NI Example Finder Does Not Open

Issue Details

When I try to open the NI Example Finder from the LabVIEW Help section I get either the message:

Error: NI Service Locator is not running or Error: The NI System Web Server is not running.

 
For LabVIEW 2013 and later versions the error message looks like this:
 

For LabVIEW 2010 to LabVIEW 2012 the error message looks like this: 


The error message in versions earlier than LabVIEW 2010 will look like this:

 
Note: From LabVIEW 2010 to LabVIEW 2012, the NI Service Locator was integrated into the System Web Server. If using LabVIEW 2010 through LabVIEW 2012, replace NI Service Locator with NI System Web Server in the steps below.

Solution

This error will sometimes occur when you install new NI software and don't restart your system. A simple restart of your computer will often fix it. If you are working on something where a restart isn't feasible, you can try manually running the NI Service Locator by following the steps below for your operating system. If the issues persist after these steps, see the Firewall section below.
 

Windows 10

1. Log in as an administrator or as a user with administrative privileges
2. Right click on the Windows icon (Start button) and select Control Panel
3. Select System and Security»Administrative Tools»Services
4. Right-click on NI Service Locator or NI System Web Server and select Stop
5. Wait a minute until the service has stopped, and then right-click and select Start
6. Restart LabVIEW and see if you still get the error
 

Windows 7

1. Log in as an administrator or as a user with administrative privileges
2. Select Start»Control Panel»System and Security»Administrative Tools»Services
3. Right-click on the NI Service Locator or NI System Web Server and select Stop
4. Wait a minute until the service has stopped, and then right-click and select Start
5. Restart LabVIEW and see if you still get the error
 

Windows 2000/XP

1. Log in as an administrator or as a user with administrative privileges
2. Select Start»Settings»Control Panel»Administrative Tools»Services
3. Right-click on the NI Service Locator or NI System Web Server and select Stop
4. Wait a minute until the service has stopped, and then right-click and select Start
5. Restart LabVIEW and see if you still get the error
 

Firewall 

If, after trying the steps above for you operating system, the issue persists or you see a message similar to:
 

The NI Service Locator service on the local computer started and then stopped. Some services stop automatically if they have no work to do, for example, the performance logs and alerts service.

 
This suggests a firewall issue. To allow NI Service Locator to run with a personal firewall running, the following need to be added to your personal firewalls exceptions/safe list/program permission properties:

1. NI Service Locator (C:\Program Files (x86)\National Instruments\Shared\nisvcloc.exe)

2. NI Example Finder (C:\Program Files\National Instruments\Shared\Example Finder\1.0\BIN\NIExampleFinder.exe)

3. LabVIEW (<LabVIEW>\LabVIEW.exe)

 

You can also try deleting and remaking the Service at the Command Line.  This is a workaround as once the Service is restarted this way it can be turned off again, which points again to a Firewall issue.  The steps to do this are here:

1. Open cmd.exe and run the command: sc delete nisvcloc 
2. Restart the computer
3. Open cmd.exe and run the command: sc create NiSvcLoc binPath= "C:\Program Files (x86)\National Instruments\Shared\niSvcLoc\nisvcloc.exe -s" start= auto DisplayName= "NI Service Locator"
4. Open Services Viewer and locate the NI Service Locator and Start it.
5. Try opening NI Example Finder and opening an example.

Additional Information

NI Example Finder uses a local TCP/IP connection to communicate with applications such as NI Service Locator and HelpServer. Some personal firewalls, such as McAfee, block these applications from starting.

The NI Service Locator and NI System Web Server are services that run in the background of the operating system. These services enables the proper execution of several features including the LabVIEW Example Finder and some help options in LabVIEW. If the appropriate service is not running or is not running correctly, some of these features will not execute correctly.

Installing Beta software can also interfere with the NI Services. Please make sure you use a different machine, or virtual machine when using unreleased software.