Unable to trim any aircraft in MSFS (yoke switch, joystick, or trim wheel)

Trim in MSFS is definitely possible, but a few common “gotchas” can make it feel like it does absolutely nothing

Mark — you’re not crazy, and you’re not the only one who’s run into this. MSFS aircraft (even defaults) will trim out and fly “hands off” for a bit, but it’s much easier than FSX to end up fighting some hidden input or a mode that’s constantly re-trimming behind your back.

Here’s how I’d tackle it, step by step.

1) Make sure nothing is continuously feeding pitch input
Even a tiny bit of elevator input (or a noisy axis) can overpower the trim so it feels like the trim wheel/pickle switch isn’t doing anything.

Quick test:

1. Load any default GA plane on the runway (C172 is fine).
2. Don’t touch anything.
3. Look at your control position indication (whatever you normally use to see elevator movement) and see if the elevator is “twitching” or sitting slightly off-center.
4. Temporarily unplug anything that could send pitch: extra joystick, gamepad, second yoke, etc. Leave only one pitch device connected and re-test.

If trim suddenly “works” with other devices disconnected, you’ve got a binding conflict or noisy axis from the removed device.

2) Check for binding conflicts (this one is HUGE in MSFS)
It’s very easy to have:

• Trim bound on multiple devices (sometimes fine), AND/OR
• An axis bound somewhere that continuously moves trim, AND/OR
• Pitch axis bound twice (two devices both sending elevator).

What to look for specifically:

1. Any “Trim Axis” bindings (if one is assigned and noisy, it’ll fight you constantly).
2. Any duplicate “Elevator Axis” bindings across multiple controllers.
3. Any autopilot pitch-related bindings that might be stuck ON (less common, but I’ve seen it).

If you find a trim axis assigned and you’re not intentionally using it, clear it and stick to “Elevator Trim Up/Down” buttons for troubleshooting.

3) Confirm you’re not trimming against the autopilot or a pitch-hold mode
If the autopilot is on (or a pitch/level mode is engaged), it may be actively commanding pitch, so you trim and it just “doesn’t stick.”

1. Do a test flight with autopilot OFF for sure.
2. If you’re in something with autothrottle / AP logic, make sure nothing is engaging automatically.

4) Set up a clean, repeatable trim test (so it’s not chasing airspeed)
A lot of “trim doesn’t work” is really “I trimmed at one speed, then the speed changed, so now it won’t hold altitude.”

Try this:

1. Get stabilized straight-and-level first (pick a cruise power setting and hold it).
2. Let the airspeed settle for 10–20 seconds.
3. Then trim in small clicks until you can relax pressure.
4. After trimming, don’t change power. If you add/remove power, you’ll need to re-trim.

In GA aircraft especially, a small power change can mean a noticeable pitch change, which makes it feel like the airplane “won’t stay trimmed.”

5) If you’re using a spring-centered joystick/yoke, trim will never feel exactly like FSX did
MSFS control response and aircraft modeling can make spring-centered controllers feel like you’re always “balancing” even when trimmed. You should still be able to get close, but it may not be the “locked on rails” FSX sensation, particularly in turbulence/thermals.

A couple targeted questions so we can zero in fast

1. Which aircraft are you testing most (e.g., C172, Bonanza, airliners, etc.)?
2. Which sim build are you on (MS Store/Steam doesn’t matter as much — mostly: are you on current MSFS 2020, or MSFS 2024)?
3. What exact hardware is connected (yoke/joystick/pedals/throttle quadrant/any gamepad), and do you have more than one pitch-capable device plugged in at once?
4. In Controls, do you have any Trim Axis bound on any device?
5. When you use trim, do you see the in-cockpit trim wheel/indicator actually moving, or is it not moving at all?

If you can answer those, I can tell you pretty quickly whether this is (a) conflicting bindings/noisy axis, (b) AP/assists fighting you, or (c) just a stabilization/airspeed issue that needs a different trim technique in MSFS.