I cannot start MSFS. When I try to do so, first I receive a UAC Yes/No dialogue box relating to the MS Store Package Dependency Installer.
When I answer “Yes”, I immediately receive a dark grey dialogue box with the error message:
Microsoft Flight Simulator can’t open because it is offline. The storage device might be missing or disconnected.
I have no idea what that means. I have a Retail disc edition. Disk 1 is in the DVD drive and fully readable. All my hard drives are accessible, including the one that MSFS is installed on.
I last opened MSFS about ten days ago to check for updates preparatory to a planned flying session which never happened. All was OK then.
I am on W10, 20H2, fully updated. I have reported to Zendesk #117061. The ticket initially concerned being stuck on Gaming Services Store page, but I resolved that following Zendesk’s advice. This problem then immediately appeared, so I added it as a supplementary comments, but have had no response yet.
Anybody seen this message ? Any ideas what to do?
Thanks
MSFS 2020 must be connected to the Internet, can MSFS 2020 be started and running?
My computer has WIFI, but it also has the message: “Microsoft Flight Simulator can’t open because it is offline. The storage device might be missing or disconnected.”
Please help me, THANKS!
MSFS 2020 must be connected to the Internet, can MSFS 2020 be started and running?
My computer has WIFI, but it also has the message: “Microsoft Flight Simulator can’t open because it is offline. The storage device might be missing or disconnected.”
How to set and get MSFS 2020 connected to Internet through the WIFI?
Please help me, THANKS!
I’m sorry, I should have posted here when I resolved my issue. But it set off a large cycle of updates and I forgot.
It seems that the problem was caused by the MS Store. Open the MS Store app, choose Downloads and Updates from the hamburger icon at top right and make sure everything is up to date. I’m not sure exactly which app was causing the problem but MS Gaming Services and several Xbox apps were updated.
Reboot your machine and try again.
Good luck!
Nick
I normally launch Msfs2020 via, MSFS_AddonsLinker. But since the Windows update KB5026446, that doesn’t work anymore. When I run MSFS_AddonsLinker as administrator, a window appears with the following text. Cannot open Microsoft Flight Simulator because it is offline. The storage device may be missing or disconnected. I have tried to remove the above Windows update KB5026446, but unfortunately that does not work because you cannot remove certain updates. Also check out: Windows 11 KB5026446 Moment 3 installs automatically and causes major problems (windowslatest.com) Is there a solution to this problem, or does it mean I have to reinstall windows 11?.
The Fix (if purchased through Microsoft Store) on PC:
- Launch Microsoft Store
- Navigate to your library
- Launch “Get Updates”