Connecting Your Deco Mesh to a Starlink Gateway

Note: Before Getting Started, Please Identify Which Version of the Starlink Gateway You Are Using.

Starlink Gen 1: Round Dish, Ethernet Adapter Included

If you have a Gen 1 Starlink System, the included adapter will allow you to connect your TP-Link Deco Mesh Directly to the Starlink System without additional accessories or configuration.

Starlink Gen 2: Rectangular Dish (Ethernet Adapter Sold Separately from Starlink)

• Please be aware that no Ethernet ports are available on the Starlink Gen 2 Gateway, and a Starlink Ethernet Adapter must be purchased separately. The Starlink Ethernet Adapter is a small, rectangular device that plugs into the Deco’s WAN port.

Connecting Your Deco Mesh to Starlink (Router Mode)

First, Enable Bypass Mode on Your Starlink Gateway

It is recommended that you first enable Bypass Mode on your Starlink Gateway. The toggle for Bypass Mode can be found in your Starlink App under:

Settings > Network > Advanced > Bypass Mode

 

1. Open the Starlink app on your mobile device.
2. Tap Settings
3. Tap on the Advanced Button to reveal more settings.
4. Scroll Down and Toggle the "Bypass Starlink Wi-Fi Router" to the 'ON' Position

 

Your Starlink Gateway will now be in Bypass (Bridge) Mode. Bypass Mode will turn off the Starlink Gateway's built-in Wi-Fi network and routing capabilities, allowing your Deco Mesh to provide the wireless network for your home and manage your devices' connections.

 

After Enabling Bypass Mode, Use the Following Steps to Configure Your Deco Mesh Network.

1. Connect the Starlink Ethernet Adapter to the Starlink Gen 2 Gateway.
2. Connect the Deco mesh router to the Starlink Ethernet Adapter using an Ethernet cable.
3. Power on the Deco mesh router and wait for it to finish booting.
4. Open the Deco App on your phone and follow the on-screen instructions to complete your Deco’s Initial setup.

Once the Deco Mesh router is set up, you can use your Deco Mesh for your Home Wi-Fi. If your Deco came with more than one node, powering them on within two minutes will automatically allow the nodes to join your Deco network. Otherwise, you can use the ‘Add Deco’ option in the Deco app to add your satellite nodes.

 

 

Why can't I Access the Settings for my Starlink Gateway While in Router Mode?

After connecting to your Archer’s Wi-Fi, you may find that you cannot manage the settings of the Starlink connection without first configuring a static route for your Starlink Gateway.

Follow the steps below to configure a static route for your network to access the Starlink management interface:

Please See this FAQ on Creating a Static Route to Access the Starlink Management Interface

 

 

Connecting Your Deco Mesh to Starlink (Access Point/AP Mode)

Here are the steps to connect a Deco mesh to a Starlink Gen 2 Gateway while the Deco is in AP mode:

1. Connect the Starlink Ethernet Adapter to the Starlink Gen 2 Gateway.
2. Connect the Deco Mesh Main Node to the Starlink Ethernet Adapter* using an Ethernet cable.
3. Make sure that Bypass Mode on the Starlink System is DISABLED.
4. Change the operation mode of your Deco to Wireless Access Point Mode. See the following FAQs:

How to Change the Operating Mode of Deco  |  The Difference Between AP and Router Modes

5. Follow the on-screen instructions in the Deco App to complete the setup.

 

Once you have completed these steps, your Deco mesh will be connected to your Starlink Gen 2 Gateway. You can then configure your Decos normally. To take full advantage of your Deco’s Seamless Roaming, it is recommended to choose a different SSID for your Deco’s Wi-Fi.

 

 

Related Articles:

Getting Started with TP-Link and Starlink

Extending Your Existing Starlink Wi-Fi with a Range Extender

Discussion: May 22nd, 2023, Your Experience with Starlink and TP-Link

Knowledge Base: Configuring Your Network for Starlink: Archer Router | Deco Mesh

Knowledge Base: Creating a Static Route for Starlink: Archer Router | Deco Mesh

Knowledge Base: Starlink Frequently Asked Questions