Self Help

We'd rather you fix it yourself.
But we're here if you can't.

Most connectivity problems have a simple cause. Work through our honest troubleshooting steps first — they fix the issue more often than people expect.

And if they don't? Give us a call. Short diagnostic conversations cost nothing — we'd rather spend five minutes on the phone helping you than have you struggle alone.

Call 02 4879 9717 Send a message

Honest troubleshooting

Real steps that actually work — written by the engineers who fix these problems every day in the Southern Highlands.

Free phone advice

Short calls are taken without a fee. If we can talk you through a fix in five minutes, that's a win — for both of us.

No job too small

We work on small issues as readily as large installs. Many of our best client relationships started with a simple five-minute fix.

Common problems

Starlink Repair & Support · Southern Highlands

Is your Starlink
not working properly?

The most common call we get. Slow speeds, constant dropouts, or Starlink simply stopped working — almost every problem has a cause we can find and fix. We service Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Robertson, Bundanoon and all of the Southern Highlands.

Most Common

Starlink dropouts & disconnections

Usually caused by dish obstruction — trees, rooflines, or even a new structure. We use the Starlink obstruction data to find the cause and relocate or raise the dish to restore a clear sky view.

Speed Issues

Slow Starlink speeds

If your Starlink isn't in bypass mode, you're losing significant performance. We reconfigure your installation to run through a quality router in bypass mode — often doubling real-world speeds with no hardware cost.

Coverage

Starlink won't reach the whole property

Starlink delivers fast internet to one point — getting it everywhere else is a separate job. We extend coverage with enterprise UniFi access points and wireless bridges to reach every building, shed, and paddock.

Setup

Starlink setup & configuration

New Starlink kit arrived and you're not sure how to set it up properly? We handle the full installation — dish positioning, mounting, cabling, bypass mode, and integration with your existing network.

Serving all of the Southern Highlands

Bowral · Mittagong · Moss Vale · Robertson · Bundanoon · Berrima · Exeter · Sutton Forest · Penrose · Kangaloon · and all surrounding rural properties

Self-Help

Things to try
before you call us.

Work through these steps — they fix the problem more often than you'd think. And if they don't, we're genuinely happy to help with small issues as well as large installs.

WiFi keeps dropping out

Intermittent disconnections

  • 1Restart your router and modem — unplug both for 30 seconds, plug the modem in first, wait 60 seconds, then plug in the router.
  • 2Check if all devices drop out or just one. If it's just one device, the problem is with that device — forget the network and reconnect.
  • 3Check for interference — cordless phones, microwaves, and baby monitors can disrupt 2.4GHz WiFi. Try connecting to the 5GHz network if available.
  • 4Log into your router and check if firmware is up to date. Outdated firmware causes instability.
  • 5If you're on Starlink, check the Starlink app for obstruction alerts — even a tree branch moving in wind can cause dropouts.

Still dropping out after trying these? It's likely a signal, hardware, or configuration issue we can diagnose remotely.

Starlink speeds are disappointing

Not getting what you're paying for

  • 1Open the Starlink app and run an obstruction check. Even small obstructions cause significant speed loss — Starlink needs a clear view of the sky.
  • 2Check if your dish is in bypass mode or running through the Starlink router. The Starlink router limits performance — bypass mode with a quality router gives significantly better results.
  • 3Test speeds at the router with a wired connection. If wired speeds are fast but WiFi is slow, the problem is your router or WiFi setup, not Starlink.
  • 4Check the Starlink app for network congestion periods in your area — speeds vary by time of day.

A properly configured Starlink installation in bypass mode with a quality router makes a dramatic difference. We do this on every install.

Dead zones in my home

No signal in certain rooms

  • 1Identify where your router is. WiFi signal weakens through walls — especially brick, concrete, and foil insulation. Moving the router to a more central location often helps.
  • 2Try a WiFi analyser app (WiFi Analyzer on Android, Airport Utility on iOS) to see signal strength throughout your home.
  • 3A cheap WiFi extender from the hardware store might seem like an easy fix but typically creates a separate network with handoff problems. A proper access point is the right solution.
  • 4For older homes with thick walls, powerline adaptors can sometimes bridge the gap as a temporary measure.

Dead zones in large or heritage homes almost always need a proper access point design. We can map your property and quote a permanent fix.

Can't reach the shed or studio

WiFi won't extend to outbuildings

  • 1Check line of sight between the house and the outbuilding. Wireless bridges need a reasonably clear path — dense vegetation and hills in between will kill the signal.
  • 2Measure the approximate distance. Standard home WiFi extenders typically work up to 30-40m maximum. Beyond that, you need proper point-to-point equipment.
  • 3A powerline adaptor via a shared electrical circuit sometimes works for short distances but is unreliable and slow.
  • 4If there's a trench run already between buildings (for power or water), we can often run a cable through it cheaply.

Connecting outbuildings is one of our most common jobs — wireless bridge or cabled. We'll tell you which is right for your property.

Devices keep disconnecting

Reconnecting constantly

  • 1Check if the disconnecting device has a power saving setting that turns off WiFi when idle — common on Android phones and some laptops.
  • 2Try assigning the device a fixed IP address (static DHCP lease) in your router — some devices don't handle dynamic IP renewal well.
  • 3If you have a mesh system or multiple access points, devices sometimes bounce between them poorly. This is a roaming configuration issue.
  • 4Check your router's DHCP lease time — if it's set very short, devices have to renegotiate frequently which can cause brief drops.

Persistent disconnection issues often point to a configuration problem we can sort out quickly — sometimes remotely.

Slow speeds despite fast plan

Paying for speed you're not getting

  • 1Test your speed at speedtest.net from a device plugged directly into the router with an ethernet cable. This tells you if the problem is your internet connection or your WiFi.
  • 2If wired speeds are fast, the problem is WiFi. Check how many devices are connected and what they're doing — streaming, updates, and backups consume bandwidth silently.
  • 3Check the age of your router. Routers older than 5 years often can't process modern internet speeds, even if the connection is fast.
  • 4Check QoS (Quality of Service) settings in your router — some routers throttle speeds incorrectly out of the box.

If you've tried these and you're still not getting the speeds you're paying for, there's almost always a fixable cause. Let's find it.

Still need help? We're genuinely happy to assist.

We work on small issues as readily as large installs — and small jobs often reveal bigger opportunities worth knowing about.

Free Tool

Need a WiFi QR code for guests?

Create a scannable QR code for your network in seconds — perfect for Airbnbs, guest rooms and offices. No app, no typing passwords.

Create a QR code →

Security alert

Your robot vacuum might be the biggest security risk in your home.

Most people carefully lock their doors and carefully choose their passwords — then connect a $50 smart plug to the same network as their laptop, bank app, and business files. Here's what that actually means.

The devices people trust — but probably shouldn't

Smart home and IoT devices are designed to be affordable and easy to set up. Security is rarely the priority. Many ship with default passwords that never change, receive infrequent firmware updates, and send data to servers in countries with limited privacy protections.

Common culprits on your network right now:

Robot vacuum Solar inverter Smart TV Baby monitor Smart doorbell WiFi lightbulbs Cheap IP cameras Smart plugs Air conditioner Garage opener

What a compromised device can actually do

If one device is compromised…

…everything on the same network is potentially visible. An attacker who gets into your smart TV can scan your network, find your laptop, your NAS drive, your business files, and your other devices — all from your lounge room.

Solar inverters are a particular risk

Many solar inverters connect directly to the internet and are rarely updated. They've been used as entry points to home networks in documented attacks — and most owners have no idea.

The solution isn't to unplug everything

Proper network design solves this completely. By placing each category of device on its own isolated VLAN, we ensure your vacuum can still talk to the internet — it just can't see your laptop. Your solar inverter can still report to the cloud — but it can't reach your files.

With proper VLAN segmentation:

IoT devices, guest devices, and your personal devices each live on separate networks. A compromised smart plug can't reach anything else. Your sensitive devices stay protected, automatically.

Your laptops — protected Your phones — protected Your NAS / files — protected Your business data — protected

What we do on every installation

VLAN segmentation isn't an optional extra for us — it's part of every single installation we do. We typically set up:

  • ✓A primary network for your trusted devices
  • ✓A separate IoT network for smart home devices
  • ✓A guest network — isolated from everything
  • ✓Firewall rules between each network
  • ✓Remote monitoring so we see anomalies before you do