It’s frustrating when your game won’t load, especially after anticipating a smooth flight. If Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is stuck on the loading screen or refuses to load at all, There are several steps you can take to solve the problem. Here’s a guide to help you troubleshoot and get back in the cockpit.
Table of Contents
- Solution 1: Check System Requirements
- Solution 2: Restart PC and Steam
- Solution 3: Run the Game as Administrator
- Solution 4: Run in Windows 8 Compatibility Mode
- Solution 5: Disable Full-Screen Optimization
- Solution 6: Allow Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Through the Firewall
- Solution 7: Update Your Graphics Drivers
- Solution 8: Verify the Integrity of Game Files
- Solution 9: Modify Launch Options
- Solution 10: Check Graphics Settings
- Solution 11: Close Unnecessary Background Tasks
- Solution 12: Update Windows
- Solution 13: Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
- Solution 14: Change Virtual Memory Settings
- Solution 15: Disable In-Game Overlays
- Solution 16: Disable Your Antivirus Program
- Solution 17: Run the Game with Your Dedicated Graphics Card
- Solution 18: Reinstall the Game
Solution 1: Check System Requirements
Make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements to run Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. If your system doesn’t meet the specs, you might run into issues that prevent the game from launching. It’s worth checking against the official list just to be sure.
Solution 2: Restart PC and Steam
Sometimes the simplest solution works wonders. Restart your PC and Steam to clear out any glitches or background processes that could be interfering with the game. It’s a quick fix that might solve the problem.
Solution 3: Run the Game as Administrator
Running the game with administrator privileges can help bypass any permission issues that might be blocking the launch.
- Open the game’s folder, right-click on the EXE file, select Properties.
- Under the Compatibility tab, check the box that says “Run this program as administrator.”
Solution 4: Run in Windows 8 Compatibility Mode
Compatibility mode can help if your system isn’t fully compatible with newer versions of Windows. Set the game to run as if it’s on Windows 8:
- Right-click on the game in Steam > Properties > Local Files > Browse Local Files.
- Right-click on the EXE file, go to Properties, and under the Compatibility tab, check “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and select Windows 8.
Solution 5: Disable Full-Screen Optimization
Full-screen optimization can sometimes cause problems with games. Disable this feature:
- Right-click on the EXE file > Properties > Compatibility.
- Check the box for “Disable Full-Screen Optimizations” and click OK.
Solution 6: Allow Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Through the Firewall
If the game can’t communicate properly with the network because your firewall is blocking it, you’ll need to allow it through:
- Go to Start > Windows Defender Firewall > “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.”
- Add the game’s EXE to the allowed list for both Private and Public networks.
Solution 7: Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated drivers can mess with game performance. Make sure you have the latest graphics drivers installed:
Go to your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA or AMD) and download the latest drivers.
Solution 8: Verify the Integrity of Game Files
Corrupt or missing files can prevent the game from loading properly. Steam can check and fix this:
- Right-click on the game in your Steam Library > Properties > Local Files.
- Click “Verify Integrity of Game Files” and let Steam fix any issues.
Solution 9: Modify Launch Options
Try forcing the game to run on a specific version of DirectX.
- In Steam, right-click the game > Properties > General > Launch Options.
- Add -dx11 or -dx12 depending on your preference.
Solution 10: Check Graphics Settings
If your graphics settings are too high, the game might struggle to load. Consider lowering the settings or adjusting the resolution to see if that helps.
Solution 11: Close Unnecessary Background Tasks
Open the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and close any unnecessary background processes that might be hogging resources.
Solution 12: Update Windows
Make sure your system is up to date. Sometimes, Windows updates include important fixes for compatibility issues:
Press Win + I > Update & Security > Check for updates.
Solution 13: Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
Missing or outdated Visual C++ Redistributables can cause errors. Install the latest version from Microsoft’s website.
Solution 14: Change Virtual Memory Settings
Insufficient virtual memory can cause issues. Increase the virtual memory allocation:
Search for “Advanced System Settings” > Settings under Performance > Advanced > Virtual Memory > Set custom size.
Solution 15: Disable In-Game Overlays
Overlays from Steam, Discord, or GeForce Experience can cause conflicts:
- For Steam, go to Settings > In-Game and toggle off the Steam Overlay.
- For Discord, go to User Settings > Game Overlay and disable it.
- For GeForce Experience, open the app and disable the In-Game Overlay.
Solution 16: Disable Your Antivirus Program
Antivirus software can sometimes block game files from running properly. Temporarily disable it and see if the game launches.
Solution 17: Run the Game with Your Dedicated Graphics Card
If your PC has multiple GPUs, make sure the game is using your dedicated graphics card for better performance:
Open Graphics Settings, browse for the EXE file, and choose “High Performance.”
Solution 18: Reinstall the Game
If nothing else works, a fresh install can fix persistent problems. Uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to start fresh.
Getting stuck on the loading screen can be a real hassle, but these steps should help you solve the problem quickly. If one solution doesn’t work, try the next. Soon enough, you’ll be back in the cockpit, soaring through the skies once more!
