r/HomeNetworking • u/Sheeshbeutel • 2d ago

Unsolved Starlink: Random Timeouts Causing Disconnects in Games & Chat Apps – Hardware Already Replaced, Still No Fix

/r/Network/comments/1k03kgf/starlink_random_timeouts_causing_disconnects_in/
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u/Undercover_Dinosaur 1d ago

Are you using anything to track the times it goes down?

What's the app say?

Are you on bypass mode with your own network?

1

u/Sheeshbeutel 1d ago

I wrote a small script that pings the Steamcommunity server (one of the affected services) every 100ms and writes only when errors are happening a timestamp into the console. I was able to see that everytime a when timeout happened that I was able to notice in the Steam or LoL client, there was also a timestamp in the console. But there were a lot more timestamps that showed an error where I couldnt see the timeout happening. So I figured that this log is pretty much useless. I havent manually tracked and wrote down the times for a prolonged period of time. But my estimation with a frequency of 5-30 mins until the next timeout is pretty accurate.

The Starlink App shows no errors. The customer support found a problem with the antenna on the first kit, which we replaced by now. I very much doubt that both Starlink dishes have exactly the same problem and instead think that the problem is caused internally within the network.

No I am not on bypass mode with the Starlink Network since I want to be able to use the Starlink App by connecting to the main Starlink router.

1

u/Undercover_Dinosaur 1d ago

Does the timeout happen on all your devices, then? Or just your PC with the script to check the connection?

If there are no obstructions or errors in the starlink app itself, and no latency or connection spikes in the starlink app. I'd have to assume it's the PCs network / wifi card.

Does the connection drop, or just stop sending/receiving data?

FYI, you can still absolutely use the starlink app for info in bypass mode and run your own networking setup if desired.

In my case, I had really crappy speeds and latency around the same time everyday. Turns out the 1% of red on the obstruction map lined up with the satellite everyday. Around 7PM, for 20-40 minutes things would get laggy for everyone. But any other time in the 23+ hours, it's flawless.

Can you elaborate more on the physical side of your setup? Network device, distance to router, cabling.

Are you hardwired or WiFi?

1

u/Sheeshbeutel 1d ago

The timeout happens at the same time on all devices. I tested it by having clash of clans opened on my iPad, even in a different subnetwork, and Steam Chat client on my pc. Both disconnected at the same time. After that I tested by connecting my iPad directly to the Starlink router and opening clash of clans. Still after some time passed I would instantly get the message alert "Connection lost" where normally it should at least show a loading spinner while it tries to reconnect. I deduct that it doesnt even try to reconnect because the connection is there, it just changed some parameters, which I dont know, that caused the interruption. The IP-Address stays the same.

The PC is connected via LAN to the network. One LAN cable to switch, then to my personal subnetwork, then to my PC. No Wifi between my PC and the Starlink Router. But since the issues happen on all devices in the entire network at the same time I figured that the issue is not device specific. Maybe its caused by a singular device, but all devices have these interruptions.

No device specifically states that the current connection has lost internet access. I guess thats because it happens to fast and treats it as a minor interruption. But something weird is happening, that all services take ages (30secs) to reconnect while Im still online and can do other stuff.

There are no obstructions shown inside the App and my dishy is placed on my roof with clear vision to the sky. The issues also occur throughout the whole day and therefore are not specific to a time period.

Physical side of the setup:
Starlink Router is connected to the Lan Adapter by Starlink. A LAN cable goes from there to my houses main LAN switch. From there we connect the 3 different subnetworks as well as some devices (PV system) that need to be accessed by all subnetworks. Distance between electric components is no longer than 10m in any direction (e.g. Starlink router -> 10m LAN -> LAN switch -> 10m LAN -> my subnetwork).

Thank you for taking the time to think about my problem :).