Learn why MSFS 2020 download speed is slow, how to spot unpacking versus a network bottleneck, and which fixes solve stalls and speed drops.
Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020 download speed is often slow because its installer alternates between downloading, decompressing, verifying and writing packages. Server load, Wi-Fi, competing traffic, a VPN, security scanning, low free space or a slow drive can worsen it. A falling speed readout does not always mean the connection is failing.
Why does MSFS 2020 download speed keep dropping?
The MSFS 2020 installer does not transfer one continuous file. It downloads a package, processes its compressed contents and writes them to the installation drive before requesting more data. Network usage can therefore fall sharply, sometimes to zero, while disk or CPU activity continues.
This stop-start pattern is especially noticeable on a mechanical hard drive, a nearly full disk or a system where security software is scanning every extracted file. If the package name, progress bar or remaining-data figure eventually changes, the installation is normally still working.
Server demand and the internet route to Microsoft's content network also affect throughput. That is more likely when MSFS remains slow while the disk is idle, even though unrelated large downloads use the connection normally.
Which bottleneck matches the symptoms?
| What you see | Likely explanation | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Speed pulses between high and low values | Normal package downloading and extraction | Watch whether the package or total progress advances |
| Network drops but disk or CPU remains busy | Decompression, verification or file writing | Wait rather than repeatedly restarting MSFS |
| All devices and downloads are slow | Wi-Fi, router, ISP or competing traffic | Test Ethernet and pause other transfers |
| Only MSFS is slow and the disk is idle | Server load, routing or a stalled installer session | Restart once or try again later |
| The same package repeatedly restarts | Damaged partial data, low space or security interference | Check storage and the specific stuck package |
Check the units before assuming the rate is unusually low. Internet connections are commonly advertised in Mbps, while some download tools show MB/s; eight megabits equal one megabyte. A 100 Mbps line therefore has a theoretical ceiling of 12.5 MB/s before protocol and network overhead.
For a useful comparison based on connection rate, remaining content and unpacking time, see our realistic MSFS download and installation estimates.
How can I speed up an MSFS 2020 download?
- Confirm that it is actually stalled. On PC, watch network, disk and CPU activity in Task Manager. If the disk is busy or the package eventually advances, let the installer finish processing it.
- Use a wired connection where possible. Ethernet removes weak signal, interference and Wi-Fi power-saving behaviour from the equation. If Wi-Fi is unavoidable, move closer to the router and use its less congested band.
- Pause competing traffic. Stop other game downloads, cloud synchronisation, video streaming and system updates. Disconnect a VPN or proxy unless it is required for your connection, because it can introduce a slower route.
- Check the installation drive. Leave free space beyond the displayed remaining download because packages need room for extraction and temporary processing. An SSD will not increase the internet line rate, but it can shorten the pauses between transfers; our explanation of how an HDD affects MSFS package processing covers this distinction.
- Restart only after verifying there is no progress. If the package, percentage, network activity and disk activity all remain unchanged, close MSFS fully and restart the PC or Xbox. Constantly restarting during extraction can waste time and make a healthy download appear broken.
- Investigate a repeating package. Do not delete the entire
Official,OneStoreorSteamcontent folder. Use our ordered troubleshooting checklist for slow or looping MSFS downloads before removing partial package data.
On Xbox, fully quit suspended games, clear other queued downloads and use Ethernet if available. The console exposes fewer package-level controls than PC, so storage space, queue activity and a clean restart are the main practical checks.
When is the download actually stuck?
An MSFS download is probably stuck when the same package or percentage remains unchanged, with no meaningful network or disk activity, and the problem returns after a clean restart. A brief zero-speed period during extraction is not enough to diagnose a failure.
If the simulator never reaches the package download screen and remains on Checking for updates, that is a different fault involving update detection, authentication or damaged package metadata. Follow the separate repair steps for the Checking for updates screen.
Which common fixes should I avoid?
Lowering graphics settings and clearing the rolling cache do not make installation packages download faster. We also advise against random TCP registry edits, undocumented command-line tweaks or disabling security software outright. If security software repeatedly flags the same trusted MSFS package, inspect its protection history and use only a narrowly scoped, vendor-supported exclusion.