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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Kevin_Z wrote
dlbott wrote
@3_15 Hi, I have been trying to get support to setup starlink gen2 with the tp link ax1800. I am ready to take it back for lack of support.
access mode is not what I have a high tech wifi6 router for....
i need help doing it right and getting my lan computers working properly and talking to each other and using the router for the things I bought it for, like security...
please help
don
Hello Don, when connecting the AX1800 to the Starlink Gen 2, please follow the steps in my original post of this thread, that you need to connect the AX1800
’s WAN Port to the Starlink Ethernet Adapter, enable “Bypass Mode on the Starlink Gen-2 Via the Starlink Application, then access the TP-Link admin web UI (www.tplinkwifi.net), go to Advanced > Network > Internet page, and choose Dynamic IP, you should be able to connect to the internet.
If still doesn't work, I would suggest contacting our tech support via Hotline, they will be happy to help configure the router:
https://www.tp-link.com/support/contact-technical-support/#Hotline-Support
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@Kevin_Z thank you!!!
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@MarcusTuck same issue here. AX50 keeps dropping the connection.
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Hi,
I have recently been experiencing major stability issues with my StarLink to Archer C80 set up. Using Starlink's bypass mode this was previously stable. At the same time I have been adding C80 EasyMesh satellite routers via ethernet cable with latest available firmware. Devices are occasionally showing IP conflicts.
Might this be on the Tp-Link side vs Starlink side?
I have disconnected TP-Link system and it so far seems more stable .... perhaps I'll need to switch out the C80s for network switches?
Please advise.
Thank you
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@MarkRB another update..
StarLink has tested my StarLink remotely and suspects there may be a fault.. has offered to send replacement router and cable . Will keep you posted.
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MarkRB wrote
Thanks .. see later I have been experiencing problems too.. Can you explain to a layman why having a switch between the Starlink router and the TP-Link router helps?
@MarkRB Are you referring to the solution 3 I provided in this thread? I believe you're discussing a different case from the one I mentioned in the linked thread. In that thread, some specific models won't be able to connect to the internet when leaving the negotiation speed as Auto on the AX6000 or AX11000, and that's why we suggest connecting a switch between the Starlink and the AX6000/AX11000.
Regarding your inquiry, are you saying the internet is pretty stable when only one main Archer C80 connects to the Starlink router, and the internet becomes unstable when you add 2 satellite C80s via EasyMesh Ethernet Backhaul? If that is the case, can you please help verify some more details, which will help locate the issue precisely?
1. When the internet becomes unstable and crashes, can you please confirm the specific behaviors on the client devices that connect to the C80's network, are they all disconnecting from the internet and failing to receive valid IP addresses from the network?
2. Will you still be able to access the web GUI of the main C80 at that time? If yes, please confirm if the two satellite C80s are still showing up correctly under the EasyMesh device list, and what are their status. Please show us some screenshots if possible.
Please refer to this thread and the specific steps to configure EasyMesh Ethernet Backhaul, make sure all configurations are correct:
How to Build an Ethernet Backhaul Using Two EasyMesh Routers
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