Fix scenery not loading in Microsoft Flight Simulator by checking online data, rolling cache, packages and add-on conflicts in the right order.
Scenery usually fails to load in Microsoft Flight Simulator because online world data is disabled or unreachable, the rolling cache is damaged, a required package is missing, or an add-on conflicts with another package. Restore data streaming first, clear the cache, then test with third-party content removed.
What kind of scenery loading problem do you have?
The symptom tells you whether to investigate streaming, installed content or add-ons. The same diagnostic order applies to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, although menu and content-library names differ between versions and platforms.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Generic buildings or flat city areas | Photogrammetry is disabled, unavailable or not provided there | Online world-data settings and local coverage |
| Blurry ground textures that never resolve | Slow streaming, cache trouble or low detail settings | Connection, rolling cache and Terrain LOD |
| One installed airport is missing | Package installation, dependency or add-on conflict | Content library and Community folder |
| Tiles are blank, replaced or fail after using a map mod | Imagery source, cache or network configuration | Remove the map modification and restore its network changes |
| The flight itself never finishes loading | Broken package or incompatible add-on | Start with an empty Community folder |
How do I fix scenery not loading in MSFS?
Work through these checks in order and retest the same location after each change. Changing several settings at once makes the actual fault much harder to identify.
- Establish the scope. Load a default aircraft at a standard airport away from the affected area. If scenery fails everywhere, suspect streaming or core content; if only one airport is affected, suspect that airport package or a duplicate add-on.
- Enable online world data. In the simulator’s online or data settings, confirm that online functionality and world graphics data are enabled. Enable photogrammetry if you want supported cities to use scanned three-dimensional scenery. Check that no data cap has been reached and that the simulator remains signed in.
- Restart the data connection. Close Microsoft Flight Simulator fully, restart the router or network connection, then launch the simulator again. Temporarily remove VPN, proxy or firewall filtering if it blocks scenery requests. For MSFS 2024, our explanation of streamed world data, bandwidth limits and cache behaviour helps distinguish a connection problem from an installation problem.
- Delete the rolling cache. Use the simulator’s data settings to delete the existing rolling cache rather than merely switching it off. Restart the simulator and either recreate the cache or leave it disabled for one test flight. Delete any manual cache covering the affected area as well.
- Check installed content. Open the simulator’s content library or package manager and look for missing, disabled or incomplete world, city and airport packages. Install pending content and confirm there is adequate free storage. Do not manually delete official or streamed package folders.
- Test without third-party scenery. On PC, rename the active
Communityfolder and allow the simulator to start with an empty one, or use Safe Mode when it is offered after a crash. On consoles, disable or uninstall recently added optional content through the simulator’s library. If the stock scenery returns, restore packages in small groups until the problem reappears. - Repair before reinstalling. Use the platform’s verification or repair function for damaged core files. A complete reinstall is the last resort because it will not correct blocked online data, an account connection problem or network changes left by a map-enhancement tool.
A mistake we see constantly is treating low-detail terrain as completely missing scenery. If buildings and terrain eventually appear but remain soft or simplified, use our checks for blurred terrain, photogrammetry and Terrain LOD instead.
Why does MSFS load generic scenery instead of photogrammetry?
Generic autogen means the base world has loaded, but photogrammetry has not. Photogrammetry covers selected locations rather than the whole planet, and it requires both the relevant online setting and a working data connection.
If a supported city still shows generic buildings, toggle photogrammetry off, apply the change, restart the simulator and enable it again. Clear the rolling cache if that does not help. Poor or interrupted bandwidth can also make the simulator retain generic scenery while higher-detail data is unavailable.
Why is my downloaded airport scenery not showing?
A downloaded airport usually fails to appear because it is in the wrong folder, has an extra nested directory, lacks a dependency or conflicts with another package for the same airport.
- Confirm you are using the simulator’s active Community folder; its location varies with version and installation choice.
- For a conventional PC scenery package,
manifest.jsonandlayout.jsonnormally sit directly inside the package folder. If they are buried inside an extra wrapper folder, install the inner package folder instead. - Remove duplicate scenery for the same ICAO airport, including older freeware versions and conflicting handcrafted packages.
- Check the package description for required libraries or world content, then confirm those dependencies are installed and enabled.
- If package ordering is available in your simulator version, place the intended airport above the package it is meant to replace. Removing the duplicate is safer when the correct priority is unclear.
Xbox users, and PlayStation users running Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, cannot troubleshoot a PC-style Community folder. Manage installed scenery through the simulator’s content library instead; Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was not released on PlayStation.
What if a map-enhancement add-on broke the scenery?
Map-enhancement tools can stop imagery loading when their remote source, local cache or network redirection fails. Fully disable the tool and reverse any network changes it made; our remote imagery server troubleshooting steps cover this specific failure mode.
What if Microsoft Flight Simulator will not load the flight?
A loading screen that never reaches the cockpit is usually a package or add-on problem rather than ordinary scenery streaming. Start with no Community content, remove the rolling cache and test a default aircraft at a default airport; if it still hangs, follow our structured process for flights stuck during loading.