How do I assign and use reverse thrust in MSFS?

To assign reverse thrust in Microsoft Flight Simulator, open the Controls menu, select your keyboard, controller or throttle, and bind Hold Throttle Reverse Thrust, Toggle Throttle Reverse Thrust or Decrease Throttle. At idle after touchdown, activate it, apply reverse power, then return to reverse idle before disengaging it.

The principle is the same in MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024, although the menu layout and command visibility differ. Display all available controls and search by command name rather than assuming that a particular key or controller button is still using its default assignment.

Which reverse thrust binding should I use?

Choose the binding according to how your throttle hardware sends inputs; assigning several reverse functions to the same physical control usually causes conflicts.

Hold is usually the safest button-assisted choice because it is less likely to remain selected accidentally. Toggle is useful when holding a button while steering and braking is awkward, but forgetting to toggle it off can leave the throttle in reverse mode.

How do I assign reverse thrust in the Controls menu?

Create a separate control profile and bind one reverse method to the device you intend to use.

1. Open Controls. Select the keyboard, controller or throttle quadrant that will command reverse thrust. The top-level menu wording differs between MSFS 2020 and 2024.
2. Show all commands. Search for reverse thrust and decrease throttle. Filters that display assigned or essential controls only can hide the command you need.
3. Choose the engine scope. Use the generic throttle and reverse commands for one combined lever. For independent levers, assign the individual throttle axes and matching per-engine reverse commands where the aircraft supports them.
4. Check for conflicts. Clear duplicate throttle or reverse assignments from unused controllers, gamepad triggers and other axes. Do not bind Hold and Toggle to the same switch.
5. Save and test the profile. Test at low power with the aircraft stationary, parking brake set and sufficient clear space. Check that every engine enters reverse and returns cleanly to forward idle.

If the normal power axis also needs configuring, our guide to pairing throttle axes with reverse commands explains when to use a standard axis, a reverse button or a full-range assignment.

What is the simplest keyboard or controller setup?

For a keyboard, Decrease Throttle is the simplest choice; for a controller, Hold Throttle Reverse Thrust is usually safer than Toggle.

On the standard PC keyboard profile, F1 normally commands throttle cut or idle and F2 decreases throttle. Bring the throttle to idle, then hold F2 to move into reverse on a compatible aircraft. Use the throttle-idle command before applying forward power again, and verify these bindings if you use a customised keyboard profile.

For an Xbox controller, or a PlayStation controller in MSFS 2024, assign Hold or Toggle to an available button or chord. We do not recommend assuming a universal default button because controller presets and imported profiles vary.

How do I use reverse thrust after landing?

Use reverse thrust only after touchdown, with the forward throttles at idle and the aircraft's ground logic permitting deployment.

1. Close the throttles. Move them fully to forward idle after touchdown. Some aircraft will not unlock their reversers until weight-on-wheels logic is active.
2. Deploy reverse. Hold or toggle the assigned reverse command, pull a calibrated lever through its reverse gate, or continue using Decrease Throttle below idle.
3. Set reverse power. With Hold or Toggle active, move the normal throttle axis away from idle to increase reverse. With a physical reverse range, move through that range. Watch the engine instruments and the aircraft's reverse indication rather than relying only on lever animation.
4. Reduce to reverse idle. Bring the axis back to idle or use the throttle-idle command. Do this before releasing Hold or switching Toggle off; otherwise an advanced axis can suddenly command forward thrust.
5. Stow the reversers. Continue decelerating with wheel brakes and follow the aircraft's checklist. Many airliners reduce to reverse idle near 60 knots, but there is no universal cut-off speed for every aircraft.

A binding cannot create reverse thrust on an aircraft that does not have it. Most light piston aircraft use fixed-pitch or non-reversing propellers, while transport jets and many turboprops provide reverse or beta-range operation. Turboprop beta and reverse logic can also be aircraft-specific.

Throttle quadrants, reverse gates and detents

A physical reverse detent works only if the quadrant sends an axis range or button that Microsoft Flight Simulator can bind.

• Button-style reverse levers: Keep the main throttle axes in their normal range and assign the buttons at the reverse detent to Hold Reverse. While the buttons are held, the main axes set reverse power.
• Below-idle axis travel: Use a full-range throttle axis where supported, then calibrate the idle and reverse zones in the aircraft's own calibration page if it provides one.
• Separate engine levers: Confirm that both engine axes and both reverse inputs are detected. Mixing a generic axis with individual engine axes is a common cause of asymmetric thrust.

The control option labelled Reverse Axis or Invert Axis only changes which physical direction increases the value. It does not enable reverse thrust. Hardware-specific procedures differ, so we provide separate instructions for calibrating TCA Airbus reverse gates and detents and mapping Saitek or Logitech reverse detents.

Why is reverse thrust not working in MSFS?

Reverse thrust failures usually come from an incompatible aircraft, the wrong active profile, duplicate axis assignments or an uncalibrated idle detent.

• Nothing happens: Confirm that the aircraft has reversers, is on the ground and has its throttles at idle. Check that the reverse command is assigned in the active device profile.
• The reverser animates but produces no thrust: A Hold or Toggle command deploys reverse mode but may not add power by itself. Move the assigned throttle axis after deployment, or recalibrate the aircraft's reverse range.
• Only one engine reverses: Inspect the individual engine-axis and per-engine reverse bindings. One missing assignment or a combined axis conflicting with separate axes is usually responsible.
• The throttle jumps or flickers: Remove duplicate assignments and add a small dead zone around a noisy idle detent. Our MSFS throttle troubleshooting checklist covers conflicting devices, calibration and axis detection in more detail.
• Forward travel produces reverse throughout the flight: Correct the axis direction or range. Do not use the axis-invert option as a substitute for a reverse-thrust binding.
• Reverse will not disengage: Return the throttle axis to idle, issue the Toggle command again if used, and check for a stuck switch or repeated keyboard input.