TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE: Missing WIS/ASRA Modules In Mercedes WIS Standalone
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE: Missing WIS/ASRA Modules in Mercedes WIS Standalone
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
After completing a standalone installation of Mercedes WIS/ASRA (often running alongside XENTRY PassThru), the **WIS, ASRA, and MSS tabs or startup modules are completely missing** from the configuration and setup screens.
In many cases, the StartKey was successfully accepted during the initial installation and WIS worked fine before, but the license has suddenly disappeared or stopped working. Within the WIS Configuration Tool, attempting to manually re-enter a valid StartKey generates a green confirmation message stating *"StartKey saved successfully"*, but simultaneously displays a contradictory message below it stating *"No StartKey stored"*.
ROOT CAUSE
This issue occurs because **Windows restricts write permissions** on the software's license directory, or a background XENTRY update/patch has altered the folder properties. Although the Configuration Tool validates the key format, Windows prevents the tool from actually writing and saving the license data to the physical disk. As a result, the software detects a missing or invalid license and automatically hides the WIS/ASRA functional modules.
STEP-BY-STEP RESOLUTION
STEP 1: Reveal Hidden Folders in Windows
The licensing folder is located inside the hidden `ProgramData` system directory. You must make hidden items visible first.
* **Open** File Explorer on your computer.
* **Click** on the **View** tab at the top menu.
* **Check** the box next to **Hidden items**.
* *(Alternative)*: Right-click the WIS standalone shortcut, select **Open file location**, and use the top address bar to navigate back to the `ProgramData` folder.
STEP 2: Remove Read-Only Restrictions from the License Directory
* **Navigate** to the following path:
`C:\ProgramData\LicDir\`
* **Right-click** the `LicDir` folder and select **Properties**.
* **Go to** the **General** tab, look at the bottom, and **uncheck** the box next to **Read-only**.
* **Click Apply**.
* **Select** *"Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files"* when the confirmation popup appears, then click **OK**.
STEP 3: Run the Configuration Tool as Administrator
* **Close** any open WIS configuration tools or setup windows.
* **Locate** your WIS Configuration Tool shortcut or its main executable:
`C:\ProgramData\Mercedes-Benz\Fremdsoftware\WisConfigurationtool`
* **Right-click** the application icon and select **Run as administrator**.
* **Paste/type** your valid StartKey into the input field and click **Save**.
* **Verify** that the tool now permanently displays the key as stored and active. The WIS/ASRA tabs will now be fully visible and functional.
STEP 4: Lock the License File (Crucial Preventative Measure)
XENTRY PassThru installations or activation patches frequently overwrite or wipe external standalone licenses during system boots. **Locking the file prevents this from happening again.**
* **Go back** into the license folder:
`C:\ProgramData\LicDir\`
* **Locate** the specific file named `lic_key_2.dat` (or `lic_key_w.dat`).
* **Right-click** the file and select **Properties**.
* **Check** the box next to **Read-only**.
* **Click Apply** and then **OK**.
PRO TIP:** It is highly recommended to **make a backup copy** of this finalized file and save it on your desktop or an external drive. If the license ever drops in the future, you can instantly restore it by pasting your backup file back into this folder.
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
After completing a standalone installation of Mercedes WIS/ASRA (often running alongside XENTRY PassThru), the **WIS, ASRA, and MSS tabs or startup modules are completely missing** from the configuration and setup screens.
In many cases, the StartKey was successfully accepted during the initial installation and WIS worked fine before, but the license has suddenly disappeared or stopped working. Within the WIS Configuration Tool, attempting to manually re-enter a valid StartKey generates a green confirmation message stating *"StartKey saved successfully"*, but simultaneously displays a contradictory message below it stating *"No StartKey stored"*.
ROOT CAUSE
This issue occurs because **Windows restricts write permissions** on the software's license directory, or a background XENTRY update/patch has altered the folder properties. Although the Configuration Tool validates the key format, Windows prevents the tool from actually writing and saving the license data to the physical disk. As a result, the software detects a missing or invalid license and automatically hides the WIS/ASRA functional modules.
STEP-BY-STEP RESOLUTION
STEP 1: Reveal Hidden Folders in Windows
The licensing folder is located inside the hidden `ProgramData` system directory. You must make hidden items visible first.
* **Open** File Explorer on your computer.
* **Click** on the **View** tab at the top menu.
* **Check** the box next to **Hidden items**.
* *(Alternative)*: Right-click the WIS standalone shortcut, select **Open file location**, and use the top address bar to navigate back to the `ProgramData` folder.
STEP 2: Remove Read-Only Restrictions from the License Directory
* **Navigate** to the following path:
`C:\ProgramData\LicDir\`
* **Right-click** the `LicDir` folder and select **Properties**.
* **Go to** the **General** tab, look at the bottom, and **uncheck** the box next to **Read-only**.
* **Click Apply**.
* **Select** *"Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files"* when the confirmation popup appears, then click **OK**.
STEP 3: Run the Configuration Tool as Administrator
* **Close** any open WIS configuration tools or setup windows.
* **Locate** your WIS Configuration Tool shortcut or its main executable:
`C:\ProgramData\Mercedes-Benz\Fremdsoftware\WisConfigurationtool`
* **Right-click** the application icon and select **Run as administrator**.
* **Paste/type** your valid StartKey into the input field and click **Save**.
* **Verify** that the tool now permanently displays the key as stored and active. The WIS/ASRA tabs will now be fully visible and functional.
STEP 4: Lock the License File (Crucial Preventative Measure)
XENTRY PassThru installations or activation patches frequently overwrite or wipe external standalone licenses during system boots. **Locking the file prevents this from happening again.**
* **Go back** into the license folder:
`C:\ProgramData\LicDir\`
* **Locate** the specific file named `lic_key_2.dat` (or `lic_key_w.dat`).
* **Right-click** the file and select **Properties**.
* **Check** the box next to **Read-only**.
* **Click Apply** and then **OK**.
PRO TIP:** It is highly recommended to **make a backup copy** of this finalized file and save it on your desktop or an external drive. If the license ever drops in the future, you can instantly restore it by pasting your backup file back into this folder.