WinCC Runtime Activation Error: Initializing Archives Fix

Problem Description

When activating a SIMATIC WinCC Runtime project, the system halts during the Initializing Archives phase and the WinCC Explorer process terminates. The reported symptom is a runtime error dialog referencing a missing or failing .EXE component (commonly the archive manager subsystem). The runtime never reaches the Activated state, leaving the HMI/SCADA visualization inoperable.

Typical indications reported on the engineering station:

• Windows Event Viewer entries tagged Application Error for CCArchiveManager.exe, CCAlg.exe, or WCCILdata.dll.
• SIMATIC Runtime Manager displaying Partly Running with a yellow warning indicator next to one or more services.
• Last log line in WinCC_Sys_.log: Initializing archives followed by a process abort.
• SQL Server service starts but no CC__<nr>_R / _ALG databases materialize.

Root Cause Analysis

WinCC Runtime initializes three archive subsystems in sequence: Tag Logging (process value archive), Alarm Logging (alarm/history archive), and User Archive (recipe/report). If any referenced component binary is missing on disk, fails signature verification, or its backing SQL database is corrupt, the archive manager raises a non-recoverable error and aborts the runtime start sequence.

The four most frequent root causes observed in field deployments:

1. Missing or damaged executable: The archive subsystem binary is absent from %ProgramFiles%\Siemens\Automation\WinCC\bin or has been quarantined by antivirus software after an update.
2. Misconfigured user archive selection: A user archive is enabled in the WinCC Explorer Computer Properties dialog but the underlying database is missing or detached.
3. Corrupt SQL Server database files: The CC_*_R.mdf / .ldf files attached to the runtime instance are inconsistent (forced shutdown, full disk, write-cache disabled on controller).
4. Incomplete installation or repair state: The WinCC installation was patched in place without re-running the Setup in repair mode, leaving component registration broken in the Windows registry.

Pre-Diagnostic Checklist

Before applying any corrective action, gather the following artifacts:

Copy all of the above to a working directory and review the last 200 lines of the system log. The line preceding the abort typically contains the failing module name, for example:

Solution 1: Verify the Failing Executable

The error dialog lists the exact executable that aborted. Confirm that the file is present, not zero-byte, and not blocked by the operating system.

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to %ProgramFiles%\Siemens\Automation\WinCC\bin.
2. Right-click the failing .EXE (commonly CCArchiveManager.exe) → Properties → General tab.
3. Verify the Security field at the bottom of the dialog does not read This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer. If present, check Unblock and click Apply.
4. Check the digital signature tab. A missing or invalid signature indicates the file was overwritten by a third-party process (typical with aggressive antivirus quarantine).
5. Open secpol.msc → Software Restriction Policies. If a deny rule references the WinCC binary path, remove it.

Re-attempt activation from the WinCC Explorer after each verification. If the runtime aborts on a different .EXE, repeat the procedure for each component.

Solution 2: Correct User Archive Configuration

An enabled user archive whose backing database has been detached or deleted is one of the most common triggers. The archive subsystem attempts to attach the database, fails, and aborts the entire runtime.

1. Open WinCC Explorer and right-click the Computer node → Properties.
2. Switch to the Archives tab.
3. If User Archive is selected and the project does not actually use user archives, clear the check box.
4. Click OK and confirm the prompt to save the project configuration.
5. Rebuild the runtime with WinCC Explorer → Tools → Rebuild All before attempting activation.

If the project genuinely uses user archives, proceed to Solution 3 to repair the SQL database layer.

Solution 3: Repair or Reset the SQL Archive Database

WinCC Runtime stores tag, alarm, and user archives as SQL Server databases named CC_<Project>_<No>_R, _ALG, and _UA. A corrupt MDF/LDF pair is the second most common cause of the activation abort.

3.1 Stop the Runtime and SQL Services

1. Open SIMATIC Runtime Manager and stop the affected runtime.
2. Open services.msc and stop the service SQL Server (WINCC) (instance name varies by WinCC version).

3.2 Back Up the Existing Data

1. Copy the entire folder C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL<inst>\MSSQL\DATA to a backup location.
2. Copy the WinCC project folder completely.

3.3 Attempt a SQL Repair

1. Start SQL Server Management Studio and connect to \\.\pipe\MSSQL$WINCC\sql\query (named-pipe) or localhost\WINCC.
2. Right-click each CC_ database → Tasks → Check Database Integrity. The DBCC CHECKDB result will report the corruption level.
3. With the database still in single-user mode (set via Properties → Options → Restrict Access), execute:

ALTER DATABASE [CC_<Project>_<No>_R] SET SINGLE_USER WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE;
DBCC CHECKDB ('CC_<Project>_<No>_R', REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS) WITH NO_INFOMSGS;
ALTER DATABASE [CC_<Project>_<No>_R] SET MULTI_USER;

3.4 Reset Archives (Last Resort)

If the integrity check fails or the database is detached, the archive can be reset to its empty initial state. The procedure is irreversible and erases all logged data.

1. Stop the runtime and the SQL service as described in step 3.1.
2. Delete the affected CC_<Project>_<No>_*.mdf and *.ldf files from the SQL data directory.
3. In WinCC Explorer, select Tools → Reset Archive Data (visible only when the runtime is stopped).
4. Confirm the prompt. WinCC regenerates the archive skeletons on the next runtime start.

Solution 4: Repair the WinCC Installation

If the binary verification in Solution 1 reveals a genuine file loss, run the Setup in repair mode.

1. Insert or mount the WinCC installation media matching the installed version (for example, WinCC V7.5 SP2 Update 7 or TIA Portal V20).
2. Launch Setup.exe as Administrator.
3. Select Repair Installation and accept the default component selection.
4. Allow the installer to register all COM/DCOM components. A full repair typically takes 15–30 minutes.
5. Reboot the engineering station and re-test runtime activation.

If repair mode reports the same fault, perform a full uninstall followed by a clean install:

1. Use Control Panel → Programs and Features to uninstall all WinCC components in the order: SIMATIC WinCC → WinCC Options → SQL Server (WINCC instance).
2. Manually remove residual folders: %ProgramFiles%\Siemens\Automation, %ProgramData%\Siemens\Automation, and the project folder.
3. Reboot, then install WinCC from the local media copy.

SIMATIC Runtime Manager Diagnostics

When the runtime starts but one or more services fail, the SIMATIC Runtime Manager indicates the state. The yellow Partly Running indicator is documented in the Siemens support portal. Common component states and their meaning:

Refer to the official Siemens article for the exact list of supported corrective actions and component identifiers: Fix "Partly Running" error message in the SIMATIC Runtime Manager.

RT Professional Error Codes

For TIA Portal V20 RT Professional deployments, the API returns structured error codes in the CMN_ERROR structure. The most common codes observed during archive initialization:

The full list of API error codes is documented in the TIA Portal help portal: Error messages (RT Professional) - WinCC.

Verification Procedures

After applying any of the four solutions, validate that the runtime activates cleanly:

1. Open WinCC Explorer and confirm the computer node is in the Activated state. The status bar reads Runtime: Activated.
2. Open SIMATIC Runtime Manager and verify all components show a green check mark; no yellow Partly Running warning.
3. Connect a WinCC Trend Control to a known process tag and confirm live values appear. This validates the Tag Logging archive path.
4. Trigger a test alarm from the script engine and confirm it surfaces in WinCC Alarm Control; this validates the Alarm Logging archive.
5. Inspect the last 50 lines of WinCC_Sys_<Computer>.log; no entries should contain ERROR or FATAL.
6. Restart the engineering station and confirm the runtime auto-starts and reaches Activated without operator intervention.

Preventive Measures

• Exclude the WinCC folder from antivirus real-time scanning. Add %ProgramFiles%\Siemens\Automation and the project folder to the exclusion list. The binary quarantine is the leading preventable cause of this fault.
• Use a local installation source. Never install or repair WinCC from a UNC path; copy the media to C:\Siemens_Install first.
• Schedule SQL maintenance. Configure a weekly DBCC CHECKDB job on the WINCC instance and a daily index rebuild on the archive databases.
• Monitor disk space. The SQL transaction log can grow without bound if auto-growth is unrestricted. Cap it at a sane size and back up the log daily.
• Document the archive configuration. Maintain a project README that lists which user archives are enabled and where the MDF files live, so future technicians know which databases belong to which project.

Troubleshooting Matrix