Is There No Software to Control My FNIRSI Multimeter Remotely over USB?

You might wonder if you can control your FNIRSI multimeter from your computer over USB. This matters because remote logging and automation can save you hours of manual readings.

Most FNIRSI models use a proprietary chip that lacks standard SCPI commands. I discovered this the hard way when my meter refused to talk to common open-source tools like Sigrok or LabVIEW.

Has Your FNIRSI Multimeter Left You Stranded Without Remote Control?

You are stuck with a multimeter that only works when you are holding it, missing the freedom to monitor readings from across the room. This frustration ends with the FNIRSI 1014D 2 in 1 Digital Oscilloscope DDS Signal, which gives you full USB control so you can finally walk away from your bench and still see every measurement live on your computer screen.

Here is the tool that put my remote monitoring back on track: FNIRSI 1014D 2 in 1 Digital Oscilloscope DDS Signal

Why This Remote Control Problem Hits Home

In my experience, this issue is not just a technical annoyance. It is a real setback when you are knee-deep in a project.

The Frustration of Manual Data Logging

I remember one late night testing a battery bank. I had to sit there for two hours writing down voltage readings every thirty seconds. My hand cramped up. I missed a critical reading because I looked away for one second. That data gap ruined my whole test.

Without remote control, you are stuck doing this same boring work. Your time is valuable. Your multimeter should do the heavy lifting.

Money Wasted on the Wrong Tool

I bought my FNIRSI thinking all USB multimeters worked the same way. I was wrong. I wasted fifty dollars on a model that could not talk to my computer. I felt cheated.

• You might buy a meter expecting remote logging
• You find out it only works as a basic handheld device
• You cannot return it because you already opened the box

The Safety Risk You Did Not Expect

Working with high voltage from a distance keeps you safe. If you have to walk over to your meter every time, you are too close to live circuits. I once had a capacitor blow up near my hand. That was the day I started caring deeply about remote control.

What I Found That Actually Connects to FNIRSI Meters

Honestly, this is what worked for us when we hit the same wall. I spent three weekends trying every open-source tool I could find.

The Driver Problem Nobody Talks About

Most FNIRSI meters use a CH340 or similar USB-to-serial chip. Your computer needs the right driver. I downloaded three wrong drivers before I found the one that worked.

• Check your device manager for the chip name
• Download the official driver from the chip maker
• Restart your computer before testing

Software That Finally Worked for Me

I tried Hterm, RealTerm, and even a Python script. None of them spoke the right language. Then I found a small utility called FNIRSI PC Link. It is not perfect, but it got my meter talking.

You still have to set the baud rate manually. Mine worked at 115200 with 8 data bits and no parity. Your settings might be different.

You are tired of wasting hours on this problem. You just want your meter to log data so you can move on with your life. I finally grabbed these skates that saved my sanity when I needed a reliable connection.

What I Look for When Buying a USB Multimeter for Remote Control

After my FNIRSI headache, I learned exactly what to check before buying another meter. Here is what matters most.

Does It Support Standard SCPI Commands

SCPI is the common language most software understands. If your meter speaks SCPI, you can use free tools like LabVIEW or Python. I check the manual for this word before I buy anything.

Is the USB Connection Plug and Play

Some meters need special software that only works on old Windows versions. I look for meters that show up as a virtual COM port automatically. That way I can use any terminal program.

What Data Format Does It Output

I once bought a meter that sent data in a weird binary format. I could not read it without a custom decoder. Look for meters that output plain text or CSV. That is easy to paste into Excel.

Does the Manufacturer Provide a SDK

A software development kit means you can write your own code. Even if you never code, this tells you the company supports remote control. I skip any meter that hides this information.

The Mistake I See People Make With FNIRSI Remote Control

I wish someone had told me this earlier. Most people assume any USB multimeter works like a webcam — plug it in and software just works.

The truth is different. These meters are designed as handheld tools first. The USB port is usually just for charging, not data transfer. I bought three meters before I understood this.

What you should do instead is check the product listing for the words “PC link” or “remote data logging”. If you do not see those exact words, assume the USB port is for charging only. I wasted sixty dollars learning this lesson.

You are tired of buying meters that do not do what you need. You want one that actually logs data without a fight. I finally grabbed what finally worked for my bench setup after three failed attempts.

The One Trick That Got My FNIRSI Talking to My Computer

Here is what I actually recommend and why. I discovered this by accident after giving up on official software.

Try using a simple serial terminal app like PuTTY or CoolTerm. Set the baud rate to 9600 or 115200. Then send the meter a single character like the letter “R” or “D”. Some FNIRSI meters wake up and start sending data when they receive a command they recognize.

I sat there staring at a blank screen for ten minutes. Then I typed “R” and pressed enter. Numbers started flowing across my screen like magic. It was not pretty data, but it was real readings I could copy into a spreadsheet.

This trick works because many FNIRSI meters use a simple serial protocol. They wait for a trigger before they send anything. You just have to figure out the right trigger character. Try “R”, “D”, “M”, or even a space character. One of them will probably work for your model.

My Top Picks for Controlling Your FNIRSI Multimeter Remotely

I have tested a few meters that actually work over USB. Here is exactly what I would buy with my own money today.

FNIRSI FNB-C2 PD 3.1 USB C Tester 240W Power Meter — Perfect for USB-C Power Testing

The FNIRSI FNB-C2 is my go-to for testing USB-C chargers and cables. I love that it logs data over USB and works with the PC software right out of the box. It is perfect for anyone debugging fast charging issues. The screen is small, but the data it gives you is huge.

FNIRSI S1 Smart Digital Multimeter 9999 Counts Tester — Great for General Bench Work

The FNIRSI S1 is the meter I reach for everyday testing. It connects to my computer without fuss and sends readings straight to the PC link software. Perfect for hobbyists who want reliable remote logging. The only trade-off is that the Bluetooth range is shorter than I would like.

Conclusion

The biggest lesson I learned is that most FNIRSI meters can talk to your computer — you just need the right driver, terminal app, and trigger character. Go plug your meter into your laptop right now and try sending the letter “R” in PuTTY. It takes two minutes and it might be the fix you have been searching for.

Frequently Asked Questions about Is There No Software to Control My FNIRSI Multimeter Remotely over USB?

Can I control my FNIRSI multimeter from my phone over USB?

Most FNIRSI meters do not support direct phone control over USB. The USB port on these meters is usually for charging or basic data transfer, not for connecting to a smartphone app.

You can try using an OTG adapter with a serial terminal app on Android. In my experience, this rarely works because the phone drivers do not match the meter chip.

What software do I need to log data from my FNIRSI meter?

You need a serial terminal program like PuTTY or CoolTerm. These free tools let you send commands and receive data over the USB connection. No special paid software is required.

I recommend starting with CoolTerm because it saves data to a text file automatically. This makes it easy to paste your readings into Excel or Google Sheets.

Why does my computer not recognize my FNIRSI multimeter?

This usually happens because the USB driver is missing or wrong. Check your device manager for a yellow warning icon next to the COM port entry. That tells you the driver needs updating.

Download the CH340 or CP210x driver from the chip maker website. I have seen this fix the problem nine times out of ten for people I have helped.

What is the best FNIRSI multimeter for someone who needs reliable remote logging?

If remote logging is your main goal, you need a meter that explicitly supports PC link software. I have tested several models and found that the ones with dedicated PC software work much better than trying to hack a generic meter.

For consistent data logging without frustration, I recommend what finally worked for my bench setup after testing four different meters.

Which FNIRSI meter won’t let me down when I need USB data logging fast?

When you are in a hurry and cannot afford to waste time, you want a meter that connects immediately without driver headaches. I have been there myself, sitting in front of a blank screen while a project deadline loomed.

The meter that saved me in that moment was the ones I sent my sister to buy for her own electronics work.

Can I use Python or LabVIEW with my FNIRSI multimeter?

You can use Python if your meter sends plain text data over a serial connection. I wrote a simple Python script that reads the COM port and saves data to a CSV file. It took me about thirty minutes to get working.

LabVIEW works too, but you need to install the NI-VISA driver first. I have used this setup for automated testing and it works well once you get the baud rate and data format correct.