GPIB Instrument Missing in LabVIEW VISA Resource Control Drop Down

Updated Apr 19, 2024

Reported In

Hardware

  • GPIB-USB-HS+
  • GPIB-USB-HS

Software

  • LabVIEW

Driver

  • NI-VISA
  • NI-488.2

Operating System

  • Windows

Issue Details

I can’t communicate with my instrument in LabVIEW. When I open a VISA resource control in a LabVIEW front panel, my instrument’s resource name is not listed in the drop-down menu. 

Solution

Follow the steps below to resolve the issue. 
  1. Make sure the GPIB device and instrument are detected in Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX).
  1. If your instrument has multiple communication modes, make sure it is configured for GPIB/488.2 mode. Refer to your instrument's user manual for more information.
  2. Make sure the I/O Name Filtering settings on the VISA resource control are set so all instruments can appear in the drop-down:
  • Right-click on the VISA resource control and select I/O Name Filtering.
  • Make sure the settings match the following:
 
  • Select OK and refresh the VISA resource control drop down.
  1. Make sure NIVi488.dll -- NI-VISA Passport for GPIB is enabled by navigating to the Tools tab in MAX>>NI-VISA>>VISA Options>>General Settings>>Passports.
  2. If you are using an Agilent instrument, make sure the NIVisaTulip.dll -- NI-VISA Passport for Tulip is enabled. For more information, refer to Using Both NI GPIB and Keysight HPIB Controllers in the Same System .
  3. Repair the NI-488.2 driver.
  4. If you're still experiencing issues, try to communicate with the GPIB instrument by using its address string found in MAX. The syntax for the VISA source name string is provided in the VISA Resource Name Control help topic.