> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.skyvexsoftware.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connecting your simulator

> Which simulators Stratos supports, how it finds yours, what the simulator status in the top bar means, and what to do when it won't connect.

Stratos reads your flight straight from the simulator. On most setups there's nothing to do: start the simulator, open Stratos, and the top bar shows **Connected to** and the simulator's name within a few seconds.

## Supported simulators

| Simulator | How Stratos connects |
| - | - |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | SimConnect |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 | SimConnect |
| Prepar3D | SimConnect |
| FSX | SimConnect |
| X-Plane 12 and X-Plane 11 | X-Plane's own network data (UDP port `49000`), with no plugin to install |

Stratos runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. X-Plane can run on the same computer on any of them. Microsoft Flight Simulator, Prepar3D and FSX run on Windows, so on a Mac or Linux computer Stratos connects to them over your home network: see [Remote simulator](/guide/remote-sim-connection.md).

## Check the connection

The top bar shows the simulator status on every screen:

| What you see | What it means |
| - | - |
| Green dot, **Connected to** and the simulator's name | Stratos is connected and receiving data. The dot pulses while a flight is being tracked. |
| **Not connected**, alternating with **Connecting…** | No simulator found yet. Stratos keeps trying on its own every few seconds. |
| **Simulator isn't responding** | The simulator accepted the connection but isn't sending anything. Common while it's loading, or after it has frozen. |
| **Connection error** | The last attempt failed with an error. Stratos keeps retrying. |

Until a simulator is connected, the bookings list shows **No Simulator Connected** in place of **Start Tracking**.

## Choose the tracking provider

The tracking provider decides which kind of simulator Stratos looks for. Open **Settings → Simulator** and pick one under **Tracking provider**:

* **Automatic** (the default) looks for SimConnect and X-Plane at the same time and connects to whichever is running. Between flights it notices when you switch simulators.
* **SimConnect** looks only for Microsoft Flight Simulator, Prepar3D or FSX.
* **X-Plane** looks only for X-Plane.

Settings save as you change them, and Stratos reconnects with the new provider straight away. Change it between flights: a change during a flight reconnects straight away and can drop the simulator you're flying in.

**Custom SimConnect address** and **Custom X-Plane address** are for a simulator on another computer. Leave them showing **Using default** when the simulator runs on the same computer as Stratos.

## When it won't connect

Work through these in order:

1. **Load into a flight.** Some simulators only start sending data once you're past the main menu and the aircraft is loaded.
2. **Click the status in the top bar.** While it says **Not connected**, clicking it (**Click to connect**) starts a fresh connection, the same as restarting Stratos. Give it a few seconds.
3. **Check the tracking provider.** If it's set to **SimConnect** or **X-Plane**, make sure it matches the simulator you're running, or set it back to **Automatic**.
4. **Check the custom address.** If **Custom SimConnect address** or **Custom X-Plane address** is switched on but the simulator is on this computer, switch it off so it shows **Using default**.
5. **X-Plane: check the port.** If you've changed the port X-Plane listens on, turn on **Custom X-Plane address** and enter the same **Port**.
6. **Restart the simulator, then Stratos.** If Stratos can't reconnect for a long time it shows **Can't reach the simulator**, and a restart clears it.

Still stuck? Open a ticket from **Support** in the sidebar.

> [!NOTE]
>
> If the simulator drops out during a flight, Stratos holds the flight and waits for it to come back rather than ending it. See [Pauses and disconnects](/guide/pauses-and-disconnects.md).

## Related pages

* [Remote simulator](/guide/remote-sim-connection.md): Stratos on one computer, the simulator on another.
* [SimBrief](/stratos/simbrief.md): add your flight plan to the tracking map.
* [Bookings and starting a flight](/stratos/bookings-and-starting.md)


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