Knowledge Base

Problem

During installation or after a system change, the Basler GigE Vision network adapter disappears from Pylon's IP Configurator or Windows reports an error installing the GigE Vision Adapter driver. EthoVision cannot detect the camera.

Details

Symptoms include: the network adapter no longer appearing in Pylon Viewer or IP Configurator after a driver update or Windows Update; Windows reporting 'Windows encountered a problem installing the Basler GigE Vision Adapter'; the camera not appearing as an acquisition source in EthoVision even though it was previously working. Affects all EthoVision versions that use Basler GigE cameras with a dedicated PCIe network card.

Solution

1. Power off the PC completely and unplug it from the wall.
2. Open the PC tower and physically remove the Basler GigE PCIe network card from its slot.
3. Reseat the card firmly into the same PCIe slot and close the case.
4. Power the PC back on and check whether the adapter now appears in Device Manager and in Pylon's IP Configurator.
5. If the adapter is visible but the driver still shows an error, reinstall the GigE Camera technology note driver package (available from Noldus support or Basler's website) by running the installer as Administrator.
6. After reinstallation, reopen Pylon Viewer and confirm the camera is detected and assigned a valid IP address.
7. Launch EthoVision and verify the camera appears as an acquisition source.
Note: Windows Update can replace manufacturer drivers with generic Intel/Windows drivers, causing the adapter to stop functioning. If this recurs after future Windows Updates, consider pausing driver updates for the network adapter in Device Manager.