"Your Game License cannot be authenticated" error message

CLICK OK

Click OK and continue. If you're connected to Xbox*, the sim will load normally.

*Xbox refers to Microsoft's gaming features on PC and console— your gaming account (Xbox profile) is required to be linked to a Microsoft account. 

XBOX LIVE OUTAGE

Intermittent connectivity issues with Xbox can cause this error. Restart the PC/Console and try again later.

To check Xbox Live Status, visit Xbox Status. 

RESTART ONLINE FUNCTIONALITY

1. Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator
2. Go to Options > General > Data
3. Toggle Online Functionality OFF
4. Click on Apply & Save
5. Toggle Online Functionality ON
6. Click on Apply & Save

CHECKLIST

Do not skip any step—These steps are necessary and will ensure that the issue is resolved quickly.

Restart your PC

As basic as this is, a simple restart can set many things right.

Sync your settings 

To sync your settings and purchases across all your devices, sign in with the account used to purchase the simulator or subscribe to Game Pass.

• Switch from a local account to a Microsoft account.

Sign in to the Xbox app & the Store with the same account 

When you open the Xbox app on your device, sign in using the Microsoft account used to purchase the simulator or subscribe to Game Pass.

• Sign in to Xbox

Sign in to both the Store and the Xbox app to ensure that your entitlements for the additional content can be validated. 

• How your PC gaming account relates to your Microsoft Store account

Run the Gaming Services Repair tool

You can use this tool from within the Xbox app or try the downloadable version. For detailed instructions on how to run this tool, visit: 

• Gaming Services Repair Tool for PC

Reset the Store

• On your keyboard, press the “Win Logo” + “R” keys
• Type: WSReset.exe and press “Enter”
• A black window will pop up. Wait until the pop up disappears and the Store comes up
• Reboot your computer

Update the Xbox & Gaming Services apps

1. Press the Start button on the taskbar, type store, and open the Microsoft Store app.
2. Select Library.
3. Under Updates & downloads, check for updates for the Xbox app or Gaming Services app. If an update is available, select Update.

Update Windows

1. Press the Start button on the taskbar, type settings, and select Settings.
2. On Windows 10, select Update & Security. On Windows 11, select Windows Update.
3. On the Windows Update page, select Check for updates to see if any updates are available for your device.
4. After the updates have downloaded, select Install now to start the installation.

5. Following installation, we recommend restarting your device so that the latest updates can take effect.

Synchronize your Time and Region settings.

1. Press the Start button on the taskbar, type settings, and select Settings.
2. Select Date & Time and toggle the “Set time automatically setting" and “Set time zone automatically” to ON.
3. Click on Synchronize your clock to synchronize your system's clock with an Internet time server.
4. Then click Region, and double-check that your country or region is correctly set up (for example if you live in Canada, make sure that the region didn't switch to USA or vice-versa)

DELETE YOUR SHORTCUT

Delete the shortcut in your taskbar or Windows desktop, and launch the simulator from the Xbox app for Windows PC instead.

CORRUPTED OR MISSING WINDOWS 10|11 UPDATE

If your issue is caused by a missing or corrupted Windows 10|11 update, you might need to reset your PC or remove an update.

To do so, simply follow the instructions detailed in this article: Recovery options in Windows

CORRUPTED WINDOWS 10 PROFILE

If refreshing the connection to Xbox Live didn't solve the issue, it means your Windows 10 user profile is corrupted.

Please follow the instructions from this article: Fix a corrupted user profile in Windows.  

After creating a new Windows 10 user profile, you will be able to reinstall the game with the same Microsoft Account/gamertag.

CONTACT MICROSOFT SUPPORT

The Microsoft Flight Simulator team can only provide basic support in line with the steps above. If you need in-depth assistance with the Microsoft Store app or Windows 10|11 we advise contacting Microsoft Support directly.