Fix silent ATC voices in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 by checking communications volume, audio routing, speech mode, radios and Windows sound.
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, silent ATC usually means the communications volume is down, speech has been routed to another audio device, Azure text-to-speech is unavailable, or the aircraft is not receiving the active COM radio. Check sound routing first, then change speech mode and verify the radio.
How do I fix silent ATC voices in MSFS 2020?
The quickest fix is to check each part of the ATC audio chain in order:
- Raise the voice volume. Open
Options > General Options > Soundand check the master volume plus the Communications or Voices control shown by your build. Neither should be muted or set near zero. - Check the communications output. MSFS 2020 can send ATC to a different device from engines and cockpit sounds. Set the communications device to the same speakers or headset as the main output, or select the intended device explicitly instead of relying on Default.
- Change the text-to-speech mode. Make sure ATC text-to-speech is not set to Off. If Azure is selected, test Windows Offline; if offline speech is silent, try Azure with online functionality enabled.
- Inspect the system mixer. On PC, open the Windows volume mixer while MSFS is running and confirm the simulator is not muted or assigned to the wrong output. Bluetooth headsets often expose separate Stereo and Hands-Free devices, so ATC may be playing through an endpoint you are not listening to. On Xbox, check the selected audio output and headset game/chat balance.
- Verify the aircraft radio. Turn on the battery and avionics, place the correct frequency in the active rather than standby window, select the transmitting COM radio and enable its receive channel on the audio panel.
- Reload the flight. If the settings are correct, return to the main menu and start a simple flight in a default aircraft. Restart MSFS if Azure speech stopped after a connection interruption.
If engines, menus and every other sound are also missing, use our full MSFS sound-output checklist instead; that points to a system-wide audio problem rather than ATC alone.
Why does ATC text appear but no voice?
Visible ATC messages without speech mean the radio exchange is working, but voice synthesis or audio routing is not. This is the strongest clue that the frequency and aircraft electrical system are not the main problem.
- ATC text appears normally: check text-to-speech mode, communications volume and the selected communications device.
- No text, voice or controller response appears: check electrical power, the active frequency, COM selection and the aircraft audio panel.
- ATC starts speaking and later goes silent: change from Azure to offline speech or reload the flight to reset the voice session.
- Speech comes from the monitor instead of the headset: align the main and communications output devices.
MSFS creates these voices using synthesised speech; they are not recordings from the airport you are flying near. Our explanation of simulated ATC versus live airport radio covers that distinction.
Should I use Azure or Windows Offline ATC voices?
Use Azure when your internet connection and online services are stable; use offline speech when cloud voices are unavailable or unreliable.
| Speech mode | Choose it when | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Azure | You want cloud-generated voices and have a stable connection | Speech can fail when online functionality or the voice service is unavailable |
| Windows Offline | You need speech without relying on the cloud | On PC, it depends on an installed Windows speech language and may offer fewer voices |
| Off | You intentionally want text-only ATC | No controller or pilot speech is generated |
Switching modes is also a useful diagnostic test. If offline speech works immediately after Azure goes silent, the speakers, volume controls and radio are probably configured correctly.
Why is ATC silent in only one aircraft?
ATC that works in one aircraft but not another usually points to that aircraft's electrical system, radio or audio panel. Complex aircraft may require explicit COM receive and microphone selections rather than handling them automatically.
- Confirm the avionics bus is powered.
- Move the required ATC frequency from standby to active.
- Select the same COM radio for transmission and reception.
- Turn up the physical radio or audio-panel volume control.
- Check that the COM receive button has not been deselected.
If radio operation is unfamiliar, our guide to tuned radios, frequencies and the built-in ATC panel explains the complete workflow. Testing the same flight in a default aircraft will separate an aircraft-specific setup issue from a simulator-wide voice fault.