Quick answer: Most Canadians can self-install Starlink in 30 to 60 minutes. The Standard dish ships with a basic ground/balcony stand. For a permanent installation on a roof or pole, you’ll need a mount kit ($25-150 CAD) and basic tools (drill, level, cable clips). No internet experience required.
What you get in the box
- Starlink dish (Standard Gen 3 or Mini)
- Power supply + 23-foot Ethernet/power cable
- WiFi router (Gen 3 dual-band, mesh-ready)
- Base / kickstand for temporary placement
Not included: permanent mounting hardware (pole, roof bracket, cable clips, weatherproofing). Buy these separately if needed.
Step-by-step self-installation
- Find a clear sky spot. Use the Starlink app’s AR obstruction tool to scan. Target zero obstructions in the 100° cone facing north (in Northern Hemisphere).
- Test temporarily first. Place the dish on the included kickstand outside, plug in, wait 5 minutes. The dish auto-orients toward the satellite swath. Confirm signal in the app.
- Choose your permanent location. Roof peak (best, highest), wall (good), pole mounted (best for trees), ground mount (only if no obstructions at low angle).
- Install the mount. For roof: drill pilot holes, use stainless screws + silicone sealant + flashing. For wall: lag bolts into studs. For pole: concrete base or U-bolts.
- Attach the dish. Use Starlink’s official adapter or a compatible third-party mount.
- Route the cable. Standard cable is 23 feet. Need more? Order the 75-foot cable extension ($150 CAD). Use UV-resistant cable clips, drip loops, and a weatherproof grommet at the wall entry.
- Connect indoors. Power supply → cable to dish + Ethernet to router. Plug in power.
- Set up via the app. Connect to “STINKY” WiFi, follow setup. Done.
Mounting options compared
| Mount type | Cost | Best for | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Included kickstand | $0 | Testing, renters | Trivial |
| Pipe / pole mount | $25-50 | Above trees, ground installs | Easy with concrete |
| Wall / eave mount | $30-80 | House siding, no roof access | Medium (find studs) |
| Roof ridge mount | $80-150 | Best sky view | Medium-Hard (sealing critical) |
| Pole + ground concrete | $100+ | Yard mount, tree-cleared site | Hard (digging, concrete) |
Common Canadian installation challenges
Snow load on roof mounts
Canadian winters dump 50-200 cm of snow. Use a mount rated for at least 50 kg of downward load, and ensure the dish is at least 30 cm above the average snow line. The dish has a built-in heater that melts snow on the dish surface itself.
Ice dams and water infiltration
Drip loops on the cable + butyl tape under any roof penetration are non-negotiable. Get the cable to enter the wall through a downward-angled hole, not upward.
Frozen ground for pole mounts
Install poles before October if possible. Otherwise rent a propane-powered ground thawer or wait until spring. Concrete should be below the frost line (60-120 cm depending on province).
Trees
Coniferous trees (spruce, pine, cedar) block Starlink badly. Solutions: pole mount above the canopy (5-7 metres), strategic trimming, or relocate the dish to a clearing. Hardwood deciduous trees (maple, oak) cause less interference in winter when leaves are gone.
Should I hire an installer?
For most situations, self-install is fine. Hire a professional installer ($200-600) when:
- You need a tall pole mount (6+ metres) above trees
- The roof access is dangerous (steep pitch, two storeys)
- You want professional cable routing in finished walls
- You need a custom mount for unusual surfaces (metal roof, brick, etc.)
- You’re not comfortable on a ladder
Don’t have a dish yet?
Order through our official referral and get 1 month of service free.
Order Starlink Canada →Installation FAQ
Do I need to ground the dish?
Recommended for all installations, mandatory in some Canadian municipalities (check local electrical code). Connect the mount to a #6 AWG copper grounding wire to a ground rod or your home’s electrical ground. Costs $30-50 in materials.
What WiFi router does Starlink ship with?
The Gen 3 router supports WiFi 6, dual-band, mesh-ready (works with additional Starlink mesh nodes). For larger homes (3000+ sq ft), buy a Starlink Mesh node ($150 CAD) or bypass to your own router.
Can I use my own router?
Yes. Activate Bypass Mode in the Starlink app, then connect any router (UniFi, ASUS, Eero, etc.) to the Ethernet port on the power supply. You’ll need the Ethernet adapter ($35) since the Gen 3 dish uses a custom connector.
What’s the warranty on installation?
Starlink warranties the dish for 2 years against defects. If you self-install and damage the cable or mount, that’s on you. Professional installers typically warranty their work for 1 year against leaks or mount failures.
*1 month of free Starlink service (equal to your plan) automatically credited 30 days after activation when you order through our official referral link RC-DF-7650727-61403-46. Official SpaceX program. No extra cost for you: same price as starlink.com. FastSat.ca also receives a free month, which funds the site.