My internet was down today, and I launched MSFS figuring I could at least use the offline mode.  Instead I was asked to insert the disk, and was given the choice to Continue (which it would not let me do) or Quit.

Is running offline impossible?  I downloaded so there is no disk.

you need to set it offlien via the store first, ala steam

I've tested this a few times and mine works offline. I have the standard Gamepass version.

I even had my internet go out yesterday (forgot about the scheduled speed upgrades that were happening with my ISP at the time) while flying and the sim displayed a message about being offline and simply went on running.

But I didn't buy from Steam, and couldn't get online.  Does that mean it's impossible?

Maybe check in Microsoft Store->Settings, scroll down to Offline permissions and check if that's on.

General - Data - Online Functionality set to OFF

Before you are doing that, you need to have manual cache or rolling cache have saved the regions with low altitudes (high resolution)  that you want to fly again. Then you can go offline and have decent visuals. Otherwise without caching prior to offline, you will have generic buildings and less resolution the same area. Performance generally increases with the less resolution of scenery and generic buldings. Decreases with higher visuals,as normal. As I have experienced, it will not be worse than online, as high  detailed streaming will be closed.

I hope this helps. Happy flying.

Edited August 28, 20205 yr by kt069

On 8/28/2020 at 8:39 PM, JSmith2112 said:

Maybe check in Microsoft Store->Settings, scroll down to Offline permissions and check if that's on.

I have checked that the offline button IS turned but the msfs2020 would not launch, so please some other suggestion. Thanks

57 minutes ago, MOD_FLYER said:

I have checked that the offline button IS turned but the msfs2020 would not launch, so please some other suggestion. Thanks

What I've found that applies to the current version is that you have to have internet enabled at least from the point that you start the sim until you get to the menu. After this you can disable internet and whatever is cached will show up when you fly. You can quit and restart the sim after that and it will still load, although it will display a pop up message about you being offline but it will continue.

Once you've rebooted though you will have to login again. I can't speak to how much data is used to get to the menu but I imagine a Xbox login is being processed and your controller settings are definetly stored online as well.

9 hours ago, MOD_FLYER said:

I have checked that the offline button IS turned but the msfs2020 would not launch, so please some other suggestion. Thanks

The MS XBox docs say that this is possible, but I have tried it, and MSFS complains and will not start up without an internet connection.

On 8/28/2020 at 2:39 PM, JSmith2112 said:

Maybe check in Microsoft Store->Settings, scroll down to Offline permissions and check if that's on.

Step 1 above.

Step 2: launch MSFS (and any other MS store limited connection games) once while you have the internet connected, and let it load.

The next time you launch MSFS while offline, you should be able to play. Rebooting shouldn’t affect this.

This only applies to the device you applied step 1 with. Any other device you have MSFS installed on will have to be online until it’s finished loading.

You can change the designated device a limited number of times per year. (Memory serves it’s 3 times)

At least this is how it is supposed to work, unless there is another regression bug at play.

51 minutes ago, conundrum said:

At least this is how it is supposed to work, unless there is another regression bug at play.

But when I try it... I get a hard error...

Try it yourself and tell us how you got it to work! 😉

It was working before. That is the official MS procedure. Either it's another regression bug, or a new "feature". It's too bad, because at least you could still play when the connection was down (either yours, or Microsoft's).

All you can do is file a Zendesk report, and hope they acknowledge it. I haven't downloaded the latest WU yet; I can try again after that.

 

https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/games-apps/game-setup-and-play/play-games-offline-on-windows-10-using-offline-mode

What a shocker, it no longer works. Thanks, M$.

Tried this myself yesterday and ran into the same problem. Only ever had it work once a couple months ago too.

51 minutes ago, goates said:

Tried this myself yesterday and ran into the same problem. Only ever had it work once a couple months ago too.

That, and the missing splash screen at start up, are two glaring issues that Microsoft does not seem to want to deal with.. 😀

ps.  Reported to Zendesk...

Edited June 19, 20214 yr by Bert Pieke