How do I fix ‘bandwidth too low’ in MSFS 2024?
To fix the ‘bandwidth too low’ error in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, fully restart the sim, stop other downloads, use Ethernet if possible, check that no in-game data cap has been reached, and rebuild the rolling cache. If a wired speed test is healthy, the fault may be Microsoft’s streaming service rather than your connection.
Fix the bandwidth too low error in this order
Work through the connection, data settings and cache checks before considering a reinstall.
- Fully close and reopen MSFS 2024. On Xbox, quit the simulator rather than resuming it through Quick Resume. On PlayStation, close the game completely. Restart the PC or console if the warning returns immediately.
- Check whether the whole connection is affected. Run a network test on the same device used for the simulator. If other services are also slow or disconnecting, restart the router and modem; if everything else works, continue with the sim-specific checks.
- Remove competition for bandwidth. Pause game updates, cloud backups, video streaming and downloads on other devices. Disable a VPN or network filter temporarily, and use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi where possible. A speed test on a nearby phone does not prove that the simulator’s device has a stable connection.
- Inspect MSFS 2024’s online and data settings. Open or search for the Online or Data settings; their position can differ between platforms and simulator builds. Confirm that Online Functionality is enabled. If a bandwidth limit, monthly data allowance or similar control is shown, make sure it has not been set too low or exhausted.
- Rebuild the rolling cache. Delete or disable it through the simulator’s own settings, restart MSFS 2024, then recreate it on a fast local drive with adequate free space. On a console, use the in-game cache controls rather than deleting all saved simulator data.
- Update the simulator and platform services. An outdated build can fail to communicate correctly with online services. Follow our safe process for updating MSFS 2024, then restart the device. On PC, also confirm that the simulator and its gaming services are permitted through the firewall.
Do not reinstall first. Damaged installation files are a less common cause of this warning than service congestion, unstable Wi-Fi, an in-game data limit or a faulty cache.
Why does MSFS 2024 report low bandwidth on a fast connection?
A fast speed-test result does not prove that MSFS 2024 can maintain a reliable route to its streaming servers. The simulator needs sustained throughput, while ordinary speed tests measure a short transfer to a nearby test server.
Packet loss, Wi-Fi interference, high latency, VPN routing and temporary server load can all trigger the warning. Demand also changes during a flight: photogrammetry over a dense city generally requires more streamed data than generic scenery over an open area, so there is no single connection speed that guarantees trouble-free streaming everywhere.
Which MSFS 2024 settings reduce bandwidth first?
Disable photogrammetry first, then test traffic, multiplayer and weather individually so that you retain as many online features as possible.
- Photogrammetry: Usually the first feature to reduce or disable when the error appears over detailed cities.
- Live traffic and multiplayer: Disable these temporarily to determine whether several simultaneous online services are overwhelming an unstable connection.
- Live weather: Switch to a preset for a diagnostic flight if the warning persists.
- Online world data: Treat this as the last reduction because disabling it causes the largest scenery downgrade and may limit parts of the MSFS 2024 experience.
Our explanation of MSFS 2024 data usage and its bandwidth controls covers which streamed features consume the most data and what to change on a capped connection.
Should I make the rolling cache larger?
A larger rolling cache can reduce repeat downloads for areas you revisit, but it cannot repair an unstable internet connection or accelerate scenery that has never been cached.
Recreate the cache if the warning began after a crash, storage change or interrupted download. Avoid an oversized cache on a nearly full or slow drive; leave enough free storage for the simulator and operating system to work normally.
How can I tell whether the problem is server-side?
The problem is probably server-side when multiple online features fail at once, the warning starts suddenly on a previously stable wired connection, and other internet services remain normal.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| All online MSFS features fail despite a healthy wired test | Streaming or platform-service interruption | Check the service-status panel for your platform and retry later |
| The warning appears only on Wi-Fi | Interference, packet loss or weak signal | Use Ethernet or move to a stronger, less congested Wi-Fi band |
| A temporary phone hotspot works | Home router, ISP routing, VPN or network filtering | Restart the network equipment and remove filters one at a time; use the hotspot only briefly because MSFS can consume substantial data |
| The warning appears after setting a data allowance | In-game bandwidth or usage limit | Raise, remove or reset the limit in the Online or Data settings |
| The problem occurs only over detailed cities | Photogrammetry demand exceeds sustained throughput | Disable photogrammetry or improve connection stability |
What if scenery remains blurry or the simulator still stutters?
Once the warning has stopped, delayed textures and melted-looking buildings may need separate cache and scenery checks. Use our specific fixes for blurry or low-quality MSFS scenery if visual detail does not recover after restarting the flight.
Low frame rate without a bandwidth warning is usually a rendering or CPU limitation rather than an internet fault. In that case, follow the MSFS 2024 performance and FPS checks; lowering render resolution will not fix a genuine streaming connection error.