Viasat Satellite Internet Not Working? Here’s What To Do.

If you’re not getting any signal or connection at all from your Viasat dish, then you should try the following solutions.

First and foremost, check your account to make sure that you’re not in “data restriction” mode. If you’ve already used up your data allowance for the month then your service might be restricted.

You can contact Viasat on its website or by phone (+1-855-810-1308) if you want to change your account options or add more data.

You can also use the contact info above to see if Viasat is experiencing network wide issues in your area. The problem may be on Viasat’s end and not your own.

We also recommend checking to make sure your last payment went through. If there was some kind of issue with your payment method, it's common your service would be suspended. You can call the customer service number above or sign in to your account to confirm your account is in good standing. 

Often a simple “hard reset” of your satellite internet system will kick your internet back into gear. Viasat recommends taking the following steps (in this order!) to reset your system.1

How to reset Viasat internet: 

1. Turn off your computer.
2. Turn off the router by unplugging it.
3. Turn off the modem by unplugging it.
4. Unplug any Ethernet cables going to the modem. Wait a moment, then plug them back in.
5. Plug your modem back in and wait until all LED lights are lit up solid.
6. Turn on your router.
7. Turn on your computer.

If this didn't work, you can also run a quick modem diagnostic test by signing into your MyViasat account. By running a modem diagnostic test you can see if your router and modem are working properly. 

For this one you’ll have to go outside. Check your dish to make sure that it is undamaged and intact. Weather events like hail storms and heavy snow can damage or displace your dish, leading to a loss of connection.

If your dish is damaged or obstructed, it’s best to contact Viasat before trying to fix it yourself. The company may be able to walk you through a solution or send a technician to help you repair the system.

If your connection is not totally down but just acting a bit erratic or sluggish, then try the following fixes. We've also got a full guide on how to speed up your satellite internet if you need more tips.

Before you try anything else, check your account to make sure that you’re not in “data restriction” mode. If you’ve already used up your data allowance for the month then Viasat may have slowed your connection.

If your account is out of data you can reach Viasat on its website or by phone (+1-855-810-1308) to add more.

If your dish is obstructed by tree branches, wires, or other objects, then your signal might suffer. Weather events, like rainstorms, snowstorms, and hail can also affect your satellite internet connection (even sunspots can sometimes cause outages!).

If you feel like your dish is in an incorrect position or is being obstructed, you should contact Viasat before trying to fix the problem yourself. Someone at the company may be able to walk you through a solution or send a technician to help.

A common cause of satellite internet slowdowns is an overstretched network. If your Wi-Fi router is in the basement, but you’re on the second floor, then your signal might be weak. Try rearranging the placement of your Wi-Fi router and your connected devices so that they’re closer together.

If moving your devices around your house doesn’t work, you may want to consider plugging your device directly into the router using an Ethernet cord. This bypasses the Wi-Fi router (so you’ll be less mobile) but may give you a stronger connection.

You can also try disconnecting some of your devices (cell phones, for example) from the Wi-Fi network. Having too many devices connected, even devices that aren’t streaming or browsing, can clog up your home internet bandwidth.

The problem with your shotty internet might be related to an app or program that you’re using. Maybe it’s Netflix that's acting up, or maybe you just need to try out a different streaming device.

You might not think that your browser can affect your internet speeds, but it definitely can. If you’re using an old version of an internet browser, or if you’ve got hundreds of tabs open (I plead guilty on that one), it could affect your connection.

Additionally, you can try clearing the cache on your internet browser. This may mean you have to re-enter passwords and other information on sites that you regularly visit, but it can free up memory on your device and increase your internet speeds.

Although we’ve gone over some of the most common issues people face with their Viasat satellite internet connection, your specific problem may be something else entirely.

If you’re working with old or incompatible equipment, you may need to upgrade. Viruses and malware can wreak havoc on your computer and cause it to slow down. If you think your issue may be originating in your device (rather than the network itself), try connecting with a different computer or phone.

We hope that our guide to fixing your Viasat internet has been helpful! Here’s a chart to recap common issues and their potential fixes.

Hopefully one of the tips here has helped you get back online. But if you’re still stuck in no-internet land, or just fed up with your sluggish speeds, then maybe it’s time to consider switching things up.

Obviously, some houses can only get internet through satellite, in which case you should probably stick with Viasat (or try Hughesnet). But it’s worth taking a look to see if you can get a more reliable wired connection from one of these companies or by entering your zip code into our tool for a quick list of all the internet that's available in your area. And if you're sure satellite internet is your only option, check out our comparison of Viasat and Hughesnet.

Feeling fed up with satellite internet altogether? If you're feeling ready to switch to a wired internet service provider (ISP), then check out these other companies that might be available in your area. If you're too far off the grid for a wired connection, you could always try using a mobile hotspot with an unlimited data cell phone plan.