MSFS NAV radio beeping is usually a VOR or ILS Morse ident. Learn which audio-panel control stops it without losing navigation guidance.
Your NAV radio is beeping because NAV1 or NAV2 audio monitoring is enabled and the tuned VOR or ILS is transmitting its Morse-code identifier. On the aircraft’s audio panel, press the lit NAV1 or NAV2 monitor button to deselect it. This silences the ident without untuning the station or disabling navigation guidance.
How do I turn off the NAV radio Morse code?
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, the control is normally inside the aircraft rather than in the simulator’s general sound settings. Its position and label depend on the avionics fitted.
- Identify the monitored receiver. Check which active frequency is tuned on NAV1 and NAV2. The standby frequency does not produce the ident until it is transferred to active.
- Find the audio panel. Look for buttons labelled NAV1, NAV2, VOR1 or VOR2. Glass-cockpit aircraft usually place these on a dedicated audio panel; an airliner may use receiver controls on an Audio Control Panel.
- Deselect the relevant audio source. Press its illuminated monitor button or turn down that receiver’s audio volume. Some airliner panels use a combined push-and-volume control rather than a separate button.
- Leave the frequency tuned. Confirm that the CDI, HSI or flight director still receives the VOR or localiser signal.
If you are unsure which receiver is making the sound, switch NAV1 and NAV2 monitoring off one at a time. A mistake we see often is changing the frequency instead; that stops the sound but also removes the navigation source the aircraft may need.
Will muting NAV audio disable the VOR or ILS?
No. The audio monitor lets you hear the station identifier, while the NAV receiver separately supplies course and deviation information to the instruments. Muting NAV audio therefore does not normally affect VOR tracking, localiser capture or glideslope guidance.
The identifier has a purpose: it confirms that the tuned facility is the one expected and is transmitting normally. For realistic operation, listen long enough to verify the Morse identifier, then deselect the audio. Our guide to identifying and following VOR and NDB stations explains how the audio and cockpit indications fit together.
An ILS localiser can transmit a Morse identifier too, so hearing it during approach setup is normal. Muting it will not stop the approach; use the correct frequency, course and navigation source as covered in our MSFS 2024 ILS setup and capture instructions.
Why does the beeping return after changing frequency?
NAV audio monitoring remains selected when you tune another station, so the newly received VOR or ILS begins transmitting its own identifier through the same audio channel. Aircraft state presets, checklists or a reloaded cockpit may also leave NAV monitoring enabled.
In aircraft with separate captain and first-officer audio panels, check the panel associated with your listening position. Detailed add-on aircraft may model the two sides independently, which can make a tone appear to persist after changing the wrong panel.
What if NAV1 and NAV2 audio are already off?
Not every repeating cockpit tone comes from a NAV receiver. Its pattern and the phase of flight usually reveal the source.
| What you hear | Likely source | Control to check |
|---|---|---|
| Repeated groups of short and long Morse tones | VOR, localiser or paired DME identifier | NAV1, NAV2, VOR1 or VOR2 audio |
| Morse tones while an ADF frequency is selected | NDB identifier | ADF audio monitor |
| Brief patterned tones close to an instrument runway | Marker beacon | MKR or marker audio |
| Speech or radio static | COM radio or ATC | COM1, COM2 and speaker controls |
| A continuous horn, chime or spoken warning | Aircraft alert system | Resolve the warning rather than muting NAV audio |
If the expected identifier is missing, distorted or continues with every radio source deselected, verify the active frequency, reception range and selected navigation source. Our NAV receiver and VOR signal troubleshooting steps cover the common tuning, range and source-selection faults.