Early Starlink adopters are getting a small but welcome surprise from SpaceX. Customers who signed up during Starlink’s early rollout in 2020 are now being offered a free router upgrade, as the company prepares to wind down software support for its original hardware.
SpaceX has begun notifying users who still rely on the first-generation Starlink router (UTR-201), which shipped with the earliest round dish kits before the transition to flat-dish terminals and the Gen 2 router in 2021. According to the company, software updates for the Gen 1 router will be discontinued in the near future as part of broader efforts to improve network security, performance, and long-term reliability.
While the router won’t stop working outright, SpaceX warns that continuing to use it after support ends could come with drawbacks. These include the loss of security updates, increased exposure to vulnerabilities, and the possibility of reduced compatibility as the Starlink network evolves.
To ease that transition, SpaceX is offering affected customers a free Starlink Router Mini. The device normally sells for $40 and represents a meaningful upgrade over the original router. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6, and mesh networking, allowing users to expand coverage by adding additional units later—something the Gen 1 router doesn’t support.
A support page outlining the program was quietly published last month, with customer notifications reportedly starting in November. The page also walks users through the replacement process, including instructions for pairing the Router Mini with older first-generation Starlink dishes.
For long-time Starlink subscribers, the move ensures continued performance and security without added cost, while allowing SpaceX to gradually retire aging hardware without disrupting service.
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