“Obstruction” is a word that could bother you so much if you are a Starlink user.
It’s a very common issue that Starlink users face often.
The dish or hardware of the Starlink setup requires a clear view of the sky to work correctly. It tracks and connects with the moving satellites continuously. So, the performance could be affected if any obstruction comes in the way of its communication.
But how much of the obstructions can affect your Starlink performance, and how can you avoid them for a better experience?
I will cover all these topics today to provide you with a clearer idea of Starlink obstructions.
Before we start, make sure you are familiar with the Starlink App.
On this page
Starlink Obstructions: An Overview
Generally, the wide-angle view of the Starlink dish is obscured by Starlink blockage.
Multiple problems with the connection could occur when obstacles are in the path of the satellite and the Starlink dish. Potential obstacles include mountains, trees, buildings, and other structures.
These objects or barriers may disrupt the Starlink satellite and the dish’s connectivity. You can find out how many obstacles there are with the Starlink app.
You can see notifications regarding blockages with this Starlink app and view the specifics of the disruptions there.
You can lose your Starlink satellite internet connection if the barrier is huge. The duration of this outage may vary from a few seconds to a minute, depending on the number of obstacles present.
How Can You Check Starlink Obstructions?
The process of checking obstructions with the Starlink app is straightforward. Existing and upcoming users can use this app to check for obstructions.
You can open the app on your mobile device and use the obstruction finder tool to look for obstruction issues. The tool will use your phone camera to scan for any obstructions. You just have to put the camera on while using the app and move it around, pointing towards the sky. Then, just follow the instructions provided by the app.
After finishing the scan, the app will show you the obstruction percentage of that particular area. Based on that statistic, you can decide whether to set the dish there or move it to another place.
The obstruction finder app will also tell you the number or type of interruptions you may face due to the obstructions.
Does Starlink work with instructions?
Can you still use the Starlink satellite internet while there are obstructions around you? Yes, you can still use it, but its performance will depend on your usage and what you can do to fix the obstruction issue.
You can face a lot of disturbances and interruptions while online gaming, live video streaming, or making video calls. Things can become very disturbing and annoying.
On the other hand, if you do basic internet browsing or watch movies or television on the Starlink internet, obstructions may only bother you a little.
Percentage of Starlink Obstruction
I already talked about the Starlink app and the obstruction checker tool of that. The app will give you the percentage results when you use it to find the obstructions. But which percentage means what? Let’s find out their meanings below:
| Percentage of Obstruction | Meaning or intensity of the issue |
| 0% | It means there’s no obstruction between your dish and the satellite. So there’s no chance of interruptions or outages. |
| 1-5% | This percentage means there could be some sort of obstruction. You might face a few or periodic outages. Video calls and live streaming can be affected a little, but there is no problem with basic internet browsing. |
| 6-10% | This amount of obstruction can cause serious issues. The internet outage can be a few seconds long at this percentage level. Video calling, online gaming, and television streaming can be delayed and start to buffer. |
| 11% and more | Things can get worse at this percentage of obstruction. Video calls, online gaming, and live streaming might not be possible then, and even web pages may load slower. |
Impacts of Obstructions on Starlink Connectivity
There are several ways obstructions can impact your Starlink satellite internet performance. Let’s see how they affect the performance:
Signal interference:
Starlink satellites send signals towards the disk. These signals can be reflected or scattered because of the obstructions. Due to this reflection, the signal can degrade or be disrupted.
Tall buildings near your Starlink dish or hardware can reflect the signals and cause interference. The reflected signals come back to the dish repeatedly, causing signal distortion.
Signal weakening:
After reflecting on the obstructions, the internet signal becomes weak and loses its strength. The signal becomes weaker when the obstruction is larger or dense. This can lead to connection drops and slow browsing speeds.
LOS problem:
Your Starlink dish and the satellite must have a clear LOS or line-of-sight. This is essential for uninterrupted connectivity. When the dish and the satellite don’t have a clear LOS and any obstruction comes between the lines, the signal quality becomes poor. Sometimes, you may also be disconnected from the network.
Strategies to Reduce the Impact of Obstructions
From all the above discussions, you already know the reason, impact, ways to find obstructions, and more in-depth details regarding the Starlink obstructions. But how can you reduce or avoid the obstructions?
There are specific strategies to reduce the impact or avoid obstructions. Here they are:
Choosing the best position for the dish:
This is the best way to avoid impact. You need to select a place with minimal obstructions while installing your Starlink dish. The highest point of your house, such as the roof or chimney, is always the most suitable spot for placing it. From there, the dish could easily bypass any buildings or trees.
Trim the trees:
In most cases, trees or branches create obstructions. You can trim or cut the branches to establish a clear LOS between your Starlink Dish and the satellite, but you must follow the local authority guidelines before trimming or cutting the tree branches.
Analyze the obstructions and location:
As I said earlier, the Starlink app or tool will help you analyze the installation location and the obstructions around your area. Use the analysis to decide where to place the dish.
Monitor the signal strength:
You should monitor the signal strength more often and analyse the performance of your internet connection. This will help you identify any issues with the connection and determine if there are any new obstructions interrupting the signals.
Professional help and support:
Consult the Starlink support team if you cannot solve the obstruction issue alone. They can suggest the best solution or provide additional equipment if needed.
