Starlink stuck on "Obstructed"? Here's the fix
Obstructed doesn't mean your dish is broken — part of the sky is blocked, and your connection drops at the exact moment the satellite passes behind that blind spot. Here's how to read the map and clear it yourself.
The fix, in 4 steps
Open the obstruction map
The Starlink app shows the sky as seen from your dish — red sectors are blocked, and that's exactly where the satellite disappears and your connection drops.
Clear or rotate the dish
Check for snow sitting directly on the dish, and for a branch or new foliage that's grown in since install — often that alone fixes it.
Move it a few metres
If the obstacle stays, try a different spot on the same roof or balcony — a few metres can change the angle enough to clear the blocked sector.
Raise it or add a mast
If you can't get above the treeline without one, that's a mast job — or the point where it's worth calling a pro.
Why it keeps happening
Stats need time to build up
After every change, re-run the scan and give the app about 12 hours to collect fresh stats — that's the only way to tell if the fix actually worked.
Chimneys and roof edges
Even a small chimney can block a sector the satellite crosses every few minutes.
Foliage that's grown in
A tree that was low at install time can turn into a new obstacle a couple of months later.
Snow sitting on the dish
Snow directly on the dish blocks the signal outright, not just one sector.
Red sectors on the map
Each red sector is a specific time window when the satellite passes there — that's when your connection will drop again.
The order of fixes matters
Start with the simplest step (clean, rotate) and only move on if it doesn't work.
What you'll need
Most of these fixes only need what's already at home.
- Starlink app with the obstruction map
- Ladder or safe access to the dish
- Broom or brush for clearing snow
- Tape measure for repositioning
- Mast kit if you need extra height
Frequently asked questions
Why does it drop at the same time every day, not randomly?
Satellites move on predictable orbits — if one sector is blocked, the connection drops every time a satellite crosses that same sector again.
What does the obstruction map actually look like?
It's a circular view of the sky from the dish's position, with red marking every sector where the view is blocked.
Is clearing the snow enough on its own?
Often yes, if there were no red sectors before and the problem started suddenly — but if red sectors were already there, you need a different fix.
How long should I wait after a change to know if it worked?
Give the app about 12 hours to collect new stats, then check the obstruction map again.
When is it not worth trying DIY anymore?
If the obstacle is taller than any spot you can reach without a mast, that's when to check the mast guide or call a pro.
Get the right gear for the fix
From masts to mounting hardware — everything you might need for the fix, in one shop.