Work |top| — License Key Not Available Wincc Logging For Runtime Advanced

The message " License key not available! WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced

" typically triggers when a project includes data or alarm logging features, which require a separate license from the standard Runtime Powertags. The Troubleshooting Story: Finding the Missing Key

Imagine you’ve just deployed a WinCC Runtime Advanced project to a new Industrial PC (IPC). The system boots, the HMI screens appear, but suddenly, an annoying popup declares the logging license is missing. Step 1: Check the Project Configuration The most common cause is that you’ve enabled Alarm Logs in TIA Portal. The Problem:

While standard "Comfort Panels" include logging in their base price, PC-based Runtime Advanced

requires a specific "WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" license (e.g., MLFB: 6AV2107-0GA00-0BB0 If you don't actually need logging, go to Historical Data

in your project tree and delete any configured logs. If you do need it, you must purchase and transfer the license via the Automation License Manager (ALM) Step 2: Inspect the "Defective" License Bug Sometimes the license there, but the system doesn't see it. The Problem:

If an IPC is shut down abruptly (like a power failure) instead of a controlled Windows shutdown, the active license can be marked as "defective" in the ALM. Automation License Manager

and check the status. If it's defective, you may need to contact Siemens Support to have it repaired. Step 3: The "Accidental Feature" Trap

You might be triggering a license request for a feature you didn't mean to turn on. The Problem: Runtime Settings > Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

, checking the box for "GMP" or "Audit Trail" often triggers additional license requirements.

Uncheck "Good Manufacturing Practice" in the Runtime settings if your application doesn't strictly require it. Step 4: Handling the Simulation Popup

If this is happening while you are just testing on your engineering laptop: WinCC Runtime Advanced Simulation

behaves exactly like the real hardware. It will always throw this error if the logging license isn't on your PC. For simulation purposes, you can simply ignore and close the popup

. It will not stop the simulation from working, though it may reappear every few minutes.

Troubleshooting "License Key Not Available" Error in WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced The message " License key not available

The "License Key Not Available" error in WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced can be a frustrating issue, hindering the efficient monitoring and management of industrial processes. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the error, its causes, and step-by-step solutions to resolve the problem.

Understanding WinCC Logging and Runtime Advanced

WinCC (Windows Control Center) is a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system developed by Siemens. It is widely used in industrial automation for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing processes. WinCC Logging is a feature that enables the collection and storage of process data, while Runtime Advanced is a component that allows for the execution of WinCC projects.

Causes of the "License Key Not Available" Error

The "License Key Not Available" error typically occurs when the system is unable to detect a valid license key for WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced. This can be attributed to several factors:

Missing or incorrect license key: The license key might not be installed or configured correctly.
License server issues: The license server might be offline, misconfigured, or experiencing technical difficulties.
Software version incompatibility: Incompatibilities between WinCC versions and the license key can cause the error.
System configuration errors: Misconfigured system settings or registry entries can prevent the system from detecting the license key.

Step-by-Step Solutions

To resolve the "License Key Not Available" error, follow these steps:

Verify License Key Installation:
- Check the license key documentation to ensure it is installed and activated correctly.
- Verify that the license key is associated with the correct WinCC version and Runtime Advanced component.
Check License Server Configuration:
- Ensure the license server is online and properly configured.
- Verify that the license server is reachable from the client machine.
Update WinCC and Runtime Advanced:
- Ensure that WinCC and Runtime Advanced are updated to the latest version.
- Verify that the software versions are compatible with the license key.
System Configuration and Registry Checks:
- Verify that system settings and registry entries are correctly configured.
- Check for any errors or inconsistencies in the system configuration.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, perform the following advanced troubleshooting:

Check Event Logs: Review event logs for error messages related to the license key or license server.
Use License Server Tools: Utilize license server tools, such as the License Server Manager, to diagnose and resolve license-related issues.
Contact Siemens Support: Reach out to Siemens support for assistance with resolving the issue.

Conclusion

The "License Key Not Available" error in WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced can be a complex issue, but by understanding its causes and following step-by-step solutions, you can efficiently resolve the problem. Regular maintenance, software updates, and proper system configuration can help prevent such errors in the future. If issues persist, do not hesitate to contact Siemens support for expert assistance.

This content is structured to help troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve the issue within a Siemens TIA Portal and WinCC environment.

When to Contact Siemens Support

If the issue persists after the steps above, provide the following to Siemens Technical Support:

Screenshot of Automation License Manager showing installed licenses
Error message from Runtime Loader or Windows Event Viewer (Siemens category)
TIA Portal project version and WinCC Logging configuration details
ALM diagnostic file (Export → Diagnostic file)

Technical Workaround (for testing / development only)

If you just need to test logging functionality without a full license: Missing or incorrect license key : The license

Use Trial License – WinCC RT Advanced includes a 21-day trial where logging works fully.
Check your license in TIA Portal → Commissioning → License management – ensure WinCC RT Advanced and any add-on packages like WinCC Logging or WinCC Archive are installed.
Downgrade to basic logging – Use scripts (VB/C-script) to write process values to a text file or SQLite database, bypassing WinCC’s native archive system (not for production, but works without logging license).

The Final Verdict

The "License key not available" for WinCC logging is rarely a missing dongle. It is almost always a race condition (USB timing) or a quantity mismatch.

Your checklist before calling Siemens support:

[ ] Is the dongle plugged in before boot?
[ ] Is the ALM service running?
[ ] Does your tag count exactly match your license tier? (Don't go over by 1!)
[ ] Have you tried a "time-travel" demo test?

Logging is the memory of your machine. Don't let a software handshake turn your HMI into an amnesiac.

Have you ever lost a batch report because of a missing license? Tell your horror story in the comments below.

The error message "License key not available! WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" occurs when a WinCC project includes data or alarm logging features, but the specific WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced license is missing from the Siemens Automation License Manager (ALM). Common Root Causes

Missing Add-on License: In WinCC Runtime Advanced, the "Logging" and "Recipe" features require their own distinct licenses separate from the base "PowerTags" license.

Defective License: Licenses can be marked as "defective" if the PC or Industrial PC (IPC) is not shut down properly, preventing the runtime from releasing the license correctly.

Version Mismatch: The installed license version must match the software version (e.g., a V16 license may not work for a V17 project unless it is explicitly an upgrade license).

Simulation Behavior: This message frequently appears during simulation in TIA Portal even if logging isn't actively being tested; for engineering purposes, it can often be ignored as it does not typically block simulation functionality. Troubleshooting Steps Check the Automation License Manager (ALM):

Open ALM and use the "Check" function to see if the logging license is present and valid.

Verify the exact name of the license; it must be WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced. Verify Project Configuration:

If you do not need logging, remove all configured Data Logs and Alarm Logs from the project and recompile. Restore Defective Licenses:

If a license is shown as defective in ALM, you may need to contact Siemens Technical Support to have it restored using your Certificate of License (CoL). Hardware Binding:

Ensure the license is transferred to the correct drive (typically the C: drive) where the Runtime is active. Step-by-Step Solutions To resolve the "License Key Not

Are you seeing this error during active production on a machine, or just while simulating in your engineering environment? WinCC License DEMO Mode: Troubleshooting Fix | Siemens

The message "License key not available! WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" appears because WinCC Runtime Advanced requires a separate, additional license to perform any historical data logging. Why this happens

Unlike Siemens HMI Panels (Comfort/Mobile), which include logging capabilities in their hardware price, the PC-based Runtime Advanced separates the base runtime from its functional options. Even if you have a valid "WinCC Runtime Advanced" PowerTag license, you still need the logging option if your project contains: Data Logs (Historical tag values) Alarm Logs (Historical alarm messages)

Audit Trails (If using the Audit/GMP option, as it relies on system logging) How to resolve it

Purchase the License: You must acquire the "WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" license key (e.g., MLFB: 6AV2107-0GA00-0BB0).

Transfer via ALM: Once purchased, use the Siemens Automation License Manager (ALM) to transfer the key to the PC running the Runtime.

Check for "Defective" Licenses: If you already have the license but still see the error, open the Automation License Manager and check if the key is marked as "defective". This can happen if the IPC/PC was shut down improperly without closing the Runtime first.

Remove Logging (Optional): If you do not actually need logging, navigate to Historical data > Data logs and Alarm logs in the TIA Portal project tree and delete any configured logs, then recompile and download the project. Common False Alarms

Simulation: Starting a simulation in TIA Portal on your engineering PC will also trigger this message if the logging license is missing from that specific PC.

SmartServer: Sometimes a similar "License key not available" message appears for SmartServer. If you don't use it, you can disable the "CoRTSmartServer" service in the Windows Service Manager to stop the popup.

Since Siemens officially requires a purchased license to legally run WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced, this guide focuses on identifying the cause of the error and official troubleshooting steps to ensure your existing licenses are being read correctly.

If you have purchased a license but are receiving the "License key not available" message, follow the troubleshooting steps below.

Affected Software & Environment

SIMATIC WinCC (TIA Portal) Advanced – Versions V13 to V18
Runtime Advanced on Windows 10/11 Professional, Enterprise, or Windows Server
WinCC Logging feature (data logging, archive tags, historical trends, alarm logging)

Incident Report — License Key Not Available: WinCC (Logging for Runtime Advanced)

Date: April 9, 2026
Scope: Siemens WinCC (Runtime Advanced) — runtime logging functionality failed due to missing license key.

Part 3: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

If you are certain you have a full "Runtime Advanced" license but still see the error, follow this structured workflow.

7. Reinstall or Repair License

Use License Manager → right-click license → Repair.
If corrupt, delete the license file and re-import from the original source (e.g., USB dongle or license disk).

The Nuclear Option: The "Power Log" Reset

Sometimes the license server gets stuck. You have to force a re-scan without rebooting Windows (which takes 10 minutes on an old Panel PC).

Open Service Control Manager (services.msc).
Find "Automation License Manager Service".
Right-click > Restart.
Immediately restart WinCC Runtime.

This forces WinCC to re-negotiate the license count without a full PC reboot.