Restoring the sim to its vanilla state is essential when investigating and troubleshooting a wide range of technical and compatibility issues. Always start by restoring the sim to its vanilla state and test if the issue persists or not.
1. MOVE (OR RENAME) THE COMMUNITY FOLDER
To eliminate the possibility that the issue is caused by mods, move or rename the community folder.
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1. Navigate to your Community Folder.
DEFAULT INSTALLATION PATHS
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 disc version:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages\Community
CUSTOM INSTALLATION PATH
If you have installed the packages on a different drive than C: you'll need to look inside your custom installation folder instead.
2. Copy-cut (CTRL + X) the Community Folder
3. 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
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.
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- 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
To debug conflicts, restore some essential 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
To test for compatibility and performance issues, uninstall your Marketplace purchases.
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IF YOU CAN LAUNCH THE SIM
- Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Go to Profile > Content Manager
- Select the content you want to uninstall
- Click Delete
IF YOU CAN'T LAUNCH THE SIM
- Go to your 'Official' folder
DEFAULT INSTALLATION PATHS
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
CUSTOM INSTALLATION PATH
If you have installed the packages on a different drive than C: you'll need to look inside your custom installation folder instead.
- Search for 3rd party packages (example: carenado-aircraft-wymf5, aerosoft-paderborn etc...)
- Delete the package folders
5. DELETE THE ROLLING CACHE
To eliminate the possibility that the issue is caused by data corruption or outdated data, delete the rolling cache.
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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 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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