License Key Not Available Wincc Logging For Runtime Advanced Link [better] 🔥

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

typically occurs because Siemens treats "Logging" as a separate, billable option from the standard Runtime license. While Basic or Comfort Panels often include logging features, PC-based Runtime Advanced projects require an explicit "WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced" license key to be installed on the target machine. 1. Identify the Required License

A standard WinCC Runtime Advanced license (e.g., for 512 or 2048 PowerTags) does not automatically cover logging. You specifically need: Siemens SiePortal SIMATIC WinCC Logging for Runtime Advanced

: This key is required for historical data logging, including Alarm Logs Combined Options The "License key not available" error for WinCC

: Some licenses combine logging and recipe functionality if both are used in the project. Siemens SiePortal 2. Common Causes and Fixes

If you are seeing this error despite having a license, or if you want to eliminate the popup, consider these steps: Check Automation License Manager (ALM) : Open the Automation License Manager

to verify if the "Logging" key is present and shows a green status. If it appears as "defective," it may be due to an improper IPC shutdown; in this case, contact Siemens Technical Support to restore it. Verify Project Configuration : If you do not intend to use logging, check the "Historical data > Data logs" "Alarm logs" Step 4: Force the "Link" – Manual License

sections in your TIA Portal project tree. If any logs are defined, the system will demand a license at startup. Deleting these logs and recompiling the project can stop the error. Audit Trail/GMP Settings

: Enabling "Good Manufacturing Practice" (GMP) or Audit Trail options automatically triggers a logging requirement because these features rely on system-level logging. You can disable this in Runtime Settings > Good Manufacturing Practice to remove the license requirement. SmartServer Service

: In some versions (like V14), the SmartServer service starts automatically and may trigger license popups even if unused. Disabling the "CoRTSmartServer" service in Windows Services can resolve this. 3. Simulation Behavior Close Runtime Advanced

When simulating a project in TIA Portal on your engineering PC, the simulation tool behaves exactly like the actual Runtime. If your project has logging enabled, the simulation will also prompt for the logging license key unless that key is transferred to your engineering station. order codes for the logging license or instructions on how to transfer keys using a USB drive?

Step 4: Force the "Link" – Manual License Assignment

The "link" in the error message refers to the project linking to the correct license feature.

  1. Close Runtime Advanced.
  2. Open Automation License Manager.
  3. Click Edit > Connect to License Server (if using network licenses).
  4. For local licenses, ensure the license is on C: or a USB stick.
  5. Important: Clear the license cache:
    • Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Siemens\ALM\
    • Run Cleanup.exe as Administrator.
    • Restart your PC.

C. Licensing Architecture Mismatch (Floating vs. Local)

This is a common issue in larger facilities.

1. Check which license you actually need

If you only have a base WinCC Runtime Advanced license, logging may be limited or disabled.

What I tried:

System: