When investigating and fixing technical and compatibility issues, it is crucial to restore the sim to its original default "vanilla" state. Please go through each step of this checklist before contacting our support team.
MOVE THE COMMUNITY FOLDERTo eliminate the possibility that mods cause the issue. |
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UNINSTALL FREEWARE, PAYWARE, AND PERIPHERALSTo rule out the possibility of any plug-in, add-on, add-in, or peripherals is causing the issue. |
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DELETE THE CONTENT.XML FILE & .DAT FILESTo debug conflicts and restore essential files. |
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UNINSTALL PAID AND FREE CONTENT FROM THE MARKETPLACETo test for compatibility and performance issues. |
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DELETE THE ROLLING CACHETo address the possibility of data corruption or outdated data causing the issue. |
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MOVE THE COMMUNITY FOLDER
- Navigate to your Community Folder. Depending on your platform, you'll find this folder at the following default location*:
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Microsoft Store|Game Pass version:
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community
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Steam version:
- AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\Community
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Retail disc version:
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages\Community
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Microsoft Store|Game Pass version:
- Copy-cut (CTRL + X) the Community Folder
- Paste (CTRL + V) the Community Folder on your desktop or a drive of your choice
*If you have installed the packages on a drive other than C: you'll need to look inside your custom installation folder instead.
(If there is no free space on other drives, renaming the folder to "Test_Community" is an alternative.)
2. UNINSTALL FREEWARE, PAYWARE, AND PERIPHERALS
- Start by undoing any modification made to your config files by yourself or by a plug-in you use.
- Then Disable or uninstall add-ins such as FSUIPC.
- Next, remove plug-ins and software additions that allow for 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, etc...)
- 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 and undo any modification made to your host file by your plug-ins
- Use the windows search bar and search for Notepad. Right-click and select Run as Administrator.
- In Notepad, go to File > Open and then navigate to Windows (C:), Windows, System32, drivers, etc
and open the host file. - Get rid of lines such as
127.0.0.1 kh.ssl.ak.tiles.virtualearth.net
127.0.0.1 khstorelive.azureedge.net - Save and exit
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
How to delete the content.xml file.
- Close Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Depending on your platform, navigate to:
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Microsoft Store
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache
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Steam
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator
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Retail disc
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages
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Microsoft Store
- Delete the file 'Content.xml'
- Relaunch Microsoft Flight Simulator
How to delete the .dat files.
- Close Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Depending on your platform, navigate to:
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Microsoft Store
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\SceneryIndexes
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Steam
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\SceneryIndexes
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Retail disc
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages\SceneryIndexes
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Microsoft Store
- Delete every ".dat files"
4. UNINSTALL PAID AND FREE CONTENT FROM THE MARKETPLACE
If you can launch the simulator:
- Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Go to Profile > Content Manager
- Select the content you want to uninstall
- Click Delete
If you can't launch the simulator:
- Go to your 'Official' folder that is installed by default at the following location*:
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Microsoft Store/Game Pass version
- C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Official\OneStore
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Steam version
- C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\Official\Steam
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Retail disc version
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages\Official
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Microsoft Store/Game Pass version
- Search for 3rd party packages (example: carenado-aircraft-wymf5, aerosoft-paderborn etc...)
- Delete the package folders
*If you have installed the packages on a different drive than C: you'll need to look inside your custom installation folder instead.
5. DELETE THE ROLLING CACHE
If you can launch the simulator:
- 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 simulator:
- Depending on your platform, navigate to
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Microsoft Store/Game Pass version
- C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache
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Steam version
- C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator
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Retail disc version:
- C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages
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Microsoft Store/Game Pass version
- Delete the ROLLINGCACHE.CCC file that is located by default here:
6. TRY AGAIN
Once you have performed every step above and 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 your mods and plug-ins one by one to
- Plug your peripherals and launch the sim.
- If the sim starts normally with the peripherals, close the sim then reinstall your Community folder.
- If the sim starts normally with the peripherals + community folder, reinstall your plug-ins and add-ons.
- If the sim starts normally with the peripherals + community folder + plug-ins|add-ons, redownload your marketplace content via the content manager.
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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