Starlink Router Outside: Is it Recommended?

You may wonder if you can have your Starlink router outside. Maybe you want it in a location where you can access the internet while resting somewhere outside your house and still be able to …

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Written by: Bob Smith

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Modern wireless WiFi router

You may wonder if you can have your Starlink router outside.

Maybe you want it in a location where you can access the internet while resting somewhere outside your house and still be able to use it inside your house too. 

Ideally, SpaceX designed their Starlink router for indoor use.

However, considering its specifications including environment rating, range, and operating temperature, you may be attempted to install it outside. 

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Rectangular Starlink dish (2nd Gen) routers’ ratings indicate they can withstand the same weather condition as the dish.

It is IP54 rated and therefore has some degree of water and dust resistance.

The router can also operate at a temperature of -30 to 50 degrees Celsius and has a range of 185 meter square.

With these specs, you can install it outside as long as the surrounding is within the temperature limit.

However, it is recommended you put it in an appropriate weatherproof enclosure to further help in protecting it.

The router has more electronic components inside compared to the dish and therefore extreme weather conditions can easily wreak havoc on the router. 

The traditional round dish router on the other hand lacks these specs and therefore is not good for outside use.

Starlink no longer distributes these dishes, so we will focus on the 2nd generation (rectangular) ones.

Rectangular Starlink dish

The router signal works better when installed indoors. It is also by far more secure in your house than outside.

For that reason, the company highly recommends the device indoors if possible.

However, if you have to place it outdoors to effectively meet your needs, consider the following factors:

Location

You should place the router where it is easily accessible during downtime or for troubleshooting if a problem arises.

In addition, the router is responsible for the power supply for the dish, so consider a spot with AC power for a constant power supply.

Weather

The surroundings should be within the Starlink router operating temperature range which is always 30 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius.

Anything beyond this temperature can cause gaps in connectivity. Rain, storms, or dust usually interfere with the wireless  signals and the case of the router is no different.

If the condition is too extreme, it can even damage your router. 

WiFi/ Ethernet Connectivity

You may need to improve your internet connectivity through hardwiring. But how will you get it inside?

This is another important factor to consider. You will probably need a long cable and maybe a local technician to help you run a long cable connection into your house. 

Man plugging Ethernet cable into a router

Man plugging Ethernet cable into a router

Building Codes

Local by-laws have requirements not only for building structures, but non-building structures like routers as well.

Ensure you check the building codes so that you avoid penalties. 

Weatherproof Enclosure

For the safety of your Starlink router, you will need an enclosure box to protect it from dust particles and weather.

That said, consider an enclosure box with high-grade weatherproof and a safety lock; something like a QILIPSU box or Gratury Junction Box with a rating of IP67. 

The enclosure should be large enough to accommodate an Ethernet adapter in case you will be running Ethernet in your home.

You may need to drill some holes for the power plug and extension cables, but this is something that should take a few minutes to set up. 

Installing your router outside comes with several drawbacks. Some of these disadvantages include:

Low Coverage

Router coverage should be 360 degrees and it is recommended you put it in the middle of your house to balance the signal coverage.

Think of the spread of Starlink WiFi signals like a water wave, which is stronger at the central point and weakens as it spreads. 

If you put it outside your house, you are likely to lose 50% of the connection. That said, in as much as your intention was to have coverage outdoors, your indoor coverage will be compromised. 

Router signal waves

Router signal waves

Potential Security Hazard

Given the coverage of Starlink routers, installing it outside may even reach neighbors.

This puts it at risk of hacks since your neighbor can successfully try to gain access to your WiFi.

If you have to put your router outside, always monitor users who are in your WiFi connection.

If you notice your network is hacked, call a professional to help you sniff out the hackers. 

Low Speed

The closer you are to the router, the better the internet speed. For that reason, when you place your router outside you will obviously experience slow internet speed in your house. 

The situation even worsens if a lot of people connect to your internet network with heavy activities.

It leads to a situation where your network struggles to maintain a link speed. 

Lack of Ethernet Access

One way to improve your Starlink internet speed is hardwiring the router to your device using an Ethernet cable.

The Ethernet cable offers priority access, low latency, and steady internet speed. 

Placing your router outside will mean you have to get a longer Ethernet cable to connect to the device inside your house.

The cable that comes with the Starlink kit is barely 5 feet long. To connect the cable to your router outside your house, you will have to purchase an extension.

You need a cable that can run up to 50 feet. 

Power Plug Not Easy to Access

When installing your router outside, consider a location with power access. Your outdoors may not have a space for a power plug, or you have a number of devices to connect to power outside your house. 

Meaning, you may need a long power plug cable to have your router in a particular spot, outside your house.

The cable may run from your house to the outside. Alternatively, you can create a spot to install the plug outside your wall. 

Yes, where you place your Starlink router matters a lot. Ideally, you should place it in an open place with no obstructions or as few as possible.

Besides, you should place it away from electronics such as microwaves and TV since they can interfere with the signal. 

The router has a range of about 185 square meters or 2000 sqft. However, you can extend this coverage using Starlink mesh mode. 

Starlink routers can support up to 200 at the same time without much struggle. 

Final Thought

While you can install a Starlink router outside your house, the company recommends indoor installation due to the setbacks you will encounter with outdoor installation.

If you are hard on installing it outside, ensure the environment remains within the router specifications.

You should also consider housing it in a weatherproof enclosure for further protection. 

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