Problem Overview
The SINAMICS G120C drive family frequently reports its firmware version in a red color field inside TIA Portal Startdrive V15 even after a successful firmware update to V4.7 SP10 HF1 or V4.7 SP10 HF3. The drive continues to function, accepts parameter sets, supports upload/download, and exchanges PROFINET telegrams without interruption, but the user interface misrepresents the firmware status as failed or non-matching. This produces a recurring support case where commissioning engineers fear a corrupted flash, a license mismatch, or a defective Control Unit.
This article isolates the actual root cause, separates it from similar but unrelated faults (MLFB mismatch, missing HSP, license error, missing PROFINET supply), and walks through the exact sequence to verify, downgrade assumptions, and permanently clear the red status with TIA Portal V15.1 Startdrive or later.
Affected Products and Firmware Versions
| Component | Version / Article Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
| SINAMICS G120C (all frame sizes FSA through FSF) | 6SL3210-1KE... | Affected |
| Control Unit firmware (CU240E-2 PN, CU240E-2 PN-F, CU250S-2 PN) | V4.7 SP9 | OK in Startdrive V15 |
| Control Unit firmware | V4.7 SP10 (base) | Red display in Startdrive V15 |
| Control Unit firmware | V4.7 SP10 HF1 | Red display in Startdrive V15 |
| Control Unit firmware | V4.7 SP10 HF3 | Red display in Startdrive V15 |
| TIA Portal / Startdrive | V15 (all updates) | Bug present |
| TIA Portal / Startdrive | V15.1 | Bug fixed |
| SIMATIC HMI Panels referenced by the project | Any | Not affected by this issue |
The Hotfix level (HF1, HF3) refers to Siemens internal patches applied on top of Service Pack 10. Startdrive V15 was released before these hotfix binaries were published; therefore its internal firmware signature table does not include the HF1 and HF3 hashes and renders them as unrecognized.
Root Cause Analysis
The red firmware field is a display-side bug in Startdrive V15, not a fault inside the drive. The Startdrive component embeds a list of known firmware signatures and associated color codes. When a SINAMICS G120C reports an unknown firmware build, the Online & Diagnostics view prints the version string in red to signal a mismatch with the configured device in the project tree.
Under normal conditions, a red firmware string means one of the following real conditions is present:
- The drive's MLFB does not match the device in the TIA project.
- The HSP (Hardware Support Package) required by that firmware was not installed.
- The firmware was partially flashed and the CRC is invalid.
- The drive holds a newer firmware than the project supports (forward revision).
With V4.7 SP10 HF1 / HF3 and Startdrive V15, condition 4 is true but should not be displayed as an error because the HSP is installed and the flash completed successfully. Siemens technical support has acknowledged the bug, and it was resolved in Startdrive V15.1.
Prerequisites
Before applying the workaround, gather the following items to rule out the legitimate causes above.
- Engineering station with administrator rights.
- TIA Portal V15 or V15.1 with Startdrive option installed.
- SINAMICS G120C connected via PROFINET or PROFIBUS (PN recommended).
- Web browser access to the Siemens Industry Online Support portal.
- The exact MLFB (Maschinenlesbare Fabrikatebezeichnung) printed on the front of the Control Unit. Format:
6SL3210-1KE1x-xUFxfor PN variants. - Firmware files for V4.7 SP10 HF3 stored locally. Source: SINAMICS G120C HSP for Startdrive V15 (SIOS entry 109754382).
Diagnostic Flow
The following diagram shows the decision path used to separate the Startdrive V15 display bug from genuine firmware faults.
Step-by-Step Resolution
Step 1 - Confirm the diagnostics buffer is empty
- Open the TIA project, expand the G120C device in the project tree.
- Right-click the drive and select Online & Diagnostics → Diagnostics buffer.
- Confirm that no F-class faults are present. Expected state: only informational entries such as "PROFINET connection interrupted (no power supply)" and "Motor data identification incomplete" may be present, but no firmware CRC or memory card errors.
Step 2 - Verify the MLFB
The MLFB is the Siemens 16-digit order number visible on the front of the Control Unit, for example:
6SL3210-1KE15-8UF1
In TIA Portal:
- Select the G120C in the device view.
- Open Properties → General → Catalog.
- Compare the catalog entry to the label on the unit. The strings must match character-for-character including the trailing revision index.
If a mismatch is found, drag the correct catalog device from the hardware catalog into the project, then reassign the PROFINET device name. This alone often clears the red firmware field on a different (but easily confused) class of bugs.
Step 3 - Confirm the HSP is installed
- In TIA Portal, open Options → Support Packages.
- Search for "SINAMICS G120C".
- Confirm that the HSP for V4.7 SP10 is listed and shows the date corresponding to HF1 or HF3.
- If the HSP is not present, download the SINAMICS G120C HSP for Startdrive V15 and install it. Restart TIA Portal after installation.
Step 4 - Re-assign the drive in the project (device proxy)
- Delete the existing G120C device from the project tree.
- Re-insert the drive from the hardware catalog with the same PROFINET name and IP address.
- Compile the project (Hardware → Compile) and download only the device configuration (not the full program) to the PLC.
This re-syncs the device proxy that Startdrive uses to render the firmware status. In many reports the red status clears after this step, even on Startdrive V15, because the proxy now contains the updated HSP metadata.
Step 5 - Confirm the Startdrive V15 bug condition
If after Steps 1-4 the firmware string is still red and the diagnostics buffer is empty and the MLFB matches, the condition is the Startdrive V15 display bug. Two paths forward exist:
- Accept and ignore: The drive is fully functional. Upload, download, trace, and online parameter edits all work. Document the field as "known Startdrive V15 cosmetic bug, firmware functional" and move on.
- Apply the fix: Upgrade TIA Portal to V15.1 (or later) where the firmware signature table is updated and HF1/HF3 are recognized.
Step 6 - Upgrade to TIA Portal V15.1
- Back up the current project: Project → Archive.
- Install TIA Portal V15.1 from the Siemens installation media. Select the upgrade option to preserve projects.
- Re-install the corresponding V4.7 SP10 HSP for Startdrive V15.1 (refer to SIOS 109754382 for the version mapping).
- Open the archived project, perform a project upgrade, recompile, and download to the PLC.
- Go online with the G120C, open Online & Diagnostics, and verify the firmware field is now black (normal).
Verification Checklist
| Check | Method | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|
| Firmware version display color | Online & Diagnostics → General | Black (V15.1+) or Red but functionally OK (V15) |
| Diagnostics buffer clean | Online & Diagnostics → Diagnostics buffer | No F01000/F01001/F01105 entries |
| MLFB parity | Properties → Catalog vs. unit label | Exact 16-digit match |
| HSP installed | Options → Support Packages | V4.7 SP10 HSP present |
| Upload parameter set | Drive → Upload to PG/PC | Completes without error |
| Download parameter set | Drive → Download from PG/PC | Completes without error |
| Trace recording | Trace → Start recording | Records and reads back cleanly |
| PROFINET cyclic I/O | PLC online → Watch table | Status word updates at bus cycle |
| Motor data identification | Drive → Commissioning → Motor ID | Runs to completion (p1900 = 2) |
Related Fault Codes and What They Mean
| Code | Meaning | Relation to red firmware display |
|---|---|---|
| F01000 | Internal software error | Independent - not caused by display bug |
| F01001 | Floating point exception | Independent - not caused by display bug |
| F01105 | CU: Error reading memory card | Independent - requires re-flash |
| A08502 | PROFINET connection lost (warning) | Expected when PLC is offline; does not affect firmware display |
| A07901 | Motor data identification incomplete | Expected after firmware update; clear by running p1900 = 2 |
Troubleshooting Matrix
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Red FW string + empty diagnostics buffer | Startdrive V15 display bug | Upgrade to V15.1 or ignore |
| Red FW string + F01000 | Corrupted flash / power loss during update | Re-flash via Startdrive or Web Server |
| Red FW string + F01105 | Memory card read error | Replace SD card, re-flash |
| Red FW string + MLFB mismatch | Wrong catalog device used | Re-assign correct MLFB |
| Red FW string + A08502 repeating | PROFINET name/IP mismatch | Assign PROFINET device name from TIA |
| Red FW string + "HSP not found" prompt | HSP missing | Install HSP from SIOS 109754382 |
| Red FW string on V15, normal on V15.1 | Confirmed display bug | None required - cosmetic only |
| Red FW string on V15.1 | Genuine mismatch | Full investigation of MLFB, HSP, and flash integrity |
Best Practices and Field Tips
- Before any firmware update, archive the existing parameter set with Drive → Upload to PG/PC and store the file outside the TIA project tree.
- After installing a new HSP, always restart TIA Portal; the catalog cache is not refreshed at runtime.
- If multiple G120C drives in the same project all show the red firmware string simultaneously, this is a strong indicator of the Startdrive V15 display bug rather than individual hardware faults. Investigate the project-level HSP first, then individual drives.
- Never update a fleet of drives while Startdrive V15 is the engineering tool if V4.7 SP10 HF1/HF3 is the target. Either downgrade the target firmware to V4.7 SP9 (no red status) or upgrade the tool to V15.1 first.
- Document the firmware string color in the commissioning report so the next engineer can immediately identify the cosmetic state.
- When in doubt, use the drive's built-in Web Server (HTTPS on the PROFINET IP, port 443) to cross-check the firmware version from the device itself, independent of TIA.
FAQ
Does a red firmware string in Startdrive V15 mean the G120C is broken?
No. With firmware V4.7 SP10 HF1 or HF3, the red color is a known Startdrive V15 display bug. The drive continues to operate, accepts parameter sets, and exchanges PROFINET data. Confirm the diagnostics buffer is empty and the MLFB matches before concluding the issue is cosmetic.
How do I permanently fix the red firmware display?
Upgrade TIA Portal to V15.1 (or later) and re-install the corresponding V4.7 SP10 HSP. The updated Startdrive firmware signature table recognizes HF1 and HF3, and the version string renders in normal black text.
What does MLFB stand for and why does it matter?
MLFB (Maschinenlesbare Fabrikatebezeichnung) is the Siemens machine-readable order number, a 16-digit string such as 6SL3210-1KE15-8UF1. TIA Portal compares the project's MLFB to the actual hardware; any mismatch causes the firmware string to turn red and can block project download.
Where do I download the SINAMICS G120C HSP for Startdrive V15?
The HSP is distributed through Siemens Industry Online Support. For TIA Portal V15, refer to SIOS entry 109754382 and install the matching V4.7 SP10 package, then restart TIA Portal.
Can I keep using Startdrive V15 with V4.7 SP10 HF3 in production?
Yes. Online monitoring, parameter upload/download, trace, and PROFINET integration all work. Treat the red firmware string as cosmetic. For new projects, however, move to V15.1 or later to avoid the display artifact and gain access to newer Startdrive features.