Device Reserved Error -50103 in NI MAX Test Panels

Updated Jul 10, 2026

Issue Details

Some software uses the Analog Input, Analog Output, and Digital Input/Output lines of my USB Data Acquisition (DAQ) device. When I open the Test Panel in NI MAX (Measurement & Automation Explorer) to start a task, I receive the following error:
Error -50103 occurred at Test Panel

Possible Reason(s):
The specified resource is reserved. The operation could not be completed as specified.
I cannot proceed because the device channels are reserved.

Solution

This error occurs when Data Acquisition (DAQ) device resources are reserved by another application or task. Resetting the device releases all reserved channels.
  1. Open NI MAX.
  2. Navigate to Devices and Interfaces.
  3. Select the DAQ device.
  4. Click the Reset button.
The reset operation clears all active reservations on the device.
  1. Reopen the Test Panels.
  2. Start the task again.

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