Renting Starlink for a power outage, storm, or wildfire season

When the power goes out, your home internet often goes with it. A rented Starlink kit can be a backup connection, as long as you can keep it powered. This guide covers how much power it needs, batteries and generators, setup in rough weather, and what to ask before you book. We're a directory. We don't rent, ship, or set up kits, and we don't take bookings.

Will Starlink work when the power is out?

Only if the kit has power. The dish, router, and power supply all run on electricity, so a backup connection needs a backup power source. Ready.gov notes that a power outage can disrupt communications, and Starlink says its satellite network can keep you online when traditional infrastructure is damaged or unavailable.

Starlink says surges, brownouts, and reboots can knock the kit offline for 10 minutes or more, and first-time setup can take up to 20 minutes to connect. So set it up before the storm, not during it.

How much power does a rented kit need?

Starlink lists these figures, which include the dish, WiFi router, power supply, and cables:

• Mini: 20–40 watts on average, about 15 watts at idle.
• Standard 4 X: 75–100 watts on average, about 20 watts at idle.

Starlink says use varies with temperature, location, and how hard the kit is working. To size a battery, multiply watts by hours. At the top of each range, a full day comes to about 960 watt-hours for Mini or 2,400 watt-hours for Standard 4 X. Our Starlink power draw guide walks through the math and runtime for other lengths.

Can you run it from a battery or power station?

Yes, with the right connection for each kit:

• Mini: Starlink lists a power input rating of 12–48 volts DC, 60 watts. A USB-C power source needs at least 100 watts (20 volts, 5 amps), with Starlink's USB-C to barrel jack cable. Mini won't run on USB-C sources rated 65 watts or lower.
• Standard 4 X: the power supply plugs into a standard AC outlet, like one on a power station. In select markets, Starlink also sells a DC-DC power supply that runs Standard straight from a battery pack without an inverter.

Starlink says it only guarantees Mini's performance with the included power supply and cable. It also recommends powering the kit and any router from an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), to avoid surges, brownouts, and reboots.

Ready.gov suggests taking stock of what in your home runs on electricity, and planning for batteries or other power sources, like a portable charger or power bank.

What should you know before using a generator?

A generator can power the kit for longer, but Ready.gov and FEMA are clear about the risks: carbon monoxide poisoning, fire, and electric shock. Here's what they say:

• Use generators and fuel outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and attached garages.
• Never run one indoors or in a partly enclosed space, like a garage or crawl space, even with some ventilation. Fans won't stop carbon monoxide from building up.
• Install working carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home. The U.S. Fire Administration adds one outside each sleeping area.
• Keep the generator dry and out of rain or floodwater.
• Connect appliances with heavy-duty extension cords. Don't hook a generator into your home's wiring. FEMA says to have a qualified electrician install a transfer switch, or ask your utility.
• Turn it off and let it cool before you refuel.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Carbon monoxide has no color or smell. FEMA says you won't know it's there, so the alarm matters.

Can the dish ride out a storm?

Starlink says its kits handle snow, sleet, hail, heavy rain, and extreme heat, and its latest kits endure winds of 160 km/h (99 mph) or more. It also says Starlink isn't designed to handle hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes. Heavy rain or wind can slow the connection, or rarely cause an outage.

• Don't cover the dish. Starlink says a cover hurts performance and its ability to melt snow.
• Lightning: during a lightning storm, Starlink suggests unplugging the kit from the wall outlet and disconnecting the Starlink cable.
• When power returns: Ready.gov says it can come back with surges or spikes, and suggests disconnecting electronics during the outage. Starlink's UPS advice helps here too.

For more on weather and trees, read how a rented Starlink handles rain, snow, and trees.

How do you set it up at home?

1. Download the Starlink app while you still have a connection.
2. Go to the spot where you want the dish.
3. In the app, choose Check for Obstructions, then hold your phone at the height and angle of the dish and follow the guided scan.
4. Try a few spots and keep the clearest one.
5. Plug in the dish and power, then tap Start Setup in the app, or join the STARLINK network in your WiFi settings.
6. If the app shows an alignment alert, tap it and rotate the dish.

Both kits come with a 15-meter (49.2-foot) cable, so the dish can sit in the open while the power supply stays inside. Standard's WiFi router stays inside too, since Starlink designs it for indoor use. For a full checklist, see how to set up a rented Starlink.

Which kit fits a home backup?

Starlink says Mini covers up to 1,200 square feet and suits basic internet use, with lower power draw. Standard 4 X covers up to 3,200 square feet and suits streaming, video calls, and gaming. On battery power, Mini's lower draw means a longer runtime from the same battery. Compare them in Mini vs Standard.

What changes in wildfire or hurricane season?

Ready.gov's wildfire and hurricane pages say to:

• Keep your phone charged and have backup charging devices.
• Have several ways to get alerts. Wireless Emergency Alerts need no sign-up.
• Text or use social media to reach family, since phone lines are often busy after a disaster.
• Evacuate right away if officials tell you to.

Starlink says Mini is compact enough to fit in a backpack. If you might leave home, ask the rental company what to do with the kit.

What should you ask the rental company?

• Which kit is it, Mini or Standard, and which power supply comes with it?
• Does it include a DC cable, a USB-C cable, or a DC power supply for a battery?
• Which Starlink plan is on it, and how much data? Starlink says Roam 100GB and 300GB drop to low speed after the allowance.
• How early can it arrive, and how long can you keep it?
• What happens if a storm damages the kit?
• How does the return work if roads are closed?

For the full list, see what to confirm before you book. To budget, read how much it costs to rent Starlink, then compare companies in the rental directory.

Need backup for a work site or a second home instead? See Starlink rental for jobsite backup or Starlink rental for a cabin or vacation home.

Sources: Starlink's help articles How much power does my Starlink need?, What are the supported power sources on Starlink Mini?, What USB power rating do I need to power my Starlink Mini?, Does Starlink offer DC-input power supply options?, How do I install Starlink for best performance?, How to check for obstructions, I live in an area with snow, heavy rain, wind, lightning, or extreme temperatures, How is Starlink Reliable & Resilient?, What are the differences between Starlink Mini and Standard 4 X?, What are the Roam service plans?, and its Roam page; Ready.gov Power Outages, Wildfires, and Hurricanes; FEMA Use Generators Safely at Home; and the U.S. Fire Administration Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention. All read Oct 21, 2026. These pages can change, and rental kits vary, so confirm the details with the rental company. For your safety, follow local officials and your generator's manual.

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