Google Earth Flight Simulator Not Working? Common Fixes
Last updated: 2026-06-16
If the Google Earth flight simulator won't work, the usual fixes are: use earth.google.com/web (not the mobile app), update your browser, turn on hardware acceleration, click inside the window to capture controls, and check your internet connection.
Fixes by problem
| Problem | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| The flight simulator won't open | Make sure you are on earth.google.com/web (not the mobile app). Refresh the page, update your browser, and try the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+A (Cmd+Option+A on Mac) again. |
| No airplane appears / blank cockpit | Click once inside the Google Earth window to give it focus, then press Page Up to add throttle. If it stays blank, refresh and reopen the simulator from the menu. |
| Black screen or map won't load | This is usually a graphics or connection issue. Enable hardware acceleration in your browser settings, update your graphics drivers, and check your internet connection, since 3D map data is streamed live. |
| It runs slowly or stutters | Close other tabs and apps, lower the Google Earth quality settings, and use a wired connection if possible. A discrete GPU and Chrome or Edge give the smoothest performance. |
| Controls don't respond | Click inside the window first to capture input. If you use a gamepad, connect it before opening the simulator. Check that no browser extension is intercepting keyboard shortcuts. |
| Can't find it on mobile | The flight simulator is not available in the Google Earth mobile app. Use the web version in a desktop browser, or the older Google Earth Pro desktop application. |
Frequently asked questions
- Why is the Google Earth flight simulator not working?
- The most common reasons are using the mobile app instead of the web version, an outdated browser, disabled hardware acceleration, or a weak internet connection. Use earth.google.com/web in an updated desktop browser with hardware acceleration on.
- Why is there no airplane in the flight simulator?
- Click once inside the Google Earth window to give it keyboard focus, then press Page Up to apply throttle. If the view is still blank, refresh the page and reopen the simulator from the menu.
- Does the Google Earth flight simulator work on a phone?
- No. The flight simulator is only available in the web (and older desktop) versions of Google Earth, not the iOS or Android mobile apps. Use a desktop browser to fly.
- Which browser works best for the flight simulator?
- Chrome and Edge generally give the best, smoothest performance because of their strong WebGL support. Firefox also works. Keep the browser updated and enable hardware acceleration.