Use Speedify as Your Starlink Companion
A Starlink “Hardware Self Test” message means your Starlink dish has switched itself off to run a series of checks that make sure it works properly. It usually happens right after a software update. Your internet is off during the test, and it comes back on its own after a few minutes. If the test doesn’t finish, or the Starlink app shows an error code with it (for example code 15), contact Starlink support and give them the code.
Speedify is an app that uses your Starlink internet connection together with a second internet connection, like your phone’s 4G/5G cellular connection, so you stay online while your Starlink dish tests itself.
Speedify keeps you online while your Starlink dish sorts itself out
Starlink Internet Connection Dropouts Happen to Everyone
Speedify measures thousands of Starlink users in more than 150 countries. From 29 September to 12 October 2026, fixed Starlink dishes went offline for about 37 minutes a day on average, and Starlink dishes on RVs and boats for about 61 minutes a day.
Starlink also switches each dish to a new satellite every 15 seconds, and a switch can cause a short dropout. Even a perfectly installed Starlink dish goes offline, and about 7 in 10 Starlink users on Speedify use Starlink together with a second internet connection, like 4G/5G cellular.
Why Your Starlink Dish Runs a Hardware Self Test
When the Starlink app, or Speedify, tells you your Starlink dish is running a hardware self test, the Starlink dish has shut itself down to check that everything inside it works. This usually happens after a software update. In most cases there’s nothing you need to do: wait a few minutes for the test to finish, and your Starlink dish comes back online.
What to Do When Your Starlink Hardware Self Test Doesn’t Finish
- Check the Starlink app first. Look at your Starlink dish’s status on the home screen. If it shows a different problem, like an outage or an obstruction, go through the Starlink not working troubleshooting steps instead.
- Keep your Starlink dish plugged in and give it a few more minutes.
- Write down any error code the Starlink app shows with the self test. Starlink support will ask for it.
- Contact Starlink support if the self test keeps coming back or never finishes.
Why a Second Internet Connection Helps During a Starlink Self Test
While your Starlink dish runs its hardware self test, your Starlink internet connection is off. The test usually finishes on its own after a few minutes, but during a video call or a live stream, those few minutes are enough to cut you off. That’s why you need a second internet connection that takes over on its own.
Speedify uses your Starlink internet connection together with any other internet connection you have:
- 4G/5G cellular
- A DSL or cable line
- Public Wi-Fi in range
- A mobile hotspot
When your Starlink dish goes offline for a hardware self test, Speedify moves your internet traffic to your other internet connection right away, so you stay online without a break.
How to Stay Online During a Starlink Hardware Self Test, with Speedify
- Get the Speedify app on your devices. It runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS and even on OpenWrt routers.
- Connect your computer or phone to Starlink and to your second internet connection at the same time. On a phone, stay on your Starlink Wi-Fi and keep the phone’s cellular connection turned on. On a computer, use your Starlink Wi-Fi plus an Ethernet cable to your other internet line, or your phone plugged in with a USB cable to share its cellular connection.
- Turn Speedify on. It uses both internet connections at the same time on its own, with no settings to change.
- Stay online while your Starlink dish runs its self test.
You also get nearly the full speed of both internet connections combined, not only failover when Starlink drops.
Software updates and self tests don’t have to take you offline. Speedify needs that second internet connection: if both are down at once, you are offline either way.
Download Speedify now and stay online through every Starlink update.
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