Restoring the sim to its vanilla state is essential when troubleshooting a wide range of issues. Before contacting support, restore the sim to its vanilla state and test if the issue persists or not.
1. MOVE OR RENAME THE COMMUNITY FOLDER
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To eliminate the possibility that the issue is caused by mods, move or rename the community folder.
- Navigate to your Community Folder. By default, you'll find this folder at the following locations:
Microsoft Store/Game Pass version:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community
Steam version:
AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\Community
Retail boxed version:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages\Community
NOTE: If you have installed the packages on a different drive than C: you'll need to look inside your custom installation folder instead.
- Copy-cut (CTRL + X) the Community Folder
- Paste (CTRL + V) the Community Folder on your desktop or a drive of your choice
Alternatively, if you do not have free space on your other drives, simply rename the folder to "Test_Community"
2. UNINSTALL FREEWARE, PAYWARE, AND PERIPHERALS
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To eliminate the possibility that the issue is caused by a plug-in, add-on, add-in, or peripherals, uninstall freeware and payware plugged into the base sim as well as the peripherals you use to play Microsoft Flight Simulator.
For example:
- Undo any modification made to your config files by yourself or by a plug-in you use.
- Disable or uninstall add-ins such as FSUIPC.
- Remove plug-ins and software additions that allow for the customization or add new functions to Microsoft Flight Simulator. (Examples: OnAir, Liveries Manager, FSEconomy, Self Loading Cargo, ATC Renamer, Splashtop, Pilot Path Recorder, Weather Force, ModManagerX)
- Uninstall Navigraph and use NavData Center to remove the Navigraph database)
- Unplug non-essential peripherals. Keep a keyboard, a mouse, and a single monitor.
- Restore Bing Map.
For detailed instructions follow your add-on creator's FAQ/documentation or visit the manufacturer's support site.
3. DELETE THE CONTENT.XML FILE & .DAT FILES
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1. To ensure no modification made by an add-on remains, delete your content.xml file.
- Locate the Content.xml file. Depending on your platform, this file is located by default here:
Microsoft Store/Game Pass version
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache
Steam version
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator
Retail boxed version
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages
- Delete the Content.xml file
2. To flush outdated data, navigate to the SceneryIndexes folder and delete the .dat files.
- Depending on your platform, the SceneryIndexes folder is located here:
Microsoft Store/Game Pass version
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\SceneryIndexes
Steam version
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\SceneryIndexes
Retail boxed version
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages\SceneryIndexes
- Delete every file in this folder.
4. UNINSTALL PAID AND FREE CONTENT FROM THE MARKETPLACE
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To eliminate the possibility that the issue is caused by a 3rd party content, it's best to uninstall all your free and paid marketplace purchases.
IF YOU CAN LAUNCH THE SIM
- Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Go to the Content Manager and uninstall any free or paid content that isn't developed by Asobo Studio or Microsoft (example: Garmin G1000, EDLP Paderbornn-Lippstadt, UK2000 Common Library airport etc...)
IF YOU CAN'T LAUNCH THE SIM
- Go to the 'Official' folder located by default here:
Microsoft Store/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
*If you have installed the packages on a different drive look inside your custom folder (for example D:\MSFS)
- Search for 3rd party packages (example: carenado-aircraft-wymf5, aerosoft-paderborn, workingtitle-g1000nxi)
- Delete the package folders
5. DELETE THE ROLLING CACHE
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To eliminate the possibility that the issue is caused by data corruption or outdated data, delete the rolling cache.
IF YOU CAN LAUNCH THE SIM
- Go to Options > General
- Go to Data
- Scroll to the bottom and go to Delete Rolling Cache File. Toggle Delete
- Confirm your choice by selecting Apply & Save
IF YOU CAN'T LAUNCH THE SIM
- Delete the ROLLINGCACHE.CCC file that is located by default here:
Microsoft Store/Game Pass version
C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache
Steam version
C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator
Retail disc version:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages
6. TRY AGAIN
Once the sim is restored to its vanilla mode, try again.
We recommend launching a flight or two. You must try to reproduce the conditions in which you experienced the issue before.
OUTCOME #1. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS IN VANILLA STATE
If the issue persists in vanilla mode, visit our knowledge base, search the Bugs & Issues forum and visit the knowledge base to find solutions to common issues.
- If the issue has been reported in the forums already, simply add your vote. This allows the team to track how many unique users are impacted.
- If the issue hasn't been reported yet create your own topic by following this template. This is important to know how many pilots are experiencing the same issue.
- Contact the support team. They will gather more information about the issue. We recommend adding attaching screenshots and videos.
OUTCOME #2. THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS IN VANILLA STATE
If the sim is stable in vanilla mode, reinstall all your mods and plug-ins.
- Find the community folder renamed or moved earlier
- Rename the folder or Copy-cut (CTRL + X) the Community Folder
- Navigate to the Packages folder
- Replace (CTRL + V) the empty Community Folder with your Community folder
- Reinstall your plug-ins.
- Redownload your marketplace content via the content manager.
OUTCOME #3. THE PROBLEM REAPPEARS AFTER REINSTALLING THE MODS AND PLUG-INS
If the sim starts crashing or behaving abnormally after reinstalling the mods and plug-ins, you'll need to investigate which third-party element is not compatible anymore with the base sim.
Repeat steps 1 to 3 then reinstall your mods and plug-ins one by one.
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