The Starlink
App obstruction check is the mandatory gate for site approval. It must be run
from the precise antenna mounting location before any hardware is fixed in
place.
What the obstruction check measures
The app builds
a real-time sky view map by using the phone camera and compass to identify
obstacles in the field of view. It outputs an obstruction percentage — the
fraction of time the antenna view would be blocked by obstacles.
|
Result
|
Meaning
|
Action
|
Typical in-App message
|
|
0.0% obstruction — 'Clear view
of sky'
|
Site passes — installation may
proceed
|
Proceed to installation
|
Your Starlink has an
unobstructured view of the sky
|
|
>0.0% to 0.2% obstruction
|
Marginal — may slightly affect
performance
|
Consider repositioning
|
There's an obstruction in
Starlink's field of view, but it's not expected to cause a noticeable mpact
on your service
|
|
>0.2% obstruction
|
Service will be noticeably
affected
|
Must reposition — do not
proceed
|
Starlink is partially
obstructured. Starlink's obstruction map will become more accurate as it
collects more data
|
|
>0.27% obstruction
|
Outages will occur
|
Site rejected — do not install
|
How to run the check
1. Download the Starlink App from the App Store or Google
Play
2. Open the app and select 'Check for Obstructions'
3. Grant camera and location permissions when prompted
4. Stand at the exact antenna mounting position and hold
the phone pointing upward at arm's length
5. Rotate slowly 360° — the app will map the full sky view
6. Note the result — obstruction percentage and pass/fail
status
7. Take a screenshot and attach it to your signed Site
Survey Checklist
If the site fails:
If the app
detects any persistent obstruction:
• Adjust the mounting position (typically: higher
elevation, different face of the building, or further from obstructions)
• Re-run the obstruction check from the new position
• Document both results in the site survey
|
📌 Note:
Trees and buildings appear as
black zones in the app's sky view. A single tree branch in the primary arc is
enough to cause dropouts. Prioritise clear sky over mounting convenience.
|
FAQ: How should I interpret the obstruction map?
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 (at Starlink website
here) and learn about how Starlink beam switching handles obstructions (Starlink website
here).
How long does it take for Starlink to create its obstruction map?
Starlink can detect most obstructions in less than a day. Since Starlink continuously detects surrounding obstructions (e.g. trees, poles, and buildings) while it communicates with satellites overhead, the obstruction map will automatically update over time.
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.
Why is there a clear band on my obstruction map?
The thick, clear band on your obstruction map is the geostationary exclusion zone. This is normal and doesn’t indicate a problem with your map. Starlink does not send or receive through this area to avoid interference with geostationary satellites, which remain fixed above the equator. This zone will always appear as an unfilled band on your map, even if there are no actual obstructions in that part of the sky.