How to Identify Proxy Settings That Affect NI Software Communication

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Environment

Hardware

  • CompactDAQ Controller
  • CompactRIO Controller

Software

  • Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX)

Operating System

  • Windows

If NI hardware or NI software uses network communication, a proxy configuration on your Windows PC may interfere with communication between NI software components and devices. You can use the following steps to determine whether a proxy is configured on your system and whether it may affect NI software connectivity.
 
Before performing these steps, ensure that you have access to a Windows Command Prompt and permission to view system settings.

Option 1: Check for an HTTP Proxy Environment Variable from Command Prompt

  1. Open a Command Prompt.
  2. Enter the following command:
    echo %http_proxy%
  3. Review the output:
    • If the command returns only:
      %http_proxy%
      no http_proxy environment variable is configured.
    • If the command returns any other value, an http_proxy environment variable is configured and may affect communication used by NI software.

Option 2: Check the Windows HTTP Proxy Configuration

  1. Open a Command Prompt.
  2. Enter the following command:
    netsh winhttp show proxy
  3. Review the output:
    • If a proxy configuration is displayed, NI software communication may be affected.
    • If the output indicates that direct access is configured, no WinHTTP proxy is configured.

Option 3: Check Environment Variables from Windows Settings

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Type Environment Variables and select the system environment variables settings.
  3. Select Environment Variables.
  4. Review both User variables and System variables.
  5. Locate the http_proxy variable, if present.
  6. Verify whether the variable exists:
    • If http_proxy appears in either list, a proxy environment variable is configured.
    • If http_proxy does not appear in either list, no proxy environment variable is configured.

After completing any of these options, you can determine whether a proxy is configured through either:
  • The http_proxy environment variable
  • The Windows HTTP proxy configuration
A configured proxy may interfere with communication between NI software components and NI network-connected hardware.

Next Steps

If a proxy is configured and you are experiencing communication issues with NI software or NI hardware, contact your organization's IT administrator to determine whether the proxy configuration can be modified or excluded for the affected applications.
 
NI hardware and software use the cURL library for HTTP-based communication, and certain proxy configurations may interfere with that communication.

Related Links

NI CompactRIO or Network Device Doesn't Show Up or is Missing in MAX

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