Affordable joystick/throttle compatible with FSX on Windows 11

Hi Shaun,

FSX can be a little fussy with newer USB controllers, but in most cases you can still make them work. Before you spend more money, it’s worth doing a quick sanity check on the Flight Deck in case it’s just an input/mapping issue rather than true “not compatible”.

Step-by-step checks (quick and practical)

1. In Windows 11, confirm the device is actually being seen correctly:
   • Open the old-style controller panel: press Win+R and run:
     joy.cpl

   • Select the Turtle Beach device(s) and click Properties.
   • Make sure axes/buttons move on the test screen. If nothing moves there, FSX won’t see it either.
2. If it does respond in joy.cpl, try a clean FSX assignment pass:
   • Start FSX > Settings > Controls.
   • On the axis tab, check whether FSX is detecting the controller in the device drop-down.
   • Remove any duplicate axis assignments (FSX loves to double-assign throttle/aileron/elevator/rudder), then assign just the basics:
     • Aileron axis
     • Elevator axis
     • Throttle axis
     • (Optional) Rudder / toe brakes if you have them
   • Make sure “Enable Controllers” is ticked.
3. Plugging/ports:
   • Try a different USB port (preferably a USB 2.0 port if your PC has one, or a different USB hub/controller on the motherboard).
   • Avoid unpowered hubs during testing.

If you do want an inexpensive “known-good” FSX option
For FSX on Windows 11, the safest bet is still a plain, standard DirectInput stick/throttle that doesn’t require anything exotic to function.

A few “generally painless” categories to look for:

• Basic Logitech sticks (simple, widely supported, easy in FSX’s own control menu).
• Thrustmaster entry-level HOTAS/stick options (again, typically straightforward to bind in FSX).
• CH Products (older design, but very FSX-friendly if you find one used in good condition).

I’m intentionally keeping it brand-agnostic since “affordable” means different things and availability changes, but if you tell me your rough budget range I can narrow the suggestion to a couple of realistic choices.

A couple targeted questions so I don’t steer you wrong

• Which exact FSX are you running: boxed FSX, FSX: Steam Edition, or FSX + Acceleration?
• In joy.cpl, do you see the Turtle Beach device and do the axes move in the test screen?
• When you go to FSX > Settings > Controls, does the Turtle Beach device show in the controller drop-down at all?
• What exactly happens when you say “isn’t compatible” (not detected, detected but no movement, buttons work but axes don’t, etc.)?

Answer those and we can usually get you either (a) flying with what you already bought, or (b) picking a replacement that FSX will recognize immediately.