USB Blaster Not Found In Quartus Prime

[MMCC]

I am having an issue where Quartus Prime is not detecting the USB Blaster device.  I have installed the drivers which came with Quartus Prime, the device is recognised in Device Manager and is working properly.

Versions of software and hardware:

Win 11 23H2

Quartus Prime version 23.1std. 0 Build 991 11/28/2023 SC Lite Edition

Altera USB Blaster Rev C

EPM240T100C5N Development board

I have tried the following:

1.  Complete reinstall of Quartus Prime

2.  Running as admin

3.  Running in safe mode and disabling the Altera JTAG Server

None of the above has worked.  Any further ideas or tests?

[Farabi]

Hello,

May I know which one you are using- USB Blaster or USB Blaster II ?

regards,

Farabi

[MMCC]

USB Blaster.  I have ordered a new device to rule out the one I have.  Should be here in a few days.

[NurAiman_M_Intel]

Hi,

Here are a few steps that you can try:

1. Disconnect other USB device
2. uninstall and reinstall the usb blaster driver
3. You can also try this https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/programmable/articles/000073673.html
4. If you have another USB Blaster, please try using another one and see if it works.

Regards,

Aiman

[MMCC]

I have already tried these steps, except for Number 4.  I'm waiting for a new USB Blaster to arrive.

[NurAiman_M_Intel]

Hi,

Let me know the update once you have try with new USB blaster.

Regards,

Aiman

[MMCC]

I have the new Altera USB Blaster, from a different supplier, but its behaving like the first one.  It registers fine with device manager however is not available as a hardware choice in Quartus Prime programmer.

[FvM]

Hi,
are we talking about an original Altera/Intel/Terasic download cable or a clone that is illegally using the brand name? In the latter case, I won't be sure if the device is fully functional.
Regarding enumeration device manager, what kind of device is displayed?

[MMCC]

I don't know, I bought them off eBay.  They say Altera on them.  Pictured here:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41bP044KZVL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg

Device manager says 'Altera USB Blaster' under the 'USB controllers' section and there are no errors.

The problem seems to be Quartus Programmer, it won't list the hardware.

[NurAiman_M_Intel]

Hi,

Intel devices can only be purchase through Intel authorized distributor.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/partner/showcase/partner-directory/distributor.html#sort=relevancy

We do not ensure the device quality and functionality and also we do not provide further service if it is not originally from Intel.

Thanks.

Regards,

Aiman

[FvM]

Thanks for confirming that you are not using genuine USB Blaster. According to this recent thread, USB Blaster clones are not guaranteed to work with Windows 10 driver. https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-Quartus-Prime-Software/Quartus-Lite-does-not-recogize-the-USB-Blaster/td-p/1576328