Resolving WinCC Runtime "License Expired" Error with Automation License Manager

The "License expired, please purchase a valid license" popup in WinCC Runtime is one of the most reported authorization failures on Siemens HMI/SCADA stations. The popup typically appears at runtime startup or when switching runtime modes, even when the engineering team believes all purchased licenses are installed and active. In most cases the root cause is not an actually expired license but rather license corruption, duplicate license keys, or a Trial License shadowing a valid Floating License.

This reference walks through the diagnostic and recovery procedure using Automation License Manager (ALM), the central tool for managing all SIMATIC and WinCC authorizations. It applies to TIA Portal V17, V18, V19, and V20, as well as legacy WinCC V7.x installations, with references to the official Siemens Licensing STEP 7 and WinCC documentation.

1. Problem Description

When WinCC Runtime (RT Professional, RT Advanced, or WinCC V7) is started on a panel or PC, the following popup may appear:

License expired, please purchase a valid license.

Clicking Details > reveals internal error codes, the affected license (for example WinCC RT Professional (8192)), and the computer fingerprint. Typical diagnostic values seen in the Details pane include:

• E123 - Trial License expired
• E124 - License not found
• E125 - License corrupted
• E130 - License for wrong version
• E131 - Multiple identical licenses detected

The Runtime can sometimes continue operating in demo mode for a grace period (typically 14 days) but will lock non-demonstrable features. WinCC Comfort/Advanced Panels and WinCC RT Professional enforce the license check strictly without grace.

2. Root Cause Analysis

There are six common root causes for the popup, ordered by frequency in field-reported cases:

3. Prerequisites for Diagnostics

Before opening ALM, verify the following administrative items:

1. Administrator privileges on the runtime PC. ALM writes to C:\Program Files (x86)\Siemens\Automation License Manager and to C:\ProgramData\Siemens\Automation License Manager.
2. Automation License Manager installed. For TIA V20, ALM V6.0.10 or later is shipped. For WinCC V7.5 / V7.4 SP1, ALM V5.3 SPx is sufficient.
3. Network access to the license server (UDP/TCP 4410, 4411) if Floating Licenses are in use. Test with telnet <license-server> 4410 from the runtime PC.
4. License documentation available: CoLID, license number, license key file (.zip or .alf), original License Key USB or floppy.
5. Screenshot capability ready - the ALM main window, the license details, and the runtime popup with Details pressed are all required for any Siemens Support Request (SR).

4. Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure in Automation License Manager

4.1 Open Automation License Manager

Launch ALM from the Windows start menu: Start > Siemens Automation > Automation License Manager. The main window lists all licenses visible to the local machine, including those on attached license servers.

4.2 Select and Check All Licenses

1. Press Ctrl + A (or right-click and choose Select All) to highlight every row in the license table.
2. Right-click and choose Check from the context menu.
3. ALM performs an integrity check on every license key. The results appear as status icons in the Status column.

4.3 Interpret the Status Icons

4.4 Inspect License Details

Double-click any license row to open the detail dialog. Note the following fields - they are essential for any Siemens Support Request:

• License Number (e.g., SW-C6A100516-P)
• CoLID (Certificate of License ID)
• Validity (date range, or "days left" for Trial)
• Type (Single, Floating, Trial, Upgrade)
• Target System (WinCC RT, Panel, TIA Portal)
• Version (e.g., V18.0, V20.0)
• Computer fingerprint (host ID bound to the license)

5. Resolution Procedures by Root Cause

5.1 Resolving a Defective (Corrupted) License

If the status icon is a red X:

1. Right-click the defective license and select Defective Licenses > Recover. ALM attempts to re-read the key from its source (USB stick, USB license stick, or license server).
2. If recovery fails, deactivate the defective license: right-click and select Defective Licenses > Move to Defective Licenses subfolder.
3. Reinstall the license from the original .zip package or License Key USB via License Key > Install in ALM.
4. If the license was bound to a now-defunct computer fingerprint (motherboard replaced), the license must be returned to Siemens for re-hosting:

• Open a Support Request at Siemens Industry Online Support and attach screenshots of the ALM window (showing license number and key) and the runtime popup Details dialog.
• Provide proof of original purchase (invoice, license certificate).
• Siemens will issue a new License Key bound to the new fingerprint.

5.2 Resolving Duplicate Identical Licenses

When two or more rows show the same License Number and CoLID:

1. Identify the active license (the one installed last - typically the bottom row in the list).
2. Right-click the older/duplicate row and select Defective Licenses > Move to Defective Licenses. This deactivates it without deleting.
3. Confirm via the runtime that only one license is checked out.

5.3 Resolving an Expired Trial License Shadowing a Real License

This is the single most common cause of the "license expired" popup. The Trial License is still listed in ALM with a clock symbol; once its 21 days are exhausted, the runtime picks it up first and reports expiry.

1. In ALM, locate the row with License Number 000000000 and a clock symbol.
2. Right-click and select Deactivate License (in some ALM versions: Defective Licenses > Move to Defective Licenses).
3. Restart the WinCC Runtime - the actual valid license will be picked up.

To prevent recurrence, deactivate the Trial License as soon as the real license is installed. The official Siemens TIA V20 licensing guide states: "You have the one-time option of activating a Trial License. However, this Trial License is valid for a limited period only and expires after 21 days."

5.4 Resolving Floating License Server Unreachable

1. On the license server, verify the Siemens ALM Server service is running: services.msc > Siemens ALM Server.
2. Open TCP ports 4410 and 4411 inbound on the license server firewall.
3. From the runtime PC, test connectivity: Test-NetConnection <server> -Port 4410 (PowerShell) or telnet <server> 4410.
4. In ALM on the runtime PC, click Connect to License Server, enter the server hostname or IP, and confirm the license appears as healthy.

5.5 Resolving Version Mismatch

WinCC licenses are version-specific. A V18 license will not authorize a V20 installation. Verify the Target System Version field in the ALM detail dialog. To upgrade licenses across TIA Portal versions, purchase a License Upgrade (e.g., 6AV2107-0XA00-0BH0 for a WinCC Comfort/Upgrade V17 to V20).

6. License Type Reference Table

7. Verification Procedure

After applying the corrective action, verify the fix at three levels:

7.1 ALM-Level Verification

1. Open ALM and confirm no red X icons remain.
2. Confirm the Trial License is removed (no clock symbol) unless it is the intended license.
3. Confirm the valid license shows a green checkmark.

7.2 Runtime-Level Verification

1. Restart the WinCC Runtime service or restart the panel.
2. Confirm the "License Expired" popup does not appear.
3. Open WinCC Explorer > Help > About (or RT Professional Project > Runtime > License) - the dialog must show a valid license line, not "Demo" or "Missing".

7.3 Diagnostic Dump Verification

1. Generate a WinCC License Diagnostic dump: Start > Siemens Automation > WinCC > License Analysis (legacy V7) or via the RT Diagnostics page in TIA V20.
2. Confirm the dump lists the valid license and the runtime starts in non-demo mode.

8. Common Error Code Mapping

9. Preventive Best Practices

1. Centralize license administration on a dedicated license server. Floating Licenses reduce risk of fingerprint lock-out.
2. Deactivate Trial Licenses immediately after a real license is installed - do not leave them on the system.
3. Back up the C:\ProgramData\Siemens\Automation License Manager folder before any Windows image deployment.
4. Document every license (CoLID, License Number, target system, version) in a central plant registry. This dramatically shortens any Support Request.
5. Test WinCC Runtime startup after every TIA Portal upgrade - a version mismatch can remain latent for weeks until a panel is rebooted.
6. Avoid ghost image restore on systems that hold Single Licenses. Use the original installation media and re-host the license from Siemens.

10. When to Open a Siemens Support Request

Escalate to Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS) when:

• The computer fingerprint has changed (motherboard or SSD replacement).
• The license number is not recognized in any backup.
• The Floating License server is verified healthy but the client still reports "Server not found".

For a Support Request, attach:

1. Screenshot of ALM with all licenses visible (Ctrl + A, full window).
2. Screenshot of the defective license details dialog.
3. Screenshot of the WinCC Runtime popup with the Details button pressed.
4. Proof of purchase (invoice, license certificate PDF).
5. The License Analysis dump if WinCC V7 is involved.