CODESYS is the leading manufacturer-independent IEC 61131-3 development system used to program programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and automation devices. While the base CODESYS Development System software is free to download, unlocking advanced features, runtime environments, and specialized add-ons requires proper license activation.
As of 2026, most licensing is done via the , which requires Internet access for initial activation. 2. Methods for CODESYS License Activation CODESYS offers three primary ways to activate your license: A. Direct Activation via CODESYS Store
The portal will process the request and generate a (ending in .WibuCmRaW ). Download this file to your flash drive. Step 3: Apply the License Update File Return to your offline CODESYS machine. codesys license activation
In the License Manager on the target device, select Request License to generate a context file ( *.WibuCmRaC ).
Check:
The license is tied to the hardware fingerprint of your PC or PLC. It’s convenient but can be lost if the hardware fails or the OS is reinstalled without a backup.
Maximum portability. You can move the USB dongle to a new controller instantly if the original hardware fails. CODESYS Softcontainer (Software-Based) Download this file to your flash drive
For software-based licenses, use CodeMeter to create a backup of your license context. While you cannot simply copy-paste a software license to duplicate it, having a backup simplifies recovery with CODESYS technical support.
Take the USB flash drive to a computer with internet access. utilize physical hardware dongles.
If using a physical dongle, ensure the USB indicator light is green. If using a Softcontainer, verify that the Wibu CodeMeter service is actively running in your operating system's services menu. Hardware Change Invalidates Softcontainer
You must request a license restoration or "re-hosting" from CODESYS support. To avoid this entirely on critical machinery, utilize physical hardware dongles.