How do I reset the sim rate to normal in Microsoft Flight Simulator?
To reset sim rate to normal in Microsoft Flight Simulator, use your Sim Rate Decrease control until the sim is back at 1x. If you do not know the shortcut, or it does nothing, open Controls Options, search for sim rate, and assign the decrease command or any direct normal/reset command your version provides.
Quickest way to return to normal sim rate
- Use your sim rate decrease input while in flight. Sim rate changes in steps, so one press may not be enough.
- Press it several times if you accelerated the sim heavily. A high multiplier can take a few taps to bring back down to normal.
- If you do not know the binding, open Controls Options. You can do this from the main menus, or leave the flight and set it up properly before your next leg.
- Select the device profile you actually use, usually your keyboard. Then search for
sim rate. - Bind the decrease command to a key or button you can reach easily. If your build shows a direct normal or reset command for sim rate, bind that too.
- Test it at a safe altitude. Increase the sim rate once, then return it to normal, so you know the control works before you need it during climb, descent or approach.
Where is the sim rate control in MSFS?
In both Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, the easiest method is to use the control search rather than hunting through categories. Type sim rate into the search box in Controls Options.
The exact command names can vary a little by sim version and device profile, but you are looking for the entries that increase, decrease, or set/reset sim rate. On some setups, only increase and decrease are assigned. That is why many simmers simply tap decrease until the flight feels normal again.
One common snag: many default keyboard profiles use keys that are awkward on compact keyboards. If you are on a laptop or a keyboard without a proper numpad, the default binding may be unreachable or may need a function-layer key. In that case, just assign your own shortcut.
How do I know the sim rate is back to 1x?
MSFS does not always give you a clear, permanent on-screen readout for sim rate in normal flying. The practical way to manage it is by behaviour:
- If scenery movement, instrument updates and aircraft response feel normal again, you are probably back at 1x.
- If the aircraft still races through distance, turns too quickly, or clocks and systems jump in big steps, you are still above normal speed.
- If you are unsure, keep tapping Sim Rate Decrease a few more times rather than guessing.
That is exactly why we recommend a dedicated reset or normal-speed binding if your version offers one.
Why is the sim still acting strangely after I reset the rate?
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Everything is frozen | You used Active Pause or normal pause, not sim rate | Turn off pause first, then check sim rate separately |
| Shortcut does nothing | The command is unbound, assigned on the wrong device, or blocked by a conflicting profile | Search for sim rate in Controls Options and assign it on the active profile |
| The aircraft still feels unstable | High sim rate upset autopilot, navigation or aircraft systems | Let the aircraft settle at 1x and re-check speed, altitude and autopilot modes |
| The sim speeds up again by itself | A duplicate keybind, macro, controller button or external utility is triggering it | Check for conflicting assignments and remove duplicates |
| Laptop keys will not work | Your keyboard layout does not match the default shortcut | Create a custom binding on ordinary keys or a controller button |
What if I cannot find a direct reset-to-normal command?
That is not unusual. Some MSFS control profiles effectively rely on increase and decrease rather than a single one-shot reset. If that is what you see, bind Sim Rate Decrease somewhere convenient and use that as your recovery method.
We suggest putting it on a key you will not hit by accident, but one you can still reach quickly. Sim rate is useful on long cruise segments, but it can ruin an approach if you forget it is still active.
Is this the same as time acceleration?
For practical flying in MSFS, simmers often use the term sim rate to mean accelerated simulation speed. The effect is the same from the pilot's seat: the whole simulation runs faster or slower than normal.
The important point is that returning to normal means getting back to 1x. Whether your binding is named around sim rate or time acceleration, the fix is still to reduce it back to standard speed.
Best practice if you use sim rate often
- Bind increase and decrease to deliberate, easy-to-remember keys.
- If available, bind a separate normal/reset command as well.
- Test the controls in a simple flight before using them in a complex airliner or on final approach.
- After returning to 1x, check autopilot modes, target altitude, speed and vertical path.
- Avoid high sim rates during busy arrivals, holds, hand-flying, or when managing complex systems.
If your aircraft still will not behave normally
Some add-on aircraft are less tolerant of accelerated sim time than others. Even after you return to 1x, the autopilot may have overshot, the aircraft may be out of trim, or managed speed and descent logic may need a moment to recover.
When that happens, stabilise the aircraft first. Level off if needed, correct speed, verify thrust and flap state, then re-engage the modes you actually want. Resetting the sim rate fixes the speed of the simulation, but it does not always undo what happened while the sim was accelerated.