Learn how to assign throttle quadrant axes in MSFS 2020, choose generic or engine-specific bindings, reverse inputs and remove conflicts.
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, open Options > Controls Options, select your throttle quadrant, and bind each analogue lever to Throttle Axis or the matching engine-specific Throttle 1 Axis, Throttle 2 Axis, and so on. Remove conflicting throttle bindings, reverse any backwards axis, then test its full travel in Sensitivity and the cockpit.
Which throttle axis command should I use?
Use the generic throttle axis for one lever controlling every engine, or numbered axes when each engine has its own lever.
| Binding | Choose it when | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|
Throttle Axis (0 to 100%) | One physical lever should control all engines from idle to full power. | It does not provide a negative axis region for reverse thrust. |
Throttle Axis | Your hardware or aircraft expects the full axis range, possibly including a reverse region or aircraft-specific calibration. | Its centre and endpoints may need calibration. |
Throttle 1 Axis, Throttle 2 Axis and higher | A multi-engine aircraft has a separate lever for each engine. | Do not bind the generic axis to the same levers. |
Numbered (0 to 100%) axes | Each engine has an independent idle-to-full lever without an axis-based reverse range. | Reverse gates may need separate button commands. |
Command names can appear in a slightly different order after interface changes or localisation, but the key word is Axis. Avoid Increase Throttle, Decrease Throttle and percentage commands for an analogue lever; our explanation of analogue axes versus digital throttle commands covers when those button bindings are appropriate.
How do I bind each throttle lever?
Assign the levers one at a time, confirming that Microsoft Flight Simulator detects an axis rather than a button.
- Select the quadrant: open Options > Controls Options and choose the throttle device from the device row.
- Create a separate preset: duplicate the default device preset through Preset Manager if necessary. This preserves a known working profile and lets you keep aircraft-specific layouts.
- Show every command: set the filter to All, then search for
throttle axis. Leaving the filter on Assigned is a common reason the required commands appear to be missing. - Scan the first lever: choose the required axis command, start input scanning, and move only that lever through its forward range. Do not operate a reverse gate during scanning because the simulator may capture its button instead.
- Assign the remaining engines: use
Throttle 1 Axisfor engine one,Throttle 2 Axisfor engine two, and continue in the same pattern for three- or four-engine aircraft. - Check the response: open Sensitivity and move each lever from stop to stop. Enable Reverse Axis if the on-screen indicator moves in the wrong direction; begin with a linear sensitivity curve.
- Save and test: apply the preset, load an aircraft with engines running, and compare the physical lever positions with the cockpit controls at idle, mid-travel and full power.
If you also need to organise profiles for a joystick, quadrant and pedals, use our complete device-profile setup workflow.
Why do both levers control every engine?
Both levers usually control every engine because generic and engine-specific throttle axes are assigned at the same time.
Use Search by Input and move each lever to reveal everything bound to it. Clear the generic Throttle Axis assignment when using numbered engine axes, then check the joystick slider, gamepad and any second controller for duplicate throttle bindings. A noisy unused axis can make the cockpit throttle jump back after you move the quadrant.
Autothrottle, AI piloting assistance and some aircraft protection systems can also move or override the simulated thrust controls. Test a basic aircraft with those systems disengaged before changing the hardware profile again.
Why is the throttle backwards or unable to reach idle?
A backwards throttle needs Reverse Axis enabled; incomplete travel normally points to endpoint calibration, an unsuitable axis type or aircraft-specific detent settings.
Watch the Sensitivity input indicator first. If it fails to reach both ends, calibrate the hardware outside the simulator where the manufacturer provides that facility, then use a small extremity dead zone only if needed. Large central dead zones and aggressive sensitivity curves are rarely useful for throttle levers.
If the Controls Options indicator reaches both endpoints but the cockpit lever does not, check the aircraft's own calibration page or electronic flight bag. Complex airliners may define idle, climb, maximum continuous thrust and reverse detents themselves rather than relying solely on the global MSFS sensitivity settings.
When the device is missing, reports a button instead of an axis, or produces unstable values, follow our USB quadrant detection and calibration checks.
How should reverse thrust be assigned?
Use a separate reverse command when the quadrant's reverse gate is detected as a button; use an axis-based reverse region only when the hardware and aircraft both support it.
For a button-style gate, keep the main throttle on a 0–100% axis and assign the gate to an available hold, toggle or decrease-throttle command suited to the aircraft. If the quadrant exposes a genuine continuous reverse section, use the full-range axis and calibrate its idle and reverse detents in the aircraft where required.
Do not assume one reverse-thrust profile will suit every aeroplane. A twin jet, turboprop and four-engine add-on may need different presets because their engine-specific commands and detent logic differ.