Enable head tracking in MSFS 2020 with TrackIR, Tobii or OpenTrack. Get the right launch order, camera setting, calibration and detection fixes.
To enable head tracking in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on PC, start the tracker software before the simulator, confirm that it is reporting movement, then open MSFS and turn on Head Tracking under the cockpit camera settings. Centre the view, bind centre and pause controls, and test it in the cockpit.
How to enable head tracking in MSFS 2020
The reliable setup order is tracker first, simulator second.
- Install and connect the tracker. Run the software supplied with TrackIR or Tobii, or configure your webcam or phone tracker through middleware such as OpenTrack.
- Check movement outside MSFS. The tracker's preview must respond correctly to yaw, pitch and head translation. Fix camera detection or calibration before opening the simulator.
- Select the correct output. TrackIR communicates directly with MSFS. OpenTrack-based systems normally need TrackIR-compatible or Freetrack output; the exact label depends on the software.
- Start tracking before MSFS. Leave the tracking application running, then launch Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. This launch order prevents many detection failures.
- Enable the camera option. Open
Options > General Options > Camera, expand the cockpit camera settings and setHead TrackingtoOn. If the in-flight Camera panel also shows a head-tracking switch, leave that enabled. - Centre your normal seating position. Sit where you will fly, look straight at the monitor and use the tracker's centre command. Bind centre and pause to convenient joystick or yoke buttons.
- Test from the cockpit. Turn and lean slowly while watching the instrument panel and side windows. Cockpit view is the best place to confirm all six movement axes.
Head tracking is not configured as a normal joystick axis. A mistake we see constantly is assigning tracker movement to cockpit camera axes in Controls Options; this can fight the native tracking input and cause snapping or restricted movement.
For dedicated infrared hardware, our device-specific TrackIR setup and profile instructions cover the complete configuration without duplicating camera-axis assignments.
Which head-tracking method should I use?
Choose TrackIR for predictable dedicated tracking, Tobii when you want head and eye tracking without wearing a clip, or OpenTrack when using a webcam, phone or another compatible sensor.
| Method | Best choice when | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| TrackIR | You want low-latency six-axis tracking with established simulator support | The camera must maintain a clear view of the reflector or active clip |
| Tobii | You want native head and gaze input without head-mounted equipment | Gaze movement may need reducing if the view wanders while reading instruments |
| Webcam or phone with OpenTrack | You want to use hardware you already own | Lighting, camera frame rate and processing delay affect consistency |
A webcam does not normally communicate with MSFS by itself. It needs software that converts the detected pose into a protocol the simulator recognises. Our walkthrough for webcam tracking through Beam and OpenTrack explains that signal chain.
Do not run two output methods for the same device. For example, native integration and an OpenTrack emulation layer can both move the camera, producing exaggerated motion, shaking or a view that refuses to centre.
Why is MSFS 2020 not detecting my head tracker?
MSFS usually misses a tracker because its software was started too late, tracking is paused, the wrong output protocol is selected or the cockpit camera option is disabled.
- Restart in the correct order: close MSFS completely, start the tracker, verify movement in its preview and then reopen the simulator.
- Check pause status: a paused tracker can remain detected while sending no movement.
- Confirm protocol output: OpenTrack and similar middleware must send an MSFS-compatible TrackIR or Freetrack signal, not merely display a moving preview.
- Inspect the camera setting: make sure
Head Trackingremains on after loading into the cockpit. - Remove duplicate inputs: stop any second tracking application and clear camera-axis bindings created for the tracker.
- Check hotkey conflicts: centre or pause shortcuts may also be assigned to simulator controls. Rebind them if pressing one command changes something else in the cockpit.
If TrackIR works in its own software but MSFS still ignores it, follow our TrackIR detection and launch-order checklist.
How do I fix excessive, shaky or off-centre movement?
Correct poor movement in the tracker software first, then use MSFS camera settings only for the normal cockpit viewpoint.
- Re-centre from your flying posture. Centring while leaning forward makes the view sit too far back once you relax.
- Reduce translation sensitivity. Excessive vertical or forward movement can push the viewpoint through the seat, panel or canopy.
- Add modest smoothing. Use enough to suppress sensor noise without introducing a noticeable delay.
- Use a small central dead zone. This keeps instruments readable while still allowing deliberate head movement.
- Check lighting and alignment. Direct sunlight, reflections and an obstructed clip can cause infrared or webcam tracking to jump.
- Reduce gaze contribution on Tobii. If the view follows every instrument glance, lower or disable eye-driven camera movement while retaining head tracking.
Build one stable profile before increasing sensitivity. The useful goal is a steady forward view with enough amplified yaw to check the wings and look through the side windows without turning away from the monitor.
Does MSFS 2020 head tracking work on Xbox?
The conventional TrackIR, Tobii and OpenTrack setup is for the Windows PC version of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
These systems rely on desktop drivers or background tracking software that cannot run on Xbox Series X|S. Connecting a USB tracker to the console does not provide the same support, so the PC procedure above does not apply to Xbox.