Set MSFS 2020 or 2024 to real-world time before each flight, learn why it may not remain the default, and fix incorrect daylight.
Microsoft Flight Simulator does not provide a dependable global setting that forces every flight to start at real-world time. In Free Flight, open the date-and-time controls on the World Map, select Live, verify the date and local time, then start the flight. Repeat this when loading saved or fixed-condition scenarios.
How do I set real-world time in MSFS?
Select Live in the date-and-time controls before launching each Free Flight. The wording and layout differ between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024, but both editions provide time controls during flight setup.
- Open Free Flight and choose the aircraft, departure airport and destination.
- Open the conditions controls on the World Map. Look for the section containing weather, date and time.
- Select Live beside the date-and-time setting. Do not merely choose Live Weather.
- Check both the date and time. An old date changes sunrise, sunset and seasonal lighting even when the hour appears correct.
- Start the flight only after confirming the setting has remained on Live.
Live Weather and live time are separate choices. Our explanation of the difference between MSFS weather and time settings covers how to combine them for present-day conditions.
Can MSFS remember real-world time permanently?
MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 do not expose a universal “always use present time” preference that overrides every flight type. Free Flight may remember the previous selection, but saved flights, resumed sessions and authored activities can restore their own date and time.
| Flight type | Expected behaviour | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| New Free Flight | May retain the last-used setting | Confirm Live before pressing Fly |
| Saved or resumed flight | Can restore the saved timestamp | Select Live again after loading |
| Training, challenge or mission | Time may be fixed by the activity | Use the supplied conditions unless editing is permitted |
A saved flight is therefore not a reliable workaround: it can preserve a particular timestamp rather than dynamically substituting the real date and time whenever it opens.
Why is the time or daylight still wrong?
Incorrect daylight usually comes from selecting Live Weather without Live time, comparing UTC with local time, or retaining the correct hour with the wrong date.
- Live Weather only: Real-world clouds and wind do not automatically guarantee the present date and time. Set both controls separately.
- UTC versus local time: Many cockpit clocks and avionics display UTC, also called Zulu time. Check how Zulu time relates to local time in MSFS before treating an offset as an error.
- Different airport time zone: Compare the simulator with the local time at the selected airport, not necessarily the clock at your own location. The airport may also be on a different calendar date.
- Incorrect computer clock: Verify the operating system's date, time zone and automatic clock synchronisation.
- Old date: Setting only the hour can produce noticeably wrong sunrise or sunset times because daylight varies by season.
- Paused or accelerated simulation: A long pause or altered simulation rate can leave the flight out of step with the real clock. Return to normal simulation rate and select Live again.
Can I switch to real-world time after loading?
In an unrestricted Free Flight, open the in-flight weather or time panel from the toolbar and select Live again. Our guide to using the in-flight MSFS toolbar explains how to reach those panels.
The control may be unavailable during training lessons, challenges and other activities with fixed conditions. In that case, the activity's chosen time takes priority and cannot be replaced from the cockpit.