Disable multiplayer in MSFS 2024 without losing streamed scenery or live weather, and learn why AI or parked aircraft may still appear.
To disable multiplayer in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, open Settings > General > Online, switch Multiplayer to Off, then apply and save the change. This hides human-controlled aircraft but keeps streamed scenery and live weather available unless you also disable Online Functionality.
How to turn off multiplayer in MSFS 2024
The built-in Multiplayer switch is under the simulator's Online settings.
- Open Settings. Use the settings icon from the main screen or open Settings from the pause menu during a flight.
- Select General, then Online.
- Set Multiplayer to Off.
- Apply and save the change. Return to your flight or start a new one normally.
The simulator saves this as a general preference, so it is not a per-flight setting. The same option is available in the PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 editions, although controller navigation differs slightly.
If player aircraft already loaded into an active session do not disappear, return to the main menu and reload the flight. You do not need to sign out of your Microsoft account, remove friends or disable your internet connection.
What stays online when Multiplayer is off?
Streamed scenery and live weather remain available because Multiplayer is separate from the broader Online Functionality setting.
- Human-controlled aircraft and their player labels are removed.
- You are no longer participating in the simulator's built-in multiplayer traffic.
- Bing world data, photogrammetry and streamed scenery can remain enabled.
- Live weather continues when it is selected as the weather source.
- AI traffic, live real-world traffic and static aircraft are controlled separately.
If you want to stop every online service rather than players alone, see our explanation of the difference between Multiplayer and Online Functionality.
Why can I still see aircraft after disabling multiplayer?
Aircraft can remain visible because not every aeroplane in MSFS 2024 comes from multiplayer.
A mistake we see constantly is treating Multiplayer as a master switch for all traffic. The remaining aircraft may come from:
- Live real-world traffic, based on actual flight data.
- AI traffic, generated and flown by the simulator.
- Parked or static aircraft, placed at airport stands for visual activity.
- An external traffic client or add-on, which injects its own models independently.
- Scenery objects, which are part of an airport rather than functioning aircraft.
Use the separate traffic controls if you also want to remove moving computer-controlled aeroplanes; our guide to switching off AI and live traffic identifies the relevant sources. If the aircraft never move from their stands, follow the steps to remove parked and static aircraft instead.
Should I disable Online Functionality as well?
No—leave Online Functionality enabled when your only goal is to hide other players.
| Goal | Setting to use |
|---|---|
| Hide human players but retain online scenery and weather | Multiplayer Off |
| Fly with an external online network without duplicate built-in player traffic | Multiplayer Off, Online Functionality On |
| Run MSFS 2024 without online-delivered services | Online Functionality Off |
For VATSIM, the usual choice is to disable built-in multiplayer while keeping the online world services you need. Our recommended MSFS 2024 settings for VATSIM cover the other traffic and label options that prevent duplicate aircraft.