How to get past the "Checking for Updates" screen

PROFILE & ENTITLEMENTS

To rule out a problem caused by profiles/entitlements, follow the steps in the guide on how to fix loading issues after clicking "Play." 

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)

MODS & ADD-ONS

Restore the simulator to its default "vanilla" state before attempting the additional solutions listed on this page.

If you are still stuck on the loading screen or the sim crashes before loading fully after exhausting the basic steps listed above, you must restore the sim to its vanilla state (i.e. undo any modification made to your config files by yourself or by a plug-in you use, remove plug-ins and software additions that allow for the customization or add new functions to Microsoft Flight Simulator, uninstall Navigraph and use NavData Nav Center to remove the Navigraph database etc...)

You'll find step-by-step instructions in our guide "How to restore the sim to its vanilla state."

 

XBOX LIVE OUTAGE

Intermittent connectivity issues with Xbox Live can cause this issue. Check for alerts and wait until the service is up and running before trying again.

• Xbox Live Status

DELETE OLD & OUTDATED PACKAGES

If the problem is neither with the profile nor caused by an Xbox Live outage and returning the simulator to its default "vanilla" state did not fix the loading problem, try deleting "older" official packages that may be remnants of a previous installation.

• Go to the 'Official' folder located by default* here:
  • Store/Xbox app/Game Pass version:
    • C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Official\OneStore
  • Steam version
    • C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\Official\Steam
  • Retail disc version
    • C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages\Official
• Sort out your folders by "Date modified."
• Delete every folder older than the last update/today's update.

*If you have installed the packages on a different drive, look inside your custom folder (for example D:\MSFS)

ADDITIONAL TROUBLESHOOTING

If the problem persists after doing all of the above, try the additional steps listed here: All versions - Sim freezes or crashes before loading fully