Learn how to install and use the Navigraph toolbar in MSFS 2020, import routes, view charts and fix a missing or unresponsive panel.
On PC, install the Navigraph Charts In-Game Panel through Navigraph Hub, start Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, load a flight, then move the pointer to the top of the screen and select the Navigraph icon. Authorise your account, import or create a route, and open or pin the charts you need.
How do I open the Navigraph toolbar in MSFS 2020?
The Navigraph icon appears in the in-flight toolbar after the Charts In-Game Panel has been installed and MSFS 2020 has restarted.
- Close MSFS 2020. The simulator should not be running while Navigraph Hub installs or updates the panel.
- Install the Charts In-Game Panel. Open Navigraph Hub, select Microsoft Flight Simulator and install the panel. Our PC installation and Simlink setup walkthrough covers the initial configuration.
- Load into a flight. The panel is used from the cockpit rather than the World Map planning screen.
- Show the MSFS toolbar. Move the mouse pointer to the top-centre of the screen and select the Navigraph logo. If it is hidden, open the toolbar customisation control and enable Navigraph.
- Authorise Navigraph. Follow the code or browser prompt displayed by the panel, sign in with the account that has Charts access, then return to MSFS.
The Hub-installed panel is a Windows PC add-on. It cannot be sideloaded into the Xbox version of MSFS 2020.
How do I use routes and charts in the panel?
The panel can display a saved Navigraph route, import the latest SimBrief flight associated with your account, or let you build a route within Charts.
- Load the route. Use the panel's flight or route controls to open a saved flight or import the latest generated SimBrief operational flight plan.
- Select an airport. Choose the departure, destination or alternate from the route, or search for an airport directly.
- Open the required chart. Select the airport diagram, SID, STAR or approach plate matching the procedure assigned to the flight.
- Pin charts for quick access. Keep the taxi chart, departure plate and likely arrival charts available instead of searching again during a busy phase of flight.
- Enable the moving map or chart overlay. The aircraft symbol appears on supported georeferenced charts. A plate without georeferencing can still be viewed, but it will not show live position on the chart.
Our practical Navigraph Charts workflow explains route importing, airport searches and pinned charts in more detail. Always verify that the selected procedure and runway match the clearance or weather rather than assuming the imported plan is still valid.
Does the Navigraph toolbar load the route into the aircraft?
No. Opening or editing a route in the Navigraph panel does not automatically programme the aircraft's GPS, FMS, MSFS World Map plan or ATC route.
Load the same plan separately through the World Map, the aircraft's supported flight-plan import function or its avionics. Some add-on aircraft provide their own Navigraph and SimBrief integrations, which require separate authorisation; for example, the FlyByWire aircraft uses the A32NX's own Navigraph and route connections.
What do the Navigraph panel, Simlink and navdata each do?
These Navigraph components perform different jobs and do not replace one another.
| Component | Purpose | Required for the toolbar? |
|---|---|---|
| Charts In-Game Panel | Displays maps, routes and charts inside MSFS | Yes |
| Simlink | Sends live aircraft position to Navigraph Charts running outside the simulator | Normally no; the in-game panel obtains position from MSFS |
| Navigraph navdata | Updates the simulator's AIRAC navigation database | No; this is a separate Hub installation |
| Aircraft integration | Connects supported avionics or an EFB to Navigraph and SimBrief | No; authorise it within the aircraft |
Installing the toolbar does not update MSFS procedures or make its navdata match the charts. If procedures are missing or runway identifiers disagree, follow our guide to updating Microsoft Flight Simulator navdata.
Why is the Navigraph toolbar missing or not working?
A missing Navigraph icon usually means the panel was not installed, MSFS has not been restarted, or third-party content has been disabled.
- No toolbar icon: confirm that Navigraph Hub reports the Charts In-Game Panel as installed, restart MSFS, and enable Navigraph in the toolbar customisation control.
- MSFS started in Safe Mode: Safe Mode disables third-party packages, including the Navigraph panel. Restart in Normal Mode once the underlying crash has been resolved.
- Authorisation keeps repeating: finish the browser authorisation with the same Navigraph account used for Charts, then close and reopen the panel.
- The SimBrief flight is missing: check that the flight was generated under the linked account. Saving a draft route without generating the flight may leave nothing for the panel to import.
- The route differs from the avionics: the Charts route and aircraft flight plan are separate copies. Reimport or reprogramme the changed route in both places.
- The panel is blank or unresponsive: close and reopen it, then use Navigraph Hub to update or reinstall the panel. Avoid keeping manually copied older versions alongside the Hub-managed package.
- No aircraft symbol appears: make sure the flight has started, ownship display is enabled and the selected chart supports georeferencing. Simlink is relevant when tracking the aircraft in an external Charts app, not normally inside the toolbar panel.