How do I configure throttle controls in MSFS 2020?

In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, open Options > Controls Options, select your throttle device, create a profile and bind its lever to a Throttle Axis command rather than throttle increase/decrease buttons. Check the input direction, remove duplicate bindings, save the profile, then test idle, full thrust and reverse travel in the cockpit.

How do I bind a throttle axis in MSFS 2020?

Select the throttle device in Controls Options and assign each analogue lever to the axis command matching your hardware and aircraft.

1. Connect the throttle before starting the simulator. Confirm that MSFS 2020 displays it as a separate device. On Xbox, the throttle must be console-compatible; a PC-only USB quadrant will not become compatible through control assignments.
2. Create a dedicated control profile. Select the device across the top of Controls Options, duplicate its default preset or create a new one, and give it a recognisable name. Our complete device-profile and axis-binding workflow covers the wider setup if you are configuring a yoke and pedals at the same time.
3. Find the existing input. Set the filter to show all controls and use Search by Input while moving the throttle. Clear any incorrect assignment before adding the new one.
4. Assign the correct axis. Select the required throttle-axis command, activate its input box, move the lever through its travel and validate the assignment.
5. Check the direction. Move the physical lever forwards while watching the input indicator. If the on-screen value falls, enable Reverse Axis for that binding—but do not reverse it in both the simulator and the hardware software.
6. Remove competing axes. Search the joystick, yoke, gamepad and throttle profiles for other throttle-axis assignments. A duplicate axis is the usual cause of jumping or fighting cockpit levers.
7. Apply and test. Save the profile, load a simple aircraft and verify idle, mid-range and maximum power. Disconnect autothrottle and disable throttle-related assistance while testing.

If you are using a gamepad rather than a physical quadrant, configure its buttons or triggers through a separate profile; our Xbox controller assignment guide explains the practical layout choices.

How do I set reverse thrust and throttle detents?

Use a forward-only 0–100% axis with a separate reverse command unless the hardware and aircraft both support reverse within the lever’s physical range.

• No reverse section: bind a button or paddle to the available hold or toggle reverse-thrust command. At idle, engage reverse and move the throttle as required.
• Integrated reverse travel: try the full THROTTLE AXIS assignment, then confirm that idle occurs at the physical idle stop rather than halfway through the lever travel.
• Airliner detents: use the aircraft’s own tablet, cockpit computer or configuration tool when it provides throttle calibration. High-fidelity aircraft often map idle, climb, flex and take-off detents internally.
• Multiple engines: calibrate every lever separately and create another profile for single-lever aircraft if necessary. Mixing generic and engine-specific bindings produces unequal or uncommanded thrust.

Do not distort the global sensitivity curve merely to force several aircraft-specific detents into place. WinWing users can follow our hardware-specific axis, detent and reverse-thrust setup.

Turboprop power levers deserve extra care: beta and reverse implementation varies by aircraft. Propeller, mixture and condition levers are separate controls and should not be assigned to throttle axes unless that aircraft’s documentation explicitly requires it.

What throttle sensitivity should I use?

Use a linear throttle response initially, with the sensitivity controls centred and no dead zone unless the input jitters near a fixed position.

Add only enough dead zone to stop noise, and adjust endpoint settings only when a correctly calibrated lever cannot reach idle or maximum. Our practical throttle sensitivity starting values explain those controls without replacing aircraft-specific detent calibration.

Why is my MSFS 2020 throttle inverted, jumping or incomplete?

Most throttle faults come from the wrong axis type, inversion, duplicate bindings or aircraft-specific calibration.

• The throttle moves backwards: enable Reverse Axis once. Check the hardware utility if reversing it in MSFS does not correct the input.
• It jumps between two positions: replace throttle increase/decrease button assignments with an axis assignment.
• It moves without being commanded: remove duplicate axes, disengage autothrottle and turn off AI throttle assistance while diagnosing the problem.
• Only one engine responds: use the generic throttle axis for all engines or assign every physical lever to its corresponding numbered engine axis.
• It cannot reach idle or maximum: on PC, run joy.cpl and inspect the device’s raw travel. Calibrate the hardware before changing sensitivity or endpoint settings.
• The physical and cockpit detents disagree: use the aircraft’s internal throttle calibration and save a separate MSFS profile for that aircraft family.
• The fix disappears next flight: check that the intended device preset is selected and use Apply and Save before leaving Controls Options.