Fix an empty AutoOrtho scenery list in X-Plane by checking the region catalogue, sim path, permissions, mounts and scenery_packs.ini.
An empty AutoOrtho scenery list usually means AutoOrtho has not loaded its regional catalogue or is looking at the wrong X-Plane installation. It is not normally a scenery-order problem. Check network access, the configured X-Plane and cache paths, folder permissions and completed region downloads, then restart AutoOrtho before launching X-Plane.
Which AutoOrtho scenery list is empty?
The correct fix depends on whether the blank list is inside AutoOrtho or the scenery is simply absent from X-Plane. X-Plane does not provide its own AutoOrtho region catalogue.
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Available-region list is blank inside AutoOrtho | The online catalogue did not load, the application is outdated, or network/security software blocked its metadata request. |
| Available regions appear, but the installed list is empty | No region completed installation, or AutoOrtho is scanning a different scenery directory. |
Regions appear in AutoOrtho but not in scenery_packs.ini | The AutoOrtho mount was not active when X-Plane scanned Custom Scenery, or the wrong X-Plane installation is configured. |
| AutoOrtho entries exist but default terrain appears | The entries may be disabled, ordered incorrectly, outside the installed region, or pointing at an unavailable mount. |
How do I fix a blank region list inside AutoOrtho?
A blank catalogue inside the AutoOrtho application should be fixed before changing anything in X-Plane.
- Close AutoOrtho and X-Plane. This prevents X-Plane from scanning an incomplete or unavailable mount.
- Check the X-Plane path. It should point to the installation root containing
Custom Scenery, not a similarly named backup, an old X-Plane copy or an individual aircraft or scenery folder. - Verify network access. AutoOrtho needs to retrieve region metadata before it can display available packages. A firewall, proxy, DNS filter or security application can block this while ordinary web browsing still works. Allow the application rather than disabling protection globally.
- Check the cache and download locations. They must exist, be writable by the same user running AutoOrtho and have enough free space. Avoid read-only folders and protected system locations.
- Restart or refresh AutoOrtho. If an older application build can no longer read the catalogue format, install a supported AutoOrtho release and retain the existing tile cache unless its documentation specifically requires removal.
- Read the AutoOrtho log or console output. Network, certificate, catalogue-parsing, permission and path errors distinguish a metadata problem from a failed scenery mount.
A missing filesystem driver or mount helper normally does not empty the available region catalogue. It becomes relevant when regions are listed and installed but X-Plane cannot see them. Our AutoOrtho installation and mounting walkthrough covers the complete setup sequence.
Why are downloaded AutoOrtho regions missing from X-Plane?
Downloaded regions remain missing when AutoOrtho has installed them for another X-Plane copy or its virtual scenery folders were not mounted before the simulator started.
- Confirm the region says installed. A cancelled or interrupted download may leave files behind without producing a usable package.
- Match the installation path. Users with X-Plane 11 and 12, demo copies or moved installations often configure AutoOrtho for one copy and launch another.
- Start AutoOrtho first. Wait until its scenery is mounted and ready, then launch X-Plane. Depending on the AutoOrtho release and operating system,
Custom Scenerymay contain generated folders, links or mount points rather than ordinary scenery data. - Use the same user context. Running AutoOrtho with elevated privileges and X-Plane as a normal user can make a mounted filesystem invisible to the simulator on some systems.
- Inspect
scenery_packs.ini. AutoOrtho entries must useSCENERY_PACK, notSCENERY_PACK_DISABLED. Airport and overlay packages belong above the streamed base terrain. - Check
Log.txt. Search for the AutoOrtho package names and messages about missing paths, unreadable files or failed scenery loading. Our folder, nesting and Log.txt troubleshooting checklist also applies to this type of detection failure.
Can scenery_packs.ini order cause an empty AutoOrtho list?
No: scenery_packs.ini order cannot empty AutoOrtho’s own region catalogue. Order only affects what X-Plane displays after the scenery has been installed and mounted.
Do not delete scenery_packs.ini as the first fix. If the mounted AutoOrtho folders are visibly available but their entries are missing, back up the file, let X-Plane regenerate it, then restore the correct priority: airports and overlays above AutoOrtho’s base terrain. Regeneration cannot repair a blocked catalogue request, failed download or unavailable mount.