SpaceX is quietly rolling out a free hardware upgrade for some of its earliest Starlink customers, replacing first-generation Starlink routers at no cost as the company prepares to end software support for the aging hardware. If you were an early adopter back in 2020, there’s a good chance Starlink wants to send you a brand-new Router Mini.
In emails sent to affected customers, Starlink says it has identified service lines still using the original “Gen 1” router—also known as the UTR-201—and warns that software updates for the device “will be discontinued in the near future.”
According to the company, the move is part of ongoing improvements focused on security, performance, and reliability across the Starlink network.
Rather than leaving customers with unsupported hardware, SpaceX is offering a free Starlink Router Mini, a newer dual-band router that supports Wi-Fi 6. The email frames the upgrade as a thank-you to longtime subscribers, noting that while the Gen 1 router will continue to function, Starlink can no longer guarantee performance once updates stop. (via PCMag)
Why Starlink Is Retiring the Gen 1 Router
The original Starlink router shipped with the company’s first consumer satellite internet kits in 2020 and is most commonly associated with the early round-dish terminals. That hardware was phased out roughly a year later when Starlink transitioned to the now-familiar flat dish and newer networking equipment.
Starlink says that continuing to support the Gen 1 router has become increasingly impractical as the network evolves. Without future updates, users may eventually see degraded performance, reduced compatibility with newer Starlink features, or increased exposure to security risks due to missing patches.
Importantly, Starlink stresses that customers are not required to switch immediately. However, the company strongly encourages the upgrade to ensure continued reliability and long-term security.
What Customers Are Getting Instead
The replacement Router Mini typically sells for US$40 and brings several meaningful improvements over the Gen 1 hardware. In addition to Wi-Fi 6 support, the Router Mini offers better overall wireless performance and compatibility with modern devices.
Starlink has also published support documentation explaining how to pair the Router Mini with older, first-generation dishes. According to the company, the swap is straightforward, and users should see improved Wi-Fi connectivity once the new router is installed.
For early adopters, it’s a rare and welcome perk—free new hardware, no strings attached, simply for being there from the beginning.
