Fix MSFS 2020 controls that do not respond: detect devices, restore profiles, assign axes, remove conflicts and diagnose aircraft-specific faults.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 controls usually stop responding because the simulator has selected a blank or wrong device profile, an axis is unassigned, another device is sending a conflicting input, or Windows/Xbox has lost the controller. Check whether the axis bars move in Controls Options first; that separates detection faults from binding faults.
How do I find out why my MSFS 2020 controls are not working?
Start by identifying whether the failure affects the hardware, its control profile or only the aircraft being flown. Open Options > Controls Options, select the affected device and move its axes or press its buttons.
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| The device has no tab in Controls Options | Connection, driver or compatibility problem | Reconnect it, test another port and confirm the operating system detects it |
| The device appears, but the profile is empty | Wrong or blank preset selected | Select the default preset or a known working custom profile |
| Axes react in Sensitivity but not in the aircraft | Missing assignment, duplicate input or aircraft-specific issue | Check the axis binding and disconnect competing devices |
| The cockpit controls move but the aircraft does not respond normally | Autopilot, assistance, control lock or unpowered aircraft systems | Check the aircraft state rather than remapping the controller |
If a joystick or yoke is absent, erratic or only partly detected, follow our broader controller detection and binding checks before changing sensitivity settings.
Fix unresponsive controls step by step
- Restart with the controller connected. Close Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 completely, connect the device directly rather than through an unpowered hub, and relaunch the simulator. On Xbox, use a full restart rather than resuming the sim through Quick Resume.
- Confirm that the platform detects it. On PC, check the device in the Windows game-controller panel. If axes and buttons do not register there, MSFS cannot repair the problem through its own settings. On Xbox, only console-compatible flight peripherals will be detected.
- Select the correct device tab. Controls Options stores separate bindings for the keyboard, mouse, gamepad, joystick, throttle and pedals. Editing the keyboard profile will not change a joystick assignment.
- Check the active preset. A device can be connected while a blank or unfinished custom profile is selected. Restore the default preset or choose the profile made for that aircraft type. Our guide to creating and switching controller profiles explains how to avoid editing or saving the wrong preset.
- Set the filter to All. The Assigned filter hides every unassigned command, which often makes a control appear to be missing. Use Search by Input where available, move the axis or press the button, and inspect every command attached to it.
- Assign analogue controls as axes. A joystick should normally use commands such as
Ailerons Axis,Elevator AxisandRudder Axis. Binding a stick to separate left/right or up/down button commands produces full-deflection or non-proportional movement. Throttles likewise need an appropriate throttle-axis command rather than only increase and decrease commands. - Remove duplicate assignments. A gamepad, joystick, throttle quadrant and rudder pedals can all command the same axis. The strongest or noisiest input may override the one being moved. Disconnect spare devices temporarily, then clear unwanted duplicates one device profile at a time.
- Apply and save the changes. Test them in a simple default aircraft with its engine running and control locks removed. If that works, the remaining fault is probably tied to the original aircraft, its systems or a dedicated profile.
Why do the controls move in settings but not in the aircraft?
If the input display reacts correctly, the hardware is working and sensitivity is not the main problem. Check that the command is assigned to the correct axis, that its direction is not reversed and that no second device is holding the same control at another position.
Aircraft state matters as well. A gust lock can prevent movement, hydraulically powered controls may need electrical or engine power, and an engaged autopilot or AI assistance can continue commanding the aircraft. Some aeroplanes also separate rudder input from nose-wheel steering, so working pedals do not guarantee full ground-steering authority.
When only one add-on aircraft is affected, load a default aircraft with the same controller profile. If the default aircraft works, look for aircraft-specific bindings, tablet options, control locks or required systems rather than resetting every MSFS control.
What if only the keyboard or Xbox controller has stopped working?
Keyboard controls
Click back inside the simulator window if a search field, pop-out panel or another application has captured keyboard focus. Check Num Lock when using numeric-keypad flight controls, and remember that some laptops require an Fn modifier for function keys. The default keyboard control reference and troubleshooting notes help distinguish a changed profile from a focus or keyboard-mode problem.
Xbox controller
Reconnect the controller, verify its batteries or cable, and select its default MSFS preset before making a new one. Stick drift and duplicate assignments from another connected controller can make valid inputs appear ineffective. For axis selection, dead zones and profile checks, use our Xbox controller configuration walkthrough.
Should I reset all MSFS 2020 controls?
Reset only the affected device profile after detection, profile selection and duplicate-binding checks have failed. A full reset erases useful custom assignments and can turn one missing axis into a complete reconfiguration job.
Do not delete cloud data or configuration files as an early fix. That can remove unrelated settings without repairing hardware that Windows or Xbox does not detect. Restoring a default preset for one device is the safer diagnostic step.