Multisim MSComp_S File Was Not Found

Issue Details

• I can't find any component when launching Multisim.
• I've just reinstalled Multisim and when launching I'm getting the following error:

The database path: "C:\ProgramData\National Instruments\Circuit Design Suite\14.x\database\MSComp_S.prd" was not found or not set.
Do you want to select the path where the component database can be found?

Solution

Method 1: Download and Use the Offline Installer

Standard online reinstallations or repairs via NI Package Manager (NIPM) can fail to re-download or extract the large MSComp_S.prd database file (approx. 230 MB–1 GB).

1. Completely uninstall NI Circuit Design Suite (or Multisim / Ultiboard) via NI Package Manager or Windows Control Panel.
2. Download the full Offline Installer (.iso file) for your exact version of Multisim from the official NI Downloads page.
3. Right-click the downloaded .iso file and select Mount.
4. Run setup.exe as an Administrator to perform a clean, complete installation. The offline installer contains all offline database payload files including MSComp_S.prd.

Method 2: Verify and Select the Database Path in Multisim

If the file exists on your system but Multisim lost its file path reference:

1. Launch Multisim. When prompted with the message:
   "Do you want to select the path where the component database can be found?", click Yes.
2. In Windows File Explorer, navigate to the default database directory: C:\ProgramData\National Instruments\Circuit Design Suite\<version>\database\ (Note: C:\ProgramData is a hidden folder in Windows. Enable View » Show » Hidden items in Windows Explorer or paste the path directly into the address bar).
3. Select MSComp_S.prd (or Master_Database.mcdb) and click Open.

Method 3: Manually Clean Up Residual Installer Folders Before Reinstalling

If reinstalling keeps resulting in the same missing file error, residual corrupted folders are preventing NIPM from overwriting the database directory:

1. Uninstall NI Circuit Design Suite.
2. Manually delete the leftover database folder: C:\ProgramData\National Instruments\Circuit Design Suite\<version>\database\
3. Manually delete the user settings folder: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\National Instruments\Circuit Design Suite\<version>\
4. Reinstall Multisim using the Offline Installer.

Method 4: Copy from Another PC (If Available)

If you have access to a second computer running the exact same version of Multisim:

1. Copy the MSComp_S.prd file from:
   C:\ProgramData\National Instruments\Circuit Design Suite\<version>\database\
2. Paste the file into the same directory on the target computer.
3. Relaunch Multisim.