Restore missing Microsoft Flight Simulator content by checking ownership, library filters, streaming, install paths and Community add-ons.
Content goes missing in Microsoft Flight Simulator when the sim uses the wrong account, an owned package is not installed or enabled, filters hide it, streaming fails, or an add-on sits in the wrong Packages path. Confirm ownership, restore the affected package through the content library, then restart the sim.
What usually causes missing MSFS content?
Missing MSFS content normally falls into one of five categories, and identifying which one applies avoids an unnecessary full reinstall.
| Symptom | Likely cause | First check |
|---|---|---|
| Premium, Deluxe or purchased aircraft are all absent | Wrong account, storefront profile or edition entitlement | Confirm the accounts and edition used for the purchase |
| An item is owned but unavailable in the sim | Package not installed, disabled, outdated or hidden by a filter | Search for it in Content Manager or the content library |
| Content disappears when offline | The asset is being streamed, particularly in MSFS 2024 | Check online services and the package's download status |
| Freeware or a manually installed add-on is missing | Wrong Community folder, compressed archive or nested package | Verify the active Packages path and package structure |
| Only scenery or airports are absent | Online data, optional world content, cache or scenery conflict | Check the affected scenery package and online data settings |
How do I restore official or Marketplace content?
Restore official and Marketplace content through Microsoft Flight Simulator's own library rather than copying package folders manually.
- Verify both account layers. Sign into the platform account that owns the simulator and the in-sim account used when the content was acquired. Edition upgrades and purchases do not necessarily transfer between every storefront or console ecosystem.
- Confirm the correct edition. Premium or Deluxe aircraft and airports will not appear under a Standard-edition entitlement. On consoles, also check that the relevant game add-on or entitlement is installed through the platform's content management screen.
- Clear the library filters. Open Content Manager in MSFS 2020 or the equivalent library view in MSFS 2024. Remove filters such as installed, available, disabled or aircraft-only, then search for the package by name.
- Check the package state. Install, download or enable anything marked owned but unavailable. If an update is offered, update the package and any listed dependencies before loading a flight.
- Check streaming in MSFS 2024. Many assets can be delivered online rather than kept locally. Restore online functionality or download supported packages for local use; our explanation of how MSFS 2024 streaming and local content differ covers that choice in detail.
- Check storage. Make sure the content drive is connected and has free space. A failed update, moved Packages location or disconnected secondary drive can leave the library entry present while its files are unavailable.
- Fully restart the simulator. Content changes may not mount during the same session. Close the sim completely; on Xbox, quit it rather than returning through Quick Resume.
If the package still shows as owned but cannot be installed, update the simulator and platform components first. Repair or verify the core installation only after account, edition, storage and package status have been ruled out.
Why does installed content still not appear?
An installed package may be working but appear somewhere other than expected, or depend on content that is still missing.
- A livery appears under its required aircraft; it is not a separate aircraft.
- An airport or scenery package changes the world and will not create an aircraft-selection tile.
- Aircraft variants may be grouped beneath one aircraft entry or hidden by list filters.
- Career, training and activity modes can restrict available aircraft; check the item in Free Flight before treating it as missing.
- Safe Mode suppresses third-party packages by design. Content visible in normal mode but absent in Safe Mode is not lost.
Why are Community add-ons installed but not showing?
A Community add-on will not load unless it is extracted into the active Community folder with the package files at the correct directory level.
- Locate the active folder. Microsoft Store, Steam and custom installations can use different Packages locations. Use our steps for finding the Community folder the simulator is actually reading rather than relying on an old shortcut.
- Extract the archive. Do not place a ZIP, RAR or other compressed download directly in
Community. - Remove extra folder nesting. For a conventional MSFS package, files such as
manifest.jsonandlayout.jsonshould be inside the add-on's package folder, not buried beneath another identically named folder. - Check dependencies and compatibility. A livery may require a separate aircraft, while scenery can depend on an object library. Packages built for a different simulator generation may not load correctly.
- Test without conflicts. Temporarily move other Community packages out, restart the sim and test the missing item alone. If necessary, follow our fuller process for diagnosing an add-on that MSFS will not detect.
Do not move official or Marketplace folders into Community. Their package names may be obscure or their files protected, but they must remain under the location managed by the simulator.
Does restoring content differ between MSFS 2020 and 2024?
The principle is the same, but MSFS 2020 relies more heavily on locally installed optional packages while MSFS 2024 can stream much of its content.
| Version or platform | Key restoration check |
|---|---|
| MSFS 2020 | Use Content Manager to install or update optional aircraft, airports and world packages. MSFS 2020 is available on PC and Xbox, not PlayStation. |
| MSFS 2024 | Check whether the package is enabled, streamed or downloaded, as well as whether online services are available. |
| PC | Official content and manually installed Community packages use separate managed locations; verify the active Packages path. |
| Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5 | Restore content through the simulator and console account. Consoles do not provide the user-accessible PC Community folder. PlayStation support applies to MSFS 2024, not MSFS 2020. |
What if only scenery or airports are missing?
Missing scenery usually points to online world-data settings, an uninstalled optional package, a conflicting add-on or cached data rather than a lost aircraft or account entitlement.
Check whether the problem affects one airport, one region or the whole world. For one location, verify its Marketplace, edition or world-package installation and remove duplicate airport add-ons. For widespread terrain or photogrammetry loss, use our targeted steps to restore scenery data and resolve cache or add-on conflicts.
Should I delete the cache or reinstall the whole simulator?
Do not delete caches or reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator as the first response to missing content.
The rolling cache affects streamed world scenery; it does not restore aircraft ownership, Marketplace entitlements or Community packages. Clear or rebuild it only when scenery is corrupted or stale. A full reinstall is the last resort after verifying accounts, edition, package status, dependencies, storage and the active Packages path.