I reinstalled 2020 because the game randomly falls back from 20 to 30 fps, to 3 or 4. This happens after several minutes or hours. Now I can’t start the game, it quits after about half of the loading process. I’ve tried all I can think of, but without the game running, it’s not easy. Has anyone had this happen to them, or know what might fix it? I recently upgraded to an rtx 5080 but the problem only occured after reinstalling. Thanks for any suggestions/recommendations.
You have RTX 5080 and probably NVIDIA drivers that are either up to date or the latest version. By default, MSFS 2020 installs with DX11 enabled, not DX12 - that can cause CTDs during loading. I recommend editing usercfg.opt file and changing DX11 to DX12 if you want to use the latest NVIDIA driver.
To do this, you need to edit usercfg.opt file and modify the line
PreferD3D12 0
Change the number 0 to 1
and save the changes.
CTD during loading MSFS 2020 with DX11 selected are a known and confirmed bug.
https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/msfs-2020-ctd-during-loading-with-or-without-nvidia-app-installed-dx11/732584
Thanks, worked in a full Windows11/MSFS2020 reinstall with a 5070 Ti
Did the CTD issue stop after the system reinstall, or was there some reason you couldn’t edit the Usercfg.opt file and were only able to do it after reinstalling the system?
The CTD happened AFTER the full reinstall, and your solution (editing Usercfg.opt) worked, now I’m downloading updates.
Thanks for clarifying. CTD during loading with DX11 selected in MSFS 2020 is a known bug that’s been around for 11 months now - hopefully they’ll fix it soon …
Thank you, TenPatrol.
I was almost about to give up, frustrated. This worked first time, I’m so happy, I can go flying instead of spending hours tweaking !
I sent this post a few hours ago but don’t see it on the forum, so here it is again. much appreciated.
Happy to help 
If my tip about editing usercfg.opt file helped you, please mark it as a solution.
This will help others who run into the same problem in the future.
Glad you got it solved. Here’s a tip. I have never had to reinstall the sim. The problems I have had have always been solved by fixing the X-Box app that all PC users have it operated by. So if it updates while playing or it suffers a glitch or has abug the sim crashes.
Rather than mess around I just uninstall it - restart and re-install which ‘cleans ‘ it of any problems (always worked so far). The only other cause of a CTD I have known is a couple of random places in the virtual world that cause them - maybe places with a memory hole or whatever until they get fixed.
Thanks so much! Been messing about trying to get my old 2020 to work for some quick work in it and had the CTD during loading every time! Your solution worked a treat for me!
Happy to help.
Fly safe mate.
Hello, I just upgraded my PC configuration. I switched to an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, an MSI PRO B850-S WIFI6E motherboard, an RTX 5080 16G VENTUS graphics card, etc.
And now I can’t launch MSFS 2020. I found this thread and applied the change from DirectX 11 to DirectX 12, and miraculously it works!
Thanks to @TenPatrol.
Note: When I exit MSFS 2020, I often get an error message saying “graphics card problem, etc…”
Happy to help. Fly safe
I was having the same problem after updating to windows 11 25h2 from 24h2, rolled back to 24h2 and msfs was still ctd every time on loading. Was scratching my head trying to sort this out then came across this post and thought I would try it. It works thanks TenPatrol.
along with this i had to set VSYNC TO 0 and HDR10 TO 0 and DLSS to AUTO or OFF to fix. This is on a rtx 3070.
Thank You for posting this info !!!
You Sir are a God Sent, Totally Fixed the problem I had, and now I can download another full day of updates & the game lol
Thanks Again TenPatrol - You Rock !! 
