Are you tired of constantly joggling between devices trying to connect to your home WiFi?
Do you want to know many devices can connect to your Starlink router without sacrificing speed and performance?
This article answers these questions and much more.
I’ll delve into the details of how many devices can connect to Starlink router. This guide also includes some tips to maximize your connection when you’re connecting more devices.
By the end, you’ll be able to get the most out of your router and connect all your devices with ease.
Let’s dive in!
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If you are considering getting Starlink internet service, you might wonder if it comes with a router.
The simple answer is yes it does come with a router.
The Starlink kit contains a WiFi base router, a rectangular dish, and a dish mount.
For connecting the devices, Starlink includes a power cord for the base unit and a 75 feet cable to connect the router to the dish.
If you need a 150 feet replacement cable, a long wall mount, or an Ethernet adapter, they are sold separately.
Keep in mind that, unlike the first-generation Starlink router, the second-generation has a leaner design and does not come with an in-built Ethernet port.
While the Starlink router is sufficient for standard home use, it lacks certain features that more advanced users may require.
For instance, I could not take advantage of the latest Wi-Fi 6 standards using this router.
It also lacks device prioritization, tri-band, and advanced security features.
If you need these features or want to improve the performance of your network, consider using your router. I have detailed steps on how to do this below.
When it comes to connectivity in your home, the signal range is crucial, and the Starlink router does not disappoint.
This router covers up to 200 square feet in the home, as per Starlink’s specifications.
However, the placement of your router has a significant impact on its coverage range.
Solid obstacles such as concrete walls and other electronic devices in your home can weaken your Wi-Fi signal. So choosing the right spot to place your router is crucial.
Placing your router in a basement or garage can lead to a significant drop in coverage and internet speed.
Using my Starlink router, I found out that the router’s signal strength remains consistent up to 1500 square feet.
This type of coverage is perfect for small homes or apartments. Large homeowners may experience signal loss in certain areas of their homes with this router.
If you’re struggling with this issue, a mesh system may be the answer to extend the coverage of your Starlink router.
According to the Starlink app, the router has the ability to accommodate a maximum of 128 connected devices.
Also, keep in mind that the type of Starlink router in use will greatly affect its device-handling capacity.
The second-generation routers have more streams available thanks to their 3 x 3 MIMO technology.
This means that the second-generation router can handle more devices with less network congestion compared to the first-generation router.
Even with a high-capacity router, it’s important to optimize your device connections for the best performance.
Below are some best tips to help improve your device connections.
If you’re struggling with slow internet speed or experiencing frequent device disconnections, optimizing your Starlink router’s performance may help.
With an increase in the number of connected devices, it’s important to take steps to optimize your Starlink router performance.
Below are some tips you can use to get the most out of your router.
Position your router in the right place: Router placement is crucial. Placed your router in an open area that’s free from any obstruction that can interfere with your WiFi signals. Also, ensure this area has access to an AC power source.
Minimize any sources of interference: Interference affects your router’s performance. Keep other routers and electronic devices away from your connected devices.
Always check for updates regularly: Starlink occasionally pushes updates to its routers. So ensure that you have the latest updates installed to get the best performance from your router.
Use Ethernet when possible: Wired connections offer the best speeds. If you’re using a device that requires a steady and strong internet connection, it’s best to connect it directly to your router using an ethernet cable. Try using Ethernet whenever possible to eliminate any issues related to WiFi connectivity.
Turn off devices when not in use: Devices like TVs or computers running in the background consume unnecessary bandwidth. This slows down your internet speed, especially when you have multiple devices connected. It’s always best to turn them off when they’re not in use.
Fix any dish obstructions: Obstructions such as trees or buildings can significantly impact the performance of your Starlink connection. If the Starlink app alerts you to any such obstructions affecting your dish, fix them as soon as possible. You may need to trim the trees, adjust the dish’s angle, or relocate the dish to a better position. By taking these steps, you minimize any signal interference and maximize your router’s performance.
Split your Wi-Fi network: To further optimize your router’s performance, separate your Wifi network into 2.4 and 5 GHz channels. Devices with the 2.4 GHz connection capability should be placed on the 2.4 GHz network for better connectivity. To enable the split of your Wi-Fi network
Go into your Starlink app.
Select the settings tab.
Toggle the “Split 2.4/5 GHz Networks” switch to the right.
You should now have two networks created. One for the 2.4 GHz band and the other for the 5 GHz band.
Use the 2.4 GHz network for mobile devices: Placing your mobile devices like mobile phones and laptops on the 2.4 GHz network can help improve connectivity. Being mobile, they are used everywhere in the house and even outside the premises. The 2.4 GHz band has a further reach, making it ideal for mobile devices. However, keep in mind that these devices may be a little slower than those on the 5 GHz band.
With multiple devices connected to your Starlink router, following these tips would ensure that the devices perform optimally on the network.
Yes, you can use your router with Starlink.
While Starlink’s router is sufficient for most users, it still lacks lots of features other mesh networks offer.
To take advantage of these advanced features, you may need to spend more on third-party routers that work with Starlink.
In order to link a third-party router to Starlink, it is necessary to obtain a Starlink Ethernet Adapter.
This dedicated adapter allows you to connect your Starlink dish cable to your router. It adds a single wired internet connection that you can use to connect your Starlink service to other devices.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to connecting your router to Starlink.
Disconnect the Starlink cable located at the bottom of your Starlink router and connect the Ethernet Adapter cable.
To connect, insert the cable from the Starlink dish into the appropriate port on the Ethernet Adapter.
Wait a few minutes to allow the dish to boot back up, and verify that Starlink is online.
To connect your third-party router to Starlink, use the included Ethernet cable. Insert one end of the cable into the Starlink Ethernet Adapter and the other end into the WAN port on your third-party router.
Open the Starlink app and log into your Starlink account.
Tap open the Settings menu and select Bypass Starlink WiFi Router.
Toggle ON the feature and hit Save. The Bypass mode disables the networking capability of the Starlink Router. This means this function is now managed by your third-party router.
After exiting the menu, your router will reboot, and the changes saved. With the bypass mode now enabled, you’ll be able to use your router with advanced features and whole-house Wi-Fi coverage.
Using a third-party traditional router allows you to take advantage of more advanced features these routers offer. Learn how to use an Eero mesh system with Starlink.
The best Wi-Fi 6 routers for Starlink
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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| 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
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| 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
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| 9.1 | Check Price on Amazon |
How do I check how many devices are connected to my Starlink router?
If you want to check how many devices are connected to your Starlink router, you can use the Starlink app. To do this,
Open up your Starlink app.
1. Then select the “network connection” tab. This tab gives you an overview of your network and all the devices currently connected to it. This can be helpful if you suspect that your network is being bogged down by too many devices.
2. To get more information about a specific device, select the device from the list. From there, you’ll be able to see the signal strength of the device as well as what band it’s on.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the number of devices connected to your Starlink router. This way, you ensure that your network is running smoothly and that no unwanted devices are taking up too much bandwidth.
How can I limit the bandwidth usage of certain devices on my Starlink network?
Managing your bandwidth usage can be challenging, especially if you are using the Starlink router.
The main Starlink router lacks the controls to manage bandwidth usage.
However, there are a couple of solutions that you can try.
1. You can get the Starlink Ethernet adapter and use bypass mode in the Starlink router. Then set up your router or access point that can manage bandwidth usage. I have outlined all the setup instructions above. By using your router, you take control of the amount of bandwidth each device is using. You can do this by prioritizing important devices and limiting the bandwidth usage of others.
2. Another solution is to get a simple managed switch. This device is effortless to configure, and it allows you to control the bandwidth usage of specific devices on your network. You can set up rules on the switch, prioritize bandwidth for important devices such as your computer, etc. This is the best solution if you have wired devices in your home.
Why is my Starlink internet speed throttling on certain devices?
If you are experiencing slow internet speed on certain devices while using Starlink, there could be several reasons why this is happening.
1. Check which band your device is connected to. The Starlink router has two bands, 2.5GHz and 5GHz. The 2.5GHz band offers more coverage, but slower speeds compared to the 5GHz band. If your device is connected to the 2.5GHz band, try switching it to the 5GHz band for better speed.
2. If your device is connected wirelessly, it may be experiencing interference which often leads to bad reception and slow internet speeds. Wireless signals can be easily blocked or interfered with by various things like walls, metal objects, or other wireless devices. To resolve this, try moving your router to a place where it is free from obstructions and interference.
Is the Starlink router any good?
Starlink routers are good for standard home use. They provide decent performance for basic internet activities like browsing, streaming, and emailing.
However, if you are a heavy internet user, the router may not be able to provide the extra capabilities you need.
One of the limitations of the Starlink router is its lack of advanced features. It does not have the advanced capabilities that gamers and heavy internet users might require.
Another limitation of the Starlink router is its range.
While it can cover a large area, it might not be enough for larger homes or buildings.
In this case, you might need to invest in additional routers or access points to extend the coverage.
Understanding how many devices can connect to your Starlink router is important as it ensures the best reliable internet connection.
Whether you have a Gen 1 or Gen 2 Starlink router, both perform well for standard home use.
For heavy internet users like gamers, the Starlink router still lacks a lot of features.
Its lack of bandwidth controls and limited capabilities might pose problems for those who need extra features.
However, the router’s split networks mode and the Starlink app’s network connection tab provide useful tools to manage your network and check the number of devices connected.
For those who want to take their Starlink connection to the next level, we recommend using an ethernet adapter and setting up a mesh router system with bandwidth control capabilities.
This will allow for more advanced control over the network, ensuring that all devices are receiving the necessary bandwidth.
To begin your search, here are the best mesh systems for Starlink.
