How do I set up joystick or Xbox throttle controls in MSFS?

In Microsoft Flight Simulator, select the joystick or Xbox controller in Controls, create a custom preset, then bind a physical throttle lever to Throttle Axis (0–100%) or bind controller buttons to Increase Throttle and Decrease Throttle. Remove duplicate assignments, save the preset, and test idle, full power and reverse in the cockpit.

Which throttle binding should you choose?

Choose an axis command for a physical lever and increase/decrease commands for controller buttons. The control-screen layout and precise command wording differ slightly between Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, but the underlying choices are the same.

For an ordinary joystick slider or single throttle lever, Throttle Axis (0–100%) is the safest starting point. Do not assign a lever to Increase Throttle or Decrease Throttle: those are digital commands, so the throttle will move in steps rather than follow the lever.

How do you bind a joystick throttle axis?

1. Select the correct device. Open the simulator's Controls settings and choose the joystick or throttle quadrant itself, not the keyboard or Xbox controller.
2. Create a custom preset. Copy the default profile or make a new one so your changes can be saved without altering the stock preset.
3. Search for throttle commands. Set the filter to show all available controls, then search for throttle.
4. Assign the appropriate axis. For one physical lever controlling every engine, bind it to Throttle Axis (0–100%). For separate levers, use Throttle 1 Axis, Throttle 2 Axis and the corresponding additional engine axes.
5. Check the direction. Move the lever while watching the input indicator. If advancing the hardware reduces power, enable the binding's reverse-axis option rather than changing to a digital command.
6. Remove competing assignments. Search by input and clear any unwanted throttle binding on another lever, trigger or stick axis.
7. Save and test. Apply the preset, load an aircraft on the ground and confirm idle, intermediate power and full power.

Our complete joystick profile and axis setup explains the wider configuration process for MSFS 2020 and 2024.

How do you configure throttle buttons on an Xbox controller?

An Xbox controller is best configured with separate throttle increase and decrease buttons because it has no dedicated, non-centring throttle lever.

1. Select the Xbox controller profile in Controls and create or copy a custom preset.
2. Search for throttle and check whether Increase Throttle and Decrease Throttle are already assigned.
3. Bind two accessible buttons or button combinations, avoiding inputs needed for primary flight controls.
4. Test taps and holds. A tap should make a small adjustment; holding the button should produce continuous movement.
5. Save the preset and verify that the intended Xbox profile remains active after changing aircraft.

A trigger or stick can technically be assigned as an absolute throttle axis, but its spring return makes this awkward: releasing the input can send the throttle back towards idle or the centre of its range. Buttons are usually more predictable. See our guidance on building and saving an Xbox controller profile in MSFS 2024 if you also need to organise the remaining gamepad controls.

Why does the throttle move backwards, jump or ignore the lever?

Incorrect command types, reversed axes and duplicate bindings cause most Microsoft Flight Simulator throttle problems.

• The lever works backwards: enable Reverse Axis on that binding.
• The throttle jumps between fixed values: replace Increase/Decrease Throttle or preset percentage commands with a throttle axis command.
• The cockpit lever fights your input: remove duplicate axes, then check whether autothrottle, AI piloting or a throttle-related assistance option is active.
• Only one engine responds: use the combined Throttle Axis command, or map every engine lever separately.
• The lever cannot reach idle or full power: inspect the axis response, dead zones and hardware calibration. Our throttle-axis sensitivity and dead-zone guidance covers those adjustments.
• The problem appears only in one complex aircraft: check that aircraft's cockpit tablet or configuration system. Some detailed add-ons use aircraft-specific throttle calibration and detent settings.

Should twin-engine aircraft use separate throttle axes?

Use separate axes only when your hardware has independent levers and you want individual engine control. A combined throttle axis is simpler for a joystick with one slider and will move all engines together.

A mistake we see constantly is assigning both the combined Throttle Axis and Throttle 1 or Throttle 2 Axis to the same hardware. Those commands can compete, producing mismatched or flickering cockpit levers. Choose either one combined binding or a complete set of per-engine bindings, not both.

How should reverse thrust be configured?

For hardware without a physical reverse section, use Throttle Axis (0–100%) for forward power and assign a separate reverse-thrust hold or toggle command. At idle, engage reverse, advance the lever to increase reverse thrust, return it to idle, then disengage reverse.

If the quadrant has a dedicated reverse detent or reverse travel, the full-range Throttle Axis may be appropriate, though detailed aircraft can require calibration in their own settings. On an Xbox controller, a button combination for reverse is generally safer than expecting Decrease Throttle to pass through idle; that behaviour varies between aircraft. Reverse is available only on aircraft equipped for it, principally jets and certain turboprops.