-Fi or Starlink?

The advanced speed test separates the connection reaching the router from the Wi-Fi reaching your device. If the first number is healthy and the second is low, the satellite link is not the main problem.

• Test beside the router, then repeat in the problem room.
• Try Ethernet on one computer or television if possible.
• Move the router into the open and away from metal cabinets or dense walls.
• Only consider mesh after the close-range test proves the Wi-Fi coverage is weak.

For a room-by-room fix, use our Router Placement Checker and Starlink Gen 3 router guide. For broader performance work, see How to Speed Up Starlink.

Weather, Snow and Canadian Conditions

Heavy rain, wet snow, hail and severe storms can cause temporary interruptions. Retest after the weather clears before blaming the router or dish.

• Keep the dish free of heavy build-up only when it is safely accessible.
• Expect snow melt and cold-weather operation to use more power.
• After strong wind, inspect the mount from the ground and check the obstruction map.
• If the connection supports work, alarms or cameras, keep a separate backup connection available.

Seasonal users should compare our Starlink for cottages guide and the back up power guide.

Why Starlink Can Be Slower in the Evening

If morning tests are reasonable but speeds fall after work or school, local congestion may be involved. More customers are sharing the available capacity, and plan priority affects who feels that slowdown first.

• Test at three consistent times for two or three days.
• Use Ethernet once so weak Wi-Fi does not distort the comparison.
• Check Roam or Priority data before assuming congestion.
• Do not buy mesh to fix a network-capacity problem.

Gaming and Video Calls

Games and calls need stability as much as download speed. Packet loss, changing latency or a one-second obstruction can be more disruptive than a modest speed result.

• Use Ethernet for the test.
• Check latency, packet loss and obstruction events in the app.
• Pause large uploads, downloads and streams during an important call.
• Do not judge gaming only from a download-speed number.

Our satellite internet gaming guide explains where Starlink is usually fine and where fibre or cable still has an advantage.

Starlink Mini Power Problems

The Starlink Mini uses less power than the Standard kit, but the power source and cable still need the correct output. A charger can advertise high total wattage without providing the right voltage profile on the port you are using.

• Test with the official AC adapter first.
• Check the output profile of the power bank, charger and cable.
• Remove extensions and extra adapters for one controlled test.
• Cold weather and long cables can reduce real-world power delivery.
• If the official supply also fails, save the app alert and contact support.

When to Contact Starlink Support

Use Starlink support through the app or account when:

• A hardware or cable alert returns after one connection check and restart.
• A network outage alert continues for several hours.
• The kit will not power on from a known compatible source.
• Full service remains limited after leaving Standby or restoring plan data.
• You have an activation, billing, rental or account problem.
• Disconnections continue with a clear dish view and an Ethernet test.

Before opening the request, save the plan name, data use, kit type, app alerts, obstruction map, advanced speed test, weather and the dates and times of the problem. The finder creates a support message with these details.

Quick Decision Table

What you see	Check first	Do not buy yet
Slow only far from the router	Close-range and Ethernet tests	A faster Starlink plan
Drops during calls or games	Obstruction map and Ethernet	Gaming router or mesh
Slow after 100GB or 300GB	Roam data use and reset date	New dish or router
Priority line near 1 Mbps	Priority data remaining	Replacement hardware
About 500 Kbps in Standby	Resume full service	Any equipment
Worse in rain or snow	Retest in clear weather	Router or mesh
Worse every evening	Timed tests and plan priority	Mesh for congestion
Cable or hardware alert	Connections and screenshot	Unofficial cable
Mini fails on a power bank	Official adapter and output profile	Random high-watt charger

What Not to Do

Related Starlink Guides

Starlink Troubleshooting FAQ

Why is my Starlink slow?

Check the app, plan and advanced speed test in that order. Obstructions, weak Wi-Fi, evening congestion, bad weather, exhausted Roam or Priority data, and Standby Mode can all produce slow results.

Why does Starlink keep dropping?

Obstructions are a common cause of short drops. Check the app’s obstruction map, then test over Ethernet so weak Wi-Fi does not confuse the result. Hardware alerts and unstable power can also cause complete disconnections.

Can my Starlink plan make the connection slow?

Yes. Residential 100 and 200 have named speed ceilings. Capped Roam plans fall back to low speed after their allowance, Priority plans slow after Priority data is used, and Standby Mode is limited to 500 Kbps in each direction.

What happens after I use my Roam 100GB or 300GB data?

The line remains connected with unlimited low-speed data for the rest of the billing period. Check the account before replacing hardware. Streaming, large downloads and video calls may no longer work well at the reduced speed.

Why is Priority service suddenly near 1 Mbps?

The included Priority data may be exhausted. Starlink says fallback service can be limited to about 1 Mbps down and 0.5 Mbps up. Check data use and top-up settings before troubleshooting the router.

Is 500 Kbps normal in Standby Mode?

Yes. Starlink lists Standby Mode at up to 500 Kbps download and upload. Resume a full service plan before testing normal browsing, streaming, calls or gaming.

Should I buy a Starlink mesh router?

Only after a close-range or Ethernet test proves the satellite connection is healthy and Wi-Fi coverage is weak. Mesh cannot fix obstructions, plan limits, bad weather or local congestion.

When should I contact Starlink support?

Contact support for persistent hardware or cable alerts, a kit that will not power on, account and activation problems, or poor service that continues after checking the plan, obstructions and Wi-Fi. Include screenshots and timed speed tests.