Problem Updating Feeds When Installing Through NI Package Manager

Updated May 27, 2024

Reported In

Software

  • Package Manager

Issue Details

I receive the following communication error when installing, updating or upgrading a product from within NI Package Manager (NIPM).

There was a problem updating the feeds cache.
Failed to update all fields.
Visit ni.com/info and enter the Info Code NIPMCommError for more information.
Additional error information:
An error occurred while trying to download the feed:
http://download.ni.com/support/nipkg/products/ni-package-manager/released/Packages.gz
The network is down, unreachable, or has been reset. (Could not resolve host: download.ni.com)

Solution

Here are some of the reasons why you encounter this error and the corresponding solutions:
  • You are using Direct Access, and you are on an IPv6 only network. You will experience networking issues, and can't install any products from NI Package Manager if you are on an IPv6 only network.
  • You can't access any of NI URLs due to some networking issues. If you can't access any of the below URLs using Telnet or another tool, you need to contact your IT department to make sure the corresponding ports are open.
    • download.ni.com on port 443
    • conduit-locator.ni.com on port 443
    • conduit.ni.com on port 443
    • *.scene7.com (e.g. ni.scene7.com) on port 80 and 443
  • Your proxy (though Internet Options in Windows) is not set up correctly. If you are behind a proxy server, make sure to use http proxy servers. Otherwise you can use the following workaround:
    • Open %localappdata%\National Instruments\NI Package Manager\nipkg.ini
    • Fill out the proxyserver=<field> with your proxy information. The field format usually is host:port but you can ask your IT department to confirm.
  • Your system does not trust NI's https certificates. You should contact your IT department to confirm the certificate settings.
  • Make sure you are not using a VPN, as this can also affect or block the installation.
  • Try a different network. Sometimes networks have other limitations that can prevent NI Package Manager from working properly. Try another network, such as your home network or using your phone as a WiFi hotspot.
  • Work with your IT department to ensure that your Windows user account has proper administrator privileges. 
  • Check if you have antivirus software running. If so, try turning it off.
  • This error can also happen if you have upgraded from early versions of NIPM. The INI file for the feed has changed, but the software still references the old INI file. If you have an nipkg.ini file inside C:\Program Files\National Instruments\NI Package Manager\Settings, delete this file.

Additional Information

In case you're using Windows 10, this may also be caused by compatibility configuration. To solve it, go to the folder where the executable is saved, right click it and select Properties. On the Compatibility tab, under the Compatibility mode section check the "Run this program in compatibility mode for:"