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Verified 13 September 2026

You paid StarTimes and the decoder is still off

By David Wachira · StarTimes Kenya hub · paybillke is an independent guide and is not affiliated with StarTimes Kenya.

Restart the decoder first. Switch it off, wait about 30 seconds, switch it on and let it boot fully. Most StarTimes activations that appear stuck are just a decoder that has not re-read its subscription. If it is still off, check the paybill was 585858 and the account was your smartcard number.

Work through it in this order

  1. Restart the decoder. Off, thirty seconds, on, and let it boot all the way. This clears most cases.
  2. Check the M-PESA SMS. The paybill should read 585858. If it reads something else, you paid the wrong biller.
  3. Check the smartcard number you used. A wrong one leaves the payment unallocated rather than bouncing back, so nothing happens and nothing is refunded automatically.
  4. Give it a few minutes. Activation is usually quick but can lag when volumes are high, typically month-end and evenings.
  5. Keep the transaction code. Without it nothing can be traced, whatever went wrong.

If the smartcard number was wrong

The money is sitting against somebody else’s smartcard. Contact StarTimes with your M-PESA transaction code, the number you meant to pay, and the number you actually paid. This is a manual correction on their side, and how fast it happens depends on whether the receiving account has already used the credit. Do not pay again until the first payment has been traced, or you will have two to chase.

Where to find your smartcard number

It is printed on the smartcard itself, and it usually also appears on the decoder’s information or system screen, and on any StarTimes message about your subscription. Digits only, with nothing in front of them.

About this page

paybillke is an independent payments directory. We are not StarTimes and we cannot see or change your account. The paybill here was checked on 13 September 2026. We deliberately publish no price table: confirm current package prices on startimes.co.ke or with a StarTimes agent, because prices differ between the antenna and dish services and change without notice.

Frequently asked

I paid StarTimes but it is still off.

Restart the decoder and let it boot fully. That resolves most cases. Then check the paybill was 585858 and the smartcard number was correct.

What is the StarTimes paybill?

585858, with your smartcard number as the account.

How long should activation take?

Usually quick. It can lag at busy times like month-end and evenings.

I used the wrong smartcard number.

Contact StarTimes with your M-PESA code, the correct number and the wrong one, and ask them to reallocate it. Do not pay again first.

Where is my smartcard number?

On the smartcard, on the decoder information screen, and on StarTimes messages about your subscription.