Many different topics already exist on the forum where users ask for help with Winwing/WINCTRL devices or their software.
Scattering this kind of support across multiple, unrelated threads is not ideal, as it often creates off-topic discussions. For example, asking for help with a PFP3N inside a PMDG 737 topic is not really appropriate.
For this reason, among others, I decided to create this thread and make it a main, centralized user-to-user support topic.
As we all know, Winwing is a great example of a company that focuses on price-to-quality ratio. Affordable pricing combined with good build quality makes these devices very popular, which naturally creates the need for a dedicated place for support.
This thread is intended to be a central hub where we can:
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help each other with Winwing/WINCTRL MCDU, CDU.
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share configuration tips
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explain how to properly set up specific aircraft or software
so that they work correctly with MCDU/CDU, PFP3N, PFP4, PFP7 devices.
If anyone has any tips, tricks, workarounds or useful hints related to these devices, feel free to share them here.
I’ll start with one of the most common issues users run into.
After connecting, for example, PFP3N, many people experience a black PFP3N screen (no display) when selecting the PMDG 737-800.
In this case, the solution is quite simple. You need to edit the 737_Options.ini file, which can be found in the 737 persistent storage folder
For MSFS 2020 this folder is located at (click to expand)
For MSFS 2020 MS Store this folder is located at:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\packages\pmdg-aircraft-737\work
For MSFS 2020 Steam distribution, this folder is located at:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\pmdg-aircraft
737\work
For MSFS 2024 this folder is located at (click to expand)
For MSFS 2024 MS Store, this folder is located at:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Limitless_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\WASM\MSFS2024\pmdg-aircraft-737\work\
For MSFS 2024 Steam, this folder is located at:
%APPDATA%\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024\WASM\MSFS2024\pmdg-aircraft-738\work\
Open the 737_Options.ini file and add the following lines to the bottom of the file:
[SDK]
EnableDataBroadcast=1
EnableCDUBroadcast.0=1
EnableCDUBroadcast.1=1
Save changes.
External devices used with MSFS 2020/2024 should ideally be connected through a powered USB hub. Also, make sure your system power plan is set to High Performance.
Lastly, you should disable power saving for MCDU, PFP3N,7,4. Press Windows + R, then copy and paste this command:
explorer shell:::{A8A91A66-3A7D-4424-8D24-04E180695C7A}
press ENTER.
Then, double-click Winwing PFP-3N and in the new window go to the Hardware tab. Select USB Input Device and click Properties.
In the new window, go to the Power Management tab and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.
Click OK and restart PC.
Repeat this for all the devices you use with MSFS 2020 and 2024.
Regarding SimApp Pro, you should know that some updates can often break compatibility with MSFS 2020/2024. So it’s a good idea to click cancel if a popup appears about a new update when you start SimApp Pro.
I also recommend checking the forum first to see if other users are reporting any issues - there have been problems in the past, so there could be more in the future.
User @Nikita is up to date with SimApp Pro versions, so I hope he can provide more information in this thread about that application.
Another potential issue can involve SimApp Pro and programs like SPAD.neXt, AAO andr MobiFlight. If you have these programs, make sure to close SimApp Pro, because these other programs should be controlling Winwing devices. Running SimApp Pro alongside, for example, SPAD.neXt, can cause conflicts.
PFP3N and PFP4/7 are mainly purchased for PMDG, while MCDU is for Airbus aircraft. You can test MCDU with Airbus using the free FBW, and I’ve explained how to set that up here. I’ll add that if you don’t have SPAD.neXt, AAO, or MobiFlight, and only have SimApp Pro, that’s enough - but FBW Simbridge also needs to be running in the background.
For now, that’s all - maybe I’ll remember something else later. Feel free to share anything you think might help.
