Microsoft Flight Simulator FAQ

Search for answers to your questions by entering keywords below, or look through our knowledge base.

  1. Microsoft Flight Simulator Support
  2. Microsoft Flight Simulator
  3. Troubleshooting & Support - Windows 10 PC

How to troubleshoot loading issues

Follow

On occasion, you may experience freezes or crashes before the main loading screen. Below you will find a guide that will help you get back in the skies in no time.

NOTE: If you are experiencing loading issues such as long loading times or sim stuck on the loading bar/loading screen, visit our dedicated article: Loading issues (stuck on loading, long loading times)

 

I. BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING

 

MODS & ADD-ONS

Please be aware that some packages in your community folder may not have been updated and, as a result, may have an unexpected impact on the title’s performance and behavior. 

  • Move ALL add-ons (including liveries) from the Community Folder to another folder (on the desktop for instance) before relaunching Microsoft Flight Simulator. If the sim loads quickly/without crashing, reinstall only the mods you're going to use to avoid slowing down the loading process. 

If the game starts crashing again after reinstalling a specific mod, please contact the developer of your add-on.

 

XBOX APP & XBOX SERVICES

If you're launching Microsoft Flight Simulator from the Microsoft Store,

  • Download & Install the Xbox app from this page: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass/pc-games
  • Reboot your computer
  • Sign in to the Xbox app with the Microsoft account & Gamertag used to purchase the sim
  • Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator from the Xbox app instead of the tray or the Microsoft store.

If the problem persists:

Make sure the Xbox Services are running automatically.

  • In the Windows search bar, type "Services"
  • Select "Services"
  • Scroll down to the bottom. Double-click on each entry for Xbox and make sure none of those services are disabled or set to manual. Set everything to "Automatic".

 

II. INVESTIGATE

If the issue persists after following the steps above, you will need to investigate the cause of the crash. To do so, you need to start your PC in Safe Mode with Networking.

This step will help identify if the issues lie with the hardware or software: if the sim doesn't start or crash in safe mode, it is likely a problem with the hardware (for instance: corrupted drivers or overclocking) but if the sim runs normally in safe mode, it's likely a problem with a program (antivirus/firewalls, conflicts).

Please refer to this article from the Microsoft help-center for detailed instructions:  

Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10

 

Once you have found the cause of the problem, proceed with the relevant troubleshooting. 

 

III. EXAMPLES OF COMMON TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS

 

1. IF YOU FOUND OUT THAT THE CRASH IS CAUSED BY A SOFTWARE

 

WHITELIST MSFS IN WINDOWS DEFENDER

Stop Windows Security from blocking Microsoft Flight Simulator by adding the launcher to the exclusions list. 

 

  • Go to Start  > Settings  > Update & Security  > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
  • Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings, and then under Exclusions, select Add or remove exclusions.
    The Exclusions page of Windows Security Virus & Threat Protection.
  • Select Add an exclusion, and then select Microsoft Flight Simulator. A folder exclusion will apply to all subfolders within the folder as well.
 
 
FALSE FLAGS & CONFLICTS CAUSED BY THIRD-PARTY PROGRAMS

 

1. Anti-virus and anti-malware programs

If your antivirus or anti-malware falsely flagged Microsoft Flight Simulator, remove the file from quarantine then whitelist Microsoft Flight Simulator. To do so follow the instructions from your manufacturer. 

Sample of Virus & malware checkers that have been known to prevent games and apps from launching:

  • Malwarebytes
  • Trend Micro Maximum Security
  • Comodo Antivirus
  • Sophos
  • Emisoft Anti-Malware
  • Avira
  • Avast & Avast Cleanup

 

2. Third-party software

Sample of 3rd party software that may prevent games and apps from running:

  • Nahimic Audio
  • Logitech G Hub
  • MSI Afterburner / Riva Tuner Statistics Server
  • EVGA Precision
  • OBS
  • Xsplit
  • Discord
  • MacType
  • Warsaw Banking App
  • Wallpaper Engine
  • A-Volute Sound studio
  • Malwarebytes
  • Sonic Audio

 Please make sure you either disable or uninstall to ensure successful gameplay.

 

POWER MONITORING SOFTWARE & POWER SETTINGS

Sample of power monitoring software that may cause issues at start-up:

  • MSI DragonCenter
  • RyzenMaster
  • Gamefast from Dells Killer Control Center
  • Any software installed that may be adjusting or monitoring power settings

Then, make sure that your Power settings are correct

  • Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options
  • Change to High Performance
  • Perform a Full Shutdown (not restart).

 

2. IF YOU FOUND OUT THAT THE CRASH IS CAUSED BY THE HARDWARE

 

UPDATE THE DRIVERS OF YOUR GPU

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause crashes at start-up. We recommend that when trying this step that you completely remove your old drivers before updating to the latest versions. To remove your old drivers and then update to the latest:

  1. Press the Windows Key
  2. Type Add or Remove Program
  3. Scroll down the list and find your graphics driver
  4. Click the driver once and select uninstall. Confirm this by clicking Uninstall again.
  5. Once complete reboot Windows
  6. Download the latest drivers from here:
  7. Install to the latest driver and then reboot your PC again

 

UPDATE OR REINSTALL DEVICE DRIVERS

Driver updates for Windows 10, along with many devices, such as network adapters, monitors, peripherals, and video cards, should automatically be downloaded and installed through Windows Update but they can become corrupted or you can miss an update.

but if you'd like to manually update or reinstall a driver follow the instructions in that article: Update drivers in Windows 10.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND SYSTEM UPDATES

To see how your PC stacks up against both the minimum and recommended requirements for Microsoft Flight Simulator, including your CPU, video card, RAM, Windows version, and free disk space run a system detection tool such as Can You Run IT.

Please ensure that your Windows 10 version is 1909 or higher and that your system is fully updated.

  • Windows 10 updates:
    • Select Start , then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates.
    • For more information/troubleshooting, see: Update Windows 10
  • Microsoft Store updates, including Gaming Services and Xbox app:
    • In the top right-hand side corner of the Microsoft Store, click on the Arrow icon or the three-dot menu > Downloads and updates. Then click "Get updates" > Update all

Note: You can turn on automatic updates in the Microsoft Store to make sure you won't miss future updates.

  • Select the Start screen, then select Microsoft Store
  • In Microsoft Store at the upper right, select the account menu (the three dots) and then select Settings.
  • Under App updates, set Update apps automatically to On.

 

VISUAL C++ REDISTRIBUTABLE PACKAGES FOR VISUAL STUDIO 2015,2017 AND 2019 

Reinstal Visual C++

  • Press the Windows Key + R, type "appwiz.cpl" and then press Enter.
  • Locate the Microsoft Visual C++ programs on the list.
  • Select each entry and then click Uninstall.
  • Download a fresh copy of Microsoft Visual C++ from this page and then install it.

 

Was this article helpful?
7 out of 115 found this helpful

Comments