Close-up of an Ethernet switch with network cables connected

How to Set Up eero With Starlink: Bypass Mode, Bridge Mode and Troubleshooting

Equipment & Accessories

Starlink and eero work well together, but only when one device is responsible for routing your home network. The cleanest setup for most eero owners is to connect eero as the main router and place the Starlink router in bypass mode. If you want to keep the Starlink router in charge, put the eero network into bridge mode instead.

The exact cable or adapter depends on your Starlink hardware. Check the ports on your kit before buying anything, and use the current Starlink third-party router instructions for the hardware-specific connection.

Choose one network owner

Use one of these layouts:

eero as the router: Starlink provides the internet connection, eero provides Wi-Fi, DHCP and NAT. This is the recommended layout if you want eero profiles, routing controls and the normal eero experience.
Starlink as the router: Starlink provides DHCP and NAT, while eero supplies Wi-Fi in bridge mode. This can be simpler if you already depend on Starlink router features, but some eero routing features and controls may be unavailable.

Do not leave both systems routing the same home network unless you have a specific reason and understand the consequences. Two layers of NAT can complicate gaming, inbound connections, VPNs, device discovery and troubleshooting.

Prepare before changing the network

Confirm that your eero gateway has a working Ethernet WAN port and that the other eero units are compatible with the network you plan to build.
Identify the Ethernet output on your Starlink kit. Some Starlink hardware has a built-in Ethernet connection; other hardware uses a separate adapter. Do not assume an adapter for one generation fits another.
Record your current Starlink Wi-Fi name and password, and note devices that may need to reconnect.
Update the Starlink and eero apps when practical, and keep the eero setup instructions available on a phone or another device.
Make the change when a short internet interruption will not affect a meeting, alarm, work session or other important activity.
Keep a known-good Ethernet cable and the original Starlink equipment nearby so you can reverse the change.

If your only goal is more wired ports, an Ethernet switch may be enough. If you only need better coverage, first try better router placement or a compatible mesh layout. Replacing the routing layer is a larger change.

Option A: Make eero the main router

This layout gives eero control of the local network.

Connect the hardware

Connect the Starlink Ethernet output to the WAN or internet port on the eero gateway. Use the required Starlink adapter if your kit needs one.
Power the Starlink equipment and the eero gateway. Leave the other eero units powered off until the gateway is online.
Open the eero app and start or edit the network setup. For the internet connection, use the normal automatic or DHCP option unless your service or router documentation specifically requires another setting.
Confirm that the eero gateway reports an internet connection before adding more nodes.

Enable Starlink bypass mode

When the eero gateway is ready to become the router:

Open the Starlink app while connected to the Starlink network or through the access method available for your hardware.
Open the router or network settings and locate Bypass Mode. Menu names can vary by Starlink hardware and software version.
Read the warning carefully and enable bypass mode only after checking that the eero gateway is connected to the correct Starlink Ethernet output.
Connect your phone and computers to the eero Wi-Fi, not the old Starlink Wi-Fi. In bypass mode, the Starlink router's normal Wi-Fi and routing functions may no longer be available.

Do not factory-reset the Starlink router as a first response to a setup problem. If you need to leave bypass mode, use the current reset or recovery instructions for your exact Starlink model. A reset can erase configuration.

Add the eero units

After the eero gateway has internet access:

Add the remaining eero units through the eero app.
Place each unit where it can still receive a strong connection from the gateway or from the wired backhaul.
If you use Ethernet backhaul, connect the nodes according to the current eero guidance and avoid creating a physical network loop.
Give the network time to settle before judging performance. Test the gateway first, then each node.

Option B: Keep Starlink routing and bridge eero

This layout leaves Starlink in charge of DHCP and NAT. It can be useful when you want to keep the Starlink router's normal routing or when bypass mode is not suitable for your hardware.

Connect the eero gateway's WAN port to a LAN or Ethernet output on the Starlink router.
Set up the eero network in the eero app.
In the eero network settings, find the DHCP and NAT section and choose Bridge mode. The wording can change between app versions.
Apply the change and wait for the eero network to restart.
Connect clients to eero Wi-Fi and confirm that the Starlink router still provides the local network addresses.

Bridge mode means the eero system is providing Wi-Fi and mesh coordination, but Starlink remains the router. Because eero is no longer doing the routing, features that depend on eero DHCP, NAT, firewall or traffic management may be unavailable or work differently. Check the current eero documentation for the exact feature list on your model and subscription.

Do not enable Starlink bypass mode while you are intentionally using eero in bridge mode. That would remove the Starlink routing layer that this layout depends on.

Test the finished setup

Run these checks in order:

In the eero app, confirm that the gateway and every node are online.
Open a website from a device connected to the eero gateway.
Test a device connected to a distant eero node.
Test a wired device if you use Ethernet.
Confirm that printers, smart-home devices and local file shares are still discoverable.
Run a normal video call or streaming session.
Open the Starlink app and confirm that you can still view the connection status and statistics through the access method supported by your layout.
Check that only the intended router is handing out local IP addresses.

A speed test near the eero gateway and a second test near a mesh node can help separate a Starlink service issue from a Wi-Fi placement issue. Do not judge the satellite connection from a single wireless test.

Troubleshoot common problems

eero says it is offline

Check the cable path, the Starlink Ethernet adapter if your kit uses one, and the eero WAN port. Reboot the Starlink equipment and eero once, then wait for both to finish starting. If Option A is in use, verify that bypass mode is enabled only after the eero gateway has been configured. If Option B is in use, verify that eero is still in bridge mode and Starlink is still routing.

Devices connect but cannot reach each other

Check whether the device is on a guest network. Guest networks commonly isolate clients. Also check that eero is not in bridge mode when you expected it to provide DHCP, and that you have not connected cables in a loop between Starlink, eero and a switch.

Gaming or VPN still reports a NAT problem

Bypass mode can remove a local second-router problem, but it does not change Starlink's upstream addressing or guarantee inbound connections. A provider-side CGNAT condition can remain. See the Starlink CGNAT and port-forwarding guide before opening ports or weakening firewall settings.

The Starlink app cannot reach the router

First connect the phone to the network that should provide local access. Then check that the phone is not on a guest network, that client isolation is not enabled, and that the eero network is not blocking local discovery. If the Starlink router is in bypass mode, some local management paths can change. Follow the current Starlink instructions for your hardware before attempting a factory reset.

Coverage is still weak

A new routing layout does not fix poor node placement, thick walls, interference or a dish obstruction. Move the gateway or node, test again, and use wired backhaul where it is practical. The guide on where to place a Starlink router for better Wi-Fi covers the placement fundamentals.

Quick decision checklist

Choose eero as the router when you want eero to manage DHCP, NAT, profiles and the main network controls. Connect Starlink to the eero WAN port and use Starlink bypass mode where supported.

Choose Starlink as the router when you want to keep Starlink routing or cannot use bypass mode. Connect eero behind Starlink and set eero to bridge mode.

In both layouts, test one change at a time, keep a recovery route, and use the instructions for your exact Starlink and eero models. Starlink Tips is independent of Starlink and eero; menu names, supported features and hardware requirements can change.

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