How do I exit Freelook in MSFS 2024?
To exit Freelook in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, press the same control that enabled it. With the standard PC mouse profile, release the right mouse button after hold-to-look, or click the middle mouse button to switch toggled Freelook off. Then press Ctrl+Space if you also need to re-centre the cockpit view.
Which control turns Freelook off?
The correct control depends on whether your active profile uses momentary or toggled Freelook.
| Camera state | How to exit |
|---|---|
| Looking around only while holding the right mouse button | Release the right mouse button. |
| Freelook remains active without holding a button | Press the control assigned to Toggle Cockpit Freelook. This is commonly the middle mouse button on a standard PC profile. |
| Right mouse button is assigned as a toggle | Click the right mouse button once more. |
| View is facing the wrong direction after Freelook closes | Press Ctrl+Space to reset the cockpit viewpoint. |
Ctrl+Space recentres the cockpit camera, but it may not cancel a latched Freelook command. Turn Freelook off first, then reset the view. Our guide to fixing mouse-look and right-button problems covers the related case where panning will not start at all.
Why won't Freelook turn off?
Freelook usually remains active because the toggle and hold commands are confused, the simulator missed a button-release event, or another device has a conflicting assignment.
- Return focus to the simulator. Click inside the flight view, then press and release the right mouse button once. Switching windows while holding the button can leave the camera behaving as though it is still pressed.
- Press the toggle once. Try the middle mouse button, followed by any custom button you normally use for Freelook. Avoid repeatedly alternating controls because that makes it difficult to tell which command is latched.
- Check the active device profile. In the control settings, select the mouse or controller being used and search for
Freelook. Look for both hold and toggle assignments. - Remove conflicting bindings. Do not assign hold and toggle Freelook to the same button. Choose hold when you want the view active only while a button is pressed; choose toggle when you want hands-free camera movement.
- Test other connected devices. A controller button, mouse utility or secondary input device can continuously send the camera command. Disconnect suspected devices one at a time to identify the source.
On Xbox or PlayStation, inspect the active controller profile rather than copying PC mouse inputs. Presets and customised profiles can place the Freelook command on different buttons.
Am I actually in the Drone Camera or external view?
If the camera can move independently away from the aircraft, you are in the Drone Camera rather than cockpit Freelook.
With the default keyboard mapping, Insert toggles the Drone Camera, while End switches between cockpit and external views. Profiles can be changed, so consult our reference for the standard MSFS 2024 camera shortcuts if those keys do nothing.
Freelook rotates the viewpoint from its existing camera position; it does not let the camera fly freely around the aircraft. If the camera is detached, use the assigned Drone Camera toggle to leave it. The movement controls and common mode mix-ups are explained in our guide to controlling and exiting the Drone Camera.
How do I restore the normal cockpit viewpoint?
Once Freelook is off and the cockpit camera is active, press Ctrl+Space to return to the default cockpit position.
If a saved custom view keeps loading instead, switch back to the standard cockpit camera before resetting it. Our cockpit camera reset and custom-view instructions explain how saved viewpoints interact with the normal pilot view.