Having trouble connecting your wireless printer to Starlink Wi-Fi? Some printers, including certain Brother models, can have difficulty connecting to a Wi-Fi network when the router uses settings or frequency bands that the printer does not support.
Many printers only support the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band, while some Starlink router configurations use a combined 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network. If your printer cannot connect, try the troubleshooting steps below.
Before you start: Check your printer’s manual to confirm which Wi-Fi bands it supports, and make sure you have your Starlink Wi-Fi password handy.
Connect a Wi-Fi extender or booster to Starlink
If your Wi-Fi extender asks you to press a WPS button on your router, the usual WPS pairing method will not work with a standard Starlink router.
Instead, try the following:
- Check the extender’s instructions for an alternative setup method.
- If available, use the manufacturer’s mobile app or web-based setup process.
- Select your Starlink Wi-Fi network when prompted.
- Enter your Starlink Wi-Fi password.
- Follow the remaining instructions and test the connection.
Some extenders offer different setup methods, so follow the instructions for your particular model.
If your extender supports WPS only, you may need a different compatible extender or an additional router that supports WPS.
3. What if my smart device cannot see the Starlink Wi-Fi network?
Some older smart devices, printers and other wireless equipment work only with the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band. They may have difficulty connecting if their wireless requirements are not compatible with your current network settings.
Starlink provides Wi-Fi configuration options through its app, including the ability to create separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names.
If a device cannot find your network:
- Make sure your phone is connected to the Starlink Wi-Fi Network (In this example it is called STARLINK3) …. if not the switch to it.
2. Open the Starlink app on your phone
3. Go to Settings and click on Router
4. Click on the arrow next to your Starlink Wi-Fi SSID (STARLINK3 in this example)
5. Click the button called “Split 2.4 / 5 GHz networks”
You will then be requested to create a name for the new 2.4 GHz Network name. In this example we will call it “Starlink 2.4”. Keep same password or provide another for this network. Scroll Down and hit the “Save” button. It will take approx 45 seconds to apply the changes and save the new Wi-Fi network name
6. Look at the available Wi-Fi networks on your phone, you will now see the original Starlink network name and the new 2.4 GHz channel called “Starlink 2.4”
The available settings depend on your router and software version. You do not need to separate the bands if all your devices are connecting successfully.
If your printer still cannot connect, restart the printer and try again. You may also need to check your printer manufacturer’s instructions for connecting to a new Wi-Fi network.
Going back to your printer or device, it should now see one or both of the new networks as many printers and devices will only connect to the 2.4GHz network.
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