'Launching a Hello World Nios II Hardware configuration' has encountered a problem.

First, make sure you've used the Quartus programmer to download the FPGA configuration sof file.

Note that the run as nios ii hardware command uses the most recently used run configuration. Make sure you click on the application, not the BSP when you attempt to run. Also, you should check your target configuration. To do this, select Run Configurations... from the Run menu. Unless you've changed it the configuration name should match your project name + Hardware configuration. Click the Target Connection tab. Normally, there is only one entry in the processors field. Click it. Then click Refresh Connections. This will ensure that the software tools have a good JTAG connection.

I usually uncheck "Ignore mismatched system ID" and "Ignore mismatched system timestamp" These checks verify that your software is compiled for the FPGA configuration that is actually loaded on the board. It's frustrating to look for a bug that turns out to be due to mismatch between hardware and software.

Under Download, check all the boxes unless you know you have a reason not to. Finally, click apply and run. The next time you want to run, click the round green play button on the toolbar.