Ongoing Connection Error When Accessing Microsoft Apps

Question

Ongoing Connection Error When Accessing Microsoft Apps

Moaz Alharbi 0

Dear Support Team,

I am experiencing a persistent issue when attempting to access Microsoft applications on my PC. Whenever I sign in using any of my Microsoft accounts, I receive a connection error message stating that my internet connection is lost or weak.

However, this does not appear to be accurate. I have troubleshooted and reset the applications multiple times, verified my internet connection, and even formatted the entire PC. Despite these efforts, the issue remains unresolved.

I also created a new Microsoft account in case the original account was corrupted, but the same problem occurs on the same PC. The application displays a prolonged loading screen before eventually showing the error messagehave any problem, although I don’t have any problem with my Internet connection in any other app

The exact error message I consistently receive is:

ERROR

“Access to the content servers is currently unavailable. Please ensure you have an active internet connection, and try again later. Please visit https://flightsimulator.zendesk.com for additional information.”

I would appreciate your assistance in resolving this issue as soon as possible.

Thank you for your time and support.

Screenshot of the problem attached

2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Clary-N 9,005 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Moaz Alharbi,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I can imagine how exhausting this has been, especially after you’ve already reset the apps, confirmed your internet connection, and even gone as far as formatting the entire PC.

Before we continue, could you please let me know how the PC was formatted? For example, was it reset through Settings > Recovery, or reinstalled using a Windows installation USB / media creation tool? This helps confirm whether the system was rebuilt cleanly or if any settings could have carried over.

To narrow this down without repeating steps you’ve already tried, let’s go through the following in order:

Step 1: Test the PC on a different network

If possible, connect the PC to a different internet connection, such as a mobile hotspot or another Wi‑Fi network. If the app works on a different network, it usually points to the original network, router or ISP blocking Microsoft service endpoints.

If the issue happens on another network as well, we can rule that out and focus on the device itself.

Step 2: Check for firewall, VPN, or security software blocking Microsoft services

Even when general internet access works, third‑party firewalls, VPNs or security software can block Microsoft identity or content services. If you have any VPN, firewall or antivirus software installed, please temporarily disable or uninstall it, restart the PC then test the app again.

*Disclaimer: Temporarily turn off antivirus protection. However, keep in mind that if you do so, your device may be vulnerable to threats. So please turn it on immediately once issue fixed.

Step 3: Check the same app on another device

If you have access to another PC or device, sign in with the same Microsoft account and try using the same app there.

If the app works on another device, this confirms your Microsoft account and the service are working and the issue is isolated to this PC.
If the same error appears on another device, that’s strong evidence of a service‑side issue.

If the issue still persists after these checks, the next best step would be to contact Microsoft Flight Simulator Support directly so they can review this on the service side and check your account/device access in more detail. This will help avoid going in circles and get the issue in front of the right team.

*Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.

Please keep me updated on how it goes. I'm here to assist if you have any further questions.

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Clary-N 9,005 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-05T09:26:44.7266667+00:00

Hi Moaz Alharbi,

May I know if you have got any chance to check my answer?

I am glad to help if you have any other questions.
Moaz Alharbi 0 Reputation points

2026-03-05T20:10:04.86+00:00

Yes I did and I tried all of the things you said + formatted my PCexcept for changing my Internet connection cause I only have ethernet cable and it works perfectly with all the apps except the Microsoft ones
Clary-N 9,005 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-06T01:49:21.7533333+00:00

Hi Moaz Alharbi,

Thanks for sharing all those details. Since your internet connection is working and other apps connect normally, this issue is unlikely related to your PC or network. This error may point to a backend service or account entitlement issue with Microsoft Flight Simulator.

You may find this official article helpful, as it covers the exact error you’re seeing and the recommended checks on the service side: Access to the content servers is currently unavailable.

*Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.

If the steps in the article don’t resolve the issue, the next best step is to contact Microsoft Flight Simulator Support and request an account entitlement check, as they can help verify this directly on their end and advise further.
Moaz Alharbi 0 Reputation points

2026-03-07T05:03:16.8933333+00:00

Hi, I finally fixed the problem temporarily bye giving my PC to a friend then connecting it to his ethernet cable and the problem was fixed, but while I am playing the game, just every few minutes there is an immediate message that says the Internet connection is low and it’s gonna be cut off, but it connects again, but it’s very annoying so my question is how can I fix my Internet and even if I fixed it how can I make? The app does not disconnect every few minutes and I can’t repair the xbox app ever until now and the xbox app doesn’t show any photos for the games
Clary-N 9,005 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-07T07:57:25+00:00

Hi Moaz Alharbi,

Thanks for the update. It’s good to hear the game works normally when connected on a different network, which suggests the issue isn’t with the PC itself. The “low internet connection” warnings and brief disconnects are usually caused by an unstable home network, such as Wi‑Fi interference, router issues or ISP instability.

The Xbox app not loading images or failing to repair can also happen when the connection to Microsoft’s content servers isn’t stable. I’d recommend testing with a wired Ethernet connection at home, restarting the modem and router, and checking with your ISP for any known issues or restrictions affecting online gaming.

If the problem continues after stabilizing the home connection, the next step would be to contact Microsoft Flight Simulator Support and ask them to check your account entitlements and service‑side logs, since the issue does not occur on another network.

Answer 2

The error indicates that Microsoft apps on the PC cannot reliably reach Microsoft’s online identity and activation services, even though general internet access works. This typically points to one of the following on that specific PC or network:

A firewall, proxy, VPN, or security/antivirus product blocking required Microsoft 365 / identity endpoints or the AAD Broker plug‑in
Incorrect DNS or a bad CNAME entry for Microsoft identity endpoints
Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI) active probe disabled, so Windows and Office think the device is offline

Use these targeted checks on the affected PC and network:

Verify sign-in to Microsoft 365 in Edge
1. Open Microsoft Edge (not Internet Explorer).
2. Go to https://login.microsoftonline.com.
3. Confirm that sign-in completes and that it redirects to https://www.office.com or the tenant’s landing page.
4. Repeat in an InPrivate window.
- If either fails, the issue is almost certainly firewall, proxy, VPN, or security software blocking Microsoft identity traffic.
Check firewall / proxy / VPN and required endpoints On the PC and any perimeter firewall/proxy, ensure access to at least these key endpoints used by Microsoft 365 sign-in and activation:
- login.windows.net
- login.microsoft.com
- login.microsoftonline.com
- officecdn.microsoft.com
- officeclient.microsoft.com
- aadcdn.msauth.net
- aadcdn.msauthimages.net
- enterpriseregistration.windows.net
Also verify that *.microsoftonline-p.net is not blocked. If a proxy is in use, either:
- Configure it to allow these endpoints, or
- Allow Microsoft 365 to bypass the proxy via a PAC file as described in the sign-in issues guidance.
Check for DNS misconfiguration On the external DNS (or custom DNS if used at home/business), verify there is no MSOID CNAME pointing to:
- clientconfig.partner.microsoftonline-p.net.cn
If such a CNAME exists, remove or correct it, as it breaks Microsoft identity resolution.
Confirm NCSI active probe is enabled If Windows thinks it is offline, Microsoft apps can show connection errors even with working internet. Check these registry values on the PC:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet\EnableActiveProbing
  - Type: DWORD
  - Value: Decimal 1
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\NetworkConnectivityStatusIndicator\NoActiveProbe
  - Type: DWORD
  - Value: Decimal 0
After changing, restart the PC. (Back up the registry before editing.)
Check security / antivirus impact on AAD Broker plug‑in Some antivirus, proxy, or firewall products block the AAD Broker plug‑in used for modern authentication:
- Process: Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin_cw5n1h2txyewy
Steps:
1. Temporarily disable third‑party antivirus, proxy client, and VPN on the PC and test sign‑in again.
2. If sign‑in works with them disabled, add exclusions/allow rules for the AAD Broker plug‑in and the endpoints listed above.
Repair Broker plug‑in state if needed If the plug‑in is not blocked but sign‑in still fails on this PC only, clear its cached token data:
1. In File Explorer, go to:
  - %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.AAD.BrokerPlugin_cw5n1h2txyewy\AC\TokenBroker\Accounts
  - Delete all files in this folder.
2. Then go to:
  - %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.CloudExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\AC\TokenBroker\Accounts
  - Delete all files in this folder.
3. Restart the PC and try signing in again.
Run the Microsoft 365 sign-in troubleshooter After the above checks, run the Microsoft 365 sign‑in troubleshooter (SaRA) from Get Help to automatically detect and repair common authentication and connectivity issues.

If the same accounts work on other devices and only this PC shows “access to the content servers is currently unavailable,” focus on:

Local firewall/AV/VPN/proxy configuration
Required Microsoft identity URLs being blocked
NCSI active probe disabled or misconfigured
Corrupted AAD Broker plug‑in state on this specific PC

References:

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Ongoing Connection Error When Accessing Microsoft Apps

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