License Key Not Available Wincc Logging For Runtime Advanced Work May 2026
License Key Not Available Wincc Logging For Runtime Advanced Work May 2026
The background service that handles licensing may have hung or failed to start.
The error occurs under the following conditions:
If you are migrating a project from the older WinCC Flexible to WinCC Advanced/Professional, licensing models change.
Author: Automation Support Team Difficulty Level: Intermediate/Advanced Applies to: SIMATIC WinCC (TIA Portal) Runtime Advanced, WinCC Professional
Write this as a formal feature request to Siemens Support:
“In WinCC Runtime Advanced, when the logging license is not available, the system should allow at least short-term circular buffered logging to disk (e.g., last 24 hours) with a persistent watermark. This prevents data loss during license renewal delays or temporary network failures to a license server.”
Would you like a sample script to implement unlicensed file-based logging as a workaround, or help phrasing this for Siemens Industry Online Support?
The "License key not available" message for WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced
typically occurs because the standard Runtime license does not include historical data archiving (tag or alarm logging)
. Unlike Comfort or Mobile panels, PC-based Runtime Advanced stations require a dedicated WinCC Logging license to enable these features. Siemens SiePortal Why This Error Appears Missing Add-on License : The base license (e.g., WinCC Runtime Advanced 512 PowerTags ) only covers basic HMI functions. If you configure any Alarm Logs in TIA Portal, you must also purchase and install the WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced Improper Shutdown (Damaged License)
: If the IPC or PC is shut down abruptly without closing the Runtime, active licenses may be marked as "defective" in the Automation License Manager (ALM) System Date Changes
: Resetting the system clock to an earlier time can invalidate installed licenses. Simulation Mode The background service that handles licensing may have
: Running a simulation of an Advanced PC station on an Engineering PC will trigger this warning if the engineering station lacks the specific logging license key. Siemens SiePortal How to Fix the Error WinCC Advanced Runtime and license - SiePortal
The error "License key not available! WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" occurs because the logging functionality (tag and alarm logging) requires a separate, dedicated license that is not included with the standard WinCC Runtime Advanced powerTags license. Unlike Siemens Comfort Panels, which include logging features for free, PC-based Runtime Advanced stations treat logging and recipes as optional add-ons. Root Causes & Troubleshooting
Missing Option License: The most frequent cause is having a valid Runtime license (e.g., for 512 tags) but lacking the WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced option key.
Damaged or Unreleased Licenses: If a PC is shut down improperly (e.g., power failure), the license may be marked as "defective" in the Siemens Automation License Manager (ALM) because it was not released correctly.
Automatic Services: Certain services like the SmartServer may start automatically and trigger license warnings even if not used in your project.
Simulation vs. Production: Running a simulation in TIA Portal will trigger this message if the engineering PC does not have the specific runtime option licenses installed. Recommended Solutions Verify via Automation License Manager (ALM):
Open the ALM and check the "Missing License Keys" view to see exactly which key is required.
Right-click your license and select Check; a green checkmark indicates it is valid, while a red cross indicates it is corrupt and needs repair.
Purchase Necessary Add-on: If you are logging tags or alarms on a PC station, you must acquire the license for WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced (e.g., MLFB: 6AV2107-0GA00-0BB0).
Repair Corrupt Licenses: If the license is listed but marked defective, use the License > Repair option in ALM as an Administrator, or contact Siemens Technical Support for restoration.
Disable Unused Services: If you receive a SmartServer license error but do not use it, stop the "CoRTSmartServer" service and set its startup type to Manual in Windows Services. Product Options If you are migrating a project from the
For those looking to resolve this by purchasing the necessary licenses, they are available from various industrial suppliers:
Siemens WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced (USB Flash Drive): Available at Electricals Shop for ₹38,255.42.
Siemens WinCC Recipes + Logging for Runtime Advanced: This combined license covers both logging and recipe functions and is available from retailers like Electricals Shop. WinCC License DEMO Mode: Troubleshooting Fix | Siemens
To resolve the "license key not available" error for WinCC Logging, you must understand that Siemens treats logging as a separate add-on. Even if you have a valid WinCC Runtime Advanced license (e.g., for 512 PowerTags), a dedicated WinCC Logging license is required for archiving process values or alarms. 1. Identify the missing license
The most common cause is missing the specific logging option license required for PC-based runtimes.
Required License: "SIMATIC WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" (e.g., Product ID: 6AV2107-0GA00-0BB0).
Check Requirements: Run the WinCC License Analysis by right-clicking the WinCC Runtime icon in the system tray. This will highlight exactly which missing license is triggering the message. 2. Verify status in Automation License Manager (ALM)
Open the Automation License Manager (Start → Siemens Automation → SIMATIC → License Manager) to check the following:
Availability: Ensure the logging license is actually installed on the PC or a connected USB drive.
Corrupted Licenses: If a license is visible but marked with a red symbol, it may be "defective." This often happens if the PC was shut down improperly (e.g., power failure) while Runtime was active.
Fix: Select the license and use the License → Repair option in ALM. “In WinCC Runtime Advanced, when the logging license
Version Match: Verify the license version matches your installed TIA Portal version (e.g., V17, V18). Note that newer licenses are generally downward compatible. 3. Update the License Manager
Software conflicts with Windows security updates can cause ALM to fail to "see" valid licenses.
Update: Download and install the latest Automation License Manager (ALM) Service Pack from the Siemens Industry Online Support site. 4. Remove logging (if not required)
If you do not actually need to archive data and want to stop the error message:
Project Settings: Open your project in TIA Portal and navigate to Historical data.
Disable Logs: Delete or disable all configured Data logs and Alarm logs.
Recompile: Perform a "Software (rebuild all)" and download the updated project to the Runtime PC. 5. Common "Ghost" License Errors Sometimes, errors appear for services you aren't using.
Sm@rtServer: If you receive a license error for Sm@rtServer even if it's disabled, stop the CoRTSmartServer service in Windows Service Manager and set its startup type to Manual. WinCC License DEMO Mode: Troubleshooting Fix | Siemens
Sometimes licenses are "borrowed" by another PC or are in the "Transfer List" waiting to be moved.
This is a full license that includes 128, 512, 2048, or 4096 tags including full logging.