Fix ATIS not working in Microsoft Flight Simulator: check airport service, COM frequency, avionics, audio panel, range and ATC voice settings.
ATIS usually seems not to work in Microsoft Flight Simulator because the airport has no ATIS service, the frequency is still in standby, the wrong COM receiver is selected, or the radio and audio panel lack power. Confirm the airport’s information service, activate the in-sim frequency, select that COM for receive and listen nearby.
How do I get ATIS working in MSFS?
The quickest fix is to check the airport, frequency and aircraft radio in that order.
- Confirm that the airport provides ATIS. Inspect the airport frequencies shown by the simulator. Look for ATIS, Arrival ATIS, Departure ATIS, AWOS or ASOS; a list containing only tower, ground and CTAF does not include an information broadcast.
- Use the simulator’s frequency. Select it from the airport information page, the EFB where available, or the communications panel’s automatic tuning option. A saved real-world chart may disagree with the navigation data or installed scenery. Our explanation of the in-sim ATC communications and radio workflow covers the associated tuning controls.
- Move the frequency from standby to active. Entering ATIS in the standby window is not enough. Use the transfer control, verify the displayed active frequency and leave it tuned long enough for the repeating message to restart.
- Power the complete radio installation. A battery indication does not prove that the COM radio has power. Check the avionics master, generators or alternators and any electrical bus or circuit breaker used by that aircraft, especially after a cold-and-dark start.
- Monitor the correct receiver. If ATIS is tuned on COM2, select COM2 for reception on the audio panel. Check the radio volume as well as the simulator’s ATC or voice volume.
- Disable automatic frequency changes temporarily. AI radio assistance or co-pilot frequency management can retune COM1 while the ATIS loop is playing. The setting’s name and location vary between simulator versions.
- Test near the airport in a default aircraft. ATIS is a local transmission. If it works in a default aircraft at a large default airport, the original aircraft, airport package or frequency data is the likely cause.
The menus differ between Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, but these radio, power and audio checks apply to both.
| Symptom | Most likely cause | Next check |
|---|---|---|
| No ATIS frequency is listed | No simulated service or missing airport data | Look for AWOS or ASOS and compare with the default airport |
| ATIS is silent in one aircraft | Radio power, audio selection or custom avionics | Repeat the flight in a default aircraft |
| One airport is silent in every aircraft | Range, scenery or navigation-data conflict | Test nearby and disable that airport’s add-on packages |
| ATIS text appears without speech | Voice output or text-to-speech problem | Check the speech mode, volume and output device |
| All ATC and ATIS are silent | Simulator-wide ATC voice fault | Test offline speech where available and check connectivity |
Why does an airport show no ATIS frequency?
An airport can be fully usable without an ATIS service in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Smaller or uncontrolled fields may provide automated weather or CTAF instead, while some controlled airports have separate arrival and departure broadcasts.
ATIS includes operational information such as runways and an information identifier; AWOS and ASOS primarily report weather. Our comparison of ATIS, AWOS and ASOS services explains which frequency to expect at each type of airport.
If the real airport has ATIS but the simulator does not list it, suspect a difference in navigation data or scenery. Disable custom airport and navigation-data packages, then inspect the stock airport again. When the default data also omits the service, changing cockpit settings cannot create the missing broadcast.
Why can I see ATIS text but hear no voice?
Visible ATIS text with no speech normally means the broadcast was generated but its voice output is disabled, muted or unavailable.
- Raise the simulator’s ATC or voice volume and make sure communications are being sent to the intended speakers or headset.
- Check that the speech or text-to-speech mode is not set to off. An online voice option requires connectivity; an offline option, where offered, depends on locally installed speech components.
- Try another default aircraft. Custom audio panels and avionics can control receiver monitoring independently of the simulator’s main sound settings.
If tower, ground and other controller voices are also missing, use our broader radio and ATC fault checklist rather than treating it as an ATIS-only problem.
Is Microsoft Flight Simulator ATIS live?
No. Stock Microsoft Flight Simulator generates simulated ATIS; it does not receive the real airport’s radio transmission over the internet. Our guide to simulated versus real live ATC audio explains that distinction.
The message reflects the simulator’s weather mode and ATC runway selection. A weather preset produces preset conditions, while Live Weather uses conditions loaded into the simulation. Update timing and runway logic can make those details differ from a real-world ATIS without indicating a radio fault.