You should also configure and calibrate the joystick in Windows before you even jump into the simulator. Then confirm it in flightsim.
After checking EVERYTHING else mentioned, consider that you may need an updated driver from the manufacturer. Or maybe after that, consider the joystick might be incompatible with something else in your system. It happens on rare occasions.
Microsoft used to make a line of joysticks called "Sidewinder". They were well made, and not too expensive. They even made a nice force feedback version. Too bad it would refuse to work in their own "MS Flightsim" products, at least the later ones. It caused such headaches that Microsoft ended up killing the line of joystick products.
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