Short answer: The obstruction map in the Starlink app is built from your dish’s real satellite connections, not a camera image. It shows where the dish connected successfully and where something blocked it, and a thick clear band is normal: it’s the zone Starlink avoids to protect geostationary satellites. Let a new install map for up to a day, then move or raise the dish if blocked areas line up with a tree, roofline or chimney.
Last checked October 15, 2026.
What you see and what to do
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| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mostly clear, a few scattered blocked marks | Brief blocks such as branches or wires | Often nothing; Starlink switches satellites around small obstructions |
| Blocked marks clustered in one direction | A tree, roof edge or structure | Check that direction in person; raise or move the dish |
| Large unfilled areas on a new install | Not mapped yet | Wait; Starlink says the map can take up to 12 hours |
| A thick clear band | The geostationary exclusion zone | Normal; Starlink never uses that part of the sky |
| “Obstructed” alert with frequent interruptions | Obstructions have hurt performance recently | Relocate or clear the obstruction; also check the dish for snow, leaves or a fall |
Sources: Starlink: How should I interpret the obstruction map?; Starlink: How do I check for obstructions before installing?; Starlink: How to fix obstructions
How the map is made
Once your dish is online, it records actual blockages in its view of the sky as it talks to satellites, and the app turns that into a map. It’s separate from the pre-install camera scan. To view it, tap Obstructions on the app’s main menu.
Reading the map
The map is a dome-shaped view of the sky your dish can see. Filled areas show where connections succeeded, and marked areas show where something got in the way. The thick clear band is the geostationary exclusion zone: Starlink doesn’t send or receive there, to avoid interfering with geostationary satellites above the equator. Starlink says it will always appear unfilled, even with no real obstruction.
How long to wait
Starlink gives two time frames: one article says the map “can take up to 12 hours to complete”, and another says Starlink “can detect most obstructions in less than a day.” The map keeps updating after that. Once you’ve picked a spot, give the map time to fill in before judging it. Starlink notes that “Obstructed” alerts can be more common shortly after the map is cleared, while the dish relearns its surroundings. Starlink’s Help Center doesn’t publish step-by-step instructions for clearing the map, so follow the prompts in your app.
Fixing real obstructions
- Relocate: use Check for Obstructions in the app to find a clear spot, then unplug and reboot after moving the dish.
- Clear it: remove the obstruction, such as a branch. Starlink says that if you can’t do it safely, don’t proceed and get professional help.
- Go higher: raise the dish with a Starlink mount or third-party poles or towers. See our mounts guide.
Planning a new spot? The pre-install scan steps are in our installation planning guide. Starlink calls the tool Check for Obstructions; on the app home page, the button reads Find an install location.
Field of view by model
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| Dish | Field of view (Starlink spec sheet) |
|---|---|
| Standard 4 X | 110° (spec sheet) |
| Mini | 110° (spec sheet) |
| Older Standard (actuated) | 100° (spec sheet) |
Starlink says the pre-install scan uses the correct field of view for the hardware you select.
Seasonal changes
Starlink lists new leaves (especially in spring), debris such as dead leaves or soil on the dish, and blizzard snow buildup as common causes of new obstruction alerts. The dish melts ordinary snow on its own; see our snow melt guide.
When it isn’t obstructions
If the map looks clear but service still drops, check for outages and cable or router faults: see is Starlink down?, performance troubleshooting, the cable guide and troubleshooting hub. Gamers sensitive to brief dropouts should also read Starlink for gaming.
FAQ
How do I check for obstructions in the Starlink app?
Before installing, tap Find an install location, select your hardware and scan from the exact planned spot and height. After installing, tap Obstructions to see the map.
Do trees obstruct Starlink?
Yes. Branches and leaves are common obstructions, and new spring growth can trigger alerts on a setup that used to be clear.
How can I tell if Starlink will work at my house?
Run the app scan before you order, and check availability at starlink.com/map. Our availability map is country-level only.
Will performance improve as the map fills in?
Starlink says yes: as the map gets more accurate, the dish routes around obstacles better.
My site can’t be cleared. What now?
Starlink’s 30-day return covers field-of-view problems; see how to cancel Starlink.
Choosing hardware? See the Standard 4 X and Mini guides, and Starlink V3 satellites for what’s coming to the network.