License Key Not Available Wincc Logging For Runtime Advanced Link May 2026

Error Description

When attempting to use the WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced Link, you may encounter an error message indicating that a license key is not available. This error can occur if the required license key is not properly installed, configured, or activated.

Causes of the Error

The "License Key Not Available" error for WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced Link can be caused by several factors, including:

Troubleshooting Steps

To resolve the "License Key Not Available" error for WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced Link, follow these troubleshooting steps:

Resolving the Error

If the troubleshooting steps above do not resolve the error, you may need to:

Preventing Future Errors

To prevent similar errors in the future, ensure that:

The error "License key not available! WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" occurs because logging is a separate add-on license for PC-based WinCC Runtime Advanced systems. Unlike Siemens Comfort Panels, which include logging functionality by default, PC runtimes require an additional license for any tag or alarm logging. Common Causes & Solutions

Missing Add-on License: Even if you have a valid "WinCC Runtime Advanced (PowerTags)" license, you must also purchase and install the specific WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced license to use historical data or alarm logs.

Damaged License on IPCs: If an Industrial PC (IPC) shuts down improperly (e.g., power failure), the license may not be released correctly and can be marked as "defective". Error Description When attempting to use the WinCC

Fix: Check the status in the Automation License Manager (ALM). If it shows a red cross, the license is corrupted and may need to be restored by Siemens Support.

Simulation vs. Production: This error will also appear when simulating a project in TIA Portal if the license is not on the engineering PC. You can generally ignore the message during simulation as it does not affect the functional test.

Archive Path Issues: Sometimes a "license" error is triggered by the runtime being unable to access the logging directory.

Fix: Ensure the configured archive path is accessible and the user has full write permissions. Next Steps Open the Automation License Manager on your Runtime PC.

Verify if a license named "WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" is present and has a green checkmark.

If missing, you must purchase the license (Article No: 6AV2107-0GA00-0BB0) and transfer it to the PC.

The error "License key not available! WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" occurs because SIMATIC WinCC Runtime Advanced requires a separate, additional license for any tag or alarm logging functionality when running on a PC. While HMI Comfort Panels include logging in their base price, PC-based Runtime Advanced systems do not. Common Causes & Solutions

Missing License: You must purchase and install the specific WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced license key using the Automation License Manager (ALM).

Unintended Logging: If you do not need logging, you can remove the error by deleting all configured Data Logs or Alarm Logs in your TIA Portal project under Runtime Settings.

Defective Licenses: If the license is already installed but shows as "defective" in ALM, it may be due to an improper system shutdown. You can attempt to repair it using the Restore function in ALM or contact Siemens Technical Support.

Simulation Behavior: This message will also appear when simulating a project on your engineering PC if the logging license is not present, as the simulation behaves exactly like the actual runtime. Related License Triggers

If you are seeing similar license errors, check if these common "options" are enabled in your project settings: Troubleshooting Steps To resolve the "License Key Not

SmartServer: Often starts automatically; if unused, disable the "CoRTSmartServer" service in Windows.

Recipes: Like logging, the Recipes functionality requires its own separate license for WinCC Runtime Advanced.

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP): Ensure this checkbox is unchecked in Runtime Settings if not required by your application.

The "License key not available! WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" error occurs because WinCC Runtime Advanced

requires a separate, dedicated license for historical data functions like Tag Logging Alarm Logging

. Unlike Comfort Panels, which include these features, PC-based Runtime systems require this additional "option" license to be active in the Automation License Manager (ALM) Siemens SiePortal 1. Verify License Ownership The most common cause is missing the specific WinCC Logging license key. Core License vs. Option License

: Having a "WinCC Runtime Advanced (PowerTags)" license is not enough; you must also have the WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced license (e.g., Article No: 6AV2107-0GA00-0BB0 : Open the Siemens Automation License Manager

and confirm the "WinCC Logging" key is present and installed on the local drive. Siemens SiePortal 2. Resolve "Defective" License Status

If you own the license but it still fails, it may be marked as "defective."

: This often happens if the PC or IPC was shut down abruptly without closing the Runtime properly, preventing the license from being released.

: Check the status in ALM. If marked defective, you may need to contact Siemens Technical Support to have it restored. 3. Check Project Configuration

If you do not want to purchase a license, you must disable all logging features in your TIA Portal project. Remove Data Logs Historical data > Data logs in the project tree and delete any defined logs. Remove Alarm Logs Resolving the Error If the troubleshooting steps above

: Check your Alarm settings for any "Log" or "Archive" checkboxes and uncheck them. Recompile and Download

: Perform a "Software (rebuild all)" compile. If logging functionality is still detected, a note will appear in the output window after compilation. Siemens SiePortal 4. Troubleshooting Simulation Errors Ignore for Testing : If this message appears during a Simulation

on your engineering PC, you can often click "Ignore." The simulation will usually continue to function, but the pop-up will recur periodically. Trial Period

: If you are in a trial phase, ensure your trial license for WinCC Advanced Professional is properly activated in ALM. Summary of Necessary Licenses Required License Key Basic Runtime WinCC Runtime Advanced (e.g., 512 PowerTags) Historical Data WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced Recipe Mgmt WinCC Recipes for Runtime Advanced Remote Access WinCC Sm@rtServer for Runtime Advanced Siemens SiePortal article numbers

for the specific license versions (e.g., V17, V18, V19) to help with procurement? AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more

It sounds like you are encountering the "License key not available" error for WinCC Logging when trying to use the Runtime Advanced link in Siemens TIA Portal.

Below is a complete support post you can copy and paste into forums (like Siemens Support, Reddit r/PLC, or PLCTalk.net). It includes the problem, causes, and step-by-step solutions.

Before buying anything, check what licenses are actually installed.

| License Name | Contains Logging? | | :--- | :--- | | WinCC Runtime Advanced (Standard) | ❌ No – Basic visualization only | | WinCC Runtime Advanced + Logging | ✅ Yes | | WinCC Runtime Advanced Audit | ✅ Sometimes (Check exact order number) | | Powerpack "Logging" for WinCC Advanced | ✅ Yes – This is an add-on license |

If you see no license for "Logging" or a "Powerpack", you have identified the problem.

Before diving into solutions, it is critical to demystify the error text.

If you use a floating license served by the Automation License Manager Server:

If you are running your project on a standard PC (not a Siemens Panel), you must purchase and install the "WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" license.