Knowledge Base How to Connect and Set up a TP-Link Router (or Third-party Router) to Starlink Internet
Starlink is quickly becoming one of the most popular internet providers due to its new technologies and widespread coverage. Because of these technologies, it is now possible for users to receive a usable and reliable network connection in rural areas where Internet coverage was previously scarce. As the technology continues to improve and more users begin to adopt the technology as an alternative to traditional ISPs, we would like to introduce how to use our TP-Link router or other third-party routers with Starlink, and expect more questions on the forum regarding how to set up the technology and the potential benefits of the technology for specific cases.
If you need help connecting and configuring your TP-Link Router or other third-party routers to work with Starlink, this article may be able to help. This article introduces configuration methods, the applications behind the TP-Link Routers, and what models we recommend to use with Starlink.
We will only show you here how TP-Link routers work with Starlink, but the connection and setup are also applicable for other third-party routers.
How to Connect the TP-Link Router to Starlink
Please be aware that Starlink has launched two generations of hardware for home users. The Gen-1 Terminal (Round Dish) and the Gen-2 Terminal (Rectangular Dish). The main difference between the two versions is the removal of the Ethernet Jack. Please Use The Diagram Below to Determine the Version.
Note: With a Gen-2 Terminal, you must purchase an Ethernet Adapter from Starlink to Connect to the TP-Link router.
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Original Gen-1 Starlink Setup Process
The Original Terminal is a Round Dish with an Ethernet Jack. However, the original Starlink Router that comes with your system does not support Bypass Mode, so you must unplug the Starlink router if you want the TP-Link Router to work as the main Router. Please configure your network as follows:
Step 1: Unplug The Starlink Router by Disconnecting the Cable Connected to the Power Supply.
Step 2: Plug the Starlink PoE Adapter into the WAN port of the TP-Link Router.
Your Setup Should Be Similar to the Pic 1 of the Image Above.
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Gen-2 Starlink Setup Process
Unlike the Original Starlink Terminal, the Dish is Rectangular, and no PoE adapter is included. With a Gen-2 Terminal, you must purchase an Ethernet Adapter from Starlink to Connect to the TP-Link router.
After Connecting the Starlink Terminal to the Starlink Router:
Step 1: Connect the TP-Link Router’s WAN Port to the Starlink Ethernet Adapter.
Step 2: If you would like the TP-Link Router to be the main Router for the network, you can enable “Bypass Mode on the Starlink Gen-2 Via the Starlink Application.
Step 3: Please connect the TP-Link router’s WAN port to the Ethernet adapter, as the Pic 2 in the above diagram.
When enabling Bypass Mode, All Wireless Features will be disabled on the Starlink Terminal. A factory reset is required if you want to switch back to router mode.
How Do I Configure The TP-Link Router to Connect to Starlink Network?
All you need to do is selecting Dynamic IP as the WAN Connection Type on the TP-Link router. Access the TP-Link admin web UI (www.tplinkwifi.net), go to Advanced > Network > Internet page, and choose Dynamic IP.
How Do I Manage the Starlink Terminal When Removing the Starlink Router, or the Starlink Router is in Bypass Mode?
If the Starlink router is under Bypass Mode or has been removed, you may need to set up a static route on the TP-Link router; then, you can manage the Starlink terminal in the Starlink APP. Use these settings to establish a static route from the TP-Link Router’s UI.
Network destination: 192.168.100.0
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.100.1
Interface: WAN
How do I set up TP-Link if I want to keep both the Starlink and TP-Link Wi-Fi?
If you only wish to use the TP-Link Router to extend the Wi-Fi coverage of your existing network, you can set up the Starlink Router as the main Router and then place the TP-Link Router into Access Point (AP) Mode.
Please First Identify Which Starlink System You are Using (Gen-1 = Round Dish; Gen-2 = Rectangular)
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The Original Gen-1 Starlink User Terminal
For Gen-1 Starlink Terminal Users, you will want to keep the Starlink router as the main Router for the network and connect the TP-Link router’s WAN port to the AUX port of the Starlink Router. At this point, the TP-Link System can be switched to Access Point Mode, which avoids issues such as Double NAT.
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The Updated Gen-2 Starlink User Terminal
With updated Gen-2 Starlink products, the network map is the same as before. Connect the TP-Link Router’s WAN port to the ethernet adapter directly. Then make sure that Bypass Mode on the Starlink System is DISABLED, then change the TP-Link Router to Operate in Access Point Mode to avoid Double NAT.
Starlink doesn’t recommend using Starlink in a dual LAN system, so we recommend you change the operation mode to wireless access point mode.
What if I cannot Access the Internet when connecting an Archer AX6000/AX11000 to Starlink Gen 2?
If you failed to set up the internet when connecting an Archer AX6000 or AX11000 to Starlink Gen 2, please check the solutions below:
Cannot Access Internet when connecting to Starlink Gen 2
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Have other issues to report?
Welcome to > Start a New Thread < and elaborate on the issue for assistance.
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MarcusTuck wrote
I have an Archer AX50 (AX3000) and have the same issue, it keeps dropping the internet connection from Starlink. I have tried setting the internet negotiation speed to 100 Mbps full duplex, still not working reliably.
I can get it to work if I install a switch between the Starlink and AX50 but this isn't a great solution.
Is there a solution for the Archer AX50?
@MarcusTuck Are you also using Starlink Gen 2? How about the internet LED on the AX50 when the internet drops? Please confirm if you have a stable connection by connecting a computer directly to the Starlink Ethernet adapter.
If the issue confirmed to be related to the AX50, please email the system log on the AX50 to support.forum@tp-link.com. Be sure to include the behavior when the internet works fine, and after it reconnects.
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@Kevin_Z thanks for your reply. My gen2 (rectangular) dish is actually connected to a gen1 (round) dish power supply. This allows me to connect to the RJ45 on the power supply to get data.
Yes, the internet LED on the Archer AX50 goes orange with the drop outs. The same happens with a computer connected directly to the Starlink too. So I am sure it is an issue with the way the way Starlink works rather than there being anything 'wrong' with the Archer AX50.
I was hoping there could be a firmware update to handle the strange Starlink behaviour (like the updates for some of the other tp-link routers https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/563220).
I will send a systems log to support.
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Thanks for helping!
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Hello,
Will the "TP-Link OneMesh Archer A6" work with Starlink - Bypass mode, and everything?
Thanks,
Creeper39x
(People call me Creeper)
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@Creeper39x I ended up putting a small cheap switch between Starlink and my Tp-Link Archer AX50 router. That fixed the issue for me, shame Tp-Link can't find a software solution for all their router models though.
I have more information on my website: tuckstruck dot net under Starlink then Installing starlink in an rv Update7
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@MarcusTuck sooooo is the router I said compatible?
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Creeper39x wrote
Hello,
Will the "TP-Link OneMesh Archer A6" work with Starlink - Bypass mode, and everything?
Thanks,
Creeper39x
(People call me Creeper)
Hi @Creeper39x
Archer A6 should be compatible with Starlink. You can connect it to the Starlink network as per the layout we described in my post.
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To connect and set up a TP-Link router or third-party router to Starlink Internet, you can follow these steps:
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Connect your Starlink router to the Starlink satellite dish and wait for it to fully boot up.
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Connect an Ethernet cable from the Starlink router's LAN port to the WAN port of your TP-Link router or third-party router.
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Power on your TP-Link router or third-party router and wait for it to fully boot up.
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Open a web browser on your computer or mobile device and enter the default IP address of your TP-Link router or third-party router in the address bar. The default IP address is usually printed on the bottom of the router or in the user manual.
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You will be prompted to enter a username and password. Enter the default login credentials for your router. The default login credentials are usually printed on the bottom of the router or in the user manual.
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Once you have logged in to the router's settings page, navigate to the "WAN" settings section and select "Dynamic IP" as the connection type. This will allow your router to automatically obtain an IP address from the Starlink router.
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Save your changes and restart your router. Once your router has restarted, it should be connected to Starlink Internet and ready to use.
Note: If you are using a third-party router, you may need to disable the DHCP server on the Starlink router just like we did when we were accessing our website and enable it on your TP-Link router or third-party router. This will allow your router to assign IP addresses to devices on your network. You can find instructions on how to do this in the user manual for your router.
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@BrandonTaylor12 even if you follow all your instructions the Archer will keep dropping the connection unless you install a switch between the Starlink and the Archer. I was hoping Tp-Link would push out a new firmware to solve this issue like they have for some of their other routers.
I don't believe the DHCP server can be turned off in Starlink.
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