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:

1. Missing or incorrect license key: The required license key for WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced Link is not installed or is incorrectly configured.
2. License key not activated: The license key is installed but not activated, or the activation has expired.
3. Insufficient permissions: The user account attempting to access the WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced Link does not have the necessary permissions or rights to use the feature.
4. Configuration errors: There are errors in the configuration of the WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced Link, such as incorrect settings or missing dependencies.

Troubleshooting Steps

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

1. Verify license key installation: Check that the required license key is properly installed and configured. Ensure that the license key is valid and has not expired.
2. Activate the license key: If the license key is installed but not activated, activate it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Check user permissions: Verify that the user account attempting to access the WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced Link has the necessary permissions and rights to use the feature.
4. Review configuration settings: Check the configuration settings for the WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced Link and ensure that they are correct and complete.

Resolving the Error

If the troubleshooting steps above do not resolve the error, you may need to: Error Description When attempting to use the WinCC

1. Contact the manufacturer's support team: Reach out to the manufacturer's support team for assistance with resolving the license key issue.
2. Reinstall the license key: Reinstall the license key and reconfigure the WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced Link.
3. Update software or firmware: Ensure that the software or firmware is up-to-date, as outdated versions may cause compatibility issues.

Preventing Future Errors

To prevent similar errors in the future, ensure that:

1. Regularly review license key status: Periodically review the status of your license keys to ensure they are active and valid.
2. Keep software and firmware up-to-date: Regularly update software and firmware to ensure compatibility and resolve potential issues.
3. Document configuration settings: Maintain accurate documentation of configuration settings to facilitate troubleshooting and error resolution.

The error "License key not available! WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" occurs because the WinCC Logging option requires a separate, dedicated license key that is not included with the standard WinCC Runtime Advanced base license. Required License

To enable tag or alarm logging on a PC-based Runtime Advanced system, you must install the following additional license: Product Name: WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced

Article Number (MLFB): 6AV2107-0GA00-0BB0 (Physical USB) or 6AV2107-0GA00-0BH0 (Online Download) Troubleshooting Steps

If you believe you already have the license, check the following:

Automation License Manager (ALM): Open the Automation License Manager to verify the key is present on the local machine and not marked as "defective". Missing or incorrect license key : The required

Abrupt Shutdowns: If the IPC was not shut down properly (e.g., power failure), the license may be stuck in a "defective" state. You may need to use the ALM Check function to recover it.

Unintended Feature Activation: If you do not actually need logging, ensure you haven't accidentally checked "Good Manufacturing Practice" (GMP) or other logging-dependent settings in Runtime Settings in the TIA Portal.

Comfort Panels vs. PC Runtime: Unlike PC-based "Runtime Advanced," physical Comfort Panels generally do not require this separate logging license; it is primarily for PC stations.

It looks like you're encountering a license key issue with WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced in Siemens WinCC (likely TIA Portal). The message "License key not available" typically means the required license is either missing, not activated, or not recognized by the system.

Here’s how to resolve it:

2. License Type Mismatch

Siemens licenses come in different types:

• Floating License (USB Dongle/ALM Server): Must be accessible over the network or via a physical USB key.
• Single-Station License (Disk-based): Tied to the hard drive or computer fingerprint.
• Trial License: Limited time; may have expired.

If you purchased a dongle but the software is looking for a disk-based license, the error appears. Troubleshooting Steps To resolve the "License Key Not

5. If you have the license but still get the error

• Restart WinCC Runtime and ALM service
• Disable antivirus temporarily (may block license access)
• Reinstall Automation License Manager

The Specific Error

The error "License key not available: WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" specifically triggers when:

1. The HMI project has been configured with Archiving (Process Value Archives or Message Archives).
2. The Runtime software initializes and attempts to start the logging service.
3. The Automation License Manager (ALM) scans the local or network license keys and fails to find a specific authorization certificate matching the "Logging" functionality for the "Advanced" runtime class.

Critical Distinction: This error is distinct from a missing "Runtime Advanced" base license. The system may have a license to run the visualization screens, but it lacks the specific add-on authorization to log the data.

Check Windows Event Viewer

1. Run eventvwr.msc.
2. Navigate to Windows Logs > Application.
3. Filter for sources: Siemens.Automation.LicenseManager, WinCC, HMIRuntime.
4. Look for Event ID 1000, 1001, or specific license error codes (e.g., 0x80004005 – E_FAIL). These codes can be searched in Siemens' official support database (SIOS).

Root Causes

| Cause | Description | |-------|-------------| | Missing license | No valid license for WinCC Logging (e.g., “WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced”) is installed on the target runtime machine. | | Incorrect license type | A standard WinCC Runtime license (without Logging option) is installed but does not cover data logging. | | License not activated | License exists on the drive but not transferred (e.g., not activated via Automation License Manager). | | Wrong license version | License is for an older or newer version of WinCC/TIA Portal and not backward/forward compatible. | | License key not found | ALM (Automation License Manager) cannot locate the license (wrong drive, network issue, USB dongle not inserted). | | Trial license expired | A trial or demo license was previously used and has expired. | | Runtime Advanced vs Professional | Using Runtime Advanced but license is for Runtime Professional (or vice versa), or missing the logging add-on specifically. |

Step-by-step fix:

1. Check which licenses you actually have:

   • Open Automation License Manager (ALM)
   • Look for:
     • WinCC Runtime Advanced (base runtime)
     • WinCC Logging (needed for archiving/logging)
   • If you only see the base license, you need to purchase 6AV2105-0xxxx (Logging for RT Advanced)

2. If you have the license but it's not detected:

   • In ALM, right-click the license → Check consistency
   • Ensure the license is transferred to the local PC (not left on a USB stick unless stick is always plugged in)
   • Restart the SIAX S7 USB License Manager service (Windows services)

3. For trial/test (30 days):

   • Download Simulation License from Siemens (Trial licenses for WinCC Logging exist)
   • Install via ALM → Licenses → Install → select trial license file

4. Correct licensing for Runtime Advanced link:

   • The "Runtime Advanced link" is just a shortcut to start the runtime. It doesn't cause the license error – logging does.
   • To verify: Start runtime without logging tags. If it works, logging license is the missing piece.

5. Workaround (development only):

   • Use Simulation Tags (no archiving) to bypass logging
   • Or use WinCC Professional (includes logging in higher tiers)