Issue Details

I upgraded my NI DAQmx Base from version 2.2 or earlier to 3.0 or later. My USB-6008, USB-6009 or USB-6501 no longer works. The lsdaq utility tells me the device firmware on my USB-6008, USB-6009 or USB-6501 is incompatible. How do I fix this?

Solution

For NI-DAQmx Base 2.2 and previous: 
In order to switch the firmware back to be compatible with NI-DAQmx Base 2.2 or previous, you will need to have a Windows machine with both NI-DAQmx 7.5 (or later) and NI-DAQmx Base 2.2 (or previous) installed. To re-associate the USB device to NI-DAQmx Base and to switch the firmware, follow the instructions in Using a USB-6008 / 6009 / 6501 in MAX, and Switching Firmware Between NI-DAQmx and NI-DAQmx Base. 

For NI-DAQmx Base 3.0 and later: 
Once the USB device is associated with NI-DAQmx Base, the lsdaq (NI-DAQmx Base List Devices) utility may alert you with a message that the device firmware is incompatible. For instructions on how to re-associate the USB device with NI-DAQmx Base, refer to steps 1-6 in Using a USB-6008 / 6009 / 6501 in MAX, and Switching Firmware Between NI-DAQmx and NI-DAQmx Base. To update the firmware, you can run the firmware download utility installed with NI-DAQmx Base 3.0 and later (instructions below). 

Instructions for updating the firmware on your USB device to work with NI-DAQmx Base 3.0 and later using the USB Firmware Autodownloader
The USB Firmware Autodownloader utility will allow you to install the appropriate firmware to use with your NI-DAQmx Base 3.0 or later.  This utility is installed with NI-DAQmx Base 3.0 and later at the following default location: C:\Program Files\National Instruments\NI-DAQmx Base\bin\FWUpdate.exe and also included below as an attachment.

1. Plug in the USB device(s) that you want to update.
2. Run the utility from the location specified above :
   -If your device(s) do not show up, click Refresh Device List 
   -If your device(s) still do not show up, check that your device(s) are associated with NI-DAQmx Base by following the relevant steps in Using a USB-6008 / 6009 / 6501 in MAX, and Switching Firmware Between NI-DAQmx and NI-DAQmx Base.
3. For each USB device recognized by the utility, a message will appear indicating whether the firmware needs to be updated in order to work with the version of NI-DAQmx Base you have installed
4. If you need to update any firmware, place a check in the box next to the device(s) that you want to update
5. Click Update Firmware to begin the update process, which can take up to a minute to complete depending upon how many devices are being updated
6. Once the LEDs on the USB device(s) are blinking, you should see your USB device(s) show up in the utility with updated status messages.
   -If your device(s) do not show up, click Refresh Device List
7. Once the update is complete, click the Exit to close the utility

A video tutorial detailing the above procedure is available at How to Update Firmware on the NI USB-6008/6009 for Use with the DAQmx Base Driver 3.X or Later.

Additional Information

Note: The lsdaq utility replicates some functions of  NI Measurement and Automation Explorer (NI MAX). However, lsdaq has limited functionality compared to NI MAX.  DAQmx Base is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

Different versions of NI-DAQmx Base require the use of specific versions of USB-6008, USB-6009, and USB-6501 device firmware. 

When a USB-6008, USB-6009 or USB-6501 is plugged in for the first time to a Windows machine with NI-DAQmx 7.5 or later installed, NI-DAQmx will automatically assume control of the USB device and will update the firmware to be compatible with the installed version of NI-DAQmx. 

If you want to use the USB device with NI-DAQmx Base, you will have to re-associate the USB device with NI-DAQmx Base and update the firmware to be compatible with your specific version of NI-DAQmx Base. If NI-DAQmx is not installed, the USB device will be automatically associated with NI-DAQmx Base. 

For NI-DAQmx Base 2.2 and previous: 
NI-DAQmx Base 2.2 and earlier versions use an older version of the NI USB communication protocol to communicate with USB-600x and USB-6501 devices. Any USB device must have a device firmware version installed that supports this older version of the NI USB protocol in order to successfully communicate with NI-DAQmx Base 2.2 and earlier. 

Once the USB device is associated with NI-DAQmx Base, the lsdaq (NI-DAQmx Base List Devices) utility may alert you with a message that the device firmware is incompatible.

For NI-DAQmx Base 3.0 and later: 
NI-DAQmx Base 3.0 and later versions use the latest generation NI USB communication protocol. Any USB device must have a device firmware version installed that supports this newer version of the NI USB protocol in order to successfully communicate with NI-DAQmx Base 3.0 and later. 

The USB Firmware Autodownloader:  This utility behaves differently on Windows systems where both NI-DAQmx and NI-DAQmx Base are installed. NI-DAQmx will always take precedence in the specific version of firmware installed. In order to install firmware compatible with DAQmx Base 3.2 or newer, NI-DAQmx 8.7.2 must be installed. 

In the case where an incompatible version of NI-DAQmx is installed, NI-DAQmx Base will continue to report an incompatible firmware error even after the USB Firmware Autodownloader appears to complete successfully. Please refer to the readme for your version of NI-DAQmx Base to determine which version of NI-DAQmx is compatible.

USB Hardware different from USB-6008/9 and 6501: For all other USB hardware, the loading of the proper firmware is handled directly by the driver and will happen automatically when the device is plugged in.