MSFS 2020 slow loading? Isolate add-ons, rebuild the rolling cache, check updates, test online data and fix storage bottlenecks.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 usually loads slowly because it is scanning packages, waiting for an update or online service, reading scenery from slow storage, or processing a faulty add-on or cache. Identify where it pauses, then test without add-ons, rebuild the rolling cache, and check storage and network performance.
Where is MSFS 2020 spending the loading time?
The screen on which the delay occurs usually reveals the cause. Do not treat a slow start to the main menu, an update download and a flight-loading stall as the same fault.
| Where it slows down | Likely causes | Best first test |
|---|---|---|
| Checking for Updates | Account authentication, network trouble, an incomplete update or damaged package data | Restart the launcher and follow our checks for an update screen that will not finish |
| Logo screens before the main menu | A large Community folder, third-party Marketplace content, slow storage or security software scanning package files | Launch in Safe Mode or temporarily empty the Community folder |
| Loading bar after pressing Fly | Complex aircraft or airport scenery, an add-on conflict, corrupted rolling-cache data or slow online scenery | Load a default aircraft at a default, uncomplicated airfield |
| Packages are actively downloading | This is an installation or update bottleneck, not normal loading | Use the separate MSFS download-speed troubleshooting steps |
| The same point after every update | An incompatible add-on, stale cache or incomplete content package | Start without third-party content and check installed packages |
How can I make MSFS 2020 load faster?
The quickest method is to change one category at a time and repeat the same test flight. Randomly deleting folders or reinstalling the entire simulator often creates a long download without identifying the fault.
- Fully restart the simulator. On Xbox, quit MSFS rather than resuming an old Quick Resume session. On PC, close the simulator and launcher completely, then reboot if either appears to remain active.
- Allow one clean launch after an update. Package indexes and caches may be rebuilt after simulator, graphics-driver or content changes. If only the first launch is slow and later launches improve, no repair is normally required.
- Test without third-party content. If MSFS offers Safe Mode after an abnormal shutdown, use it. On PC, you can instead move the contents of the
Communityfolder to a temporary folder outside every MSFS package directory. Do not delete the files. - Find the offending add-on. If the clean test is faster, restore add-ons in halves until the delay returns. Old airport scenery, detailed aircraft, large livery collections and duplicate versions are common causes. Safe Mode can also exclude third-party Marketplace packages that an empty Community folder does not test.
- Delete and recreate the rolling cache. A damaged cache most often affects flight or scenery loading rather than the initial logo screens. Follow our rolling-cache deletion and recreation procedure, then compare one flight with the cache disabled and one with a fresh cache.
- Test without streamed data. Temporarily disable Bing world data, photogrammetry, live traffic and multiplayer in the simulator's Data options, then load the same location. A large improvement points to the connection, an online service or cached scenery rather than the aircraft or graphics settings.
- Check the package drive. The simulator's Official and Community packages benefit substantially from SSD storage because startup involves reading many files. Keep adequate free space, and use a supported move or reinstall method instead of dragging only the
Officialfolder to another drive. - Remove competing disk activity. Pause backups, file synchronisation, archive extraction and other heavy storage tasks. Real-time security scanning can also delay thousands of package files; inspect the security software's activity before considering a narrow exclusion for trusted simulator files, and never disable protection permanently.
- Check updates and installed content. Confirm that the launcher and mandatory simulator packages have finished updating and that Content Manager shows no queued or incomplete installation. Avoid deleting package indexes or configuration files simply because an old guide recommends it.
Lowering render scaling or general graphics quality rarely shortens the startup scan. Those settings can help once a detailed airport is being rendered, but they will not repair a bad package, cache or update.
Why does MSFS load slowly after an update?
Updates can invalidate cached data and expose add-ons that relied on behaviour changed by the simulator. The first post-update start may therefore be slower, but repeated stalls at the same position are not something to ignore.
Begin with an empty Community folder or Safe Mode, verify that all mandatory content has installed, and test a newly created flight rather than an old saved flight. Our post-update flight-loading checklist covers the add-on, cache and saved-flight failures specific to this situation.
Should I reinstall MSFS 2020 to fix slow loading?
Reinstallation should be the last step, after MSFS remains abnormally slow with stock content, the rolling cache disabled, online data switched off for testing and all updates complete. A reinstall may leave a separately stored Community folder or cache untouched, allowing the same problem to return.
If a clean default flight loads normally, the core installation is working and reinstalling it will not fix the responsible add-on. Restore content gradually instead. If the clean test still stops at one point with no meaningful disk or network activity, use the platform's supported repair options before downloading the whole simulator again.