As I’d had trouble installing the fs2024 app originally (even though it was several days after the launch), I was trying to avoiding a reinstallation.
The solution provided previously solved my problem without a reinstallation, the only drawback being the need to again set up my controller.
I have same problem here. And I cannot agree that DeleteCloudSaves is a “solution” for this problem since it need to restart everything all over again.
This is obvious a bug and I hope it can be fixed asap.
On the other hand, I found that if I disable the following setting in BIOS, this problem seems gone.
There are certainly lots of faults cause similar symptoms. I think my problem was a corrupted configuration file, as it happened immediately after I had spent a long time setting up my joystick, mouse and keyboard. This solution is the one that worked for me, and I haven’t had a problem since.
It is certainly not the best software coding, as at if the software detects that it cannot carry out an essential task it should post a message saying where and why this happened. All it currently seems to do when it meets such a problem, is to effectively shrug its shoulders and carry on regardless.
This issue could be avoided with a simple option to skip the start screen and go straight to the main menu.
I had this issue 2 days ago (in the UK). Restarted the sim about 3 times with a PC restart thrown in for good measure and it did not resolve. Next day booted up and it was back to normal. Weird and unexplained.
My problem was basically solved when I cleared the cloud-based profile data, as in the post above.
However, I did have it recur a few days ago, preceded by a message saying “Unable to log you in to the X-Box app, try again later”, or something similar. However, I signed out in Windows, signed back in and successfully restarted FS2024. So in this case it looks like the cause was not being logged in to the X-box/MS games app. If the problem persists for you, it might be worthwhile logging out of X-box, then log back in again.
It looks like several different problems can cause the same symptom of the missing Start button. It would be good if the FS2024 app itself gave more information if it encounters a problem like this, i.e. it is unable to carry out a vital step in the process. Currently in this case, all it did was to miss out the step, leaving the user to wonder why. I’ve done enough programming to know that the app will be aware of a failed operation, so it would not be too hard to post an appropriate message. So it’s poor coding practice that it doesn’t.
If I clear my cloud data, what happens to my career progress? is that lost?
I would think that career data would be lost as well as control settings, but I don’t know for certain as I don’t do career mode.
To keep your career progress, it would be best to find another solution, if there is one.
This has just started for me today. Not a chance in hell am I restarting my career. There has got to be a better fix.
I also got this issue today. I’m not too keen on resetting my career either 
Resetting my cloud data with -DeleteCloudSaves worked as a workaround for me. No career progress lost, only settings and assignments.
That’s really good news.
Had the same issue with Steam on the SU1 beta - verify seems to have fixed it
Main report thread that is logged: "Start" button sometimes doesn't appear after loading is complete
