Remote Front Panels, NI Network Browser, or WIF Don't Work in Browser

Issue Details

When I use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari, I cannot access Remote Front Panels, NI Network Browser or the Web Interface (WIF). I get an error message similar to the following:

• This plugin is not supported.
• NI has detected that your browser might be blocking a plug-in. Visit ni.com/info and enter the following Info Code for more information: BlockedPlugin

In the web browser, I see an error message similar to the following: 

Error seen in Chrome

 

Error seen in Firefox

Solution

Using the supported browser (Internet Explorer) can be the solution to the issue. If there are concerns about Internet Explorer not being supported on certain versions of Windows 10 starting June 15, 2022. A valid workaround is to use the Microsoft Edge Browser on Internet Explorer Mode . 

Previously, other browsers were able to display Remote Front Panels by utilizing a browser plugin mechanism called Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface (NPAPI). This plugin mechanism was deprecated from Google Chrome beginning in version 42, Mozilla Firefox beginning in version 52, and Safari 12.1 in macOS Mojave 10.14.

As such, Google Chrome version 42 and later, Mozilla Firefox 52 and later, Safari 12.1 in macOS Mojave 10.14, and Microsoft Edge (not on Internet Explorer Mode) are not supported browsers for these older NI web technologies.  

Some troubleshooting steps known to solve connectivity issues between the server and the host are the following:

• Restart the VI on the server, and restart the VI on the client. 
  • Also, users can try to restart LabVIEW on both sides, as well. 

Additional Information

To determine is the root of your issue is based on this deprecated plugin mechanism, check which browser version you are using.

• Google Chrome: Check your version by clicking on Customize and control Google Chrome menu (the three dots menu in the top right) >> Help >> About Google Chrome.
• Firefox: You can check your Mozilla Firefox version by clicking the Open menu  >> Open Help Menu >> About Firefox menu item.
• Safari: You can check which version of macOS you have, and you can check your version of Safari by clicking Safari > About Safari in the menu bar.

NPAPI plugins may continue to work in the Mozilla Firefox Extended Support Release for some time after the release of Mozilla Firefox version 52. If you are running into an issue with missing plug-ins with older versions of Firefox, you can restore these plug-ins. 

Newer web technologies such as the G Web Development Software  and SystemLink support the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For more detail, see the Readmes for those products.