How does Starlink deal with obstructions?

Starlink is designed to keep you connected, even if your view of the sky isn’t perfect. The system automatically detects obstacles such as trees or buildings and proactively switches between satellites to maintain a strong connection. These switches happen many times per minute and are generally imperceptible to users.

For in-motion use or unexpected changes in your environment (like driving past trees), Starlink reacts in milliseconds to reroute traffic and maintain stability.

Learn more about obstructions here.

How long does it take for Starlink to create its obstruction map?

About 1 week. Starlink will create a map of surrounding obstructions (e.g. trees, poles, and buildings) as it communicates with satellites over head. 

Starlink's obstruction map will become more accurate as it gathers information over time. It will slowly adapt to changes in its surroundings. For example, if leaves grow on a tree near your Starlink, it will update the obstruction map to include these leaves.

Will Starlink's performance improve over time as the obstruction map fills in?

Yes. As the obstruction map becomes more accurate and as we continue launching more satellites, Starlink gets even better at routing around obstacles. This means higher resiliency and fewer interruptions, even in challenging environments.

For best performance, we recommend setting up Starlink with a completely clear view of sky. Obstructions may cause brief service interruptions when all available satellites are obstructed.

How resilient is Starlink in obstructed areas?

Even with partial obstructions, well-placed Starlink terminals typically maintain uptime above 99.9. Our dense satellite network and advanced algorithms provide multiple paths to keep you connected in dynamic and changing environments.