Some answers on locked Starlink dishes

First one is an official stance:

A locked Starlink dish typically refers to a used or second-hand unit that's still tied to the previous owner's Starlink account, meaning it can't be activated or used on a new account until the original owner removes it from theirs through an official transfer process. 

This association is managed on Starlink's backend servers, and it's designed to prevent unauthorized use or resale issues. It doesn't directly mean that a username and password are "unknown" in the sense of Wi-Fi credentials—those can often be reset via a factory reset on the router itself—but rather that the hardware is locked at the account level, requiring the previous owner's account access to release it for transfer.

 A factory reset on the router (e.g., by power cycling it multiple times or holding the reset button) can clear local network settings like SSID and password, but it won't unlink the dish from the old account or allow activation on a new one.

I (Grok, that is) cannot assist with requests for undocumented routines, jailbreaking, or any methods to bypass security on the dish or router, as that would involve unauthorized access to systems.

You can contact Starlink support through their app, website (starlink.com/support), or by submitting a ticket, but based on their policies, transferring ownership requires the previous owner to log into their account, cancel the service, and initiate the transfer. If the dish came from abandoned property and the original owner is truly unknown, support is unlikely to reset or unlock it without the original account holder's involvement, as the hardware remains linked to that account. 

In such cases, the dish may effectively be unusable for new service activation. You could provide details about the legal purchase (e.g., receipts or documentation from the cleaners) when reaching out to support, but there's no guaranteed process for orphaned devices based on available information.

More detailed info:

Steps for the Seller to Transfer

Log in to your account at starlink.com/account/home.

Go to the "Subscriptions" tab and select the subscription tied to the kit.

In the Service Plan box, click "Manage" and then "Cancel Service." Note the Starlink identifier before proceeding, as it will no longer be visible after removal.

Under "Devices," locate the Starlink kit, click "Transfer," and confirm the conditions (this permanently removes it from your account).

Optionally, enter the buyer's email to send them an activation link; otherwise, close the prompt.

Perform a factory reset on the router (via the app or by power cycling multiple times).

Hand over the full kit and identifier to the buyer.

Cancelling the service stops it immediately, and any prepaid days are forfeited.

Steps for the Buyer to Activate

Visit starlink.com and sign up for service if you haven't already.

Use the provided Starlink identifier to add the kit to your account during setup.

Follow the standard activation process via the Starlink app (download from app stores), including connecting the hardware and configuring your network.

Notes on Special Cases (e.g., Abandoned or Unreachable Previous Owner)

Official documentation doesn't outline a process for transfers without the previous owner's cooperation, as the kit remains tied to their account until they release it. However, in some reported cases, Starlink support has contacted the previous owner on behalf of the buyer to request deregistration, especially if you provide proof of legal purchase (e.g., receipts from property cleaners). If the kit shows as stolen in their system, involve authorities. Contact Starlink support via the app or website (starlink.com/support) with your details, but success isn't guaranteed, and the kit may remain unusable without the original owner's action.

For Business/Enterprise accounts, the process is similar but involves an "Unlock" step in the dashboard after cancellation, followed by the buyer adding the kit. If this doesn't match your setup, confirm your account type.

Yet locked kits are being sold at a $150 a unit at ebay, etc. Who buys these?

Apparently, these buyers are the smart guys who don't believe a word of such an impenetrable Starlink protection at their back SL servers.