Use a mouse and keyboard with Microsoft Flight Simulator on Xbox: supported hardware, setup steps, control limits and fixes when inputs fail.
Yes. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 support USB mouse and keyboard input when running locally on Xbox Series X|S. A mouse is ideal for menus and cockpit switches, while a keyboard adds shortcuts; most pilots should still use a controller, yoke or stick for smooth primary flight control.
What can a mouse and keyboard do on Xbox?
A mouse and keyboard can operate much of the simulator, but each device is suited to a different job.
| Device | Best use | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Mouse | Menus, toolbar panels, cockpit switches, knobs and displays | Not a practical substitute for an analogue flight stick |
| Keyboard | Shortcuts, views, systems, radio commands and control assignments | Digital key presses make precise pitch and roll difficult |
| Xbox controller | Primary flight controls, cameras and console menus | Limited buttons for complex aircraft |
The most useful arrangement is controller plus mouse and keyboard: fly with the controller, manipulate the cockpit with the mouse and place less frequently used commands on the keyboard. Button prompts may change as the simulator detects the last device used.
How do you connect a mouse and keyboard to MSFS on Xbox?
- Use compatible USB hardware. Connect a wired mouse and keyboard to the console, or use wireless models that include their own USB receiver. Ordinary Bluetooth peripherals generally cannot pair directly with an Xbox console.
- Start the simulator locally. Plugging the devices in before launching Microsoft Flight Simulator gives it the best chance of detecting them correctly.
- Check the control devices. Open the simulator's control settings and confirm that the keyboard and mouse appear as separate devices. Menu names and layouts differ between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.
- Review the assigned profile. Begin with the default profile, test a few commands and then save personal changes to a custom profile. If a command search appears empty, change the filter so it displays all commands rather than assigned commands only.
Our Xbox Series X setup checklist covers the wider console setup, including supported control hardware and initial configuration.
Why is the mouse or keyboard not working?
Missing input is usually caused by the USB connection, an incorrect control profile or the simulator failing to initialise the device.
- No device appears in the controls screen: fully quit the simulator, reconnect the peripheral and relaunch it. Try another console USB port and remove an unpowered hub from the chain.
- The pointer works in menus but not in the cockpit: the hardware has been detected, so check cockpit interaction and mouse bindings rather than reinstalling the simulator. Use our focused Xbox cockpit-mouse troubleshooting steps if this occurs in MSFS 2024.
- A command activates twice: look for overlapping assignments across the keyboard, mouse and controller profiles. Remove the conflicting binding instead of resetting every device.
- Keys do not match a control list: MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 use different defaults, and custom profiles can override them. Check the active profile against our MSFS 2024 keyboard-command reference.
- A wireless device disconnects: replace its batteries, move the USB receiver away from interference and test it without a hub.
A mistake we see often is changing several profiles at once. Test one device at a time, beginning with its default profile, so the source of a missing or duplicated command remains clear.
Does mouse and keyboard support work through Xbox Cloud Gaming?
Cloud input support depends on the game session and the client used, so it should not be treated as equivalent to a local Xbox Series X|S installation.
This matters on Xbox One, which accesses modern Microsoft Flight Simulator releases through cloud streaming rather than running them locally. A keyboard may work elsewhere on the console without being passed into the streamed simulator. Keep a controller available and check the practical limitations in our guide to running Flight Simulator on Xbox One through cloud gaming.
What is the best Xbox control combination?
For most Xbox pilots, the best combination is an Xbox controller for flying, a mouse for cockpit interaction and a keyboard for commands.
A yoke or flight stick becomes worthwhile when precise hand-flying matters, particularly during approaches and landings. Mouse and keyboard support makes complex aircraft easier to operate, but it does not give keyboard keys the progressive movement of an analogue axis.