MSFS won't start (again)

[cantremember 27]

This is probably the fifth time MSFS refuses to start and I keep wasting time following guides and steps, trying to fix it but I still have no luck. I'm extremely frustrated at Microsoft now for their shoddy store programming, I really wish they had made MSFS2020 independent of any store, like X-Plane or the previous iterations, those were much more stable.

Clicking the Microsoft Flight Simulator icon, either dekstop/start menu or from the store, just opens the MS Store on "Gaming Services". I followed a guide which told me to
A) install all updates for the MS Store
B) go in settings -> apps -> reset Gaming Services
C) Run Windows updates

Still no dice, the only thing that's changed now is that in the store, gaming services has an "Install" button instead of "already installed", howerver clicking it just makes it think for 2 seconds and  then say "error".

[fppilot 4,350]

45 minutes ago, cantremember said:

Still no dice, the only thing that's changed now is that in the store, gaming services has an "Install" button instead of "already installed", howerver clicking it just makes it think for 2 seconds and  then say "error".

You might try watching this video.  I had this happen last week.  I finally got Gaming Services uninstalled and successfully reinstalled but then I still had to reset MSFS.  Was much like reinstalling MSFS but did not require uninstalling it first and once through the lengthy reset process most of my settings were still there.  

Edited July 5, 2021 by fppilot

[fppilot 4,350]

44 minutes ago, cantremember said:

Still no dice, the only thing that's changed now is that in the store, gaming services has an "Install" button instead of "already installed", howerver clicking it just makes it think for 2 seconds and  then say "error".

 

[Chocorua 112]

I had this issue a few days ago, first time ever having a problem starting msfs. I used regedit to remove the two folder entries as displayed in the above video. Everything worked again perfectly after rebooting. Simple and quick, hope it works for you too.

cheers,

Greg

 

[jensenp66 0]

Yet again, MSFS2020 won't load. This time it only gets to the latest Sydney view screen, then just hangs there indefinitely with the little circle in the bottom right hand corner  whirling away?? I've changed nothing at all on my computer, so I'm convinced this is yet another problem at Microsoft's end. Is anyone else having the same problem?? Eventually, I have to Ctrl/Alt/Del to close it down. So b***** frustrating!!😡

[Noel 4,486]

I've had this happen twice now and always a reboot fixes it.  Some people don't always reboot frequently so I mention this in case you're one.  This suggests to me it could be something MSFS depends on that gets muffed up when Windows isn't reinitialized.

[Fielder 3,644]

Reeboot means restart, not shut down and then start up. Only a computer reboot clears out the junk. Shut down the computer accomplishes nothing. (This is true starting with Windows 10, it was the exact opposite up thru Windows 8.1).