Target and Devices Option Missing When Adding a Real-Time Controller in LabVIEW

Issue Details

I am seeing one of the following behaviors and I am not sure what to do:

• When targeting a NI Real-Time controller, I try to add my device to my LabVIEW project in the Project Explorer.  However, I cannot add my target because I can not see the Targets and Devices option.
• I can't add my R Series card to my LabVIEW project as the Targets and Devices option is not available under My Computer.
• I can't add my CompactRIO, CompactDAQ, PXI/PXIe, Industrial or any Real-Time controller to my LabVIEW project as it doesn't show up on Targets and Devices dialog box.
• I don't see any Real-Time or RIO-related examples in the NI Example Finder.
• I have multiple versions of LabVIEW on my computer. I can only see my real-time target on some of these LabVIEW versions.

Solution

There are a few scenarios which can explain the behavior you are seeing: 
 

1. Existing Target can only be added under Project Root but not under My Computer
2. The Targets and Devices Option is Missing under the Project Root
3. NI CompactRIO Drivers not Installed or Incompatible
4. Incorrect order of Installation
5. Multiple Versions of LabVIEW Installed
6. In Case of using a CompactDAQ Real-Time
    

1. Existing Target can only be added under Project Root but not under My Computer

First of all, make sure that you are trying to add an existing target under the correct level in the project explorer. Stand-alone RT controllers need to be added under the Project: root and not under My Computer as shown in the picture below and explained in Adding RT Targets to the LabVIEW Project.

​

2. The Targets and Devices Option is Missing under the Project Root

If the Targets and Devices... option is missing when you right-click on the project root in the LabVIEW Project, it might be due to an issue with the LabVIEW Real-Time Module.

• Make sure that your development system has the Real-Time Module installed, and that the versions and bitness of LabVIEW and LabVIEW Real-Time Module match.
• To check if you have the Real-Time module installed, open NI License Manager, then navigate to LabVIEW 20xx » Modules » Real-Time Module, as highlighted in the figure below: 

• Verify that the Real-Time Development is fully activated or still within the allowed evaluation time period by checking the color of the license box.
• If the module is active, but you suspect that the installation is corrupt, run a repair on LabVIEW Real-time. The process for repairing a module is explained in Uninstall or Repair NI Software or Drivers in Windows. Instead of selecting NI LabVIEW, as mentioned in the KB, select NI LabVIEW 20xx Real-Time Module.

3. NI CompactRIO Drivers not Installed or Incompatible

After clicking Targets and Devices, the Add Targets and Devices window will open. If you do not see a folder for your Real-Time hardware in this window, the corresponding Device Drivers may not be installed correctly.

• Make sure that the required Device Driver is installed and compatible with your version of LabVIEW. See NI Driver and Development Software Compatibility for detailed information about compatibility between your Device Driver and LabVIEW.
  • If you are using a Real-Time cDAQ, you need NI-DAQmx.
  • If you are using a Real-Time PXI/PXIe controller, you need PXI Platform Services.
  • If you are using a CompactRIO controller, you need NI-CompactRIO.
  • If you are using a Real-Time Industrial Controller, you need Industrial Controller Device Drivers.
  • If you are using a R Series device, you need NI R Series Multifunction RIO.
• If you do not see your device model number after expanding the corresponding folder in the Add Targets and Devices window (even after selecting the New Target or Device), then the version of the Device Driver might not support your hardware target. For detailed information about driver and hardware compatibility, see NI Hardware and Software Operating System Compatibility.
• To locate the versions of LabVIEW or Device drivers, open the NI Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) and look under the Software tab in the navigation pane on the left:

 
 

• If Device Drivers were previously installed and you still are unable to see your Real-Time target, repair and/or reinstall the driver.

4. Incorrect order of Installation

It is possible to install National Instruments Software in an order that could omit necessary files. The correct order of installation is documented in Installation Order for Multiple NI Software Products. If it is possible that software was installed in the wrong order, a repair or reinstall will be needed to get correct functionality.
 

5. Multiple Versions of LabVIEW Installed

It is possible to install versions of LabVIEW and its corresponding Real-Time and Modules. However, you need to ensure that your hardware, CompactRIO driver, and LabVIEW Real-Time Module are compatible with the version of LabVIEW you are actively using.