Install or restore global scenery in X-Plane 11 or 12 without reinstalling. Fix missing regions, damaged files, Steam DLC and incorrect folders.
To install or restore global scenery in X-Plane 11 or 12, run the matching X-Plane installer, point it at your existing simulator folder, choose the scenery option, select the missing map regions, and let it download or copy the files. For damaged files, use the installer’s update scan or your platform’s file verification.
How do I install missing global scenery?
You do not normally need to reinstall the entire simulator just to add a missing country or region.
- Close X-Plane. Confirm which installation you actually use, especially if you have several copies. The correct root folder contains the X-Plane executable,
Aircraft,Custom Scenery,Global SceneryandResources. - Run the installer for the correct major version. Use the X-Plane 11 installer for X-Plane 11 and the X-Plane 12 installer for X-Plane 12.
- Select the existing installation. Do not accept a new destination and accidentally create a second copy. Our installer and X-Plane folder guidance explains how to locate the installation and add missing scenery without starting over.
- Choose the scenery-management option. This is normally labelled along the lines of Add or Remove Scenery. Select the required map regions and continue.
- Let the operation finish completely. A digital installation downloads the scenery; a disc installation may request the original media. Check the required disk space before selecting large areas.
- Launch X-Plane and test inside the restored region. If terrain is still absent, inspect
Log.txtin the simulator’s root folder for the package or DSF path that failed to load.
How is global scenery installed in the Steam edition?
Steam installations should be managed through Steam rather than repaired with the standalone Laminar installer. Open the simulator’s properties, find its DLC or additional-content section, enable the required regional scenery packs, and allow all downloads to finish before launching X-Plane.
If a region was already enabled but appears damaged, use Steam’s installed-files verification. Disabling and re-enabling the affected regional pack can also force Steam to reacquire its content.
How do I repair damaged X-Plane global scenery?
The standard update scan also acts as a repair tool for missing or altered default files.
- Direct-download or disc edition: run the matching installer, select the existing X-Plane folder and use its update or repair scan. When asked about modified default files, allow the official versions to replace them.
- Steam edition: verify the installation through Steam. Use the regional scenery packs for an area that was never installed.
- Known damaged tile: note the exact path reported in
Log.txt, then rerun the official scenery installation. Do not delete the entireGlobal Sceneryfolder merely because one DSF file is faulty.
Keep personal modifications out of default scenery packages. Installing third-party files directly over default content makes later repair scans harder to interpret; our X-Plane folder-placement and Log.txt troubleshooting advice shows where add-ons belong.
Where should the Global Scenery folder be?
Default terrain belongs inside the simulator’s Global Scenery directory, not inside Custom Scenery.
- X-Plane 12 normally uses
X-Plane 12/Global Scenery/X-Plane 12 Global Scenery/. - X-Plane 11 normally uses
X-Plane 11/Global Scenery/X-Plane 11 Global Scenery/.
The package should contain its scenery data below that level. An extra wrapper folder, such as two consecutive folders named X-Plane 12 Global Scenery, prevents X-Plane from finding the expected structure.
Do not copy X-Plane 11 global scenery into X-Plane 12 or the other way round. Each major version expects its own default terrain and supporting assets. Global scenery is also loaded automatically, so it should not be added to scenery_packs.ini; that file controls packages under Custom Scenery.
Why is terrain still missing after reinstalling the scenery?
Persistent missing terrain usually means X-Plane is loading a different installation, a custom mesh is taking priority, or the problem is not global terrain at all.
| Symptom | Likely cause and correct action |
|---|---|
| Land is replaced by water in one region | The regional scenery is absent or incomplete. Add that region with the installer or enable its Steam scenery pack. |
| The installer completes, but nothing changes | It may be targeting another X-Plane copy. Compare the selected destination with the folder containing the executable you launch. |
| Terrain looks wrong only where an orthophoto package is installed | The custom mesh is overriding default scenery. Temporarily remove the suspect package and check its placement using our orthophoto scenery ordering instructions. |
| Runways exist, but airport buildings are missing | This is usually an airport-package issue rather than missing global terrain. Repair the default files and check the Global Airports package under Custom Scenery. |
| The installer cannot write files | Check free space and folder permissions. A protected system directory, security software or read-only external drive can block restoration. |
Log.txt names a custom object, library or overlay | Repair or remove that third-party package. Reinstalling default global scenery will not supply assets required by an unrelated add-on. |
A mistake we see constantly is treating every blank area or loading error as damaged global scenery. The file path in Log.txt is the quickest way to distinguish a missing default DSF from a broken custom airport, overlay or orthophoto package.