The fastest way to check if Starlink is down globally is to open the official Starlink mobile app and check the banner at the top of the screen. If there is a system-wide satellite outage, Starlink will display a red “Network Issue” alert. If your app simply says “Offline – Searching” or “Offline – Booting” and there is no global alert, the problem is localized to your specific dish, router, or cables, and you will need to troubleshoot your hardware.
You are in the middle of a crucial Zoom meeting or streaming a 4K movie when your internet suddenly drops. For rural residents who rely on SpaceX’s satellite network, a sudden disconnection immediately prompts the question: Is Starlink down for everyone, or is it just my house?
While Starlink’s constellation of over 6,000 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites is generally reliable, both global network outages and localized hardware failures do happen.
In this 2026 troubleshooting guide, the experts at Compare Internet Hub will explain exactly how to diagnose your Starlink connection, how to fix the most common error messages, and what to do if you need a more reliable backup internet connection.
How to Check for a Global Starlink Outage
A “true” outage means the problem is on SpaceX’s end—either a ground station lost power, a software update failed, or solar flares are disrupting satellite communication.
If there is a global outage, you cannot fix it. You just have to wait. Here is how to confirm if the network is down:
Check the Starlink App: Open the app on your smartphone (using your cellular data). Starlink is very good about posting a red banner at the top of the app during known, widespread outages.
Check DownDetector: Visit DownDetector.com/status/starlink. This crowd-sourced website tracks user reports in real-time. If you see a massive, vertical spike in the graph, the entire network has likely crashed.
Check Social Media (X/Twitter): Search for “Starlink down” on X (formerly Twitter) and sort by “Latest.” If hundreds of people posted in the last five minutes, it is a global issue.
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How to Fix Localized Starlink Errors
If DownDetector shows no spikes and your app doesn’t have a red global alert banner, the problem is localized to your specific equipment.
Here is how to fix the three most common error messages you will see in the app:
Error 1: “Offline – Searching”
This is the most common error. It means your router is working, but the dish outside cannot find the satellites in the sky.
The Fix: Check the “Obstructions” tool in your app. In the spring and summer, trees that previously had no leaves can suddenly block the dish’s view. You may need to relocate the dish higher onto your roof.
Weather Warning: Heavy, dense rain clouds or blizzard conditions will cause this error. This is known as “rain fade,” and the connection will restore itself once the storm passes.
Error 2: “Offline – Booting”
If your app has been stuck on “Booting” for more than 20 minutes, your dish is trapped in a reboot loop.
The Fix (Stow and Reboot): Unplug the router from the wall outlet. Wait exactly 60 seconds, then plug it back in. Give it 15 minutes to recalibrate. If it is still stuck, check the proprietary cable connecting the router to the dish—if the cable was chewed by a squirrel or pinched in a doorframe, it will cause the “Booting” error.
Error 3: “Disconnected”
This means the router cannot communicate with the dish at all.
The Fix: This is almost always a physical hardware failure. Check the connection points where the cable plugs into the dish and the router. Make sure they are seated firmly and that there is no dirt or debris in the connector. If the cable is fully seated, the cable itself has likely shorted out and must be replaced via a support ticket.
How to Contact Starlink Customer Service
Unlike traditional cable companies, Starlink does not have a public customer service phone number. You cannot call them.
If your hardware is broken and you need a replacement cable or dish, you must submit a ticket through the app or website:
- Open the Starlink App.
- Click on Support.
- Select a troubleshooting topic that matches your issue.
- Scroll to the bottom where it asks “Did this answer your question?” and click the “Thumbs Down” icon.
This will open a text box where you can type your issue and submit a ticket to the engineering team.
Stop Waiting on the Weather. Upgrade Your Internet Today.
Satellite internet is an incredible piece of technology, but it will always be susceptible to heavy rain, snow, and atmospheric interference. If you work from home or rely on a stable connection for telemedicine, you need an internet connection anchored to the ground.
Want to know if a faster, weather-proof provider has expanded to your address? Call the broadband experts at Compare Internet Hub today at (844) 817-0136. We will instantly run a free, unbiased ZIP code check to verify availability for new Fiber, Cable, or 5G Home Internet options in your neighborhood.
Updated on: September 14, 2026
