Resolving 'Can't Create New Project Due to Internal Plant Hierarchy Error' (2772:106) in PCS 7

In SIMATIC PCS 7, the error '2772:106: An error occurred during internal plant hierarchy execution' encountered when attempting to create a new project using the PCS 7 New Project Wizard is caused by damaged Technological Hierarchy (TH) database templates, Microsoft SQL Server (WINCC instance) service interruption, or missing Windows user security permissions. The New Project Wizard relies on the Technological Hierarchy engine to create default area folders and OS containers. To resolve, verify that the logged-in Windows user belongs to the local 'Administrators' and 'SIMATIC HMI' user groups, confirm that the SQL Server (WINCC) service is running, and bypass the wizard by creating the Multiproject manually via 'File -> New -> Multiproject'. Alternatively, repair the PCS 7 Technological Hierarchy installation using the PCS 7 setup media.

Executive Summary

Engineers new to SIMATIC PCS 7 frequently encounter a frustrating roadblock during initial software evaluation: launching SIMATIC Manager and attempting to create a starter project via the 'PCS 7 'New Project' Wizard' halts abruptly with error code 2772:106 ('Internal plant hierarchy error'). Because the failure prevents the wizard from generating even an empty project scaffold, beginners assume the entire installation is broken. This technical article analyzes the background services required by the PCS 7 New Project Wizard, explains why Technological Hierarchy initialization fails, and provides the step-by-step procedures to bypass or permanently resolve the error.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

The PCS 7 New Project Wizard relies on multiple underlying engineering services:
1. The Technological Hierarchy (TH) Architecture:
- PCS 7 projects are strictly organized around the Plant Hierarchy (PH / TH), structuring control logic into Areas, Units, and Equipment Modules.
- The Technological Hierarchy is an independent software component (S7THAX.DLL / S7JTH.EXE) that maintains relational folder mappings and binds CFC charts to WinCC picture trees.
2. Wizard Execution Mechanics and SQL Dependency:
- When the New Project Wizard runs with 'PCS 7 OS' checked, it does not merely create folder directories; it instantiates an S7 Program, creates hierarchical Plant Hierarchy folders, and initiates a Microsoft SQL Server database for the WinCC OS.
- If the local Microsoft SQL Server (WINCC) service is stopped, disabled, or locked by antivirus software, the wizard cannot create the underlying database tables, throwing error 2772:106.
3. Windows User Group and Security Rights:
- Creating and registering plant hierarchy databases requires elevated operating system privileges.
- The active user must belong to local Windows groups:
a. Administrators
b. SIMATIC HMI
c. Siemens TIA Engineer
- If a standard user without SIMATIC HMI rights runs the wizard, database registration fails.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

Verify Windows User Security Groups:
a. Open Windows Computer Management (run compmgmt.msc).
b. Navigate to Local Users and Groups -> Groups.
c. Inspect the Administrators and SIMATIC HMI groups.
d. Confirm that your current Windows user account is a member of both groups.
e. If newly added, Log off Windows and log back in to apply the updated security token.
Verify Microsoft SQL Server (WINCC) Service State:
a. Open Windows Services (run services.msc).
b. Locate the service SQL Server (WINCC).
c. Confirm that the service status is Running and Startup Type is Automatic.
d. If stopped, right-click and select Start. Also verify SQL Server Browser is running.
Bypass Wizard by Creating Multiproject Manually:
a. Open SIMATIC Manager.
b. Close the New Project Wizard if it opens automatically.
c. From the main menu, select File -> New....
d. In the 'New Project' dialog, switch to the Multiproject tab.
e. Name the project (e.g., Plant_Master_MP) and choose a local directory (e.g., C:\Siemens\Step7\s7proj).
f. Click 'OK' to create an empty Multiproject scaffold.
Manually Insert Project and Plant Hierarchy:
a. In SIMATIC Manager, select the Multiproject node.
b. Select Insert -> Multiproject -> Create in Multiproject....
c. Create a standard User Project (e.g., Plant_AS_Prj).
d. In the newly created project, right-click and select Insert New Object -> SIMATIC 400 Station.
e. Right-click the project and select Insert New Object -> Plant Hierarchy -> Hierarchy Folder.
f. Confirm that the Plant Hierarchy folder creates cleanly without error 2772:106.
Repair Technological Hierarchy (TH) Installation (If Error Persists):
a. If manual hierarchy folder creation also throws errors, mount the PCS 7 installation media.
b. Run Setup.exe and select 'Modify / Repair'.
c. Select the component Technological Hierarchy (TH) and complete the repair installation.
d. Restart the computer.

Verification

In SIMATIC Manager, open the manually created Multiproject: verify that Plant Hierarchy folders can be inserted and renamed.
Insert a new CFC chart inside a Plant Hierarchy folder: confirm the chart opens in CFC Editor without database alerts.
Run the PCS 7 New Project Wizard: confirm it completes successfully, creating an AS station, OS station, and plant hierarchy scaffold without error 2772:106.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Never store PCS 7 projects on mapped network drives, USB flash drives, or cloud-synced folders (OneDrive, Dropbox). Projects must reside on local physical NTFS drives with short path lengths.

Engineer FAQ

What causes error 2772:106 when creating a new PCS 7 project?

It is caused by Microsoft SQL Server (WINCC) being stopped, damaged Technological Hierarchy database templates, or missing SIMATIC HMI user permissions.

Can I create a PCS 7 project without using the New Project Wizard?

Yes. You can manually create a Multiproject via File -> New -> Multiproject, and manually insert AS stations, OS stations, and Plant Hierarchy folders.