Fix TrackIR not working in MSFS 2020 with checks for launch order, status lights, game updates, camera settings, USB faults and profile conflicts.
TrackIR usually stops working in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 because the TrackIR software started after the simulator, its supported-games list is stale, tracking is paused or disabled, or the camera cannot see the clip. On PC, start TrackIR first, confirm both status lights, enable TrackIR in the camera panel and re-centre the view.
How do I get TrackIR working in MSFS 2020?
The fastest fix is to verify the hardware first, then restart TrackIR and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 in the correct order.
- Confirm the platform: native TrackIR requires its Windows desktop software, so these steps apply to the PC edition of MSFS 2020. It is not supported by the Xbox version.
- Connect the sensor directly: plug it into a motherboard USB port where possible, rather than an unpowered hub. Open the TrackIR software and select the tracking target that matches your hardware: the reflective TrackClip or powered TrackClip Pro.
- Check the camera view: the software should display three separate tracking points. Reposition the camera or clip if a point is missing, merging with another point or being confused by sunlight and reflective objects.
- Update the supported-games list: use the game-update function in the TrackIR software, then confirm that Microsoft Flight Simulator is recognised. Updating the application alone may not refresh this list.
- Restart in the correct order: close MSFS and TrackIR completely. Start TrackIR first, verify that it is tracking the clip, and only then launch MSFS 2020.
- Test from a cockpit: load into an aircraft and wait until the flight is fully running. Open the in-flight Camera panel and make sure the Track IR or head-tracking switch is enabled if it is shown.
- Resume and re-centre tracking: the standard TrackIR hotkeys are commonly F9 for pause and F12 for centre, although profiles can change them. Check the hotkeys in the TrackIR software rather than assuming the defaults are still assigned.
- Try the default profile: a custom profile with an extreme dead zone, incorrect title assignment or damaged settings can make working tracking appear inactive. Select a standard profile for the first test.
If this is a new installation rather than a sudden failure, our complete TrackIR 5 hardware and profile set-up explains camera placement, clip selection, curves, hotkeys and title profiles.
What do the TrackIR status lights mean?
The TrackIR 5 sensor lights identify whether the fault is between the camera and clip or between TrackIR and MSFS.
| What you see | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| No lights and no device in the software | USB connection, driver or power fault | Try a direct USB port, reconnect the sensor and restart its software. |
| Left light off | The camera cannot see a valid clip pattern | Check clip type, alignment, sunlight, reflections and the three tracking points. |
| Left light green, right light off in a loaded flight | MSFS has not connected to TrackIR | Refresh the games list, match administrator privileges and restart TrackIR before MSFS. |
| Both lights green but the view does not move | Tracking is paused or disabled inside MSFS | Resume TrackIR, enable the Camera panel switch and test with the default profile. |
| Both lights indicate a paused state | The TrackIR pause hotkey was pressed | Press the configured pause key once, then re-centre. |
This diagnosis assumes status LEDs are enabled in the TrackIR software. If they have been disabled, use the software's device and game-detection indicators instead.
Why is TrackIR detected but the cockpit view does not move?
If MSFS detects TrackIR but the cockpit remains fixed, the usual cause is a paused tracker, the in-simulator TrackIR switch or a conflicting control assignment.
- Open the Camera panel during the flight and toggle TrackIR off and back on.
- Check the TrackIR software for a paused status and confirm that live head movement changes its preview.
- Search the MSFS control assignments for TrackIR or head-tracking toggles. Remove an accidental joystick or keyboard binding that repeatedly disables tracking.
- Do not map TrackIR movement as ordinary pitch, yaw or cockpit-look axes. The native TrackIR interface supplies six-axis head movement directly.
- Test in the normal cockpit camera. Showcase and specialised external camera modes use different camera controls and are poor tests of basic detection.
- Release any held mouse-look or camera control, then re-centre TrackIR from the normal seated position.
What if MSFS 2020 still cannot detect TrackIR?
When the clip tracks correctly but MSFS never establishes a connection, concentrate on software communication rather than camera alignment.
- Match privilege levels: run both applications normally. If MSFS has deliberately been set to run as administrator, TrackIR may also require the same privilege level.
- Close competing trackers: exit eye-tracking, webcam head-tracking and virtual TrackIR or FreeTrack output tools. Two applications presenting head-tracking data can seize or replace the same interface.
- Restart after changing TrackIR: if the TrackIR software crashed or was restarted while MSFS was open, close and relaunch the simulator. The connection may not recover during the same session.
- Remove camera utilities temporarily: disable utilities that alter cockpit cameras or provide their own head movement. Ordinary aircraft and scenery packages are unlikely to affect native TrackIR detection.
- Check USB power management: if the sensor disappears after sleep or idle time, disable the Windows option allowing the relevant USB hub to be turned off to save power, where that option is available.
- Repair the TrackIR installation: reinstall the device's software and driver package if Windows sees the sensor but its own application reports no device. Reinstalling the entire simulator should not be the first step.
For conflicts involving multiple tracking systems, camera settings or persistent detection problems, follow our MSFS head- and eye-tracking conflict checks.
Why does TrackIR jump, drift or look behind the seat?
Jumping and drifting mean TrackIR is connected; the problem is optical tracking, centring or the motion profile rather than MSFS detection.
- Remove direct sunlight, bright infrared sources and reflective objects visible to the sensor.
- Keep all three clip points visible through the full range of normal head movement. Raise or offset the camera if one point passes behind another.
- Confirm that the selected clip type matches the physical clip being used.
- Re-centre while sitting in the normal flying position, not while leaning towards the instrument panel.
- Reduce profile speed or increase smoothing if movement is too sharp. Use a small dead zone only if tiny involuntary movements make the instruments difficult to read.
Does TrackIR work with MSFS 2020 on Xbox?
No. Although Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is available on PC and Xbox Series X|S, TrackIR depends on Windows software and is supported only on PC. Connecting the sensor to an Xbox USB port will not provide native head tracking, so there is no MSFS setting that can enable it there.