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** Troubleshooting** Error "System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object" when launching Controller

Troubleshooting


Problem

User launches the Controller client via a web link. * For example (if using Controller 10.1) user launches shortcut to http://controllersvr/ibmcognos/controllerbin/ccr.exe * Alternatively selects the Controller link on the "Cognos Connection" website's welcome page. However, the Controller client does not start. Instead, user receives an error message. NOTE: The Controller client works OK if the user has the 'local' (non-web) client installed. * In other words, it works OK if they have the CCRLocalClient.MSI version of the client installed.

Symptom

Screen:

    System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
    at Cognos.Controller.AppContext.InitConfig()

There are no errors recorded in the Event Viewer.
[{"Product":{"code":"SS9S6B","label":"IBM Cognos Controller"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU048","label":"IBM Software"},"Component":"Controller","Platform":[{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"8.5.1;8.5;8.4;8.3;10.1;10.1.1","Edition":"Not Applicable","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB76","label":"Data Platform"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSMRTZ","label":"IBM Cognos Controller on Cloud"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU048","label":"IBM Software"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB76","label":"Data Platform"}}]

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Historical Number

1041517

Document Information

More support for:
IBM Cognos Controller

Software version:
8.5.1, 8.5, 8.4, 8.3, 10.1, 10.1.1

Operating system(s):
Windows

Document number:
386447

Modified date:
08 May 2025

UID

swg21367356

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