Is Starlink's receiving antenna susceptible to lightning strikes during rainy weather? Why?

Alright, let's clarify whether Starlink dishes (colloquially known as 'dishes') are prone to lightning strikes during thunderstorms.

Conclusion Upfront: There's a risk, but it's comparable to other metal objects on your roof. The key is 'correct installation'.

You can think of it like the old TV antennas or solar water heaters installed on rooftops in many homes years ago. Any metal object installed high up outdoors has the potential to be 'targeted' by lightning during a thunderstorm. This isn't unique to Starlink itself; it's determined by its 'geographical location'.

Why is there a risk?

Lightning, simply put, occurs when clouds accumulate too much electrical charge and seek a path to discharge. It preferentially chooses objects on the ground that are close and conductive.

High Position: To receive unobstructed satellite signals, Starlink dishes are typically installed in open, high places like rooftops or yards. From lightning's perspective, this is a very 'prominent' target.
Metal Components: The antenna itself and its mounting bracket contain metal parts, which are good conductors of electricity.

Therefore, when a thundercloud passes over your home, your rooftop Starlink dish, metal chimney, and lightning rod (if present) are all potential 'candidate targets'.

(A simple illustration of lightning strike risk)

How to Mitigate the Risk? — Grounding is Key

Since the risk exists, how do we address it? The answer is proper grounding.

You can imagine lightning as a destructive flood with immense energy, desperately needing a path to rush into the ground.

No Grounding: If you don't provide a dedicated 'flood channel' (grounding wire), this 'flood' could surge into your home via the antenna's network cable, destroying your router, computer, TV... all devices connected to the electrical grid could be affected. This is called 'induced lightning' or 'lightning surge'; even if lightning doesn't directly strike the antenna, a discharge nearby can cause this damage.
Proper Grounding: Proper grounding is like building a wide, straight, exclusive highway directly to the earth for this 'flood' in advance. When lightning strikes, it will preferentially take this path of least resistance. It will be safely channeled underground via the grounding wire, protecting your antenna and home appliances.

Starlink's official installation guide also specifically emphasizes the importance of grounding, and they sell related grounding accessories.

Here are a few practical tips to summarize:

Don't DIY Blindly: If you have no electrical knowledge, absolutely do not attempt to install it yourself just to save trouble. Installing Starlink, especially the grounding part, is a technical job.
Find Professionals: The safest approach is to hire an experienced electrician or a professional installer. They know how to ground it according to local electrical safety codes, including how thick the grounding wire should be and how deep the grounding rod should be driven.
Don't Take Chances: Don't ignore grounding just because you think 'lightning rarely strikes in our area.' Lightning strikes are rare events, but if one occurs, it's a 100% loss for you and your family. Spending a little money on safety measures for long-term peace of mind is absolutely worth it.

In summary, the Starlink dish itself doesn't 'attract' lightning, but its installation location determines this risk. As long as you implement professional, compliant grounding protection, just like you would with other important appliances in your home, you can use it with peace of mind, without excessive worry about lightning strikes.