How do I turn off ATC in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
To turn off ATC in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, disable AI Radio Communications (ATC) in the Assistance settings. That stops the AI co-pilot transmitting for you. To silence controller speech as well, switch ATC text-to-speech off or reduce the ATC or voice volume in the Sound settings.
How to stop the AI co-pilot answering ATC
Turn off AI Radio Communications (ATC) if the simulator is acknowledging clearances, changing frequencies or making radio calls without your input.
- Open Settings: Enter the settings from the home screen or pause menu.
- Open the Assistance options: Expand the Piloting-related category and locate AI Radio Communications (ATC). Category names can shift between simulator updates, but the toggle wording is the important part.
- Set it to Off: Apply the change before returning to the flight.
- Check the assistance preset: Changing to an easier preset later can enable the radio helper again.
This setting does not remove ATC. It returns radio control to you, so controllers will still issue instructions after you request a clearance or contact a frequency. Our guide to controlling the built-in ATC panel and radio manually explains those interactions.
How do I mute ATC voices completely?
To silence built-in controller speech, open the Sound settings and turn ATC Text-to-Speech or Text-to-Speech off. If your interface provides a separate ATC or Voices volume control instead, reduce that to zero.
| What you want | Setting or action | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Stop automatic radio replies | AI Radio Communications (ATC): Off | You make the calls; simulated ATC remains available |
| Mute controller speech | ATC text-to-speech: Off | ATC text may remain visible, but voices are silenced |
| Avoid active ATC instructions | Do not request a clearance, or cancel an active IFR clearance | Ends the controller interaction rather than merely muting it |
| Hide the ATC window | Close its toolbar panel | Only hides the interface; it does not disable ATC |
A general Voices slider may also affect co-pilot, instructor or other spoken audio. Use the dedicated text-to-speech option when available. The same principle applies on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, although controller prompts and menu layout differ.
Why does ATC keep talking after I turn it off?
ATC usually keeps talking because only the automatic co-pilot has been disabled, not the controller audio or an already active clearance.
- An IFR clearance is still active: Use the ATC panel's cancellation option if you no longer want en-route instructions.
- The ATC window was merely closed: Closing a toolbar panel does not stop its audio.
- An assistance preset restored the option: Recheck AI Radio Communications after changing presets or starting an activity.
- A career or structured activity expects radio calls: Turning off the helper does not remove radio-related objectives.
- The sound comes from an external ATC add-on: Built-in MSFS settings cannot mute a separate application; disconnect or mute it through its own controls.
If you want no controller interaction at all, start a free-flight VFR session, avoid requesting flight following or clearance, and leave the ATC helper disabled. Simply tuning away from the assigned frequency can stop that controller's audio, but it leaves an accepted clearance unresolved.
Does turning off ATC remove live traffic or multiplayer?
Turning off or muting ATC does not remove live traffic, multiplayer aircraft or change the aircraft's flight model. It only changes automatic radio handling and controller audio.
Microsoft Flight Simulator's built-in controllers are simulated rather than a feed from an actual tower. Our explanation of the difference between simulated ATC and real airport radio covers what the sound settings can and cannot affect.