"Error Generating Preview" When Trying to Build an Installer or Package in LabVIEW

Updated Jan 8, 2021

Reported In

Software

  • LabVIEW Application Builder Module
  • LabVIEW 2013
  • LabVIEW

Operating System

  • Windows

Issue Details

When I try to build an installer or package in LabVIEW, I get the following error:

Error generating preview for executable.

This error is shown in the following dialog box.

Solution

If you are using LabVIEW 2013, this is likely caused by a known issue tracked by CAR 429282 and fixed in LabVIEW 2013 SP1. The recommended fix is to upgrade to LabVIEW 2013 SP1 or later.

Otherwise, a common cause of this error is conflicting or missing dependencies:
  • You can find conflicting items by viewing the full path of an item by right-clicking on the project root and selecting View » Full Paths. You can also go to Project » Resolve Conflicts to display the Resolve Conflicts Dialog Box. See Resolving Project Conflicts for more details.
  • Make sure that all VIs listed in the Always Included section of your Build Specifications are called in the executable(s) being installed. This message can arise if a VI is always included but never called. You can remove VIs that are not being called in the settings in the Additional Exclusions category of your executable's Build Specifications by checking the box "Remove unused members".
  • Delete and recreate the Build Specifications for your installer or package.