Few things are more frustrating in Star Citizen than lining up the perfect shot, hearing the lock tone, pressing the trigger—and watching absolutely nothing happen. Missile systems are powerful tools in space combat, giving pilots the ability to pressure shields, force evasive maneuvers, and finish off fleeing enemies. When they fail to fire, it can feel like a bug, user error, or a complete system breakdown. Fortunately, most missile issues stem from a handful of common causes that can be identified and fixed quickly.
TLDR: If missiles are not firing in Star Citizen, the problem is usually related to power management, targeting lock issues, incorrect missile mode settings, keybind conflicts, or depleted ammunition. Pilots should confirm missile operator mode is active, ensure proper lock tone and range, check power distribution, and verify missiles are equipped and stocked. In some cases, storing and re-claiming the ship resolves persistent bugs. Systematic troubleshooting almost always restores functionality.
Understanding How Missiles Work in Star Citizen
Missiles in Star Citizen operate through a dedicated missile operator mode. They are not simple “press and fire” weapons like energy cannons. Instead, they require:
- Missile operator mode activation
- A proper target lock
- Correct range
- Sufficient power allocation
- Available ammunition
If any of these elements fail, missiles will not launch. Understanding the system is the first step to solving the issue.
Image not found in postmeta1. Missile Operator Mode Is Not Active
One of the most common reasons missiles do not fire is that the ship is not in Missile Operator Mode. Unlike guns, missiles require entering a specific mode before the system becomes active.
By default, the keybind is usually mapped to a specific button (often middle mouse button), but this can vary based on custom bindings. When activated properly, the HUD will change to display missile indicators and targeting brackets.
Fix:
- Press the missile mode keybind.
- Confirm the HUD displays missile targeting visuals.
- Cycle through available missiles if your ship carries multiple types.
If there is no visual change in the HUD, check keybindings in the options menu for conflicts or missing assignments.
2. No Target Lock Achieved
Missiles require a full target lock before they can be fired. Hearing a partial tone is not enough. There must be a steady lock indicator, and the target reticle should visually confirm acquisition.
Common lock issues include:
- Target is outside seeker range
- Target is using countermeasures
- Asteroid or object obstruction
- Line of sight interruption
Fix:
- Move closer to the target.
- Maintain steady aim for several seconds.
- Ensure no obstacles block the seeker.
- Wait for the solid lock tone before firing.
Some missiles have different tracking types (infrared, electromagnetic, cross section tracking). Lock reliability depends on the enemy ship’s emissions and movement profile.
3. Target Is Out of Range
Every missile has a minimum and maximum operational range. Being too close can be just as problematic as being too far away.
For example:
- Size 1 and 2 missiles have shorter range.
- Size 3 and above offer extended engagement distances.
If the HUD shows the target but does not allow firing, check whether the ship is inside the minimum arming distance.
Fix:
- Create separation from the target.
- Monitor distance indicators carefully.
- Switch to guns for close-range engagements.
4. Power Management Problems
Star Citizen features a detailed power management system. If shields, engines, or weapons are prioritized improperly, missile systems may not function correctly.
A ship with damaged power plants or insufficient weapon power may fail to launch missiles entirely.
Image not found in postmetaFix:
- Open the power management MFD.
- Ensure weapons have adequate power allocation.
- Check for damaged power plant components.
- Repair and refuel at the nearest station if necessary.
In combat-heavy scenarios, component damage is often the hidden cause of missile failure.
5. Missiles Are Not Equipped or Restocked
Sometimes the issue is surprisingly simple: the ship has no missiles loaded. After insurance claims, repairs, or rearming bugs, missiles may not automatically restock.
Fix:
- Land at a station with repair services.
- Use the Vehicle Maintenance Services panel.
- Manually select repair and restock options.
- Confirm missile racks are populated in the loadout manager.
If missile racks are empty in the loadout manager, re-equip them manually and save the configuration.
6. Keybinding Conflicts
Custom keybinds can override missile firing commands. After updates, control profiles sometimes reset or overlap.
If pressing the assigned fire button results in no launch attempt:
- Check Advanced Keybinds settings.
- Search for “Missile Fire.”
- Remove duplicate assignments.
- Test with default controls.
Joystick and HOTAS users are especially prone to input conflicts due to layered bindings.
7. Countermeasure and Server Desync Issues
Because Star Citizen remains in active development, server desync can occasionally prevent missiles from behaving correctly. You may appear to lock and fire on your screen, but the server does not register it.
Signs of desync include:
- No missile leaving the rack
- Delayed lock feedback
- Targets warping or rubber banding
Fix:
- Server hop (exit and rejoin).
- Store and retrieve the ship.
- File a bug report if the issue persists.
8. Missile Racks or Components Destroyed
Ships sustain localized damage. If missile racks are hit during combat, they may become inoperable even if other weapons still function.
Check your ship status display for:
- Red or orange component indicators
- Damaged wing hardpoints
- Missing external missile pylons
Fix:
- Disengage and retreat.
- Land for full repairs.
- Avoid exposing missile racks in future engagements.
Best Practices to Avoid Missile Issues
Preventative habits significantly reduce mid-combat frustration. Experienced pilots recommend:
- Testing missiles immediately after spawning a ship.
- Monitoring ammunition counts before entering fights.
- Keeping keybinds organized and documented.
- Balancing power settings prior to engagement.
- Practicing lock maintenance techniques.
Running a quick system check before bounty hunting or PvP engagements can prevent most launch failures.
When to Suspect a Bug
While most missile failures stem from user error or mechanical restrictions, genuine bugs do occur. Consider it a glitch if:
- Missiles will not fire despite full lock, range compliance, and full ammo.
- The issue persists after reclaiming the ship.
- The problem continues across multiple servers.
In these cases, deleting the USER folder (if applicable), verifying game files, or reinstalling may help. Always report reproducible bugs to support ongoing development.
Conclusion
Missiles not firing in Star Citizen can feel like a major system failure, but the cause is usually straightforward. Whether it is forgetting missile mode, failing to achieve a proper lock, lacking power, or dealing with component damage, systematic troubleshooting almost always reveals the issue. Pilots who understand how missile systems integrate with targeting, power, and ship components gain a consistent tactical advantage in combat. Taking a few moments to verify settings and ship status can be the difference between a wasted opportunity and a decisive kill.
FAQ
Why do I hear a lock tone but can’t fire?
The tone may indicate partial lock. Wait for a full, steady lock confirmation and ensure you are within proper range before pressing fire.
Do missiles require separate power allocation?
Yes. If weapon systems lack sufficient power or the power plant is damaged, missiles may not launch.
Why did my missiles disappear after claiming my ship?
Insurance claims sometimes reset loadouts incorrectly. Use the vehicle loadout manager or maintenance terminal to restock and re-equip missiles.
Can damaged components prevent missile firing?
Absolutely. Destroyed missile racks or damaged power components will disable launch capability.
What is the easiest first step when missiles won’t shoot?
Confirm missile operator mode is active and verify you have a full target lock within range.
Does server desync affect missile launches?
Yes. In some cases, server instability can prevent proper firing registration. Rejoining another server often resolves the issue.
Are certain missile types harder to lock?
Yes. Different tracking types perform better against specific emission profiles, so target characteristics can affect lock reliability.