Turn off ATC in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, stop AI radio replies, mute controller voices and fix ATC that keeps talking.
To turn off automatic ATC in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, open Options, choose Assistance Options, expand Piloting, set AI Radio Communications (ATC) to Off, then apply and save. This stops the AI co-pilot handling radio calls; it does not completely disable the simulator’s ATC system or automatically silence controller voices.
How to turn off automatic ATC replies
The relevant assistance setting prevents the AI co-pilot from selecting ATC responses on your behalf.
- Open Options: From the main menu, select Options, or pause an active flight and open the options menu.
- Select Assistance Options: Open the section containing the simulator’s piloting aids.
- Expand Piloting: Find AI Radio Communications (ATC).
- Set it to Off: This returns radio responses to your control.
- Apply the change: Select Apply & Save before returning to the flight.
If the co-pilot still answers, open the in-flight AI Control or Flight Assistant panel from the toolbar and check that its radio-management option is also off. Selecting a different Assistance preset can re-enable the feature.
These steps apply to MSFS 2020. The newer simulator uses a different interface, covered in our instructions for disabling ATC assistance in MSFS 2024.
Does this completely disable ATC?
No single MSFS 2020 switch removes the ATC system, stops AI replies, silences every transmission and hides the ATC window. Those functions use separate controls.
| What you want | What to change | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Stop automatic responses | Turn off AI Radio Communications (ATC) | The co-pilot stops selecting ATC menu replies |
| Silence controller voices | Set Communications volume to zero under Sound, or lower the cockpit COM volume where modelled | ATC remains active but becomes inaudible |
| Hide the ATC window | Close it or toggle ATC from the toolbar | Only the panel is hidden; radio traffic can continue |
| End IFR instructions | Select Cancel IFR in the ATC panel when that option is available | ATC stops managing the active IFR clearance |
If you only want to change what can be heard, our MSFS 2020 ATC voice and audio controls explain the communications volume, text-to-speech and audio-output settings in more detail.
Why does ATC keep talking after I turn it off?
ATC keeps talking because AI Radio Communications controls who answers the radio, not whether controller transmissions are generated. You may still hear airport traffic and instructions while a COM radio is tuned to an ATC frequency.
For silence, reduce the simulator’s Communications volume or the aircraft’s COM receiver volume. If you filed an IFR plan and accepted a clearance, use Cancel IFR when offered; merely closing the ATC panel does not cancel the clearance.
A mistake we see constantly is turning off the ATC window and assuming the system has been disabled. The window, AI co-pilot and audio output are independent controls.
Can I disable default ATC while using VATSIM?
Yes. Turn off AI Radio Communications, avoid responding through the built-in ATC panel and silence the simulator’s ATC voices so they do not overlap with human controllers.
Keep the aircraft’s radios tuned normally because the external network client may read those frequencies. Our setup guidance for using VATSIM with Microsoft Flight Simulator covers the radio, audio and connection workflow.