SpaceX Attributes Starlink's longest service interruption to Network modernization efforts
In an unprecedented event, Starlink, the satellite-based internet service provider, experienced its longest outage on record on July 24, 2025. The outage, which lasted approximately 2.5 hours, caused a significant disruption for millions of users worldwide.
The root cause of the outage was a failure of key internal software services that operate the core Starlink network, specifically tied to a software update (network upgrade) of Starlink's ground computing clusters. This update overloaded the system, leading to a disruption in core network functions.
The outage affected users across the globe, including regions such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and parts of Southern Italy. About 65% of users reported a total service blackout, leading to a sudden and widespread loss of internet connectivity without advance warning.
The effects on users globally were far-reaching. Internet access was lost for the duration of the outage, causing frustration and inability to use services dependent on Starlink internet. Public reports of attempts to troubleshoot included equipment resets by affected customers. There was a temporary disruption in communications, particularly impacting users in remote or rural areas who rely heavily on Starlink as their primary internet service.
In the aftermath of the outage, some users continued to experience connectivity issues for a short period after the main outage was resolved. SpaceX and Starlink leadership, including Vice President of Starlink Engineering Michael Nicolls and CEO Elon Musk, publicly apologized for the disruption and committed to conducting a root cause analysis to prevent recurrence, emphasizing their dedication to maintaining high network reliability.
Rumours of a performance-enhancing upgrade associated with the outage have circulated, but no specific information has been provided to confirm this. For users still experiencing connectivity issues, Starlink's support page now recommends power cycling and rebooting all Starlink and third-party equipment.
This outage serves as a reminder of the critical role Starlink plays in providing internet access to remote and rural areas, as well as war-affected regions like Ukraine. Despite this setback, Starlink remains a vital service for millions of customers globally, currently serving over 6 million customers, including over 2 million in the U.S. and 500,000 in Canada.
[1] PCMag Report, July 24, 2025 [2] SpaceX Statement, July 24, 2025 [3] Industry Source Report, July 24, 2025 [4] SpaceX Executive Interview, July 25, 2025 [5] User Reports on Reddit, July 24-25, 2025
- The outage was a result of a software update (network upgrade) overloading the Starlink system, showcasing the critical role technology and space-and-astronomy advancements, such as Starlink's ground computing clusters, play in enabling science-based applications like satellite-based internet services.
- In a bid to improve network reliability and prevent recurrence, leaders at SpaceX and Starlink have vowed to conduct a root cause analysis, leveraging the latest advancements in technology to ensureboth their satellite-based internet services and space-and-astronomy operations continue to thrive.
