CompactRIO C Series Modules Not Showing in NI MAX

Updated Jan 5, 2021

Reported In

Hardware

CompactRIO Controller
C Series Digital Module

Software

Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX)

Issue Details

I am able to see my CompactRIO (cRIO) under Remote Systems in NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX). However, when I expand Devices and Interfaces under the cRIO, I can't see my C Series I/O modules. Why can't I see the C Series modules in MAX?

Solution

Only cRIO controllers with NI-DAQmx capabilities (cRIO-904x and cRIO-905x) and cDAQ systems provide access to C Series modules through NI MAX. If you are using a cRIO-904x or cRIO-905x, please ensure that NI-DAQmx is installed on your system. If DAQmx is not installed, follow the Install NI Software on Your CompactRIO Controller article. Note: If you experience problems installing NI-DAQmx, you may need to reformat your cRIO device and reinstall the software.

If you are using any other CompactRIO controller, C Series Modules will not be listed in NI MAX. Instead the two potential options you have for detecting the Modules are listed below:

You can create a LabVIEW project and detect the modules as explained in Detect Your CompactRIO System using LabVIEW article
You can use NI Distributed System Manager (DSM) to access and monitor the inputs and outputs of the C Series Modules on your cRIO. To use NI Distributed System Manager follow the steps below
1. Install Distributed System Manager
2. If you don't already have NI-RIO IO Scan and System State Publisher installed on your cRIO, you will need to install them as features.
3. Once you have Distributed System Manager installed, follow the Monitor CompactRIO System Resources and I/O With the Distributed System Manager article to monitor your CompactRIO system.

Additional Information

Each C Series I/O module interfaces with the FPGA. Therefore, NI-MAX is not able to determine which C Series modules are inserted into the cRIO chassis. Once you create a cRIO project, LabVIEW will download a personality to the FPGA that detects which modules are inserted in the cRIO chassis and you will have an opportunity to detect inserted modules to view in the project explorer.

A cRIO without NI-DAQmx capabilities will enumerate in MAX similar to the following image:

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