Short answer: Standby Mode is how you pause Starlink now. You keep unlimited low-speed data at up to 500 Kbps for emergency messaging and getting back online, and Starlink charges what it calls “a small monthly fee” instead of your plan price. Starlink’s public pages don’t state the amount, so check the current fee in your Starlink account before you switch.
Last checked October 15, 2026.
Standby vs full service vs cancelling
Swipe or scroll sideways to see the full table. With a keyboard, focus the table area and use the arrow keys.
| Full plan | Standby Mode | Cancel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Your plan price | “A small monthly fee” (check your account) | Nothing after the paid-for date |
| Data | Your plan’s allowance | Unlimited at up to 500 Kbps down and up; no high-speed or overage data | None |
| Getting full speed back | n/a | Resume any time; the plan fee is charged right away, prorated | Reactivation depends on availability and capacity in your area |
| Residential spot held? | Yes | No; you can resume on any plan available in your area | No |
| Rented kit | Keep it | Standby isn’t offered on some rentals | Must go back within 30 days |
Sources: Starlink: How does pausing service work?; Starlink: How do I cancel service?; Starlink: How do I return my Starlink kit?
What 500 Kbps is good for
Starlink pitches Standby for emergency messaging and “easy reactivation in dead zones”: you can finish two-factor sign-in by email without cell coverage, use the Starlink app and account portal, and switch back to a high-speed plan. In general terms, that speed suits text messages, light email and small app check-ins. It isn’t meant for video streaming, large downloads or video calls, and Starlink says it isn’t intended for constant, maritime or high-bandwidth use.
Who can use it
- Plans: all Roam, Residential and Priority plans, excluding promotional offers and “select kit rentals”. Starlink doesn’t list which rentals are excluded; if your plan can’t pause, the option won’t appear in the app.
- Hardware: not available for V5.
- Use: not intended for in-motion use.
- Business and Enterprise accounts (except Aviation) can still pause without Standby.
How to pause
- Log in to your account on starlink.com.
- Select Subscriptions, then the service line.
- Select Manage.
- Choose Pause Current Service.
- Click Confirm.
How to resume
- Log in on starlink.com and open Subscriptions, then the service line.
- Select Manage, then Resume Service.
- Pick a plan and click Confirm.
Billing timing
- If you pause before the end of your billing period, you keep full service until that period ends.
- Resuming charges the plan fee immediately, prorated. Restarting before your next billing cycle means you pay your usual monthly fee.
- Billing runs on UTC: changes must be in before 12:00 AM UTC on your billing day. In US Eastern time, that’s 8 PM EDT (7 PM EST) the evening before.
- Data blocks bought before pausing don’t carry over when you resume.
Demand surcharges and capacity
Switching to Standby doesn’t add a demand surcharge. Switching back to a standard Residential plan may show a warning, and in a high-demand area a demand surcharge order is created immediately. Standby also doesn’t reserve your Residential spot: if your area is full when you resume, you may not get your old Residential plan back, though you can resume at once on any plan available there.
Is it worth it?
Compare the Standby fee shown in your account with your plan price and how long you’ll be away. Standby keeps the dish online, updated and easy to switch back on, but it doesn’t guarantee a Residential spot, so cancelling and pausing carry a similar capacity risk for Residential users. Cancelling costs nothing after your paid-for date, but a rented kit must be returned. See how to cancel Starlink for the full picture.
Seasonal uses
- Second homes and winter cabins: the dish stays reachable for app checks. If it sits through snow, read the snow melt guide.
- RVs in the off-season: Roam lists “Pause Anytime with Standby Mode” as a plan feature (Starlink service plans).
- Backup line: a low-speed fallback for messages; see Starlink backup power.
The dish keeps receiving software updates while it’s plugged in and can connect, whether service is active, in Standby or cancelled.
What happened to free pausing
In August 2025 Starlink replaced its old pause, which gave zero data at no cost, with Standby Mode. The free option is no longer available in the US.
FAQ
How long can I stay in Standby Mode?
Starlink doesn’t state a maximum, but if you stay in Standby for more than 12 consecutive months it may, at its discretion, require a fee or a plan upgrade, or limit you to accessing your Starlink account.
How much does Standby Mode cost?
Starlink calls it “a small monthly fee” and doesn’t publish the amount on its public pages. Confirm the current fee in your Starlink account.
Is Standby Mode free?
No. In the US, the free pause ended in August 2025.
How do I put Starlink in Standby Mode?
On starlink.com: Subscriptions → service line → Manage → Pause Current Service → Confirm.
What’s the point of Standby Mode?
It keeps the dish online for messages, app access and quick reactivation for less than a full plan.
What’s the downside?
Speed is capped at 500 Kbps, there’s a monthly fee, and your Residential spot isn’t held.
More: Starlink’s 2026 price changes, free Mini with Residential, is Starlink down?, kit comparison, and the Mini and Standard 4 X buying guides.