Stuck on Essential Packages Update

Bug Reporting Hub Install, Performance & Graphics
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49

I´m on version 1.34.16.0

I also have the same issue. I just freshly installed MSFS2020 a couple of days ago. While the download speed was more than slow, it took me several days to download everything on my 1Gbit/s. cable line. Now that i´ve downloaded every content through the content manager the game told me, that there is another essentials update which is recommended to be installed so I clicked install. Then MSFS2020 stepped back into the update screen and then the error occured like everyone else here also has posted..

Now I cannot even start the sim anymore. As soon as the update screen appears, the error pops up and I can only quit. The only way the circumvent the update screen is to create one missing folder called “fs-base-videos” which I have to create in this directory:

*C:\Users<user>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Official\OneStore*

Then I restarted the sim and it skipped the update screen and loaded directly into the game menu but still saying, essential update is available. It´s a loop… While I can play MSFS2020 I still think that with missing the package that some incompatibility may arise. I´m clueless.

I also tried to repair the game through XBox App. No cure!

SUPPLEMENTAL:
I was able to fix my problem by deleting the local cache files of MSFS2020. I deleted every file and folder inside the OneStore folder as written above.

Yes it will force to download the game again but once it was ready and downloaded about 125GB the game loaded into the menu. Then I quit to desktop and was praying that hopefully MSFS would start. So I restart the game and yes, everything seems to be okay now. Now I have to download all sceneries left in the content manager.

I hope that my issue and solution does help someone else as well.

50

Same problem here. I tried deleting every file and folder inside OneStore folder but without success. After a full day re-downloading everything (very slow, issue seems to be MS server side) I am now stuck in the same loop with the almost blank window as shown by FoztrotOzka (“>| /”)

One small point: my ‘OneStore’ folder is located slightly differently - mine is at
“C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages\Official\OneStore”

Has anyone managed to solve this? I think we need a fix from MS/Asobo please.

51

Yes! I’d tried a reinstall, then deleting a random small package, then deleting all packages (125GB data downloaded overnight as MS server is pretty slow!) all without success. Finally the fix from FiZZL3Z sorted it. Many thanks, much appreciated.

52

Hi, I’m new to the game
After playing for a week, an update was downloaded yesterday, and when it is installed, completed, and the game opens, it shows why I should update…and when I click to install, the game is restarted and I enter again to be sent the same message again. Is there a solution because I am new and suffering from the message and I do not know whether the update has been released? It was downloaded while I was on the latest version or not so that the message would disappear and I could enjoy the update, but I do not know whether the update was downloaded in the first place or not.

Thank you all

cae6199da19b7ff993a9868e2202c67c75f4dd11_2_345x213
cae6199da19b7ff993a9868e2202c67c75f4dd11_2_345x213345×213 10.9 KB

53

Team, have you tried this solution: Stuck on Essential Packages Update - #14 by FiZZL3Z

Good luck, sPK

54

I have tried every action recommended, but nothing seems to work for me…

55

Hello all, I have the same. If you click on it, it goes back and asking all the settings over and over again and then nothing happens. Empty screen. I will wait 2-3 days and see, log off and on did not help. And if you skip it, all former settings (hardware) and also the logbook is empty. Very frustrating. Any help highly appreciated.

56

Having this issue also but on XBox, im in the SU15 beta so decided to leave and rejoin. Have had this issue for about a week now.

57

hello i had the same problem for months its really getting to me and I’ve tried every solution is there another way, if there is please let me know I’m open to any solution but i have it on steam

58

Same Issue here since Yesterda :frowning:

59

Well, i guess i recently joined the ones having this issue as this is a problem for me for 2 days now.

I already tried to:

  • Logout / Login MS-Store
  • Logout / Login Xbox App
  • Update Game Services
  • Make sure Xbox Live Services are running
  • completely reinstalled MSFS2020

Nothing helps. I am stuck on the update screen (when i click on install, but i am able to skip this). This wouldn’t be a big deal to me, but the fact that i am unable to save any configuration changes made, thrives me crazy.

Is there anything i might have missed?
Any help is appreciated!

Edit: I finally found a fix for my problem.
This did the trick:
https://flightsimulator.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4409228619538-How-to-delete-a-cloud-save-on-PC-to-fix-some-loading-issues-or-reset-the-logbook

60

Having this same issue on Xbox Series X, recursive loop of can’t connects then offers the update but then disconnects after going through

61

I know this is an old thread but I had encountered this issue yesterday and found a fix today
(MS Store edition):

1- Close MSFS

2- Open the XBOX PC app

3-Click on MY Library

4-Right Click on MSFS and click “Manage”

5-Click “FILES” and click “Verify and Repair”

6-Once the repair files are downloaded and installed load up MSFS

7-It should now prompt you to update

Just heads up it reset my Graphics settings, but everything else was saved.

62

Just encountered the same issue March 2026. Updated drivers, verified integrity of the game files, and everything. Hell I even went as far as to do a full factory reset.

You’d think by now that we’d have a permanent fix - followed the advice of everyone here. If anyone’s got a fix for the newest sim update for MSFS2020 and Nvidia Drivers please let me know.

Thanks,

63

I started hitting the same problem since last week.
Full re-install, twice!
I can get into the sim if I ignore the updates, but I have to run through the initialisation screens every time, which renders the sim unusable.

Cheers,

64

Started getting this since last week too!!!

  • updated all apps on MS Store
  • logged out and back in again on the Store and Xbox apps
  • wiped the cloud profile (and lost all my controller bindings)
  • re-installed itself TWICE!!

Still gets stuck trying to install the ‘essential update’!!

And you wonder why I haven’t made the move to 2024? If MS can’t get the 5 year old version to work consistently then I don’t hold out much hope of a ‘seamless experience’ with the new one.

Luckily there’s always X-plane 12…….

65

Exactly the same issue here. Started about 3 weeks ago. One day all was good the next I had to go through the 5 step setup process. Feel I’ve gone through every recommended fix that I and AI have found online but without success. My twist is that I had been waiting on delivery of a new PC when the issue first occurred. So I have installed both a clean OS install and a clean MSFS 2020 install , everything up to date and still have the exact same issue.

Do the 5 step setup, choose to install when I get to the main menu, jumps to step 1 of the setup again then stalls as shown below.

Update:

I have accidentally stumbled upon a fix that has actually fixed the issue for me. I was looking on the Xbox app for something that might force a cloud connection. In the Settings section of the Xbox app I happened to press the Change Gamertag option. This took me to an Xbox website (not sure of the exact URL) where I was asked to logon. Logging on I was asked some questions and to verify my age etc etc.. The next time I tried up came FS 2020, all my settings and profile data just as they had been. Hopefully this might help point someone in the right direction

Essential Package
Essential Package1750×1108 186 KB

Stuck screen
Stuck screen3835×2142 234 KB
67

Can I just say to @AyrForce63 thank you….Thank You…. THANK YOU!!!

For the past couple of weeks, my installation of MSFS2020 has been doing exactly this. Failing to load, telling me I need essential packages, hanging during the install of those with the exact same screen right down to the “/” in the top-right corner of your second screenshot there.

I’ve been going mad, trying everything assuming Gaming Services was broken. I VERY NEARLY ended up reinstalling Windows even.. I’ve uninstalled the game, logged out and back in to the Microsoft Store and Xbox services, done integrity checks of my C: drive and refreshing Gaming Services through Powershell, I’ve reconfigured services to start automatically, I’ve updated my Nvidia drivers because they were admittedly ancient (if it ain’t broke don’t fix it approach), and reinstalled Flight Sim twice!

Then, I happened to see this post from just 2 days ago….

Now, I’ve been largely ignoring the calls to authenticate my age here in the UK, because I work in Tech and I believe the UK Online Safety Act to be utterly unfit for purpose and causing more problems than it solves (also: kids are smart – they’ll get around the restrictions in no time I’m sure). I had also put off doing it because of the implementation – neither the UK Govt OR Microsoft taking any responsibility for the age verification and instead passing it off to 3rd party companies nobody’s ever heard of (so why should I trust my most personal of personal data like a passport scan with them???)

Additionally, Microsoft make it very clear that verification is ONLY REQUIRED to access the social elements of the platform and that gameplay etc is unaffected.

Anyway I thought as a last resort I’d see about what was involved. I went to my profile in Xbox app on PC and, with trepidation, clicked the button to verify my age.

The first two options - that I had known about - i.e. take a photo of your face or your ID, were unavailable to me - as I don’t have a camera on my Gaming PC. But then I saw you could verify by use of a credit card. This struck me as OK due to the protections given to on-line transactions with them and also the fact that Microsoft (and Apple, and Amazon, and ya de yah dah) already have my Credit Card details on file. So…. I simply verified my age that way. Seemed the best way.

And you know what….

As soon as I did that and relaunched MSFS …. NO ISSUES!!!

So THANK YOU @AyrForce63 for saving me from these seemingly endless attempts to troubleshoot the issue.

I am now having to sit here on my rubbish ~45-55Mbps internet connection downloading about 250Gb of game + in-game content addons like all the world updates etc. It’ll take about a week I reckon.

Now…. Asobo and MICROSOFT …. THE ERRORS SHOWN IN THE SCREENSHOTS ABOVE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH AGE VERIFICATION OR THE ONLINE SAFETY ACT. YOU NEED TO DO BETTER. Had you displayed even so much as any hint that I needed to verify my age to continue - I could have saved ALL THIS WORK AND STRESS.

Also – your guidance regarding it only being necessary for the social features of games - DEMONSTRABLY UNTRUE.

PLEASE FIX THIS AND SHOW THAT YOU CARE ABOUT USERS IN THE UK !

68

I’ve just joined up and logged in for the first time ever to say:

THANK YOU!!!

It just wanted to know that I was old enough (in the UK) - without actually saying so, or giving ANY sort of clue.

Clueless

69

Just wanted to reiterate the appreciation and gratitude in the posts above to @AyrForce63 for his post.

I have wasted countless hours over the last weeks wrestling with this issue with zero help from Microsoft.

To Microsoft: You guys are an absolute shower!

I can understand the error occurring when age verification was rushed in, but what really annoys me is the radio silence when plenty of users, ahem… sorry, CUSTOMERS, were complaining.

MSFS2024 has been removed from my wishlist.