Why is Microsoft Flight Simulator downloading slowly?
Fix slow Microsoft Flight Simulator downloads on PC or console, remove bandwidth limits, check package processing and solve MSFS 2024 streaming errors.
Microsoft Flight Simulator usually downloads slowly because Microsoft’s content servers are busy, Wi-Fi or routing is unstable, another device or bandwidth setting is restricting traffic, or the installer is verifying and unpacking packages. Check disk activity first, then use Ethernet, pause competing traffic, remove download caps and restart the client once.
Is MSFS downloading slowly or processing a package?
A falling network rate is normal while Microsoft Flight Simulator verifies, decompresses and writes a package to storage. The correct Flight Simulator download fix depends on whether data is still moving, the disk is processing files or the same package is repeatedly failing.
A mistake we see constantly is interrupting a healthy unpacking stage because Task Manager shows little network activity. That interruption can force the installer to verify or fetch the package again.
| What you see | Likely explanation | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Network use drops while disk or CPU use rises | The installer is verifying or unpacking packages | Leave it running and watch for changing package names or disk activity |
| All downloads and devices are slow | Local connection, router or internet-service problem | Test by Ethernet and pause other traffic |
| Only MSFS is slow | Content-server congestion, poor routing or package processing | Test without a VPN, restart the client once and try later if services are busy |
| The same package restarts or progress goes backwards | Damaged partial data, a blocked file write or insufficient space | Treat it as a stuck update rather than a speed problem |
| Scenery blurs or “bandwidth too low” appears during flight | Live content streaming cannot keep up | Check the simulator’s online-data settings, cache and connection stability |
On PC, Task Manager can show whether the network, disk or CPU is active. Also compare the right units: 100 Mbps is a theoretical maximum of about 12.5 MB/s before overhead, because there are eight bits in a byte. A download shown in megabytes per second will therefore look much lower than the connection speed advertised in megabits.
How do I speed up Microsoft Flight Simulator downloads?
- Pause competing traffic. Stop other game downloads, cloud synchronisation, operating-system updates, video streaming and large transfers on every device sharing the connection.
- Use a wired connection. Ethernet avoids the interference and packet loss that can make a large MSFS package crawl despite a good short speed test. If Wi-Fi is unavoidable, use a strong 5 GHz or 6 GHz signal near the router.
- Fully quit other games. On Xbox and PlayStation, an active game can reduce the resources or bandwidth available to the download queue. Return to the console interface and close it rather than merely suspending it.
- Test without a VPN or proxy. These can route the transfer through a distant or congested server. A VPN may occasionally change a poor route, but it usually adds another bottleneck, so establish the unprotected connection speed first.
- Remove unintended bandwidth limits. Check Windows Delivery Optimization, the Xbox or platform client, metered-connection settings and the simulator’s own Data options. A limit on streamed data is separate from a limit on the initial platform download.
- Check free storage space. Packages may require room for compressed data, temporary files and the extracted copy. Leave substantially more free space than the displayed transfer size, and do not move the Packages directory while an update is running.
- Check security-software activity. Repeated scanning of thousands of package files can hold up disk writes. Inspect its logs rather than disabling protection permanently, and confirm that controlled-folder or ransomware protection is not blocking the simulator.
- Restart cleanly once. Close Microsoft Flight Simulator and its platform client fully, restart the PC or console, then resume using the same account and installation location. Power-cycle the router only if other devices are also affected.
- Allow for service congestion. If other downloads are normal and MSFS becomes slow at a busy release or update period, check the relevant platform service status. Reinstalling cannot repair congestion at the content server.
How do I remove or set an Xbox app download speed limit?
On Windows, Microsoft Store and some Xbox app downloads use Delivery Optimization rather than a universal speed control inside the Xbox app. Open Windows Settings and search for Delivery Optimization, then inspect its advanced bandwidth options.
- To speed up a download, disable an unintended download cap or raise the configured percentage or absolute-bandwidth value.
- To limit Xbox app download speed, enable a lower download limit. If that particular game transfer does not observe Delivery Optimization, use any per-device bandwidth control provided by the router.
- Do not confuse the setting for uploads to other PCs with the download limit; changing upload sharing will not necessarily increase MSFS throughput.
These Windows controls affect platform delivery, not every file fetched from inside Microsoft Flight Simulator. Content Manager and in-simulator packages may use the simulator’s own transfer system, while Xbox consoles manage the base download through the console queue.
Why is MSFS slow when my internet is fast?
A speed test measures the route to the test provider’s nearby server, not the route to Microsoft Flight Simulator’s content network. CDN load, regional routing, packet loss and a single slow connection can therefore produce a poor MSFS 2020 download speed on an otherwise fast broadband service.
Storage can also become the limiting factor. If network usage repeatedly falls as disk or CPU activity increases, the installer is processing content rather than waiting for more bandwidth. An SSD and adequate free space help, but stopping the download during this stage usually makes completion take longer.
Changing DNS servers rarely improves an established large transfer because DNS only helps locate the server at the start. We also advise against copied registry edits, TCP auto-tuning commands and repeated installer restarts; they can reduce performance or hide the original fault.
Are MSFS 2020 slow downloads different from MSFS 2024?
The core fixes are the same, but Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 depends more heavily on streamed assets during use. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 stores more world and optional content locally, so its largest delays are commonly seen during installation and Content Manager updates.
| Area | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Platform files followed by substantial in-simulator package downloads | A smaller local footprint for many configurations, with more content delivered when required |
| During flight | Streams enabled world data, weather, traffic and photogrammetry | Streams those services plus more simulator and library assets |
| Typical connection symptom | Slow Content Manager download or package installation | Bandwidth warning, delayed assets, blurred scenery or fallback to lower-detail content |
| Platforms | PC and Xbox | PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro |
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was never released for PlayStation. On every console, the operating system controls the initial installation queue; the simulator’s Data settings apply mainly to online and streamed content after launch.
MSFS 2024 streamed vs downloaded: which should I choose?
Choose downloaded content when a local-install option is offered and you use that aircraft or scenery regularly on an unreliable or metered connection. Choose streaming for rarely used content when saving storage matters and the connection is stable.
| Option | Best choice when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Streamed | You have reliable broadband, ample data and want to minimise local storage | Assets may load slowly or at reduced detail during congestion or packet loss |
| Downloaded locally | You repeatedly use the same eligible aircraft, airports or scenery, or your connection is inconsistent | Uses more storage and still requires updates; live services may continue to need internet access |
Not every MSFS 2024 asset offers both choices, and downloaded content does not make the whole simulator offline. Live weather, traffic, streamed world data, account checks and other online features can still use the connection. Streaming also writes temporary or rolling-cache data, so it is not entirely free of disk use.
How do I fix “bandwidth too low” in MSFS 2024?
The MSFS 2024 “bandwidth too low” warning is usually an in-flight streaming problem, not proof that the base installation is damaged. Check that online data is enabled, remove unintended data or bandwidth caps, test by Ethernet, stop competing traffic and confirm that the storage holding the rolling cache has free space.
Clear and recreate the rolling cache only when the warning accompanies corrupted or persistently blurred streamed scenery. It will not accelerate a mandatory platform download, and the simulator may initially use more bandwidth while rebuilding cached areas. Our dedicated MSFS 2024 bandwidth warning checks cover connection limits, cache faults and service congestion in more detail.
When is a slow MSFS download actually stuck?
A download is probably stuck when the same package repeatedly restarts, progress returns to an earlier percentage, an installation error appears or both network and disk activity remain idle without any change in status. Slow but changing progress is not the same as a loop.
- The same package name appears after every restart.
- The downloaded amount repeatedly drops or returns to zero.
- The installer reports that it cannot write, decompress or verify a package.
- Free space is exhausted even though the advertised download should fit.
- Signing in with a different platform account changes ownership or installation access.
For repeating percentages or packages that go backwards, follow our targeted steps for restarting and looping MSFS downloads. If an error code, account problem or failed package write appears, use the safe recovery sequence for Microsoft Flight Simulator update errors before deleting files.
Steam users should also distinguish Steam’s initial installation from the separate package transfer performed by Microsoft Flight Simulator after it launches. If the Steam stage itself will not begin or complete, the checks in our Steam-specific MSFS download guide address that part of the process.
Should I clear the cache or reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Do not reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator merely because the transfer is slow. A full reinstall repeats every download and cannot fix content-server congestion, poor Wi-Fi, a bandwidth cap or slow package decompression.
- Clear the rolling cache only for corrupted, blurred or persistently failing streamed scenery.
- Use repair or verification when the platform reports damaged base files and provides that option.
- Repair the individual package when one named package loops, rather than deleting the entire
Officialor Packages directory. - Reinstall as a last resort only after account access, storage location, free space and recoverable package errors have been ruled out.
Deleting the whole package directory is a particularly costly first step: it converts one failed package into a complete redownload while leaving network, routing and server problems untouched.