All versions - Stuck on "Checking for Updates"

Make sure to go through the "Loading issues - Checklist" before moving on to the solutions listed on this page.

LICENSE ISSUE

To play Microsoft Flight Simulator you need a valid Microsoft Account and a valid license to take advantage of most of the services that Xbox provides – purchasing content, connecting with friends, using online functionality, authenticating your content, using cloud saves, and more. 

Your license is linked to the email address and gamertag used to purchase Microsoft Flight Simulator. Enable Family Sharing to share your games & apps with family members on your device.

Windows 10|11

Each Microsoft Flight Simulator user needs to download the app on their own windows profile and log in to their own Microsoft account/gamertag. You'll find more information about app & games sharing here: Sharing Windows 10 Store Apps with your Family

Steam

Discover how to authorize shared computers and users here: Steam Family Sharing

 

MISSING UPDATES

This issue may be caused by missing essential application updates (such as Gaming Services or Xbox) 

1. Open the Microsoft Store app on your computer. 
2. In the bottom left corner of the Microsoft Store, click on the library icon
3. In the top left corner, click Get Updates then Update all and wait for the updates to install.
4. Once the updates are installed, click on your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
5. Under your email address, click on Sign out.

For more information, visit  Get updates for apps and games in Microsoft Store

REMOVE THE ACCOUNT

• Close Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Select the Start button > Settings > Email & Accounts,
• Under Accounts used by other apps, find the Microsoft account you used to sign in to the sim
• Select Remove.
• Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator and sign in with the Microsoft account you just removed.

INSTALL THE XBOX APP

If you have purchased Microsoft Flight Simulator via the Microsoft Store or you redeemed the code on your Microsoft account, install the Xbox App. (If you have the Steam version, skip this step)

• 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 email address used to purchase the sim/redeem the code.

Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator from the Xbox app instead of the tray or the Microsoft store.

 

XBOX LIVE OUTAGE

Intermittent connectivity issues with Xbox Live can cause this issue. To check Xbox Live Status, click here.

If you see any alerts, wait until the service is up and running and then try again.

 

REINSTALL GAMING SERVICES

If there is no Xbox Live outage and you're still stuck on the "Checking for updates" screen despite launching the app from the Xbox app, reinstall Gaming Services.

If the problem persists after that, delete the Gaming Services registry keys and reinstall the Gaming Services app via Powershell.

• In the Windows search bar, type Windows PowerShell
• In the menu, select "Run as administrator"
• In the Administrator: Windows PowerShell screen, type the following command and press Enter:

get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage -allusers

• In the same window, type the following command and press Enter:

start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN

• Click Install** to install Gaming Services (select Yes if you receive the User Account Control (UAC) prompt)
• Restart your device.

**The install button is expected to disappear once you have successfully updated to the correct version.