How To Connect Printer To Starlink WiFi? 5 Easy Steps

Starlink internet systems offer a seamless way to enjoy satellite internet connectivity at home. Each system comes in a kit that helps you quickly set up a home WiFi network. So, how do you connect a printer to that Starlink WiFi network?

Quick Start: Connecting Any Device to Starlink

Whether you are connecting a wireless printer, a smart TV, or a security camera, the basic connection process follows these five steps:

1. Ensure your device is within 20–30 feet of your Starlink router for best signal strength.
2. Go to the network or Wi-fi setting in your device and Search for Available Networks. Some have a Setup Wizard.
3. Select your Starlink SSID (network name) from the list. If you don’t see Starlink in the list, go to the Starlink App and change the settings for Split 2.4 / 5 GHz Names. (see below)
4. Enter Your Password (case-sensitive)
5. Open your Starlink App on your phone and look at the Network. You should see your new device appearing in the network map.

Understanding Your Starlink Wifi Router

Before connecting your printer to a Starlink WiFi network, you must understand the router’s configuration. That’s because the Starlink internet system differs from a standard WiFi setup you’d find anywhere else.

The Starlink internet system consists of a Starlink dish, dish mount, and WiFi router base unit. Starlink WiFi routers do not have Ethernet ports like other routers. As a result, you can’t connect your printer directly to your home or office WiFi network with a cable. Instead, your only option is to set up a wireless connection between your printer and the Starlink WiFi network.

The Starlink WiFi router can support up to 128 devices. That includes your computer, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and anything else you connect to the network. These are all visible in the Starlink App’s Network Map. If you feel the network is slow, you can go there to see which devices are using the most bandwidth.

How Do I Update My Starlink Router?

Unlike other digital devices, you can’t update your Starlink router manually. Instead, Starlink will release and push any available updates directly to your internet system when they’re ready.

Can I Use My Own Router Instead Of The Starlink Router?

Yes, you can connect your router to your Starlink internet system. However, there are no guarantees that your router will perform optimally and provide you with the fastest connection possible. The Starlink router was explicitly designed for use with the Starlink dish and other components.

Bypass Mode (Bridge Mode)

Will my wireless printer work if I put my Starlink router in Bypass Mode? If you enable Bypass Mode, the Starlink router’s Wi-Fi is disabled entirely. Your printer must then be connected to your new third-party router (like an Eero, Netgear, or ASUS system).

Advanced Starlink users often bypass the Starlink router entirely and use a mesh system (like Eero or Orbi), which makes printer connectivity much easier. If you have a large home, using “Bypass Mode” with a third-party router is an option that provides a more traditional printer setup experience (and a physical WPS button).

Using the Official Starlink Ethernet Adapter

Can You Use Ethernet With Starlink?

Starlink routers do not offer Ethernet ports as conventional routers do. However, you can purchase third-party adapters to connect Ethernet devices to your router. Be careful, though, as you do so at your own risk.

Ethernet Adapter Recommendation

Use the official Starlink Ethernet Adapter (for the Gen 2 rectangular dish). Note that the new Gen 3 (Kickstand) Router actually has two built-in Ethernet ports hidden behind a rubber flap.

The Most Common Issue: 2.4GHz Compatibility

The 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz Split

Many budget or older printers only support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Starlink routers can support these older models and 5 GHz WiFi frequencies, but they combine both bands into one name. Sometimes there is a failure during printer set up because the older printer can’t see the combined GHz network.

How to Fix: You may need to go into the Starlink App > Settings > Wi-Fi > Range and toggle “Split 2.4 / 5 GHz Names.” This allows the printer to connect specifically to the 2G band. Once split, try connecting your printer specifically to the network name ending in “_2G.”

Starlink routers support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi frequencies. This will enable you to connect devices that use either frequency.

How to Find Your Printer’s IP on the Starlink App

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open the Starlink App: Ensure your phone is connected to your Starlink Wi-Fi.
2. Go to the Network Map: On the main dashboard, tap on the “Network” icon.
3. Locate Your Printer: You will see a list of all currently connected devices. Look for your printer’s name.
4. Open Device Settings: Tap on the printer in the list to open its specific device details.
5. View the IP Address: Look for the “Device Details” or “Information” section. The IP Address will be listed there (it usually starts with ###. ###. #. X)
6. Starlink uses a changing system and your printer’s IP address can occasionally change when the router reboots, causing your computer to “lose” the printer again. You may get a printer offline message, even though it is still connected to the network.

How Do I Connect My Printer To My Starlink Router?

Here’s a step-by-step process you can follow to connect your printer to your Starlink WiFi network:

WPS: Wi-Fi Protected Setup

Most older printers use WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) to connect. The Starlink Gen 2 and Gen 3 routers do not have a physical WPS button.

• You cannot use the Push Button WPS method for Gen 2 and Gen 3 Routers. Instead, you must use the printer’s LCD panel to find the SSID or use the printer’s mobile app (like HP Smart or Epson Smart Panel) to guide the printer onto the network.

Step 1: Chose Your Printer’s Location

Your printer must be within the Starlink WiFi router’s signal range. Depending on your home’s layout, that signal range can be between 100-200 feet. Never forget that obstacles like walls and heavy furniture will reduce that signal range. That’s especially true if the router is on a different floor than your printer.

Be mindful that other appliances like microwave ovens can cause signal interference and disrupt the printer’s connection.

Step 2: Setup Your Printer

• Ensure that the printer’s plug is pushed firmly into the wall socket.
• Check that the printer has the necessary consumables, like ink and paper.
• Turn the printer on and check that it’s free from any errors.
• Download the latest printer firmware if an update is available.

Step 3: Find Your Starlink WiFi Network 

This next step is to use your printer to find your Starlink WiFi network. Many printer models these days come with an LCD screen that allows you to do that directly through the printer.

The menu that you’re looking for is typically named something like ‘WiFi Network’, ‘Wireless Network’, or something similar. The precise name will differ between printer brands and models.

Once you find it, it’ll show you a list of nearby WiFi networks that you can connect to. Look for the network whose name, or Service Set Identifier (SSID), matches that of your Starlink WiFi network.

Step 4: Connect To Your WiFi Network 

After finding your Starlink WiFi network on your printer’s display, connect the printer to that network. You’ll be prompted to enter a password for your WiFi network. When you enter the correct password, the printer will then take a few moments to establish a connection to the router and, by extension, your Starlink WiFi network.

Your printer display will notify you when the connection is successful.

Step 5: Install Printer On Network Devices

At this stage of the process, your printer is successfully connected to your Starlink WiFi network. However, that’s only half of the setup process complete. Next, you’ll have to install your printer on the devices you’ll use to print your documents.

For example, you’ll want to install the printer on your computer so you can print photos and documents. Follow these quick steps:

• On your computer, open its settings or preferences page. On a Windows system, that means accessing the Control Panel, while the Preferences tab is what you’re looking for on a macOS system.
• Then, select the Printer tab and follow the on-screen instructions to install your printer. You’ll see your printer brand and model number appear on the screen when your computer detects it through your Starlink WiFi network.
• Complete the installation by downloading and installing the printer driver and any printer management software the printer came with.

First, your computer can now send print job data to your printer. Secondly, since both devices are on the same Starlink WiFi network, the printer can receive that data without any issues.

Step 6: Connect And Test Printer With Your Network Devices

When your printer joins your Starlink WiFi network, any device sharing the network can send print jobs to it. That includes your computer, laptop, smartphone, and more.

The final step when connecting your printer to a Starlink WiFi network is to test it with your devices. You can print a test page, document, or image of your choice.

How do you Choose UPS Battery Back up for Starlink?

Starlink equipment is sensitive and should be on a high-quality surge protector (or a small UPS) to prevent “IP address drops” during power dips. UPS is Uninterruptible Power Supply.

1. Estimate Power Usage

• Starlink Consumption: Average usage has dropped from 80-100 Watts to about 60-70 Watts due to firmware updates.
• Winter Spike: The dish has a built-in heater to melt snow, which will increase power draw during cold months.

2. Account for Additional Devices

• If you plan to plug other electronics (computers, monitors, etc.) into the same UPS, you must add their wattage to the Starlink’s total.
• The Warning: Overloading the UPS with too many devices will significantly reduce your available backup time during a blackout.

3. Shortlist Models by Capacity

• UPS units are typically rated in Volt-Amperes (VA) or Watts.
• You should choose a unit that comfortably exceeds your total calculated wattage to ensure a reasonable runtime.

4. Evaluate Extra Features

• Indicators: Look for LCD displays that show real-time battery status and power draw.
• Connectivity: Some models offer USB ports or software for remote monitoring.
• Battery Type: Higher-end models may have user-replaceable batteries, extending the lifespan of the unit.

Key Starlink Technical Specs:

• Connectivity: The dish connects to the router via a Cat 6 Power-over-Ethernet (POE) cable.
• Ports: The standard Starlink router does not have an Ethernet port (wireless only).
• RV Use: Starlink offers specific plans for mobile/RV users.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use a wired USB printer with Starlink?

Not directly. The Starlink router does not have a USB port for printer sharing. To use a USB printer, you either need to keep it plugged into your computer via USB or connect it to a Wireless Print Server adapter that can then join your Starlink Wi-Fi network.

Does Starlink support “AirPrint” for iPhones and iPads?

Yes. As long as your printer and your Apple device are both connected to the same Starlink Wi-Fi network, AirPrint will work. If your printer “disappears” from the AirPrint menu, try assigning the printer a Static IP address via the Starlink App’s “Advanced” settings to keep the connection stable.

Read here: More information on iPhone connection to Wireless printers.

Why does my printer keep going “Offline” on Starlink?

This often happens during Starlink’s brief obstruction periods or if the printer enters a deep sleep mode. To prevent this, ensure your printer is within 20-30 feet of the router. If the issue persists, the best solution is to use the Starlink Ethernet Adapter and hardwire the printer directly to the network.

Read: Why Printer Leaving Black Marks / Smudges On Printed Pages – Troubleshooting Guide

What if my printer says “offline” but it is still connected to the network?

Follow the steps above for finding your printer’s IP on the Starlink app.

Because Starlink uses a changing system, your printer’s IP address can occasionally change when the router reboots, causing your computer to “lose” the printer again. To stop this from happening, you can go into your printer’s web interface and change the settings. You can manually set the IP address to stay the same permanently, which will stop “Printer Offline” for good.

Read: Why Does My Printer Print Weird Random Symbols Or Characters? – Troubleshooting Guide