A power outage by itself is not likely to damage a Starlink modem or dish, the damage is likely to be caused by the events on the power grid before the outage.
This could include fluctuating voltages such as very high or low voltages and even fluctuating frequencies. This post aims to give some insight into different reasons why the Starlink isn’t working and whether it is fixable from an electrician’s perspective.
Starlink Wiring & Fault Finding
Starlink consists of a modem and dish. The dish is connected to the modem by a 75 foot cable provided by Starlink. The modem is connected to power via a wall socket. Both the Starlink modem and dish contain electronic components which are susceptible to fluctuating voltages as outlined below.
Normally, a wall socket will provide a constant voltage at a constant frequency. This differs between countries but is typically 110 volts at 60 Hertz for America and 230 volts at 50 Hz for Aus/NZ/UK. All appliances, lights and wall sockets are designed to operate at this standard. If the voltage or frequency from the incoming supply changes, even momentarily, then things start to break. The lines company is responsible for ensuring that the incoming supply is constant and stays within the regulations.
As the Starlink is plugged into a wall socket it is subject to damage whenever the incoming voltage or frequency changes which we will discuss in the next section.
Starlink Not Working After Power Outage? – Reason #1
Fluctuating Voltage
Likelihood: High
Fixable? Probably not – Starlink modem and/or dish is damaged.
A fluctuating high or low voltage causes havoc with electronic components. Both the Starlink Modem and Dish contain a lot of electronics. The components that are susceptible to fluctuating voltages include any capacitors, inductors and semiconductors. For a capacitor, once its voltage threshold is exceeded it shorts out often in a spectacular fashion.
A burnt capacitor on a circuit board will give visual clues like black sooty spots or even weird metallic smells.
Starlink Not Working After Power Outage? – Reason #2
Fluctuating Frequency
Likelihood: High
Fixable? Probably not – Starlink modem and/or dish is damaged.
A fluctuating frequency again does damage to electronics. Normally the frequency should be 60 Hz in America and 50 Hz elsewhere. If this goes up and down it changes the resistance in circuit and the end result is more current flows causing electronic components to burn out. Signs would include black burnt spots on the dish or modem or weird burnt smells.
Starlink Not Working After Power Outage? – Reason #3
Lost Phase (Lost Incoming Feed)
Likelihood: High – But only applicable if you have three phase power.
Fixable? Yes, unplug your Modem then wait for the power to come back on.
A power outage may only be affecting one power feed (phase) while the other two phases are working. Starlink won’t work if it is plugged into a wall socket connected to the phase that is out.
Waiting for the power to come back on should resolve the problem unless there has been fluctuating voltages. Plugging the Starlink modem into another socket could also fix the problem.
Protecting Your Starlink From Power Outages
Protecting your Starlink from power outages can be done in two ways.
Installing a surge protector or installing a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). Both work in different ways to protect your appliances.
A surge protector works by redirecting high voltages to earth thereby protecting appliances. A surge protector can be installed in the switchboard and therefore protect everything in the home and they can also be found in multi boards. Multi boards with surge protectors will only protect the appliances plugged into them.
A UPS will filter out unstable high and low voltages. It works utilising its own battery supply in the event of a power outage to power your Starlink. This ensures that your Starlink never gets exposed to damaging conditions.
Electricians Perspective
The most likely reason why a Starlink isn’t working after a power outage is fluctuating high voltages. A lost phase (electrical feed) is also possible if you are on three phase. Contacting your lines company will give you more details about what is going on. As your Starlink contains a lot of electronics the most likely solution is replacement.