{"id":4739,"date":"2023-12-08T05:37:43","date_gmt":"2023-12-08T05:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skynetwave.com\/?p=4739"},"modified":"2023-12-08T05:37:46","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T05:37:46","slug":"starlink-outage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skynetwave.com\/starlink-outage\/","title":{"rendered":"Starlink Outage: Possible Causes and What To Do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

About Starlink Outage, On September 13th, 2023, a Starlink outage brought services to a halt. There were tens of thousands of complaints and guessing games on user forums. However, Starlink fixed the issue and restored service in an hour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the causes of such internet outages are unknown, they are not unusual. Causes are usually software or hardware-related, natural mishaps, or satellite interference. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a user, you must check if the outage is local using internet services such as online outage maps and DownDetector. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We investigate viable solutions on how to handle a Starlink outage that lasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is my Starlink not working?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There could be a multitude of reasons why your Starlink is not working. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps your cables may be past their prime, and they need replacement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your dish could be knocked off its position, and it needs a reset. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your bill isn\u2019t paid. Or your equipment is faulty. These are all problems you can solve from your end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, your Starlink may not be working because there\u2019s an outage<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outages are common when you\u2019re dealing with highly mobile satellites hundreds of miles above the Earth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An outage affecting the entire Starlink internet service has massive repercussions for residents and businesses that rely on its super speed and low latency for core services. Fortunately, outages are few and far between. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Starlink working everywhere?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As it stands, Starlink is a global service<\/a>. It works on almost every continent on Earth. That\u2019s why it’s concerning when there is an outage.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink has become a fast-rising alternative for legacy internet service providers, especially in rural areas. For some users, it is the sole connection between them and the \u2018outside.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An outage, however brief in these areas, could make time-sensitive operations more challenging.

Typically, Starlink satellite outages remain unexplained, albeit handled. However, there are some possible reasons why they happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Starlink Outages?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A router displays a red light during an outage<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink outages may be regional or global. The last outage was resolved without any explanation of its cause. However, here are some possible causes of why your Starlink app is showing \u201cOFFLINE\u201d status when it searches for a Starlink signal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solar Storms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the third quarter of 2022, a solar storm wiped out 49 Starlink satellites<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A solar storm is an astronomical event<\/a> that raises temperatures and makes the thermosphere incredibly dense. This density creates a drag that takes satellites off course and sends them falling toward Earth.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even in the event that the storm doesn\u2019t send the LEO satellites sprawling toward Earth, the immense magnetic field generated from such events destabilizes satellite signals for a long while. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A massive solar storm could take out a huge number of satellites in one go, making the possibility of a solar storm-linked Starlink outage an ever-looming threat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Space X launching V2 laser satellites could increase the likelihood of outages, especially regionally. With the company planning to launch over 40,000 satellites for the Starlink project, there are worries about more outages caused by congestion, collisions, and solar storms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, Space X maintains they can handle outages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hardware malfunction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Internet relies on a complex network of hardware, including satellites and ground stations. A breakdown in any of these components can bring the service to its knees. However, the company has monitoring systems to alert technicians and repair teams of any malfunctions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Software problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The intricate network of Starlink hardware relies on software to guide its operations. Glitches in software are expected. Slight bugs could cause delays or outright system failure in the Starlink system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, a previous Starlink outage was caused by a ground station\u2019s expired security certificates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensure you keep up with firmware updates for your devices\u2019 smooth operation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Satellite interference<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Starlink has about 5,500 active satellites in low-earth orbit according to a November 2023 estimate. They orbit the Earth at high speed. Hence, collisions and signal cross-crosses are common occurrences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, you must remember Starlink is not the sole occupier of space regarding satellites. The sheer number of other satellites in space makes satellite interference a constant possible cause for mostly regional Starlink outages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Checking A Starlink Outage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When your Starlink connection goes offline, you might see a notification on your Starlink app. The app displays OFFLINE status when there\u2019s no connection.
At first, you may not know it’s an outage. However, you can narrow it down to an outage if you still have power and your devices are on.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow these steps to ensure you have a Starlink satellite internet outage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check Your Dish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since your dish is the first receiver for all incoming satellite signals, check if it is still mounted in place<\/a>. It also might be knocked off its ideal direction<\/a>, causing it to lose signal.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, open your app and check whether there are any obstructions that could be messing with the dish\u2019s operational capacity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for Outage Updates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Starlink user forums and communities<\/a> react fast to prolonged outages. We recommend you join user communities when you get the Starlink package.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next best step is looking at a credible Starlink outage map online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An outage map is typically updated 24 hours a day. While some outages go on for a few minutes, others extend for an hour or more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have an online resource such as UpDown Report<\/a>, where you can report an outage as soon as you notice it. The resource also shows you an updated map with Starlink outages for the past 30 days.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, you can check Ookla\u2019s DownDetector<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Down detector service compiles outages over a 24-hour period. However, it logs only major outages when they surpass the daily average. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reset Your Starlink Devices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before trying last resort options, reset your router<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A router reset usually wipes out previous data and gets the service working again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how to power cycle the Starlink router when there\u2019s an outage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n