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Starlink Firmware and Software Updates

Starlink dishes and routers receive automatic firmware updates that improve performance, add features, and fix issues. This guide covers update frequency, what updates change, scheduling options, and how to force or manage updates.

Starlink firmware updates are automatically pushed by SpaceX and typically install during late night hours (2am-5am local time) when network usage is lowest. Updates are downloaded in the background and applied during a brief reboot of the dish and router. The update process takes 2-5 minutes during which internet service is interrupted. Updates occur approximately every 2-4 weeks though the frequency varies. There is no option to disable automatic updates or to manually download updates from a website. You can check your current firmware version in the Starlink app under Settings > Advanced > Debug Data. The firmware version string follows the format 2026.01.xx.mrNNNN where xx denotes the month and NNNN is the build number. Starlink maintains multiple firmware release channels. Most users receive the stable channel but some may be on preview builds. If you experience issues after an update the dish may automatically roll back to the previous version within 24-48 hours.

Recent Firmware Features and Improvements

Starlink firmware updates have introduced significant features over the past year. Improved beamforming algorithms increased throughput by 10-15% for Gen 3 dishes. Enhanced snow melt logic now activates based on precipitation sensors rather than temperature alone reducing unnecessary power consumption. WiFi 6 improvements added better channel selection and reduced interference in dense UK neighbourhoods. Bypass mode improvements fixed DHCP lease renewal issues affecting third-party routers. Mesh node firmware now supports faster handoff between nodes improving video call reliability when moving around the home. Priority traffic management was refined to better handle video conferencing traffic during peak hours. The Starlink app gains new features through the same update mechanism - app updates are separate from dish firmware updates and are delivered through the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. To ensure you have the latest features keep the Starlink app updated and allow the dish to remain powered on overnight when updates typically install.

Specifications and Comparison

Update Feature Description Release Period User Impact
Beamforming improvements 10-15% throughput increase for Gen 3 Q1 2026 Higher speeds without hardware change
Enhanced snow melt Precipitation-based activation Q4 2025 Lower winter power consumption
WiFi 6 optimisations Better channel selection and interference reduction Q3 2025 Improved WiFi stability
Bypass mode fixes DHCP lease renewal improvements Q2 2025 Reliable third-party router operation
Mesh handoff improvements Faster node transitions Q1 2026 Better video call mobility
Peak hour traffic management Video conferencing priority Ongoing Consistent video call quality

FAQ

Can I manually update my Starlink firmware?
There is no manual update option in the Starlink system. Updates are automatically pushed by SpaceX. If you are experiencing issues restarting the dish through the app (Settings > Reboot) often triggers an update check and may apply a pending update.
Can I roll back a Starlink firmware update?
Starlink does not offer a manual rollback option. If an update causes issues the system may automatically roll back within 24-48 hours. Contact Starlink support if problems persist beyond 48 hours.
How often does Starlink update its firmware?
Starlink pushes firmware updates approximately every 2-4 weeks. The frequency varies based on feature development and bug fixes. Some periods have weekly updates while others have longer gaps between updates.
Do Starlink updates happen during the day?
Updates are scheduled for late night hours (2am-5am) to minimise disruption. The dish and router reboot during the update causing 2-5 minutes of downtime. If your dish is powered off at night the update will apply when it powers back on.
Will a firmware update change my Starlink speeds?
Firmware updates can affect speeds. Most updates maintain or improve speeds through optimisations like improved beamforming. Occasionally an update may temporarily reduce speeds as the dish recalibrates. This typically normalises within 24-48 hours. For more information see our Starlink Performance in UK Weather.

Last updated: 2026-05-31.

External Resources

For further information consult authority guidelines at the Electrical Safety First.