Starlink Obstructions: How to Check and Fix Them (2026 Guide)

By Author | 10/29/2026

Setup & PowerUpdated October 30, 2026 · 6 min read

Short answer

Open the Starlink app and use Check for Obstructions to scan the sky with your phone’s camera before you place the dish. After setup, the app’s obstruction map fills in over several hours and shows red where something blocks the view. Fix obstructions by raising the dish or moving it away from trees and buildings. Aim for 0%, but under about 5% is usually workable.

Key takeaways

Scan before you set up. The app’s camera scan shows trouble spots in about a minute.
Check the map after a few hours. Live data from real satellite passes is more accurate than the scan.
Height fixes most problems. A pole, roof peak or deck rail usually beats moving sideways.
Winter changes the sky. Snow-heavy branches sag, roofs shed ice and snowbanks grow.
Rented kits come ready. Borrow Starlink kits arrive activated, so you can go straight to the obstruction check.

What counts as a Starlink obstruction?

An obstruction is anything that blocks the straight line between your dish and the satellites passing overhead. Starlink satellites move across the sky constantly, so the dish needs a wide, open cone of sky above it, not just one clear spot.

DishyTech puts the dish’s field of view at about 110 degrees. Think of it as an upside-down cone above the dish. Anything that pokes into that cone can cause dropouts.

Common obstructions:

Trees, including single branches and the tops of tall trees nearby.
Buildings, chimneys, rooflines, walls and RV awnings.
Hillsides and canyon walls, especially in mountain campsites.
Poles, wires and towers, if they’re close and tall.
Snow, ice and snow-laden branches in winter (more below).

Clouds and light rain are not obstructions. Heavy rain or wet snow can slow things briefly, but they don’t show up on the obstruction map.

In the US, more satellites pass through the northern part of the sky, so a blockage to the north usually hurts more than one to the south. The dish picks its own direction, so you don’t need to aim it.

How do you check for obstructions in the Starlink app?

The app has two tools. Use both.

1. Check for Obstructions (before setup)

Open the Starlink app and choose Check for Obstructions. Hold your phone where the dish will go and slowly pan the camera across the sky as directed. The app marks blocked areas in red and clear sky in blue, then estimates how much of the view is obstructed.

Scan at dish height, not eye level. A scan from the ground can make trees look worse or better than they are.
Try two or three spots and compare the results before you commit.
Repeat the scan at your favorite spot to confirm the result.

2. The obstruction map (after setup)

Once the dish is online, the app builds a map from actual satellite passes. It starts mostly empty and fills in over several hours. Red areas show where the dish lost the signal because something was in the way.

This map is more accurate than the camera scan, because it’s based on what the dish actually saw. Check it after a few hours, and again after a full day before you make a permanent install.

Tip: Tap the obstruction message in the app to see how often your connection is being interrupted. That number tells you more about real-world impact than the percentage alone.

How much obstruction is too much?

DishyTech’s rough guide:

Obstruction	What to expect
0%	No outages from obstructions
1-5%	Short dropouts; most things work
6-10%	Frequent drops; calls and TV suffer
11%+	Spotty service

If you need Starlink for remote work, video calls or online gaming, aim for 0%. For browsing, email and streaming, under about 5% is usually workable.

How do you fix Starlink obstructions?

The only real fix is a clearer view of the sky. In order of what usually works best:

Raise the dish. Height clears more trees and rooflines than moving sideways does. Try a deck rail, a truck roof, a ladder-mounted stand or a pole.
Move it away from the obstruction. A few feet can make a big difference. Move toward open sky and away from the tallest nearby tree.
Use the roof peak. A ridge or chimney mount gets above most yard obstructions. DishyTech recommends the peak even when nothing is in the way now, because trees grow.
Use a pole mount. For a cabin surrounded by trees, a tall pole is often the only answer. Plan your cable route first. The Standard kit includes a 50 ft cable, and Starlink sells a 150 ft cable.
Trim branches. Only if it’s your property and safe to do. Trees grow back, so this needs repeating.
Accept some dropouts. If none of the above is possible, a small obstruction may be fine for light use.

For the cable run from a roof or pole, see our guide on running Starlink cable into your house.

What obstructions show up in winter?

A spot that’s clear in October can be obstructed in January. Watch for:

Snow-laden branches. Heavy snow bends branches down into the dish’s view. A tree that clears the cone in fall may not after a storm.
Snowbanks and drifts. A dish on the ground or a low stand can be partly buried. Starlink warns that snow piling up around the dish can block it, even when the dish face is clear.
Plow piles. Never set the dish beside a driveway or parking area that gets plowed.
Roof slides. Snow and ice sliding off a roof can bury or knock over a dish set below the eave.
Ice buildup on nearby structures. Icicles and frozen snow on railings or gutters can creep into a low-angle view.

Winter fixes are the same as summer ones, mostly height. Mount above typical snow depth, away from rooflines and plow zones, and re-check the obstruction map after big storms.

Tip: Never cover the dish to protect it from snow. Starlink advises against covers because they block the signal and stop the dish from melting snow.

When is Starlink not the right fit?

If your site sits in a deep, narrow canyon or under dense forest canopy with no way to get height, Starlink will struggle. Check the sky view before you rely on it for work. If the camera scan shows heavy red in every direction, plan for another option or a different spot nearby.

Frequently asked questions

Does Starlink need to face a certain direction?

No. The dish aims itself. Your job is to give it a clear view of the sky. In the US, keeping the northern part of the sky clear tends to matter more.

Can Starlink work through trees?

No. Leaves and branches block the signal. A small gap in thin trees may work with short dropouts, but a dense canopy overhead won’t.

How long does the obstruction map take?

It fills in as satellites pass overhead. Expect useful data after several hours, and give it a full day before making a permanent decision.

Can I put Starlink inside or behind a window?

Not reliably. Glass, especially coated glass, and walls block or weaken the signal. Put the dish outside with a clear view.

Is 2% obstruction a problem?

Usually not for browsing and streaming. You may see brief drops on video calls or games. Aim for 0% if you need a steady connection for work.

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Sources

Prices and plan details were checked in October 2026 and change often. Confirm current Starlink pricing at checkout. Starlink™ is a trademark of SpaceX; Borrow Starlink is an independent rental company.

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