Our HughesNet installation guide will make the process effortless for anyone looking to become a HughesNet installer professional.
Generally, the company doesn’t encourage DIY installation. After ordering HughesNet, they send you an installation date.
On the specified day, the technician arrives with HughesNet hardware and sets up your satellite dish, network, connected devices, and Wi-Fi modem.
So, we will unveil the step-by-step guide for an aspiring HughesNet technician and the fees homeowners should expect to pay for the installation.
Table of Contents
- Does HughesNet have an Installation Fee?
- The HughesNet Installation Process
- How to Troubleshoot HughesNet
- Can I DIY Install Hughesnet?
- Final Thought
Does HughesNet have an Installation Fee?
The company charges a $99 installation fee. However, you can get lucky and get a waived fee during their promotions, especially if you lease the equipment.
HughesNet allows its customers to purchase or lease the type of equipment. Leasing costs you around $20 per month, while purchasing costs $450.
| Fee | Amount |
| Installation fee | $99 or waived through promotions |
| Hardware fee | $20 when leasing, $450 when purchasing |
The HughesNet Installation Process
HughesNet usually sends technicians to help you install tier service once you pay the required fees.
However, HughesNet has a broad customer base nationwide, and the company-based technicians may not be enough to serve everybody.
That is why some people have taken the initiative to offer the service near you.
If you want to venture into the HughesNet installation profession, here is a step-by-step guide.
Find the Appropriate Location to Mount the Dish
When mounting your HughesNet, there are factors to consider.
Firstly, the place must have a clear view of the sky away from obstructions from trees or taller buildings.
Additionally, place it where it can reach your router without a problem.
Ensure you don’t wind the cable too much, as this will interfere with the signal transmission.
Lastly, aligning the dish facing south for optimal signal reception is also recommended.
But if it works better while facing a different direction, there is no problem.
Satellite dish with a clear view of the sky
What Takes Place Outside?
After a successful dish mounting and alignment, you should run the cables down the side of the house and pass the inside.
It would be best if you tucked it along vinyl sliding to make it less visible.
Then drill a small hole on both sides where you will pass the jack and connect between the router and your dish.
After drilling, install a jack and faceplate at the inside hole and run cable through the jack. Don’t worry about the drilling.
What Happens Inside Your House?
When drilling, also make a small port in the inside wall where the coaxial cable comes through.
Then connect it to your HughesNet router and set everything up.
When your router starts running, you can connect your devices to the HughesNet network.
Ensure the network is running well, seal the holes and clean up your working area.
The installation process takes four to six hours, although installing it in a commercial location may take longer.
The time is used when looking for the best mounting location, drilling holes, setting up, and cleaning after installation.
However, if there’s a problem, you can troubleshoot it
How to Troubleshoot HughesNet
Reboot the System
When your Hughesnet internet doesn’t work, you can power cycle the router and modem. To reboot Hughesnet, follow these steps:
- Unplug the Hughesnet router
- Wait for around 5 minutes
- Plug the modem back in
- Test your connection
The rebooting should work, but if your internet connection is still slow, there are other ways to solve the problem.
Check Allotment Data
You should check your data usage when you experience a slow download speed.
Although Hughesnet internet advertises unlimited data, the option is only partially unlimited after using your premium plan allotment in that you still access but at a lower speed, up to 1 Mbps or slower.
This may cause a slower download speed. To check data allotment, go to your Hughesnet app, log in to your account, and check how much data you have used.
Check Your Hughesnet Dish
Experiencing unsteady internet could result from the Hughesnet dish.
Check if it is obstructed by tree branches, snow, and debris like bird nests building on your dish.
Clear debris, and you will get your internet back. However, it would be best not to change its positioning.
Also, check your dish screws and whether the mounting equipment remains intact.
Do a HughesNet Diagnostic Test
If there’s something wrong with your modem, run a diagnostic test.
First, log into the HughesNet app and use the tool to run diagnostic tests. Use these steps to test it:
- Log into the Hughesnet control system
- Tap diagnostic utilities
- Click connectivity test, select problem troubleshooting
- The diagnostic is best when checking modem software issues, and HughesNet is attending to the case.
Check Bad Weather
One thing that affects all satellite internet providers is terrible weather.
Heavy cloud cover, thunderstorms, rain, and snow can weaken your satellite dish signal.
The best thing is that bad weather will resolve itself, and HughesNet’s internet speed will return to normal after clearing the weather.
Check If the System is Powered
A power outage will lead to an internet outage. It is always advisable to have a power backup if you want to have a constant internet connection, even during power outages.
Can I DIY Install Hughesnet?
It is not easy to install HughesNet if you are not a technician or a DIY enthusiast.
It involves drilling holes, mounting the dish, and aligning it for better internet reception which may require professionals.
Furthermore, the company doesn’t offer its customers a self-install kit.
This is the same case with the Viasat internet provider. The only satellite provider that offers self-installation kits is Starlink.
Final Thought
The HughesNet installation process can be straightforward. However, unlike Starlink, the company doesn’t equip its hardware with a self-installation kit.
Instead, they send a certified professional to take you through the process.
The professional will do everything, including aligning the dish and troubleshooting any issue that emerges during the setup.
The installation fee is $99, but sometimes you can be lucky to get a waiver during installation. So, DIY installation isn’t an option.
